Controversial Projects Providing Homes for Disabled Returning to Plan Commission

Two controversial projects involving the provision of residence for people with disabilities are going before the Waukesha Plan Commission at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall.

Both projects have been before the Plan Commission, with the commission telling developers to meet with the neighbors and learn about their concerns. In both cases, the area neighbors brought forward different oppositions to the projects.

Welsh Oaks subdivision

The first project was being brought forward by St. Coletta of Wisconsin. The two community-based residential facilities would serve the developmentally disabled in the Welsh Oaks subdivision, if approved by the Plan Commission. The Welsh Oaks subdivision is west of Merrill Hills Road between Highway 18 and Madison Street.

The neighbors in the subdivision were clearly frustrated that the project had been brought forward after a similar proposal about a year earlier had been brought forward and denied by the Plan Commission.

The developers who were attempting to build a group home in a western Waukesha neighborhood were seeking an exception to the rule that determines all group homes need to be at least 2,500 feet apart from other homes. Officials from St. Coletta of Wisconsin explained they had a donor who was helping to significantly fund the project.

"Our strategic design as an organization are to build homes that will serve their needs over a lifetime," said Ted Behncke, vice president of operations at St. Coletta of Wisconsin, during the meeting.

Commissioner Rebecca Roekker, who chaired the Plan Commission meeting because Mayor Jeff Scrima stepped down to avoid a conflict of interest last month, said the concerned homeowners had the right to be included in the dialogue. She also noted the intent of the ordinance to keep community-based residential facilities spread apart while keeping the clients integrate into residential neighborhoods.

“I think we have to respect that ordinance on our books,” Roekker said. “Until that changes, we need to take thee space requirements to great consideration. … I think it goes against the legislative intent. It goes against the basic intent of our zoning code.”

Scrima said he did not speak with city staff about the project and left the meeting to avoid an appearance of conflict because a family member was involved with the project.

Scrima did not specify during the meeting who was involved and how they were involved, but his father, Joe Scrima, was sitting with the developers of the project.

One issue with the St. Coletta’s project was accessibility for the residents. City Planner Mike Hoeft noted the closest shopping center was 1.1 miles away and the closest bus stop was 1.4 miles away.

“It seems it would be better to locate people that are closer to shopping and closer to bus routes so they can get around a little better,” Hoeft said.

Hickory Hills expansion

The other controversial project came before the Plan Commission on May 11. Lutheran Social Services is seeking a rezoning approval of 1.4 acres of land from a single-family residential code to multi-family residential code. The Lutheran Social Services also is seeking approval of preliminary plans for an eight-unit apartment building at 2016 W. St. Paul Ave. The building would serve developmentally disabled clients and would expand the Hickory Hill facility that currently is on the property.

However, when the project came before the Plan Commission last week, the neighbors told commissioners they had concerns about the clients trespassing through their yards and not understanding property boundaries.

William Skiba, a neighboring property owner, said he had concerns about the entire expansion project.

“I am not sure what that is going to do to my property values,” Skiba said at the meeting. “I certainly don’t think it is going to make it any better.”

Skiba said he did not feel that it was a good idea to add more developmentally disabled people to the “confined” space. He added that the clients of Hickory Hill currently use his backyard as though it were a public park.

“I am afraid to let my dog out there by herself,” Skiba said.

A few other concerned neighbors spoke about similar concerns during the meeting. Commissioner Kevin Larson suggested to Lutheran Social Services that they add a fence to the property line. Commissioner Joan Francoeur encouraged Lutheran Social Services to speak with the neighbors before returning to the Plan Commission.

Hoeft noted that the Plan Commission is not the final decision maker. The project, if approved by the commission, would move to a public hearing at a Common Council meeting. The rezoning would ultimately have to be approved by the council.

“It has a ways to go,” Hoeft told the neighbors.