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Council approves rezoning of roughly 39 acres on Grand Avenue for mixed residential development
Summary
Following a second reading and debate about traffic safety on Grand Avenue, the Port Washington Common Council adopted Ordinance 2025-03 to rezone about 39 acres on the south side of West Grand Avenue for a mix of multifamily, townhome and single‑family housing; staff recommended approval and the motion passed by voice vote.
The Port Washington Common Council on March 4 adopted Ordinance 2025‑03, rezoning about 39 acres on the south side of West Grand Avenue to allow a mix of multifamily, townhome and single‑family residential uses as proposed by Schaeffer Development.
Staff recommended approval after the plan commission reviewed the petition; the zoning districts adopted include RM‑3 for the multifamily portion, RM‑2 for a 12‑unit townhome component, RS‑5 for single‑family units and an OPD (overlay plan development) to allow reduced setbacks on some lots. Bob Harris, staff member, told the council the ordinance reflects the accompanying preliminary plat and that the plan commission approved the companion plat at its prior meeting.
Alderman Gasper opposed the rezoning on safety grounds, saying the proposal will increase crossings at a stretch of Grand Avenue that he called difficult to slow. "With what we're proposing ... we're doing the exact opposite," Gasper said, arguing the area needs development patterns that produce roadway friction to slow motorists. Council members discussed mitigation options, including a DOT‑required turn lane and landscaping or building placement closer to the road as possible measures to reduce perceived speeds. Harris noted state Department of Transportation standards for setbacks and said DOT had identified requirements, including a left‑turn lane, tied to the project.
After discussion, Alderman Tierney moved to adopt the ordinance; the motion was seconded and the council passed the measure by voice vote. The mayor noted the city had coordinated with neighboring jurisdictions on sanitary sewer capacity earlier and thanked a neighboring official for assistance on sewer infrastructure.
Ending — what’s next: the ordinance was adopted at second reading and the project will proceed through remaining site‑level approvals and any developer agreements that may include traffic mitigation and landscaping commitments.
