Plan Commission OKs 2417 Silvernail mixed‑use building with conditions on parking and design

The Waukesha City Plan Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit and the final site plan for a five‑story mixed‑use building at 2417 Silvernail Road on Dec. 17, allowing commercial space on the first floor and 76 residences on the upper levels.

Staff explained that the 1.9‑acre site steps down a hill toward wetlands and that the developer proposes two below‑grade parking levels plus upper‑level parking, offering 110 spaces for the 76 units—fewer than the 124 spaces required under the current code. Staff recommended approval of the conditional use to permit residential uses above commercial in the B‑5 Community Commercial District and noted the commission has precedents for allowing first‑floor space to serve as community support space if retail fails to materialize.

Commissioners pressed the applicant on circulation and visitor parking and said the small number of surface spaces in front of the commercial unit might be quickly filled; the approving motion included a recommendation that the applicant pursue a parking easement with the adjacent property to secure visitor parking. The commission also directed the applicant to enhance the north/front elevation and allowed the developer to select between two window patterns with staff review. Architect Bob Black and other representatives said potential first‑floor tenants could include a gym or office; the developer had not identified a tenant at approval.

Next steps: Applicant to finalize the site plan and coordinate with staff on window selection, front elevation enhancements and any parking easement; the conditional use and final site plan approvals allow the project to proceed to permitting.