Board approves conditional use permit and site plan for West Bend School District elementary school, leaves future crosswalk decisions to contingency language

The Village of Jackson board on Oct. 20 approved a conditional use permit and site plan for parcels associated with the West Bend School District's proposed elementary school, authorizing staff to finalize the associated development agreement subject to six conditions listed in the staff memo.

Matt (staff) summarized the item as the last local approval step following a previously approved rezoning; the plan commission had recommended approval with six conditions. The board's action authorized staff to "make non-substantive amendments" to the development agreement and finalize exhibits with the district's counsel.

One notable part of the board's discussion concerned pedestrian crossings and curb ramps at nearby intersections. Matt and village public-safety staff discussed whether the project should require upgrades to curb ramps to meet current ADA detectable-warning-field specifications and whether to install an additional southern midblock crosswalk at the Jackson Drive/Hickory Lane intersection. Village staff said existing curb ramps at some intersections already have older-style detectable-warning fields and recommended only striping and signage, not full ADA ramp reconstructions, for the immediate scope of the project. A staff representative said the southernmost crosswalk at Jackson Drive/Hickory Lane "is not needed" and that adding it could create management challenges for crossing guards.

Board members asked that the development agreement include contingency language so that if a future safety concern arises — for example, increased pedestrian activity or changed traffic patterns — the village and the school district would meet in good faith to determine appropriate improvements and cost-sharing rather than litigate the issue later. The board agreed that the agreement should state that if either party determines additional traffic-control improvements are necessary for safety, the parties will jointly work out payment and implementation.

The motion to approve the conditional use permit and site plan, as crafted with the staff-drafted final language and authorization for staff to complete non-substantive edits to the development agreement, passed by voice vote. The board chair indicated the conditional-use document and the development agreement will be signed when finalized.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve the conditional use permit and site plan for the West Bend School District elementary school, subject to six conditions and authorizing staff to finalize non-substantive edits to the development agreement — Mover: not specified in the record; Second: John; Outcome: approved (voice vote).