New Berlin council approves multiple plan-commission land-use and subdivision recommendations
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Summary
The New Berlin Common Council on June 10 unanimously approved multiple plan-commission recommendations involving rezonings, comprehensive-plan amendments and certified survey maps affecting South Moreland Road, West National Avenue and South Martin Road.
NEW BERLIN, Wis. — The New Berlin Common Council on June 10 unanimously approved a series of plan commission recommendations that would change future land-use designations, rezone parcels and authorize several certified survey maps for properties across the city.
The actions included recommendations tied to applications from Wimmer Communities/Conservancy LLC for property on South Moreland Road, applications from Don’s Holding LLC for property at 16200 West National Avenue, and a three-lot certified survey map for property owned by Ryan Jansen on South Martin Road. Alderman Hopkins moved to approve each plan-commission recommendation, saying, “I move to recommend approval to the common council as unanimously approved by the plan commission on 06/02/2025.” Each motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
The most substantive land-use changes on the council agenda were:
- CP-2500070 / Ordinance 2703: An amendment to the city comprehensive plan future land-use map to change the designation for the Conservancy/Wimmer Communities site (1640 South Moreland Road) from Suburban Communities Mixed Use Residential and Institutional with a Planned Unit Development overlay to Mixed Use Residential with a PUD overlay.
- RZ-2500071 / Ordinance 2701: A rezoning package for the same Conservancy/Wimmer properties that rescinds a prior PUD overlay (Ordinance 2679) and adopts a new Conservancy Neighborhood Development PUD (Ordinance 2701); the staff report lists multiple tax-key parcels tied to the proposal.
- LD-2500072: Approval of a three-lot certified survey map for the Conservancy/Wimmer site (tax keys listed in the staff report).
- CP-2500440 / Ordinance 2707 and RZ-2500441 / Ordinance 2708: A comprehensive-plan amendment and rezoning request for 16200 West National Avenue (Don’s Holding LLC/David/Donald R. Gerb — recorded in the staff report using variant spellings) to change the future land use from Suburban Commercial to Urban Residential and rezone from B2 to R4.5; the council approved a two-lot certified survey map for the site (LD-2500442).
- LD-2500647: Approval of a three-lot certified survey map for property at 5245 South Martin Road (applicant: Ryan Jansen).
Why it matters: the votes clear the way for applicants to move forward with more-detailed subdivision and development submittals under the new zoning and PUD frameworks, and place requirements or disclosures tied to drainage and platting on future property titles.
Discussion and direction on stormwater easement: Council members questioned whether the LD-2500647 certified survey map would preserve the city’s ability to access and maintain a drainage corridor that runs through the proposed lots. During discussion the council was told the record indicates Lot 1 is owned by the City of New Berlin “for stormwater purposes” and that the drainage path to an existing pond traverses all three parcels and “shall not be obstructed.” Council members asked staff to confirm whether a public easement or a private drainage easement would be recorded and how maintenance and permitting constraints would be enforced. The council heard that the 90-day time limit for final action tied to the application expires on July 16, 2025, and members asked city staff (identified in the record as Nicole) to verify the easement language that will appear on final deeds or plats as a follow-up step; that request was recorded as direction to staff rather than a change to the approved CSM.
Formal outcomes: For each plan-commission item presented the council made a motion to recommend approval (moved by Alderman Hopkins); motions were seconded and adopted by unanimous voice vote. For LD-2500647 the council approved the CSM after discussion and directed staff to confirm and report back on the drainage/easement documentation.
What the council did not do: Council members did not alter the text of the proposed ordinances, nor did they require immediate dedication of the drainage corridor as city-owned right-of-way at this meeting. The record shows the council relied on staff to clarify record language on the deed/platted notes and easement status for later filings.
Next steps: Applicants may proceed with final platting and permit applications under the newly approved zoning and PUD frameworks; city staff will follow up on the drainage-easement clarification requested by council members.
