Brown Deer board grants occupancy for adult family home at 4798 West Polo Road in 3‑2 appeal vote

The Village of Brown Deer board voted 3‑2 April 6 to accept an appeal and permit occupancy for a proposed three‑bedroom adult family home at 4798 West Polo Road.

Kevin, a village staffer, summarized the denial rationale: the board passed Resolution 2510 directing staff to deny new adult family home occupancy requests because Brown Deer exceeds the state‑statute 1% threshold. "The threshold is 1% of the population ... that would be 130 beds. Currently we have 196 beds," he said, explaining why staff initially recommended denial.

The applicant, who identified herself as Janelle Ward, said she purchased the property late in 2024 and contacted the village about occupancy and zoning before buying; she said she was instructed occupancy would not be an issue. Ward told trustees she and a partner have operated a care agency for 11 years and that the property has received roughly $17,000 in accessibility and safety improvements to accommodate non‑ambulatory residents. "We have turned it into ... we spent possibly like I would say about $17,000," she said.

Trustees asked whether the applicant had notified neighbors and about the timeline of communications with state and local agencies. Staff noted some email records beginning in April 2025 but said earlier discussions were not in the files staff reviewed.

After discussion, a trustee moved to accept the appeal to allow occupancy; the motion carried on a 3‑2 vote. The board directed staff to work with the applicant to complete the occupancy permit process.

Resolution 2510 and the state statute standard were central to the debate: staff cited the community’s existing bed count and a proximity rule (2,500 feet) as statutory reasons for denial; the board’s narrow majority granted an exception on this record.