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Commission approves annexation and rezoning for data center parcels, recommends discontinuance of Highland Drive segment
Summary
Port Washington's Planning Commission unanimously approved an annexation and permanent rezoning for roughly 90.642 acres to an I-3 Technology Campus district for a proposed data center campus and recommended the Common Council discontinue the northern portion of Highland Drive to consolidate the development site.
The Port Washington Planning Commission on Sept. 18 unanimously approved a petition to annex about 90.642 acres from the Town of Port Washington into the City of Port Washington and recommended permanent rezoning to an I-3 Technology Campus District to accommodate a proposed data center campus. The applicant is VDC Wisco Realty Investments 1 LLC.
Staff described the annexation and zoning as the final contiguous parcels needed to complete a large block south of Lake Drive and west of Interstate 43. Sam, a city staff member, said the annexation and rezoning align with the city's comprehensive plan designation for Business Park/Industrial and are intended to allow the property owner to consolidate parcels for the data center development.
The commission also considered a related request from VDC Wisco Realty Investments 2 LLC to discontinue the northern portion of Highland Drive, between Lake Drive and Interstate 43, as described in the exhibit to the discontinuance resolution. City staff said the developer now owns property on both sides of the street and seeks discontinuance to consolidate the site; state statute requires preserved access for remaining property owners via easements if needed. The commission recommended that the Common Council authorize the discontinuance; a staff member said the southern portion of Highland Drive had already been discontinued by the council.
Commissioners asked staff to clarify the parcels already annexed and requested that future packets visually shade parcels that have been annexed so the public can more easily see which acres remain. Sam agreed to add clearer, color-coded maps for the Common Council first reading.
The planning commission voted to approve the annexation petition (temporary zoning I-3) and to recommend permanent I-3 rezoning; both motions carried. The commission also recommended the council approve the Highland Drive discontinuance. Each of those items will proceed to the Common Council for final action where applicable; the annexation petition referenced Wisconsin Statute 66.02172.
Votes and next steps: the commission advanced the annexation and permanent rezoning to the Common Council and recommended the council authorize the discontinuance of the northern portion of Highland Drive; staff will supply clearer parcel maps for the council packet.
