title
Public Hearing and consideration of a request by Milwaukee County to expand a children’s detention and correctional facility at the Vel Philips Youth & Family Justice Center located at 10201 Watertown Plank Road in the Special Purpose - Medical Center (SP-MED) District
body
Submitted by:
Art Piñon
Department:
Development
A. Background/Options
The applicant, Milwaukee County, is proposing a new 32-bed Secure Residential Care Center for Children and Youth (SRCCCY) at the Vel Philips Youth & Family Justice Center located at 10201 W. Watertown Plank Road in the Special Purpose - Medical Center (SP-MED) District. Surrounding land uses include the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Station to the north, office and research uses to the south and west, and Interstate 41 to the east.
The project serves as an expansion of the existing youth detention facility onsite. Site modifications include a 26,000 square-foot building addition and renovation of approximately 8,300 square feet of existing building space. The SRCCCY will be a secure area and include four (4) housing pods for 32 adolescents, day rooms, outdoor recreational space, visitation area, dining rooms, server and culinary arts space, classrooms, medical and behavioral health treatment area, restrooms, and showers.
Attached to this report is the applicant’s request and project plans.
B. Staff Comments
Planning/Zoning Division
Per WMC 24.11.020, the Zoning Administrator is authorized to determine required parking for the project. Staff visits to the site, as well as aerial imagery, show that a majority of the parking area is empty throughout the day and a sufficient amount of parking is available on the property to support the proposed addition. Additionally, the facility will be operated by the same staff operating the current detention facility onsite so minimal additional parking is anticipated to be needed.
Nine (9) public notification letters related to the project were sent per City regulations.
Building Division
Design Review Board approval required; plan review, building permits and DSPS plan approvals required.
City Assessor’s Office
Provide detailed costs of any alterations and/or new construction, as well as income & expense information as requested by the Assessor’s Office
City Clerk’s Office
No issues.
Public Works Department
No issues.
Engineering Division
Site plans, stormwater management and construction staging are subject to approval by the Engineering Division.
For any building project in excess of $100,000, the sanitary sewer lateral is required to be replaced or repaired if the existing lateral does not pass Board of Public Works testing requirements according to City Code 13.30.030.
Calculations based on fire flow needs is required. See City Code Section 14.20.080 for fire flow requirements. City Code requires that the required fire flow for sprinklered properties shall consist of the flow required for sprinklers and other on-site water consumption. The applicant will be required to schedule a hydrant flow test. This test will have to simulate winter operation conditions of the water system because the proposed fire sprinkler system must function under all conditions. Engineering must review and approve of any proposed hydrant testing in advance of scheduling any test.
Site plans must meet all requirements pertaining to landscaping and screening in zoning code Chapter 24.12.
Fire Department
All applicable fire code will be adhered to.
Health Department
No issues.
Police Department
No issues.
C. Recommendation
Staff recommends approval subject to:
1. Providing detailed costs of any alterations and/or new construction, as well as income & expense as requested by the Assessor's office.
2. Site plans, stormwater management and construction staging are subject to approval by the Engineering Division prior to building permit issuance.
3. For any building project in excess of $100,000, the sanitary sewer lateral is required to be replaced or repaired if the existing lateral does not pass Board of Public Works testing requirements according to City Code 13.30.030.
4. Conducting a fire flow test and submitting fire flow calculations to Engineering Division prior to building permit issuance. Engineering must review and approve of any proposed hydrant testing in advance of scheduling any test.
5. Site plans must meet all requirements pertaining to landscaping and screening in zoning code Chapter 24.12.
6. Under WMC 24.16.040I., a Conditional Use will lapse and have no further effect one year after it is approved by the Common Council, unless a building permit has been issued (if required); the use or structure has been lawfully established; or unless a different lapse of approval period or point of expiration has been expressly established by the Common Council.
7. Obtaining other required licenses, permits, and approvals.