Plan commission approves permits and variances; forwards code and surplus recommendations

At its June 25 meeting, the Waukesha City Plan Commission approved several permits and variances and recommended code revisions to the common council.

The commission unanimously approved a conditional-use permit for M and M Repair & Restoration at 1230 E. Broadway to operate a home‑industry bicycle repair business, subject to staff conditions including that customers use designated parking and that a concrete parking pad within a five‑foot setback either be removed or secured via a variance. Applicant Mark McGin described his business as a long-running, largely appointment-driven neighborhood service.

The commission also approved a conditional-use permit for Lucidity Arts to operate a tattoo studio at 1218 The Strand (B1 neighborhood business). Staff told commissioners the use is similar in neighborhood impact to a beauty or barber shop and recommended approval with the standard requirements for occupancy and any necessary building permits or sign permits.

At 400 Southwest Ave, the commission approved an amendment to the 2018 conditional use to permit a trailer-rental operation at the former DMV/Total Flex Gym site, with conditions: trailers parked only in designated spaces; a maximum of 25 trailers on-site at any time; semi trailers must be removed by August 1, 2025; rentals limited to trailers only; storage containers to be painted by August 1, 2025; and equipment locked and stored along the northwest property line at night.

Commissioners approved a sign variance for Tenney Woods outlot 1 (Veridian Homes) for a roughly 7‑foot double‑sided pylon sign with required landscaping to be maintained by the homeowners association and an additional requirement to stiffen the sign’s hanging connections to prevent wind damage; Veridian’s representative agreed to the change.

The commission granted final site-plan and architectural review for a roughly 20,000‑square‑foot addition and 10,000‑square‑foot interior renovation at GE Healthcare’s campus (3000 N. Grandview) to create an experience center, subject to city‑department comments and required engineering concurrence prior to building‑permit application; the motion passed with one abstention.

On policy, the commission recommended approval of proposed revisions to municipal code section 17.1 concerning rooming‑house licensing. Key changes include annual inspections (operators schedule inspections by Sept. 1), required reports from community development and fire departments before licenses are issued, clerk authority to deny and refer the matter to the Ordinance & License Committee, and a minimum per‑unit temperature of 67°F. Commissioners discussed that cooling requirements may be limited by state code.

Finally, the commission voted unanimously to declare a small, decommissioned water‑utility storage building at 223 Southwest Ave as surplus and forward disposal options to the common council.

All outcomes listed above reflect motions and votes taken on June 25; follow‑up steps include staff addressing outstanding engineering, building‑permit and signage requirements and sending the 17.1 revisions to the common council for final action.