Council introduces rezoning for Port Washington public safety building site at West Grand Avenue

The City of Port Washington Common Council introduced an ordinance on Tuesday to rezone approximately 6.67 acres at the northwest intersection of West Grand Avenue (State Highway 33) and County Road LL from B‑2 local service center business with an arterial gateway overlay to PUL (Public and Utility Lands). The rezoning is intended to accommodate the city's public safety building at 1540 West Grand Avenue.

"With the approval of the Police and Fire Safety Building, and now the acquisition of the land by the city, the next item is for the property to be rezoned from business to PUL," Bob Harris, a staff member, said as he introduced the ordinance. Harris described the PUL district as the zoning category "for city, county, local governments, or pseudo government entities."

The item was presented as a first reading; no vote was taken. A public hearing and second reading are scheduled for May 20.

Council members asked several technical questions. Harris confirmed that a short private drive (referred to at the meeting as the "little elbow Drive") is part of the parcel and would be included in the PUL parcel. Harris also said he had updated Cardinal Capital, which owns land north of the parcel, and that "they do intend to develop at some point."

Rob, a city staff member, answered a question about an agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for easement rights on County LL: "The agreement was to pay for the cost of the appraisal, which is estimated at $3,000. And then, we have to pay for the cost of a dedicated left hand turn lane on Highway 33, but I don't have an estimate on that." Council members publicly thanked Rob and legislative staff who helped secure approvals and coordination for the site access work.

Because this was a first reading, the council did not take final action. The rezoning will return for a public hearing and second reading at the May 20 meeting.