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Planning commission approves conditional use for South Park recording studio with limits on live‑audience sessions
Summary
The commission recommended approval of a conditional use grant for a recording studio at 691 S. Park St., allowing studio audience recordings subject to conditions including a cap of four studio‑audience performances per month, compliance with fire and building codes and a 12‑month follow‑up review.
The Port Washington Planning Commission on June 19 recommended approval of a conditional use grant that would allow operation of a recording studio at 691 S. Park St., subject to conditions intended to address parking, safety and neighborhood impacts.
Staff said the site is a 2,500‑square‑foot light‑industrial building in an I‑1 zoning district and that the city recently added “recording studio” as a conditional use in the district. The staff report set a minimum off‑street parking requirement of three spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross leasable area and proposed conditions mirroring a nearby, previously approved studio.
A principal issue at the meeting was studio audience recordings. Staff recommended conditioning any live‑audience performances on an approved parking plan coordinated with police, fire and public works. During discussion, the applicant, Will Frang, confirmed he anticipated audience sessions mostly on Fridays or Saturdays and said initial expectations were one to two performances a month; the commission ultimately approved a condition limiting studio‑audience performances to no more than four per month, with planning commission review 12 months after Common Council action.
Commissioners also required compliance with applicable building and fire codes and noted that the building inspector and fire department would determine occupancy limits, exits and any sprinkler or life‑safety requirements prior to final occupancy. Staff advised that if the applicant sought more frequent live‑audience events in the future, the business would need to return for review or an amended conditional use.
The commission approved the recommendation with the conditions described above. Staff and the applicant said they will work with police, fire and public works on a parking plan to address peak‑demand events. The minutes record the motion carried; the planning commission will review the conditional use 12 months after council approval.
