Staff clarifies 45‑foot exception and fire‑safety measures for West Bend PUD

Commissioners pressed staff about the project's requested height and side‑yard exceptions and whether those requests are variances. Staff clarified that the planning application seeks zoning exceptions (not variances, which are handled by the Zoning Board of Appeals) and that the developer requested an exception to allow up to 45 feet and a maximum of three occupiable floors in certain buildings. The fire department reviewed early plans and prompted the clarification that the request does not include an additional occupiable attic floor, and that fire‑rated walls and Class A windows will be required where side‑yard spacing is reduced.

Staff walked through lot‑type standards, noting RS4, RD2 and RD2‑derived lot sizes, and described the proposed adjustments (for example, lot widths reduced in curves from 60 to 50 feet and 4,000 sq. ft. fee‑simple lots for paired units). "The request for the exception is 45 feet, not more than 3 occupiable floors," staff said when summarizing the fire‑department discussion. The commission accepted the technical clarifications and the conditions that incorporate fire‑safety footnotes.