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Plan Commission approves Carroll University's 55,000 sq ft business school, allows leniency on sidewalk requirement
Summary
The commission approved final site and architectural plans for Carroll University's new 55,000-square‑foot business school at 245 North Barstow, approving landscaping and parking changes while allowing time for the university to study a late sidewalk request estimated at $50,000.
The Waukesha City Plan Commission voted May 27 to approve final site plan and architectural review for a new three‑story, 55,000‑square‑foot business school on Carroll University's main campus at 245 North Barstow.
Staff described the project as a 55,000‑square‑foot, three‑story academic building designed to complement existing campus architecture with tan brick and stone accents, a two‑story atrium glass wall, a rooftop mechanical area fully screened by rooflines, and an outdoor classroom. The proposal will reduce parking on the campus block from 303 stalls to 100 to create more interior green space and add numerous shade trees, bioswales and new stormwater infrastructure. Staff recommended approval with conditions including adding trees to certain parking islands, black‑coated chain‑link screening for the generator enclosure and the usual engineering, fire and utility reviews prior to permits.
Commissioner Francoeur moved to approve the plans with staff comments; the motion was seconded and passed with Commissioner Granger recorded as abstaining. During discussion the commission agreed to allow the university time to study a late engineering comment that requested an additional sidewalk on the west side of Barstow. Tom Heffner, representing Carroll University, said the sidewalk request arrived shortly before the meeting and would cost about $50,000, and asked for leniency while the university completes utility and traffic analyses. "That was just the one that came out of the blue to us, and we were not prepared for nor did we add into our financing," Heffner said.
The approved plan keeps vehicle access points from Barstow and East Avenue with minor relocation of the East Avenue entrance, adds a new 100‑stall parking area north of the building, a lawn and shade trees on the interior campus block, and provides for new dumpster enclosures and utility equipment screened from view. The university previously received Landmarks Commission approval for the design. Construction timing and financing were discussed but specific start or completion dates were not provided at the hearing.
The commission's approval clears the project to move to building permitting and to the next steps required by engineering, fire and utilities review.
