Developer postpones hearing for childcare facility construction over traffic concerns in Pewaukee

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Developers on Monday who proposed construction of a childcare facility postponed a public hearing while officials study how the development would affect traffic for a nearby subdivision, while Pewaukee officials heard testimony from the developer of an incoming office coworking space.

Illinois-based Quattro Development LLC wants to build a single-story Montessori educational facility near Highfield Court and Capitol Drive, but the developer asked to delay hearings for the project at a Common Council hearing.

The developer postponed the hearing to compile a traffic study with the city’s Plan Commission to alleviate neighbors’ concerns in a nearby subdivision, Quattro Director of Construction and Development Brett Dahlman, P.E., told The Daily Reporter. The neighbors said they were worried about drivers cutting through their property, he added.

When Quattro is finishes the analysis, it will be presented to the Plan Commission where they will need to get recommendations, Pewaukee Planner and Community Development Director Nick Fuchs told The Daily Reporter. After that, they will need to get a conditional use permit accepted by the Common Council.

The building will be around 11,700 square feet and will around 150 children, Dahlman said. Developers are hopeful to break ground in this summer when they get approval from the state and the city. Quattro planned the project with partner Higher Ground Education in 2022.

“I’m confident traffic study will give info the city wants and alleviate concerns neighbors might have. The bottom line on my end is its childcare, which is much needed everywhere. It’s a good location for it,” Dahlman said.

City officials also held a public hearing for a coworking office space for W239 N3490 Pewaukee Road.

Vertical Investments LLC, which owns Better Cowork LLC, wants to establish a coworking space in the existing office near Pewaukee Road and Capitol Drive, city plans showed. The developer would take the building “as-is,” would apply for the proper permit if it had to remodel the building. The cost of acquiring and purchasing the property is a total of $3,300,000.

Developer Alex Simic said at the meeting the building was historically used as an office setting and his company wanted to continue.

“I think the modern work world has turned to is hybrid working and short term working. This would be a first in Pewaukee, but if you look at the trends, coworking spaces now represent about 5-7% of total office space in the U.S. That’s projected to increase to about 30% by 2030. In a post-COVID world, this is where the world is heading,” Simic said.

Pewaukee Mayor Steve Bierce told The Daily Reporter the city has not sought out developers, but developers have reached out to them.

“Any community would tell you new construction is a priority for them. In Pewaukee we’re in a very nice location where we get people approaching us for development. We don’t have to go after others to develop. I think the development’s great, but we’re not actively looking for it,” Bierce said.