Waukesha City Council approves three land‑use actions, disallows two claims and appoints new treasurer

Waukesha — The Waukesha City Common Council on Tuesday approved three land‑use proposals, moved to disallow two claims for damages and appointed Abigail Shashow as city treasurer after a closed session. Councilors voted unanimously on the major items.

The most substantive actions concerned zoning and planned‑unit development (PUD) requests. Council approved rezoning about 4.27 acres at the northeast corner of Coral Drive and Dolphin Drive from M‑3 (Limited Business and Industrial Park) to M‑1 (Light Manufacturing) to accommodate a proposed self‑storage development. City planner Doug told the council the site is narrow and constrained by a navigable stream and 50‑foot setback; he said the proposed site plan keeps building areas clear of the creek and “they have a plan that could work on this site.” The planning commission had recommended approval.

The council also approved an amendment to the Fox Run PUD at 2310 Fox Run Boulevard to allow residential uses on Lot 4. Planning staff described the proposal as a three‑story multifamily building that could provide roughly 63 units; the planning commission recommended the change after finding the lot has not attracted commercial tenants and that allowing residential use would be consistent with the land‑use plan.

A third zoning action approved rezoning roughly 4.87 acres north of Rapids Trail (the River Road Villas proposal) from B‑5 (Community Business) to RD‑2 (two‑family residential) with a PUD overlay for a condominium/duplex development. Staff said the plan includes 12 duplex buildings (24 duplex units) served by a private drive, setbacks relief for one building, landscaping, and utility connections; the applicants indicated unit prices in the neighborhood of $425,000. Councilors raised traffic and driveway‑location questions; staff said the site had been noticed and the planning commission recommended approval.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (Dec. 16, 2025): motion passed unanimously. - Consent agenda: approved unanimously. - Disallow claim (Brandon Coffey, personal injury on a bus): motion to disallow passed unanimously; city staff said the claim should be filed against the transit contractor/insurer. - Disallow claim (Ideal Auto Sales, property damage allegedly from plow): motion to disallow passed unanimously; staff said there was no evidence of city negligence. - Dolphin Drive/Coral Drive rezoning (M‑3 to M‑1): approved unanimously. - Fox Run PUD amendment (allow residential on Lot 4): approved unanimously. - Rapids Trail/River Road rezoning to RD‑2 PUD (River Road Villas): approved unanimously. - Reappointment to IT Board (Brandon Costini): approved unanimously. - Appointment of Abigail Shashow as city treasurer (after closed session under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(c)): approved unanimously.

Personnel and appointments The council convened in closed session under Wisconsin Statute §19.85(1)(c) to consider a personnel appointment. After returning to open session, members voted to appoint Abigail Shashow as treasurer of the City of Waukesha. The mayor announced the appointment and the vote passed unanimously.

Claims and routine business City Attorney Brian recommended disallowing a personal‑injury claim by Brandon Coffey that arose on a bus, explaining the bus drivers are employed by a contractor (a Transdev subsidiary) and the claim was filed against the wrong party. The council also voted to disallow a property‑damage claim by Ideal Auto Sales alleging damage from snow or ice and noted disallowance does not prevent the claimant from pursuing recovery in court.

Other business Staff and board reports were brief: the water utility building construction is progressing; several advisory and commission items were handled via the consent agenda; the planning commission and other panels reported upcoming meetings and next steps for the zoning code update. The mayor read two resolutions honoring the lives and service of Judge Steve Wimmer and former Mayor Paul Viroccas and noted copies were presented to their families.

What’s next No further public hearings were continued; councilors were reminded of upcoming planning commission working sessions and a council retreat. With no objections the mayor adjourned the meeting.