Plan commission approves preliminary plat for Willow Grove condominiums

The Pleasant Prairie Plan Commission voted to approve a preliminary condominium plat for the Willow Grove development, a proposal for 10 two-unit buildings (20 units) on a 6.2-acre site east of 88th Avenue and north of 68th Street.

Planning staff outlined the project's history, noting a conceptual plan was conditionally approved in March 2020 and a revised concept was heard in September 2021. Staff said buildings would be ranch‑style with full basements and 2‑ or 3‑car attached garages; floor areas were described as roughly 1,600 to just under 1,700 square feet. A 2024 wetland delineation identified a wetland of just under 8,000 square feet and staff told commissioners that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has taken jurisdiction over the wetland, which will extend the permitting timeline for any wetland fill.

Developer representative Mark Eberle of Nielsen Madsen Barber told the commission the plan is substantially unchanged since the last presentation and that the Army Corps' jurisdiction is the single major change: "So just elongates our wetland fill permitting process." Staff explained the proposal will require rezoning to an R8 PUD and later review of a certified survey map (CSM), final condominium plat, development agreement and condominium declarations before final approvals and the start of public improvements.

A member of the public, identified in the record as Brandenburg, testified during the hearing and raised concerns about density and snow storage: "Where are we gonna put the snow? Where do people park?" Staff responded that road widths and driveway spacing would be designed to meet village standards and that each unit's 2‑ or 3‑car garage plus driveway space should accommodate residents and some guests.

After discussion the commission moved to approve item 6a; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote.