Summary

Council approves zoning rewrite

WaukeshaJul 7, 20263 min read

At a glance

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City Council approved a full rewrite of the city’s zoning and sign rules, along with a budget increase for City Hall security improvements and a settlement in the SBV Fox River LLC excessive-assessment lawsuit.

Projects mentioned

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Residential Duplex Planned Unit Development Community Development

Committees mentioned

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City Council

Topics discussed

TransportationBudget & TaxHousing

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What this means

The biggest outcome was approval of a new zoning ordinance that replaces the city’s old zoning and outdoor advertising rules. The council also approved extra capital spending for the City Hall Security Improvements Project. In a closed session item, the council approved settlement of the excessive-assessment lawsuit SBV Fox River LLC v. City of Waukesha.

Key decisions

Follow the major takeaways from this briefing.

Approved revisions to Municipal Code Chapter 9 for compliance with Act 73 and other changes.
Approved a budget amendment to increase capital expenses for the City Hall Security Improvements Project.
Approved a fully rewritten zoning ordinance replacing Chapter 22 Zoning and Chapter 27 Signs and Outdoor Advertising.
Approved waiving impact fees for Habitat for Humanity Waukesha-Jefferson-Rock for two single-family homes at 128 and 134 Caldwell Street and one duplex at 909 Madison Street.
Approved settlement of the excessive-assessment lawsuit SBV Fox River LLC v. City of Waukesha.

Timeline & follow-ups

Action items flagged by the community.

No follow-ups have been shared yet. Add one in the community board below.

Meeting information

Details and records from this meeting.

City Council

Jul 7, 2026, 11:00 PMCouncil Chambers, City Hallcompleted

Agenda

Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
A motion will be made to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel regarding the possible settlement of an excessive-assessment lawsuit captioned SBV Fox River LLC v. City of Waukesha. A motion will then be made to re-convene in open session pursuant to Wis. Stat. §19.85(2) and action will be taken on matters discussed in closed session.
Public Comment
Approval of Minutes
Approval of draft minutes from June 16, 2026 meeting
Consent Agenda
Other Boards and Commissions
Transit Commission
Review and Act on Proposed Change Order to 2027 Bus Purchase from Gillig, LLC
Review and Act on Paratransit Aid Agreement with Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) for 2026
Plan Commission
Certified Survey Map – 223 S West Avenue, Water Utility Building – A request to approve a 1 Lot CSM including 0.12 acres of land located along the east side of S West Avenue north of Newhall Avenue in the Rm-1 Multi Family Residential District.
Certified Survey Map – 1101 W St. Paul Avenue, INNIO – A request to approve a 1 Lot CSM to combine three parcels owned by INNIO into one 38.7775-acre lot located along the south side of W St. Paul Avenue in the M-2 General Manufacturing District.
Certified Survey Map – WAKC1842278, east of Jills Drive, Hawks Landing – A request to approve a 3.69-acre 1 Lot CSM to combine two parcels of land east of Jills Drive and Valley Drive in the Rd-2 PUD, Residential Duplex Planned Unit Development District.
Standing Committees
Finance Committee - Ald. Pieper
Building & Grounds Committee - Ald. Moltzan
Ordinance & License Committee - Ald. Wuteska
Licenses
Invited Bartender Applications
Other Applications
Human Resources - Ald. Anderson
Board of Public Works - Alex Damien
Review and possible action on Contract Change Order No. 1 with All-Ways Contractors, Inc., for the Frame Park Formal Gardens Pathway, Irrigation and Drainage Systems Improvements Project
Review and possible action on the Developer’s Agreement between the City of Waukesha and VH Winterberry Reserve, LLC, for Phase Two of the work on the property located north of Summit Avenue, Fire Station No. 5, and Oliver Sports Complex, east of Meadowbrook Road, west of Maple Way Lane and south of Tallgrass Subdivision.
Review and possible action on the Storm Water Management Practice Maintenance Agreement between the City of Waukesha and VH Winterberry Reserve, LLC, for Phase 2 of the Winterberry Reserve subdivision.
End of Consent Agenda
New Business
Proposed revisions to Mun Code Chapter 9, compliance with Act 73 and other changes.
Review and possible action on a budget amendment to increase capital expenses for the City Hall Security Improvements Project
Public Hearing
Zoning Code Update – Review and possible action on a proposal to replace City Ordinance Chapter 22 Zoning and Chapter 27 Signs and Outdoor Advertising, with a new, fully rewritten zoning ordinance.
Action on Public Hearing
Zoning Code Update – Review and possible action on a proposal to replace City Ordinance Chapter 22 Zoning and Chapter 27 Signs and Outdoor Advertising, with a new, fully rewritten zoning ordinance.
Reports
Other Boards and Commissions
Transit Commission Report - Alex Damien
Update on Transit Service Levels
Water Utility Commission - Ald. Matthews
Information Technology Board Report - Ald. Manion
Landmarks Commission Report - Ald. Chrisien
Redevelopment Authority Report - Ald. Lemke
Parks, Recreation & Forestry Board Report - Ald. Wells
Library Board Report - Ald. Helgestad
Cemetery Commission Report - Ald. Chrisien
Waukesha Housing Authority Report - Ald. Pieper
Community Development Block Grant Committee Report - Jennifer Andrews
Public Art Committee Report - Ald. Moltzan
Plan Commission - Jennifer Andrews
Review and possible action on a request by Habitat for Humanity Waukesha-Jefferson-Rock to waive impact fees for the construction of two new single family homes at 128 and 134 Caldwell Street and one new duplex at 909 Madison Street in the Tower Hill neighborhood
Standing Committees
Finance Committee Report - Ald. Pieper
Building & Grounds Committee Report - Ald. Moltzan
Ordinance & License Committee Report - Ald. Wuteska
Proposal to amend Mun Code 9.115 to allow temporary extensions of licensed premises onto Municipal Lot 13.
Human Resources Committee Report - Ald. Anderson
Board of Public Works Report - Alex Damien
Director of Public Works Report
City Attorney’s Report
City Administrator’s Report
City Administrator report
Mayor’s Report & Referrals
Referrals
Closed Session
Settlement of excessive-assessment lawsuit, SBV Fox River LLC v City of Waukesha.
Reconvene in Open Session
Consideration and possible action on settlement of excessive-assessment lawsuit, SBV Fox River LLC v City of Waukesha.
Adjournment
Alicia Halvensleben, Mayor City of Waukesha
NOTICE: Any person who has a qualifying disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act that requires that the meeting be accessible or that materials at the meeting be in an accessible format, please contact the Public Works department, 48 hours prior to the meeting at 524-3600 or by the Wisconsin Telecommunications Relay System so that arrangements may be made to accommodate the request. Attend this meeting in person or watch live at https://waukesha.legistar.com/calendar.aspx (due to technical circumstances, the live stream may not always be available).
Proposed revisions to Mun Code Chapter 9, compliance with Act 73 and other changes.
Zoning Code Update – Review and possible action on a proposal to replace City Ordinance Chapter 22 Zoning and Chapter 27 Signs and Outdoor Advertising, with a new, fully rewritten zoning ordinance.
A motion will be made to convene into closed session pursuant to Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel regarding the possible settlement of an excessive-assessment lawsuit captioned SBV Fox River LLC v. City of Waukesha. A motion will then be made to re-convene in open session pursuant to Wis. Stat. §19.85(2) and action will be taken on matters discussed in closed session.

