Plan Commission recommends rezoning and approves preliminary plat for Winterberry Reserve subdivision

The Waukesha City Plan Commission on Feb. 26 recommended rezoning approximately 22.2 acres for the Winterberry Reserve subdivision and approved the project’s preliminary plat, a developer‑led revision that increases the number of single‑family lots from an earlier 54‑lot plan to 79 lots by introducing narrower carriage‑lane lots in an interior block.

City planner Doug presented the proposal, describing a layout that preserves perimeter tree lines, adds one outlot for stormwater detention, and places vehicle access off a private 20‑foot alley with garages and parking pads at the rear of homes. Doug said the narrower interior lots would be a minimum of about 4,520 square feet and at least 40 feet wide; the PUD would include architectural standards requiring porches and limiting identical house designs within adjacent groups.

Ben of Verdean Homes said the revised plan aims to diversify housing product and create more attainable single‑family options, targeting households in a price band the developer described as roughly $100,000–$150,000 in income. He said the developer consolidated required rock blasting to the first project phase and included anti‑monotony covenants in the CCRs to avoid repetitive facades.

Alderman Rick Lemke and other commissioners raised practical conditions the commission sought in the PUD and developer agreements: homeowner association responsibility for private alley maintenance, provisions or easements to maintain lampposts and ensure street lighting, and clear snow‑storage arrangements so neighborhood residents are not adversely affected. Staff also flagged an engineering suggestion to modify a mid‑block road connection to a straight three‑way stop for safety; the applicant agreed that adjustment could be incorporated.

Chair moved to recommend rezoning to RS‑3 with a PUD overlay based on the specifics discussed and to forward the recommendation to the common council; the motion passed unanimously. The commission also moved and seconded a recommendation to approve the preliminary subdivision plat with the understanding the road alignment change requested by engineering would be included before council review; that motion also passed unanimously.

Staff noted the rezoning recommendation includes the PUD agreement and that final approval by the common council may adjust specifics. The PUD requirements discussed by the commission—no front driveway aprons, HOA maintenance obligations, required landscaping and lighting provisions, minimum lot sizes and setbacks, and architectural diversity standards—will be incorporated into the documents forwarded to council.

Next steps: the recommendation and preliminary plat will be considered by the common council with the revised roadway geometry and the PUD agreement language incorporated for council review.