Commission provides feedback on conceptual multi-tenant medical building; no formal vote

Developers presented a conceptual plan for a roughly 35,000-square-foot multi-tenant medical and office building on Pewaukee Road and asked for feedback on whether to proceed to a formal site and building plan application. The commission provided detailed feedback on zoning, potential future uses, traffic and site design but took no formal action.

Staff noted the parcel is in the B6 district and meets current future land-use designations. Commissioners questioned whether the city should encourage a rezoning to B4 to limit broader B5/B6 allowed uses that some said could include vape shops or other retail uses the commission regards as undesirable in that location. The developer said the first building is being designed with medical users in mind and said they were open to rezoning but wary of the longer timeline a rezoning public hearing could trigger.

Traffic, stormwater and future cut-through use of a proposed service road behind the building were discussed. Commissioners suggested potential traffic-calming measures and recommended the developer coordinate with Watertown and county staff about access and intersection design. Design feedback included requests to improve the building’s rear elevation and add landscaping or architectural relief along the long back face that faces 164.

The item was a conceptual review; if the project advances, the next step would be a site and building plan review application to the commission. No vote or formal approval was required for the conceptual review.