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Back home

Summary

Council approves zoning rewrite

WaukeshaJul 7, 20263 min read

At a glance

Quick context to catch up fast.

Projects mentioned

Browse all related coverage for the main local project pages tied to this summary.

Residential Duplex Planned Unit Development Community Development

Committees mentioned

Open the committee coverage hubs tied to this summary.

City Council

Topics discussed

TransportationBudget & TaxHousing

View official document

Was this summary helpful?

Your feedback helps us prioritize what to improve next.

What this means

Key decisions

Follow the major takeaways from this briefing.

Approved revisions to Municipal Code Chapter 9 for compliance with Act 73 and other changes.
Approved a budget amendment to increase capital expenses for the City Hall Security Improvements Project.
Approved a fully rewritten zoning ordinance replacing Chapter 22 Zoning and Chapter 27 Signs and Outdoor Advertising.
Approved waiving impact fees for Habitat for Humanity Waukesha-Jefferson-Rock for two single-family homes at 128 and 134 Caldwell Street and one duplex at 909 Madison Street.
Approved settlement of the excessive-assessment lawsuit SBV Fox River LLC v. City of Waukesha.

Timeline & follow-ups

Action items flagged by the community.

No follow-ups have been shared yet. Add one in the community board below.

Meeting information

Details and records from this meeting.

