Oconomowoc council approves first‑reading actions to advance Harvest at Pabst Farms; vote 6–1
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Summary
After extended public comment and council debate over density, utilities and sequencing, the council approved four first‑reading ordinances tied to the Harvest at Pabst Farms project — including a change to the city’s housing ratio — with votes waived to move the process forward contingent on a signed developer agreement.
The Oconomowoc Common Council on Feb. 17 voted to advance four first‑reading ordinances tied to the Harvest at Pabst Farms development, approving a change to the city’s comprehensive‑plan housing mix and related land‑use and zoning actions in a series of 6–1 roll‑call votes.
The measures — a housing‑ratio amendment, a comprehensive‑plan land‑use change for roughly 106.67 acres, rezoning of three parcels, and a planned‑development (PD) overlay — were approved as first readings with the second reading waived and explicit language making approvals contingent on a signed developer’s agreement. Alderman Youngworth was the sole ‘no’ vote in each roll call.
City planning staff said the housing‑ratio amendment would alter the plan’s established target from 60% single‑family / 35% multifamily / 5% duplex to a new floor/ceilings of 58% single‑family, 37.3% multifamily and 4.7% duplex to accommodate the developer’s proposed mix. Planning staff noted the ratio projection is a long‑term snapshot and described the calculation as "absolutely worst case as if no additional single family lots would be developed going forward," a condition staff attributed to how the ratio is modeled.
Developer representatives presented an updated site plan and branding for "Harvest at Pabst Farms." Scott Yauch of Cobalt Partners told the council the team has held "more than 20 meetings with city staff" and said the plan reflects market realities and site constraints while aiming to deliver a mixed‑use project with retail, trails and residential options.
Developers and staff also described a permit‑timing condition included in the PD overlay: the city will hold issuance of additional multifamily building permits until either infrastructure is installed to accommodate a minimum of 100,000 square feet of nonresidential space in the commercial area or the developer closes a construction loan for buildings comprising at least 100,000 square feet of nonresidential space. Mr. Duffy said the provision is intended to prevent the multifamily portion from advancing far ahead of the commercial component.
Residents who spoke at public hearings expressed competing views. Larry Swakiewicz, president of a nearby condominium association, said he was skeptical of developer outreach and highlighted earlier and more recent unit counts posted online; he called the proposal "not worthy" without more assurances. By contrast, local business owner Joe Grosch said denser housing would provide the "heads and beds" local businesses need and urged approval.
Council members emphasized that approval at this stage is procedural and not final project endorsement. Several aldermen pressed developers to return with more detailed site plans showing tradeoffs that could lower the overall unit count or increase owner‑occupied single‑family housing; others said failing to approve the land‑use changes could leave the property open to by‑right industrial or large commercial uses under the current business‑park zoning. The council directed staff and the developer to continue refining site plans and sequencing language as the developer's agreement is negotiated.
Outcome and next steps: each ordinance passed its first reading and will proceed under the terms discussed; final approvals will depend on a developer agreement and any subsequent public hearings and second‑reading actions required by ordinance.
