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Council approves rezoning, PUD for 119-unit senior housing near Meadowbrook Road
Summary
The Waukesha Common Council voted 12–1 on Nov. 18 to rezone roughly 25.94 acres for a 119-unit senior housing development with a Planned Unit Development overlay that grants height relief; councilors and staff discussed utilities, sidewalks, and traffic impacts before passage.
The City of Waukesha Common Council approved a rezoning and Planned Unit Development for a 119-unit senior housing project on the west side of Meadowbrook Road, just north of Coldwater Creek, after a public hearing and council questions on Nov. 18.
Planner Doug described the Smart Family proposal as a three-wing facility offering independent living, assisted living and memory care on about 25.94 acres, with a separate six-acre B-5 community-commercial parcel to the south and roughly 12.6 acres to the north proposed for two-family (RD-2) duplexes. The PUD requests relief from the institutional district height limit of 40 feet to accommodate pitched roofs with a highest gable near 56.5 feet. "Senior housing is a permitted use in our I-1 district," Doug said, explaining the layout, on-site parking (including underground parking beneath the 4-story wing), internal sidewalks and landscaping intended to buffer neighbors.
The presentation included plans for a new public street (Corin Drive), stormwater and grading measures, and utilities designed to serve both the senior facility and future duplex parcels. Doug told the council developers expect to begin work in spring once approvals are secured.
Council members pressed staff and the developer on connectivity to the adjacent Woodland Hills subdivision, phasing of streets and utilities, and winter maintenance of sidewalks. Doug and staff said the roadway and utilities for the Phase 1 building would be installed around that structure, with utility loops prepared to extend west when subsequent duplex phases are developed. On sidewalk upkeep, staff confirmed that sidewalks immediately adjacent to the development would be the developer's responsibility; public sidewalks beyond the property line would remain under city maintenance arrangements.
President Dean Lemke noted the site sits more than 400 feet from single-family homes across Meadowbrook Road and said the topography helps screen the project. Alderperson Van Trieste asked whether a bridge or traffic signal would be needed; staff said no signal or bridge is planned and pointed to crosswalks and existing sidewalks to Meadowview Park. Alderperson Anderson and others asked about the handling of stormwater, tree preservation and how the design aligns with the city's land-use plan; staff said the proposal is consistent with the Meadowbrook corridor vision and includes stormwater controls and preserved tree lines to provide a buffer.
After discussion, Alderperson Rick Lemke moved to approve the rezoning and PUD as presented; the motion passed 12–1.
Next steps: with the council's approval the developer may proceed with detailed developer agreements, building permits and required coordination with public works on street and utility construction. The council record did not specify a construction start date beyond the developer's statement that work could begin in spring following final approvals.
