Plan commission approves 36‑unit PDD on former Faith Lutheran site with conditions

Germantown, Wis. — The Village of Germantown Plan Commission on Dec. 8 approved a Planned Development District (PDD) and certified survey map (CSM) to allow a 36‑unit, market‑rate rental community on roughly 5.4 acres of land owned by Faith Lutheran Church.

Staff described the proposal as consistent with the village’s 2050 comprehensive plan and said the project would produce about $44,000 in annual property tax revenue to the village and roughly $300,000 in one‑time impact fees for utilities and stormwater. Jordan, the planning staff presenter, said the plan includes two on‑site stormwater ponds, 6.7 dwelling units per acre and individual yards and attached garages for each unit.

Developer Daniel Osvani of Sears Property Group told the commission the project was reduced from 42 to 36 units after prior feedback and that the design now includes added visitor parking and landscape screening. "We did increase the setback from the south property line from 3 feet originally up to 16 feet," Osvani said, adding the development will be built in a single phase and managed by a contracted Wisconsin property management company.

During public comment several residents voiced concerns about flood risk and contract protections when churches sell land. Tanner Hahn, head trustee for Faith Lutheran Church, said the church is not in a flood zone and that "Faith Lutheran Church is not involved in that property after it is divided and sold," noting the church would be divested of the property once the CSM is recorded.

Commission discussion focused on three implementation items: (1) a CSM revision to ensure a 5‑foot buffer between the church driveway and the new property line; (2) a condition requiring perimeter screening and landscaping to soften views from neighboring properties, and (3) a sidewalk requirement along the west side of Division Road or an agreed financial contribution if the village constructs the connecting sidewalk later. Commissioners amended staff language on the screening to allow a "mutually acceptable alternative" to the 10‑foot buffer to be worked out at the site‑plan stage.

The commission approved the CSM (with the north property‑line adjustment condition) and later approved the PDD by voice vote after amending the screening language. Russ Ewart moved the motion to create the PDD; Bob Warren seconded. The approvals included the staff‑recommended conditions and the added flexibility for screening details to be finalized with staff at site plan review.

Next steps: the developer will revise the CSM as conditioned and proceed to the village board for final action, then submit a detailed site plan that must meet the PDD’s general development plan and the screening, sidewalk and stormwater requirements spelled out by staff.