River's Crossing Rezoning Denial Could Pave Way for Controversial Apartments

A request to rezone a vacant parcel of land in the River's Crossing subdivision was denied by the Waukesha Common Council Tuesday night, despite neighbors’ objections, the Waukesha Freeman reported Wednesday.

Neighbors have fought the zoning – which would allow for a large-scale apartment building – for years, citing traffic concerns, safety and neighborhood quality. They received hope when the Waukesha Plan Commission recently recommended changing the zoning to only allow duplexes and single family residences. However, the bank that owned the property also was fighting the zoning to change so it could sell the property to developers interested in building apartments.

Alderman Rick Hastings was the only person to vote against the denial, the Waukesha Freeman reported.

The property is currently owned by BMO Harris Bank. A request from Bielinski Homes for a 132-unit apartment project was placed on hold in 2010 after city staff had questions about the project, according to the  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Instead of apartments being built, the property was foreclosed.

While Mayor Jeff Scrima didn’t vote Tuesday night, he made his voice clear when he voted against the zoning change at the Plan Commission level.

“When government makes a promise to a landowner, I believe government needs to honor that promise,” Scrima said.