Council approves Winterberry Reserve RS‑3 PUD rezoning 12–1 over objections about lot size and parking

The Waukesha Common Council on April 15 approved a rezoning to RS‑3 with a planned unit development (PUD) overlay for the Winterberry Reserve subdivision, a 22.196‑acre parcel on the city’s west side that Veridian Homes plans to develop with a mix of larger perimeter lots and smaller interior lots served by alleys.

Why it matters: The PUD rezoning allows narrower lots—40 to 45 feet wide—designed to produce an in‑town neighborhood character and new entry‑level housing options. The plan includes alley access behind houses, a reduced front setback (15 feet rather than the typical 25 feet) and architectural standards intended to preserve neighborhood character.

Jeremy Chapman, a city planning staff member, described the proposal and showed a preliminary plat and examples of house types developers have used elsewhere. “There'll be lots that are only 40 to 45 feet wide in this area, and they will be served then by alleyway … so garages would be accessed from the alley,” Chapman said, noting a 26‑foot alley with 20 feet of pavement and an 18‑foot setback from garages to the alley pavement to permit two cars inside the garage and two stacked outside.

Alder Heather Halvin Slaven, who offered the motion, said she supported the design as a source of more affordable, entry‑level single‑family housing and moved the rezoning to RS‑3 PUD. Alder Rick Lemke seconded and urged support, saying the subdivision would be a “very nice subdivision.”

Alder Eric Payne was the lone recorded dissenting vote at final roll call. He raised a practical objection to the 18‑foot space between a garage and street, noting modern four‑door pickup trucks can be nearly that long: “My truck would be hanging out in the road at 18 feet,” he said. Payne also said he did not think the smaller interior lots fit well amid surrounding larger lots.

The council carried the rezoning with a roll‑call vote reported as 12 in favor, 1 opposed. Staff and the developer said the PUD would keep larger lots on the perimeter, preserve tree lines, and add a sign on Summit Avenue identifying the subdivision entrance. Chapman said the homes on smaller lots are expected to average about 1,800 square feet, with porches and architectural details required by the PUD standards.

Next steps: The rezoning ordinance will be dated to the meeting and recorded as approved; the developer can proceed with final platting and construction per the approved PUD standards.