Plan Commission approves accessory buildings for future Fire Station No. 1

The City of West Bend Plan Commission approved a site plan on Jan. 6 for two accessory buildings at the future Fire Station No. 1 at 2145 West Washington Street: a 6,624‑square‑foot cold storage building and a roughly 16,000‑square‑foot training tower.

Staff said the buildings were included in earlier stormwater approvals and that parking and landscaping plans remain unchanged. Jim, the staff presenter, said the tower will use slate‑gray metal panels with bronze trim and the cold storage will use desert‑tan panels with a black roof; staff recommended approval without additional conditions.

Gustafsson, the applicant on site, told the commission the goal is to make the new buildings visually consistent with the main station. "We're trying to get the building to look as close to the main building as possible," he said. He also confirmed that Walters was awarded the construction bid.

Commissioners raised questions about color matching and visibility. Staff recommended the applicant obtain photographs or visit existing built towers so the commission can judge full‑scale appearance; members emphasized that trim versus wall colors can look different on a swatch than on a multistory structure.

A motion to approve the site plan was made and seconded (mover and seconder not specified in the public record). The commission voted by voice; the chair recorded the vote as 'aye' and stated the motion carried.

Next steps: the applicant will finalize material selections consistent with staff guidance and the approved stormwater plan before construction proceeds.