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Waukesha County seeks residential designation for former UWM Waukesha campus; plan commission to revisit in December
Summary
Waukesha County asked the Plan Commission to amend the land-use plan for the 75.9-acre UWM Waukesha site from civic/institutional to a flexible residential category, arguing residential reuse best suits topography and utilities; commissioners agreed to delay a recommendation until December after noting notice-mailing errors and to allow more commissioner input.
Waukesha County officials told the Plan Commission they want the city’s comprehensive plan designation for the former UWM Waukesha campus changed from civic/institutional to a residential-flexible category to permit future residential redevelopment.
Dale Shaver, Waukesha County’s Director of Land Use and Parks, said the county owns roughly 75.9 acres around the campus and that most of the land is best suited to mixed residential uses given steep slopes, wetlands and an on-site central heating and cooling plant that makes building conversions expensive. Shaver said the county has spent about $10 million maintaining the buildings and that a request for proposals to developers is anticipated in February 2025 if the land-use change moves forward.
Staff mapped constraints including wetlands, topography and airport height limitations, and said University Avenue and existing utilities make the site viable for redevelopment. County staff noted an informational meeting on Oct. 15 that drew about 100 residents and said they mailed roughly 630 invites; city staff acknowledged some envelopes were empty or mailings failed and recommended the commission not finalize a recommendation tonight.
Commissioners generally indicated support for residential reuse rather than commercial or industrial uses but emphasized compatibility with adjacent neighborhoods and preservation of buffers and trails where feasible. Because of the mailing problems and three absent commissioners, the commission agreed to take the item up again at its December meeting and to expect the council public hearing in January.
Next steps: plan commission is likely to consider a recommendation at its December meeting; if the amendment advances it will be scheduled for a common council public hearing (staff noted Jan. 7 as the council hearing date).
