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Waukesha council approves rezoning, code changes and county sidewalk agreement; multiple items pass unanimously
Summary
At its Feb. 4 meeting the council approved a rezoning for Southwest Avenue, two municipal code amendments involving alcohol licensing, and an agreement with Waukesha County about future sidewalk installation; several items passed with unanimous or lopsided votes and will proceed to implementation steps described by staff.
The Waukesha Common Council on Feb. 4 approved several routine and ordinance items, including a rezoning of property on Southwest Avenue, two amendments to the municipal code related to alcohol licenses, and a sidewalk-installation agreement with Waukesha County.
The council adopted a rezoning ordinance that changes zoning along Southwest Avenue from M1 industrial to MM1 mixed industrial. Council members noted the public hearing had already occurred; the council voted to adopt the ordinance that evening. "Rezoning can be adopted the night of. That doesn't require multiple readings," a staff member said.
The council also approved an amendment to Municipal Code 9.09 to change residency requirements for alcohol and tobacco license agents. Under the amendment an agent must reside within a 25-mile radius of City Hall, expanding eligibility beyond Waukesha County. The ordinance and license committee recommended the change to help small businesses that struggle to find on-site managers who meet the older residency requirement.
A second municipal code amendment aligned city licensing rules with a recent change in state law by removing a requirement that certain class B and C retail alcohol beverage licenses also require the holder to operate as a restaurant. City staff said the change makes it easier for businesses to obtain those licenses by removing a food-service requirement that state law no longer imposes.
Separately, the council approved an agreement with Waukesha County establishing that sidewalks along Northview Road and Grandview Boulevard would be installed when county-owned parcels are developed. City staff said there is no immediate financial impact to the city under the agreement; developers or the county will be responsible for installation when development occurs. "Correct. It would all go on to the future development on the county grounds," a staff member said.
Votes at a glance: - Rezoning ordinance for Southwest Avenue: motion adopted (council vote recorded as carried; specific tally in packet noted 14 yes for this item). - Amendment to Municipal Code 9.09 (residency radius for liquor/tobacco agents): adopted (ordinance amendment passed 14-0, per council announcement). - Amendment to Municipal Code 9.09 and 9.11 (align class B and C retail alcohol license rules with state law): adopted unanimously. - Sidewalk installation agreement with Waukesha County (Northview Road/Grandview Boulevard): motion to approve adopted; staff said "no financial impact to the city."
Other items: the Board of Public Works reported no bids for a Cemetery Administration Building HVAC replacement; a separate fire station boiler project received bids but was held for a later meeting. Various commission reports were given and several routine consent items passed unanimously.
The council did not vote on the cemetery HVAC item at this meeting; staff said they will rebid and perform additional outreach to contractors.
