West Bend Plan Commission approves two conditional uses and Kohler Credit Union site plan

The West Bend Plan Commission on March 3 approved two conditional use permits and a site plan for a new Kohler Credit Union branch in a series of voice votes.

Planning staff presented a conditional use request from Meadow Bliss Beauty LLC to operate an aesthetic-services major home occupation at 549 Woodside Court. Jim, the planning staff member, said the applicant proposes a roughly 191-square-foot basement studio with separate access, appointment-only hours between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., and as many as eight appointments a day. "Staff would recommend approval of that conditional use with the 4 listed conditions," Jim said. No members of the public spoke during the hearing, and commissioners approved the permit by voice vote after brief discussion about the site's grade and access.

The commission also approved a conditional use permit allowing Shiny Ink Lounge to relocate tattooing and microblading services to a 400-square-foot space at 117 South Main Street in the B-2 Central Business District. Jim told commissioners the business expects to operate 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday, initially with the owner as sole operator and the possibility of adding another artist in several months; staff reported no objections from property owners within 200 feet and recommended approval. With no public comment, the commission voted to approve the relocation request by voice vote.

The commission reviewed and approved a site plan for a 4,792-square-foot Kohler Credit Union branch at the southeast corner of North 18th Avenue and West Washington Street. Staff described stormwater work, a retention pond between the building and the drive-through, 36 parking stalls including two barrier-free spaces, landscaping and signage (including two ground signs and an electronic message center), LED lighting, and exterior materials. Kyle Edwards, design project lead with LaMakia Group, said the design echoes Kohler's headquarters materials and noted three freestanding interactive teller machines on the south side of the site and a retention pond that ties into existing quick-trip storm facilities. "We're very happy to be in this community," Edwards said.

Rand Freund, senior vice president of retail for Kohler Credit Union, described the project as an expansion of service in West Bend and said the credit union plans to pilot ITMs in existing branches before rolling them out at the new location. On what an ITM is, Freund said: "You can think of it as an elevated ATM... it offers all of the services of a traditional self-service ATM but also allows an interaction with a teller remotely." The project team said they hope to break ground in late spring or early summer, and that they will raise the site grade to just below intersection level to create a level pad for the building.

After project discussion, a commissioner moved and seconded approval of the site plan and the commission carried the motion by voice vote. The chair suggested the applicant consider issuing a press release to announce the project promptly.

Votes at a glance: Meadow Bliss Beauty LLC conditional use (549 Woodside Court) — approved by voice vote; Shiny Ink Lounge conditional use (117 S. Main Street, relocation) — approved by voice vote; Kohler Credit Union site plan (SE corner of N. 18th & W. Washington) — approved by voice vote.

The commission's next regular meeting is scheduled for April 9 (Thursday).