VILLAGE OF GRAFTON PLAN COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 23, 2022

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1 VILLAGE OF GRAFTON PLAN COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 23, 2022 The Plan Commission meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Jim Brunnquell. The Pledge of Allegiance followed. Plan Commissioners present: Village President Jim Brunnquell, Trustee David Antoine, Carl Harms, Mark Paschke, Heidi Ham, and Brittany Hess Commission member excused: Alan Kletti Commission member absent: Heidi Ham Officials/Staff present: Community Development Director Jessica Wolff, Public Works Director/Village Engineer Amber Thomas, Village Administrator Jesse Thyes, and Administrative Assistant Sara Young MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Harms, seconded by Commissioner Hess, to approve the July 26, 2022 Plan Commission meeting as presented. Motion carried. HEAR PERSONS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD None STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE The purpose of the public hearing is to review and comment on a resolution to remove parking on Highway 60 (Washington Street) from First Avenue to 11 th Avenue. The statement of public notice was given by Administrative Assistant Sara Young. Community Development Director Jessica Wolff stated that WISDOT is planning for the reconstruction of Highway 60 (Washington Street) from First Avenue to Ninth Avenue in In planning discussions between WISDOT and Village staff, the need for pedestrian and bicycle accommodations has been discussed. The Village s 2015 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan recommends installing a bike lane on Washington Street from First Avenue to 11 th Avenue. The existing Washington Street right-of-way width would not be able to accommodate travel, parking, and bike lanes. Based on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan recommendations and the availability of parking along side streets, Village staff is recommending that the current parking lanes along Washington Street between First Avenue and 11 th Avenue be converted into bicycle lanes as part of this reconstruction project. Director Wolff received a few phone calls and four s from the public which were provided to the Plan Commission for review. Chair Brunnquell opened the public hearing. 1

2 James Leedy, 608 Washington Street, Grafton Mr. Leedy resides on the street and is opposed to the proposed bike lanes. His home has a single lane driveway and the removal of street parking would add to the inconvenience he already experiences. He is also noted potential safety issues with bikes in the congested area. He would propose utilizing other side streets, such as Beech Street, for connecting to the bike path. Terri Wang, 716 Washington Street, Grafton Ms. Wang is opposed to the removal of the street parking. She stated her home has a single garage with a single width driveway with five vehicles needing parking which is already a challenge and inconvenience; they park most vehicles a block away. She noted that the congestion on the road and backing out of her driveway would add to the safety concerns. Mary Gosewehr, 1437 Falls Road, Grafton Ms. Gosewehr asked where the additional bike lane would connect on the east side and suggested considering 12 th Avenue or Wisconsin Avenue instead. President Brunnquell noted that the plan is to connect First Avenue with the Interurban Trail on North Avenue. Commissioner Hess inquired about the safety of the lanes. Director Wolff stated that a dedicated buffer lane would be built to address safety concerns. Commissioner Hess said she agreed that safety concerns heard from the public comments were valid and perhaps looking to continue bike lanes east of 17 th Avenue to connect to the current bike lanes might be considered. Commissioner Paschke asked if WISDOT was looking at doing a cross section. Public Works Director Amber Thomas stated that it would be curb and gutters with a buffer, similar to what is on Falls Road currently. Commissioner Harms asked Ms. Wang how her family currently handles winter parking. Ms. Wang described the positioning of vehicles in the driveway, in the street, neighbor s driveways and leaving a car in a storage unit for the winter. Chair Brunnquell noted that he has driven the area recently and is himself an avid biker. He said the purpose of the proposal was to connect First Avenue to the Interurban Trail. Traffic is only increasing and with additional truck traffic coming from surrounding business park areas it will continue to increase. He believes the Village can accomplish the intent of the plan without using Washington Avenue, aware of the need to keep costs in consideration. It would be his recommendation to not approve the proposal and send it back to staff to work on alternative recommendations. There were no more comments or concerns. Chair Brunnquell closed the public hearing. Review and recommendation to Village Board on a resolution to remove parking on Highway 60 (Washington Street) from First Avenue to 11 th Avenue There was no motion to recommend Village Board approve the resolution supporting removal of on street parking on Highway 60 (Washington Street) from First Avenue to 11 th Avenue. Motion died. 2

