Controversial Affordable Housing Development Plans Irk Commission

A controversial affordable housing apartment project and a memory care facility is again on hold after Waukesha Plan Commission members were unhappy that the proposal came back without addressing issues of architecture, landscaping, lighting and the location of a playground.

The Plan Commission unanimously tabled the request for final plan approval Wednesday night, cleared annoyed that the problems pointed out at the preliminary approval in January were not addressed.

MSP Development Co. is looking to build a 70-unit apartment complex and a 36-unit memory care facility on vacant land along Meadow Lane and Willowood Drive. The plans have been met with opposition from the neighbors since its inception.

No neighbors were present Wednesday, but that didn't keep the project from coming to a halt.

Commissioners urged a representative with MSP to change the plans and to come back with what was discussed a year ago. The representative explained the architecture hadn’t changed for the memory care facility because the company hadn’t maintained its brand.

Commissioner Kevin Larson said he was in favor of the plan last year but he also was frustrated that the plans didn’t change much after a year.

“Now you are on a slippery slope,” Larson warned.

“He knew it was a controversial project and he had the support,” Larson said earlier in the meeting. “It erodes the authority of the Plan Commission, it erodes the authority of the Common Council, it erodes the authority of the mayor, it erodes the authority of the staff.”