The Wauwatosa Planning Commission recommended approval of a conditional-use permit to convert the former Crowne Plaza/Sonesta hotel at 10499 Innovation Drive into Waterfare Apartments, a mixed-use project that the developer says will yield 146 affordable residential units and about 9,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. The commission also recommended approval of a certified survey map to split the 7.55-acre parcel; both items will be considered by the Common Council on Nov. 18.

Dr. Manish Gurria, a project partner, described the developers recent Watertown Apartments project and presented Waterfare as a mission-driven project targeted to MRMC and Research Park workers, graduate students and support staff. "Our plan is to provide 146 affordable apartments," Gurria said, adding the project will focus on studios and one-bedrooms and include tenant amenities such as a fitness room, community space and bike facilities. He said renovations would be interior only, with energy-efficiency upgrades to HVAC and lighting, and no major exterior changes other than signage and exterior refresh.

Gurria described expected rents as below recent project levels and provided a development timeline: the applicant hopes to complete approvals by month-end, close in December, begin renovation in February and begin leasing in late summer. He also said the project would reduce the number of hotel rooms and repurpose underused land near the Research Park.

Commissioners asked about refuse collection, design review and whether a commercial tenant had been identified; the developer said he plans to occupy the commercial space for medical use and explained plans for an internal trash room and service elevator to remove refuse to a fenced collection area. Staff said any exterior improvements would go to the Design Review Board and that interior-only renovations would proceed under building permits.

Both the conditional use permit and the land-division certified survey map passed on unanimous votes and will go to the Common Council for final approval on Nov. 18.