Waukesha Plan Commission reviews preliminary recommendations for zoning code update

The Waukesha City Plan Commission reviewed a preliminary recommendations report on the city's zoning code update at its meeting called for Wednesday, January 15, as city staff and consultants sought feedback on policies to implement the 2024 strategic and comprehensive plans.

Jennifer, a city planning staff member, told the commission the zoning code update is intended to implement the comprehensive plan and the city's five‑year strategic plan. "The city completed a 5 year strategic plan in 2024," she said, and staff framed the zoning work as a key implementation step.

The report, presented by Jackie (project consultant) and Carrie Papelbaum, the project manager, summarized public engagement and proposed changes across multiple topics. "The purpose of this meeting is definitely to discuss the findings from our preliminary recommendations report," Carrie said as consultants outlined the project scope and next steps.

Why it matters: Commissioners heard that much of Waukesha is built out and future growth will focus on infill and redevelopment. The proposed changes would alter where and how housing, commercial activity and site design are allowed in the city's districts, with potential effects on downtown vibrancy, neighborhood commercial nodes and the number and type of buildable residential lots.

Key points from the discussion

Housing diversity and first‑floor uses: Staff proposed a range of new residential categories (examples discussed in the report included "cottage home courts," small‑scale multifamily defined for discussion as 5— units and large multifamily as above 8 units) and recommended allowing more housing types by right in additional districts. Commissioners debated whether to allow residential units on the ground floor in the downtown B2 district. The existing code was described by staff as requiring the front 50 percent of many first floors to remain commercial; consultants…