Planning commissioners recommend conditional-use permit for private K–8 at 303 Southwestern Avenue

The Waupaca City Planning Commission voted to recommend that City Council grant a conditional-use permit allowing Elan Holdings LLC to operate a private K–8 school at 303 Southwestern Avenue, the former daycare building.

The recommendation came after a public hearing in which neighbors and the applicant spoke about traffic, drop-off logistics and expected enrollment. The commission’s recommendation is conditioned on five requirements included in the staff report, including a site-plan review to address parking and traffic-flow concerns.

Why it matters: The property sits in a B-4 (strip commercial) zoning district with the Fulton Street overlay; a K–8 school is allowed only by conditional-use approval in that zoning. Site-plan review was highlighted by staff and commissioners as the step that will address how buses and parent vehicles will load and unload and where on-site parking will be located.

Aaron Hatcher, owner of the applicant Elan Holdings LLC, told commissioners he expects about 30–40 students in the school’s first year and that “probably the majority of them would be bus riders.” He said enrollment discussions with the district and transportation routing were ongoing and that he would coordinate with the police department on traffic routing if the permit is approved.

Neighbor Eric Halverson, who lives at 311 South Western Avenue, spoke in favor and said he had “never had a problem” with prior child-centered uses on the site. Nearby business owner Scott Bickley said he welcomed children but raised traffic concerns at the intersection near Pick n Save and McDonald’s and recommended the city review parking and circulation. Planning staff said site-plan review will directly address those issues.

City staff recommended approval in a written report. The report reiterates that all applicable state and federal requirements, building permits and other zoning requirements must be met and that any change to the requested use (for example, expanding beyond K–8) would require a new conditional-use permit.

The commission moved, by voice vote, to recommend approval of the conditional-use permit with the five staff conditions. The motion was recorded as “Motion by Eric, second by Dana.” The recorded outcome was four ayes and one abstention; the recommendation now goes to City Council for final action.

Next steps: The item will be scheduled for City Council consideration; a site-plan review application must be completed before final occupancy or operation can proceed.