Plan commission recommends conditional use permit for Royal Estates condominium project

The Oak Creek Plan Commission recommended that the common council approve a conditional use permit for Royal Estates, a proposed development of ten two-story attached single-family buildings totaling 36 units near 27th Street, south of Putes and north of Ryan Road. The commission’s recommendation followed a staff presentation and questions from members and a civil-engineering representative for the developer.

Todd, a city staff presenter, said the project would include two accessory structures (a gazebo and a deck), 24-foot-wide private access to 27th Street that will require WisDOT approval, and a 20-foot woodland preservation easement along the property’s north edge to protect neighboring residents and on-site wetlands. “There’ll be no parking allowed on that private road,” he said, and added that driveways and two-car garages (though only one enclosed parking space is required) would provide off-street parking.

Jason Christiansen, the civil engineer for the developer, told commissioners the project previously had approvals that expired after construction delays and that the team is returning with contractors lined up and a plan largely unchanged from three years ago. He confirmed the woodland preservation easement has been recorded as part of the certified survey map and that the applicants have submitted a tree preservation and removal plan that staff finds meets code requirements.

Commissioners asked about basements (the units include basements), wetland protection, and the need for WisDOT review before permits can be issued. Engineering staff noted recorded development agreements for public water and stormwater maintenance and said additional reconstruction and erosion-control permits would be required.

Seapert moved that the commission recommend approval of the conditional use permit with the conditions and restrictions shown in the packet, Mark seconded, and the commission carried the motion by roll-call vote. Commissioners advised the applicant to schedule a pre-construction meeting and to complete any required state and DOT reviews before permits are issued.

The commission’s recommendation will go to the Oak Creek common council; staff emphasized outstanding items that must be completed before final permits, including DOT review for the access and verification of required easements and technical corrections.