3 Motion by Trustee Antoine, seconded by Commissioner Harms, to direct staff to work on a plan for connecting the bike lane from First Avenue to the Interurban Trail. Motion carried. Review and recommendation to Village Board on River Bend Meadows Subdivision Phase 3 Final Plat requested by Neumann Development Director Wolff explained that the applicant is requesting approval of phase three of the River Bend Meadows Subdivision with 24 lots. She further noted that the final plat for River Bend Meadows Subdivision Phase 3 is consistent with the preliminary plat and meets the requirements of Chapter 18 Subdivisions. Kevin Anderson from Neumann Developments was available to answer questions. Trustee Antoine inquired if the subdivision would connect to Falls Crossing. Director Wolff confirmed this area is already connected to the Blue Stem subdivision at Shasta Avenue. Chair Brunnquell asked if there were any substantial changes from the preliminary plat that was previously submitted. Director Wolff confirmed there were no changes. Motion by Commissioner Harms, seconded by Commissioner Paschke, to recommend Village Board approval of a resolution for River Bend Meadows Subdivision Phase 3 Final Plat with the following conditions: 1. The terms and conditions of the River Bend Meadows Subdivision Development Agreement shall apply to Phase Provide a letter of credit or other instrument to cover all outstanding public improvements at the time of signing the plat. 3. Submit an erosion control plan and application to the Inspection Office to be approved by the Director of Public Works/Village Engineer or designee prior to site disturbance. 4. Final construction plans for public improvements (including all relevant changes from Phase 1 and 2 plans) shall be approved by the Director of Public Works/Village Engineer or designee prior to site disturbance. Motion carried. Review a concept plan requested by Brian McClaren for a multi-family development with a commercial outlot located at 912 Port Washington Road (Parcel ) Director Wolff then gave background to a development concept plan. She stated that the developer, Brian McClaren, is requesting concept plan review for a development at the northeast corner of Port Washington Road and Falls Road at 912 Port Washington Road. The development, known as The Farmstead on Falls, encompasses 9.8 acres on a single parcel that is currently in the Town of Grafton ( ). The development would include: One building with 158 market rate rental apartments on four floors with underground and surface parking. Site amenities include a pool with sundeck, outdoor grilling stations, community rooms, fitness center, car care station, tenant storage, recreational path, and fenced dog park. 3

4 Two seven unit buildings with market rate rental townhomes. A commercial outlot on Port Washington Road for a future 7,000 square foot multitenant building. Access will include one driveway on Falls Road for the apartment building and one driveway that will wrap around the east and north sides of the site from Falls Road to Port Washington Road and provide access to the townhomes and the commercial building. The Village contracted with TADI to complete a Traffic Impact Analysis for the Port Washington Road and Falls Road intersection. The Traffic Impact Analysis recommendations are discussed below. The apartment building will utilize an electronic entry system for all tenants and each townhome will have individual entries and locks. Interior and exterior security cameras will be used throughout the site. Garbage and recycling for the apartment building will be located in the parking level. The townhomes will use regular garbage and recycling containers. All buildings will be fully sprinkled. This project will require multiple approvals and steps including a Comprehensive Plan amendment, annexation, rezoning, certified survey map, conditional use permit, and site plan. The developer plans to begin construction spring 2023 and be complete by fall Village staff have reviewed the project and suggest that the following components will need further evaluation in the development review process. Present was Ross Treichel from Sketchworks Architecture and developer Brian McClaren to answer questions. Mary Gosewehr, 1437 Falls Road, Grafton Ms. Gosewehr stated she was excited for the development in that it would provide much needed safety and ease of access changes to the intersection, and noted that the stormwater retention ponds will provide a buffer. Her preference would be a roundabout at the intersection and would also like to see a consistent speed limit reduction in approach to the intersection from the north and south on Port Washington Road. Doug Johnson, 873 Tallgrass Drive, Grafton Mr. Johnson noted that the concept plan was well written but did not see anything that would benefit the residents. Bob Tillman, 1055 Spring Street, Grafton Mr. Tillman commented that a comprehensive plan was created for guiding these types of projects and asked why it was not being followed. Neil Hobbs, 876 Fox Tail Lane, Grafton Mr. Hobbs noted that there had been a significant rain event seven years ago that caused flooding resulting in the railroad adding a second culvert and questioned if the retention ponds were sized appropriately to accommodate the water flow. He stated that 4

5 the Town of Grafton had not allowed a prior applicant to build on the site as retention pond sizes could not be sized adequately for the anticipated run off. Jeff Duwell, 740 Fox Tail Lane, Grafton Mr. Duwell asked why there was excavating happening on the site if this is to be only a concept plan review. Mr. McClaren responded that any site work being done is part of an agreement between the prior owner of the land and the State DOT for the highway 43 expansion project where approximately 50,000 cubic yards of soil were being moved. Todd Hillner, 1662 Dellwood Court, Grafton Mr. Hillner stated he was concerned with the density of the housing in the area already. He said that the addition of rental properties would not add value to the $500,000 and $600,000 homeowners in those neighborhoods. He said that Grafton was already heavy with multifamily housing units already. Commissioner Hess stated she is glad to see the proposed safety improvements at the intersection with the addition of the apartments. She would like to see a roundabout entertained. Trustee Antoine asked how sidewalk installation would be addressed. Director Wolff stated that sidewalk would be installed but there would be a gap between Meijer and the proposed project area. Commissioner Harms asked for confirmation if the old farm house and barn would be torn down. Mr. McClaren confirmed that both buildings would be taken down, but the barn would be demolished by a specialty salvage company and parts would be reused in the proposed Community Room. Chair Brunnquell closed the discussion noting that impact studies from all Departments would be completed to analyze impacts to the Village. He advised Mr. McClaren to work with staff on the feedback given during the meeting. For informational purposes only. Director s Update Director Wolff updated the Commission members that five new single family homes were approved at the Architectural Review Board in August and there are currently three for review in September. Adjourn Motion by Commissioner Paschke, seconded by Commissioner Harms, to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m. Motion carried. 5