Proposal for Simplicity site doesn’t float city’s boat

A proposal to construct four boat-storage buildings at the former Simplicity Manufacturing property at 500 N. Spring St. in Port Washington was greeted with skepticism by the Plan Commission recently.

Noting that the property is in the midst of a residential area, commission members asked for a long-term plan for the site, saying boat storage may not be the best use of the land. They directed property owner Ted Weller to work with city staff on the plan before returning to the commission. 

Weller presented a concept plan to construct three 70-by-170 foot buildings on the north end of the property and a 50-by-230 foot building along Spring Street just north of Mallinger Drive, replacing an existing storage building.

The buildings would be used to store boats. Weller noted that boats have been stored in existing buildings on the property but other businesses have expanded their operations to the point he doesn’t have room for it now.

But Public Works Director Rob Vanden Noven, a commission member, noted that boat storage isn’t a permitted use under the current industrial zoning.

“I just don’t know if this is the place to invest in boat storage,” he said, especially since there are residential uses surrounding the site.

“Just because boat storage is needed doesn’t mean it should go here. I don’t think it’s the best use.”

Commission member Eric Ryer asked if there was a long-term redevelopment plan, noting that there may be room on the south side of the property where more storage buildings could be constructed.

“I don’t know if it is the best use for the site,” he said, adding that Weller should look at other potential uses for the property that might blend better with the neighborhood.

If Weller does continue to pursue the boat storage option, he added, he should look at ways to soften it so it would be more compatible with the area.

“We’re not discouraging or disparaging the current businesses you have there,” Ald. Paul Neumyer, a member of the commission, said. “We’re more concerned with the north end and how it blends in.”

An overall plan for the property is needed to guide development on the site for years to come, commission member Mike Ehrlich said.

“We just don’t want a hodgepodge of stuff,” he said. “It is a prominent building.”

The plan, he added, doesn’t need to be implemented immediately.

“We’re not saying you have to do it all now,” Ehrlich said. “Just think about it.”

Weller told the commission that the property has been used for boat storage for years and he wants to continue that function.

“That’s why we’re proposing this,” he said. “This land has been sitting empty forever. I’m trying to do something with it.”

Boat storage isn’t a high-traffic use, he said, adding he plans to put up “nice buildings.”

“I’m sticking a lot of money into this property,” he said.

But Weller said he is willing to sit down with city staff to consider uses for the property and a long-term plan.

Redevelopment of the Simplicity property has been an issue for the city since Briggs & Stratton, which acquired the company in 2004, closed the manufacturing facility in 2008.

For years, city officials have looked at the potential for redevelopment of the property, especially since the neighboring parcels are residential.

Redevelopment of the Simplicity property, whether for industrial or residential purposes, is one of six initiatives in the city’s 2035 economic development plan. Officials said at the time that all the initiatives in that plan need to be realized in order for the city to have a balanced economy, one where there are family supporting jobs for residents.