City Council

Jul 7, 2026, 11:00 PMCouncil Chambers, City Hallcompleted

Agenda

Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
A motion will be made to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel regarding the possible settlement of an excessive-assessment lawsuit captioned SBV Fox River LLC v. City of Waukesha. A motion will then be made to re-convene in open session pursuant to Wis. Stat. §19.85(2) and action will be taken on matters discussed in closed session.
Public Comment
Approval of Minutes
Approval of draft minutes from June 16, 2026 meeting
Consent Agenda
Other Boards and Commissions
Transit Commission
Review and Act on Proposed Change Order to 2027 Bus Purchase from Gillig, LLC
Review and Act on Paratransit Aid Agreement with Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) for 2026
Plan Commission
Certified Survey Map – 223 S West Avenue, Water Utility Building – A request to approve a 1 Lot CSM including 0.12 acres of land located along the east side of S West Avenue north of Newhall Avenue in the Rm-1 Multi Family Residential District.
Certified Survey Map – 1101 W St. Paul Avenue, INNIO – A request to approve a 1 Lot CSM to combine three parcels owned by INNIO into one 38.7775-acre lot located along the south side of W St. Paul Avenue in the M-2 General Manufacturing District.
Certified Survey Map – WAKC1842278, east of Jills Drive, Hawks Landing – A request to approve a 3.69-acre 1 Lot CSM to combine two parcels of land east of Jills Drive and Valley Drive in the Rd-2 PUD, Residential Duplex Planned Unit Development District.
Standing Committees
Finance Committee - Ald. Pieper
Building & Grounds Committee - Ald. Moltzan
Ordinance & License Committee - Ald. Wuteska
Licenses
Invited Bartender Applications
Other Applications
Human Resources - Ald. Anderson
Board of Public Works - Alex Damien
Review and possible action on Contract Change Order No. 1 with All-Ways Contractors, Inc., for the Frame Park Formal Gardens Pathway, Irrigation and Drainage Systems Improvements Project
Review and possible action on the Developer’s Agreement between the City of Waukesha and VH Winterberry Reserve, LLC, for Phase Two of the work on the property located north of Summit Avenue, Fire Station No. 5, and Oliver Sports Complex, east of Meadowbrook Road, west of Maple Way Lane and south of Tallgrass Subdivision.
Review and possible action on the Storm Water Management Practice Maintenance Agreement between the City of Waukesha and VH Winterberry Reserve, LLC, for Phase 2 of the Winterberry Reserve subdivision.
End of Consent Agenda
New Business
Proposed revisions to Mun Code Chapter 9, compliance with Act 73 and other changes.
Review and possible action on a budget amendment to increase capital expenses for the City Hall Security Improvements Project
Public Hearing
Zoning Code Update – Review and possible action on a proposal to replace City Ordinance Chapter 22 Zoning and Chapter 27 Signs and Outdoor Advertising, with a new, fully rewritten zoning ordinance.
Action on Public Hearing
Zoning Code Update – Review and possible action on a proposal to replace City Ordinance Chapter 22 Zoning and Chapter 27 Signs and Outdoor Advertising, with a new, fully rewritten zoning ordinance.
Reports
Other Boards and Commissions
Transit Commission Report - Alex Damien
Update on Transit Service Levels
Water Utility Commission - Ald. Matthews
Information Technology Board Report - Ald. Manion
Landmarks Commission Report - Ald. Chrisien
Redevelopment Authority Report - Ald. Lemke
Parks, Recreation & Forestry Board Report - Ald. Wells
Library Board Report - Ald. Helgestad
Cemetery Commission Report - Ald. Chrisien
Waukesha Housing Authority Report - Ald. Pieper
Community Development Block Grant Committee Report - Jennifer Andrews
Public Art Committee Report - Ald. Moltzan
Plan Commission - Jennifer Andrews
Review and possible action on a request by Habitat for Humanity Waukesha-Jefferson-Rock to waive impact fees for the construction of two new single family homes at 128 and 134 Caldwell Street and one new duplex at 909 Madison Street in the Tower Hill neighborhood
Standing Committees
Finance Committee Report - Ald. Pieper
Building & Grounds Committee Report - Ald. Moltzan
Ordinance & License Committee Report - Ald. Wuteska
Proposal to amend Mun Code 9.115 to allow temporary extensions of licensed premises onto Municipal Lot 13.
Human Resources Committee Report - Ald. Anderson
Board of Public Works Report - Alex Damien
Director of Public Works Report
City Attorney’s Report
City Administrator’s Report
City Administrator report
Mayor’s Report & Referrals
Referrals
Closed Session
Settlement of excessive-assessment lawsuit, SBV Fox River LLC v City of Waukesha.
Reconvene in Open Session
Consideration and possible action on settlement of excessive-assessment lawsuit, SBV Fox River LLC v City of Waukesha.
Adjournment
Alicia Halvensleben, Mayor City of Waukesha
NOTICE: Any person who has a qualifying disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act that requires that the meeting be accessible or that materials at the meeting be in an accessible format, please contact the Public Works department, 48 hours prior to the meeting at 524-3600 or by the Wisconsin Telecommunications Relay System so that arrangements may be made to accommodate the request. Attend this meeting in person or watch live at https://waukesha.legistar.com/calendar.aspx (due to technical circumstances, the live stream may not always be available).
Proposed revisions to Mun Code Chapter 9, compliance with Act 73 and other changes.
Zoning Code Update – Review and possible action on a proposal to replace City Ordinance Chapter 22 Zoning and Chapter 27 Signs and Outdoor Advertising, with a new, fully rewritten zoning ordinance.
A motion will be made to convene into closed session pursuant to Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel regarding the possible settlement of an excessive-assessment lawsuit captioned SBV Fox River LLC v. City of Waukesha. A motion will then be made to re-convene in open session pursuant to Wis. Stat. §19.85(2) and action will be taken on matters discussed in closed session.