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Planning commission backs 148-child bilingual daycare at 7754 Harwood Ave.; playground over water-main easement flagged for later approvals
Summary
The commission unanimously recommended approval of a conditional-use permit for Casa, a bilingual Spanish-immersion daycare serving up to 148 children; staff and the applicants said a traffic/parking plan and engineering review will be required for an outdoor play area located within a water-main easement.
The Wauwatosa Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a conditional-use permit for a bilingual early-childhood center at 7754 Harwood Avenue that the applicants said would serve up to 148 children and operate weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The commission—s recommendation will be forwarded to the Common Council on Nov. 18.
Staff described the proposal and the related traffic and parking recommendations: a traffic study and public-works review recommends 15-minute on-street parking along the southeast side of Harwood Avenue (7:30—8:30 a.m.) to facilitate in-and-out drop-off and minimize long-term parking, and the plan also includes reconstructed driveway spaces on the property. A staff reviewer said the parking-change proposal will also need Transportation Affairs Committee review.
Applicants Critti Belle Stefan and Michael Stefan said they would operate "Casa," a bilingual Spanish-immersion early-childhood center with a history of strong demand and waiting lists at existing locations. "Casa seems to be a destination," the applicants said, and they told commissioners they expect local families and commuters would use the program.
Commissioners raised two operational and site concerns: bicycle-parking requirements for staff and parents, and the proposed outdoor play area, which is located within a water-main easement. Staff said applicants must work with the engineering department and seek Board of Public Works and Common Council approvals to build over the easement; staff reported preliminary assurances but said a final agreement is required. Applicants said they plan secure fencing and landscaping to make the play area safe.
Alder First moved approval with staff recommendations; the motion passed unanimously.
Next steps: The item will go to the Common Council on Nov. 18 for final action; the Transportation Affairs Committee and Board of Public Works will review parking and easement matters as required.
