Preliminary plans for a 42-unit apartment building were approved Wednesday night by the Waukesha Plan Commission after a robust period of public discussion and commentary about the project that is projected for the west end of downtown Waukesha.

Comments ranged from urging the Plan Commission to approve a high quality project and bring young professionals to downtown Waukesha to concerns from area merchants about the size of the building, parking and questioning why the building didn’t have retail spaces on the first floor. Other comments critiquing the project questioned the need for more apartments downtown.

The first floor of the four-story building is parking and the next three floors are for apartment units. The original plans called for underground parking, which was not feasible because of flooding concerns given the proximity of the Fox River.

“If they could have done that, they wanted retail on the first level,” said Mayor Jeff Scrima, who added the parking concerns needed to be addressed.

After the public debate was over, the Plan Commission approved the project, which has to make some changes before it comes back for final approval. The project previously came before the Plan Commission in July with a building that was projected to house 36 units.  The developers, the Kendal Group, returned with a new  design that would be located at 456 W. Main St. along the Fox River.

The plans involve tearing down the vacant building that previously housed O’Brien Photography.

George Wang, who owns Waukesha Tattoo Co. across from the proposed development, said that if only 20 of the apartment units have more than one car, that is still 20 more parked cars on the street.

“A lot of people feel that this project should really be considered for across the river,” said Wang, later clarifying he had spoken with a few of the surrounding businesses. “Then they won't have the issue – the parking lot is right next to it.”

But, the comments weren’t all negative. Julie Kendall lives near downtown Waukesha and highlighted the apartment building’s opportunities to promote business in the downtown area. It’s not just about the people who live in the building.

“You are looking at (42) young professionals who are going to bring their friends to these downtown businesses,” said Kendall, who is not related to the project developers.

Jim Taylor, owner of People’s Park, also encouraged the project move forward as it may convince others to invest in the downtown area with the added foot traffic from the building.

Neighboring businessman Kerry Mackay, owner of the Steaming Cup, agreed.

“I am just hungry to see more people in town,” he said.

Commissioner Kevin Larson gave some insight into the current generation of young professionals. They may not be buying houses or condos because the housing market has scared them off, but they still want nice accommodations.

“I think this is a totally unique project for Waukesha,” Larson said.

Commissioner R.G. Keller stepped down from the table during the discussion because he is the architect on the project. He did not vote on the project.