More than 342 acres of town land could be annexed into the city

The entrance to the Shoppes at Fox River on Sunset Drive on the southwest side of Waukesha include Noodles and Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants. Phase II of the development will include a T.J Maxx, Ulta Salon and Cosmetics, Rue 21, and Charming Charlie’s as its first tenants.
Published on: 5/22/2013

After the Town of Waukesha didn't overturn a decision to put a majority of the town in the city's future water service area, annexation requests have poured in.

In fact, City of Waukesha's Community Development Director Steve Crandell said about 310 acres were annexed from the town into the city through Monday.

And that number could have grown as two more property owners were requesting to annex about 32 acres into the city.

The deadline to submit annexations into the city was Monday, City Administrator Ed Henschel said.

The two requests were from Todd and Patricia Klotz, who were looking to annex 12.9 acres at W271 S4640 Saylesville Road, and 19.58 acres along Saylesville Road, south of River Road.

The Waukesha School District had a 127-acre property annexed from the town into the city in March and the Plan Commission's recommendation of the annexation of about 46 acres along Genesee Road and Highway 164 (South) and portions of Highway X and Highway 59 (South) right-of-ways from the town into the city was to be voted on by the Common Council on Tuesday. That meeting occurred after press time.

Shoppes growth

Also at the Plan Commission was a request from Opus Design-Build and Ramco Gershenson Inc. to consider approving preliminary plans for a new 53,520-square-foot building at 1200 W. Sunset Drive as part of The Shoppes at Fox River.

The Shoppes at Fox River on this side of the city have seen numerous developments in recent years. Phase I of the project included a 60,000-square-foot Pick 'n Save and 132,000-square-foot Target and other smaller stores.

The first phase of Phase II of the development that opened last winter included T.J. Maxx, Ulta Salon and Cosmetics, Rue 21 and Charming Charlie's. The first development in Phase II included more than 47,000 square feet of retail space on six of the 18 acres of developed land adjacent to the existing Phase I buildings.

When fully built-out, Phase II development has the potential to total 150,000 square feet as well as provide three to six more junior anchors and additional small-shop retailers.

However, City Planner Jennifer Andrews didn't expect the Plan Commission to take action on this item because the proposal right now is too close to a water main.

New businesses, city raise

Conditional use permits were requested for a Bark N' Buddies Adventures and Roland Goldammer to allow a dog daycare at 819 W. College Ave as well as a request to approve site improvements and a permit at 1419 Arcadian Ave. to accommodate a bus facility.

The School District is switching busing companies for next school year and the property at Arcadian fits the need, Andrews said.

In other city news, the Common Council, on Tuesday, was also to vote on the recommended salaries of two new hires.

The Human Resources Committee last week unanimously approved the salary of new fire chief Jesse Alba at $110,000 and an additional 2 percent adjustment if the Council approves a 2-percent increase for city employees.

The HR Committee also approved the salary for clerk/treasurer Gina Kozlik at $79,000 as well as an additional 2-percent adjustment if the Council approves the increase for city employees.

Common Council was also expected to look at authorizing Henschel to perform administrative functions needed to officially terminate the downtown Waukesha Business Improvement District.