Plan Commission approves land-use and zoning changes for Stratford/Highmount parcel

The City of West Bend Plan Commission voted to approve a land use plan amendment and a zoning map amendment for a 0.41-acre parcel north of Highmount Road on the west side of Stratford Road, clearing the way for two-family residential development.

Staff told the commission the applicant, Urban Sustainable Homes LLC, requested the change from industrial and single-family land use to two-family (RD-2) for the vacant lot. Staff said sewer service has been extended to the area and the developer will extend water service as part of the project. “The change to the 2 family requests is, in staff's opinion, a good transition from the industrial to the south to the residential to the north,” staff said during the presentation.

Commissioners opened and closed public hearings on both the land-use amendment and the zoning change; staff reported no public inquiries from notified neighbors and no written objections. The commission adopted the resolution recommending the land-use change and later voted to approve the zoning map amendment from M-2 Heavy Industrial and RS-4 Single-Family Residential to RD-2 Two-Family Residential.

Staff recommended approval with standard conditions related to utility extensions, and said the zoning and land-use change complements adjacent residential uses and abuts parkland. The planning packet notes the area was platted in 1920 but remained undeveloped until utilities were extended.

Next steps include referral to the Common Council for final action and subsequent site-plan review and permitting by staff if the council approves the rezoning.