• Working with the plan consulting team, drafted, supervised, and guided the completion and adoption of the City of Port Washington Downtown and Lakefront Plan.
• Compiled a listing of desired zoning changes and zoning issues to be addressed by the upcoming zoning code update.
• Started the zoning code update process with drafting and submitting a formal request for zoning consultant proposals.
• Drafted and submitted a request for developer proposals for the future development of the city-owned Schanen Farms land.
• Coordinated with city departments and began the process of drafting a downtown plan implementation strategy.
• Re-created the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals application and meeting processes after a long-term hiatus of such meetings.
• Worked with the Plan Commission, updated the City’s Arterial Gateway zoning overlay ordinance to prohibit uses determined to be not compatible with the intent of the overlay district.
• Drafted a new City Ordinance regulating the use and design of accessory dwelling units within the city.
• Working with the Plan Commission, drafted new building height limits for buildings located in the downtown B-4 zoning district.

• Through the Request For Proposals (RFP) process, hire a zoning code consultant and have the zoning code update at least 50 percent completed.
• Working with city staff complete the process of updating the official zoning map and the zoning layer on the city’s Geographic Information System (GIS).
• Working with city staff complete the update to the official map of the City of Port Washington.
• Implement the City Plan Commission’s Charter for 2024.
• Complete the City of Port Washington Department of Planning & Development Policies & Procedures Manual.
• Participate in relevant professional development opportunities.

For submittal and placement on a Plan Commission agenda, an application and related materials must be received no later than the application submittal deadlines shown below:

Application Packets

• BSOP Application and Process
• Concept Plan Application and Process
• CSM Application and Process
• CUG Application and Process
• Final Plat Application and Process
• Minor Application and Process
• Overlay Planned Development
• Preliminary Plat Application and Process
• Rezone Application and Process
• Special Except Application and Process

• Zoning Code
• Chapter 33 - Chart For District Regulations
• Zoning Map

2022 Port Washington Architectural & Historic Intensive Survey Report (For Informational Purposes Only)

Comprehensive Plan

The Wisconsin Smart Growth Law, also known as the State Comprehensive Planning Law, was enacted by the State of Wisconsin in October 1999. The Smart Growth Law requires that every community in Wisconsin have a comprehensive plan adopted by the governing body of the unit of government by January 1, 2010 in order for local governments to adopt or enforce zoning, subdivision control, or official mapping ordinances.

The City of Port Washington Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2008 and, in accordance with the Smart Growth Law, is comprised of nine elements:

1. Issues and opportunities element
2. Land use element
3. Housing element
4. Transportation element
5. Utilities and community facilities element
6. Agricultural, natural, and cultural resources element
7. Economic development element
8. Intergovernmental cooperation element
9. Implementation element

CLICK HERE for the City of Port Washington Comprehensive Plan.

Future Land Use Map Update

In 2021, the City of Port Washington updated its Future Land Use Map (Map) as part of the Land Use element of the Comprehensive Plan. The City will use the Map as a "big picture" guide to inform land use and development decisions. The goal is that such decisions are based upon public input and generally agreed upon strategies, which, hopefully, reflect the city’s vision, build upon its strength’s, and diminish its weakness.

CLICK HERE to review Map and accompanying document.

PORT WASHINGTON REVOLVING LOANS

The City of Port Washington Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) was established to create employment opportunities and provide a financing alternative for new business start-ups or expanding existing businesses in the city of Port Washington.  The RLF program includes interest rates and loan maturities that are designed to assist businesses, while providing for recapitalization and growth of the RLF.
 
Eligibility Requirements
Businesses must create or retain one full-time equivalent for each $35,000 of loan funds requested
1:1 private investment match to RLF investment
Ability to demonstrate project and loan repayment viability
Compliance with all applicable local, State, and Federal laws and codes
Total project completion within 24 months of RLF approval.

Eligible Activities
Acquisition of land, buildings, and / or fixed or major movable equipment
Site Prep, construction or reconstruction of buildings, building rehab, façade renovation, install of fixed equipment
Clearance, demo, and/or removal of structures
Working capital
Buyouts by purchase of assets or stock

Program Highlights:
Interest Rate:  50% of Prime Rate or 4%, whichever is lower, but not less than 2%
Loan Amount:  Between $10,000 and $100,000.  Loan Requests in excess of $100,000 may be negotiated.
Loan Terms:  Not more than 10 years.  Loans for working capital or loans $25,000 or under are up to five years.
Loan Fees:  $2,000 for loans over $25,000 | Loans under $25,000 have a $250 fee.

City of Port Washington Revolving Loan Fund Manual (CLICK HERE)

Approval Process Flow Chart (CLICK HERE)

Point of Contact for more Information and Applications:
Ozaukee Economic Development 
Kathleen Cady Schilling
Executive Director
262-238-7730
Email Kathleen: kschilling@co.ozaukee.wi.us

TIF Policy 

On April 19, 2022 the Common Council adopted a TIF Policy. The purpose of this Policy is to articulate the following:

1. Responsible use of tax increment financing (TIF) as a tool to encourage new development and redevelopment consistent with and reinforcing the Strategic Plan, Comprehensive Plan and/or other City planning documents, see Economic Development Goals, Objectives, Policies, Programs, and Priority Initiatives.
2. Provide a range of development incentives, when necessary, to attract new development, retain local employers, stimulate their expansion, and facilitate the redevelopment and revitalization of properties.
3. Provide Developers with a consistent set of guidelines for the City's approach to the utilization of TIF.
4. Maximize the effectiveness of the City's limited resources to stimulate new development and redevelopment projects that create employment opportunities and expand the tax base.
5. Monitor the performance of active tax increment districts to ensure their financial success.

Policy and Related Documents

• TIF Policy
• Reimbursement Agreement
• TIF Request Application

Active TIF Districts

The City of Port Washington has three active Tax Increment Districts (TID): TID 2: Downtown; TID 3: Cedar Vineyard and Industrial Lands; TID 4: Spring Harbor. Below are links to the TID boundary map, the Project Plan, and, if available, the Annual Report for each of the City’s three active TID’s.

• TID 2
  • Boundry Map
  • Project Plan
    • Amended Project Plan
  • Annual Report
• TID 3
  • Boundry Map
  • Project Plan
    • Amended Project Plan
  • Annual Report
• TID 4
  • Boundry Map
  • Project Plan
  • Annual Report