Plan for multigenerational day care center hits a snag

A plan to use the former Poole Funeral Home in downtown Port Washington for an intergenerational day care facility hit a snag recently.

The Plan Commission on Sept. 17 rescinded its earlier finding that the center would be an allowable use under the city’s zoning code.

The commission had determined in August that the facility met the definition of a community service establishment as a private lodge or club, something allowed under the zoning code.

But City Attorney Matt Nugent later determined that was not a proper decision, commission members were told.

That’s because the PooleHouse, as the facility would be called, is a for-profit venture, Bob Harris, the city’s director of planning and development, told the commission.

Under city codes, a private lodge or club is defined as a place used for gatherings of people “organized for a nonprofit purpose but not groups organized to render a service customarily carried on as a business.”

“Because the proposed use is unambiguously contrary to the city’s zoning code, the plan commission does not have the authority to classify the proposed use as a community service establishment,” according to a memo to the commission from Harris.

The PooleHouse plan submitted by Lillian Williamson of Zeal Investment Partners says that the facility would provide programming for as many as 30 adults who would pay a membership fee to attend the center and 16 infants and toddlers whose families would pay for a year-long membership.

Day care centers are not allowed in the B-4 zoning district under the city codes.

What this means for the project is unclear. Harris said Williamson will now have to find another designation that would fit within the existing zoning code or petition for an amendment to the code that would allow the day care.

She could also seek a rezoning of the property, he said.

Poole Funeral Home, which had operated at the corner of Wisconsin and Main streets for 110 years, closed in December 2023 when owner Patrick Poole decided to retire. It has remained vacant since then.

Williamson told the commission that she wanted to create a facility that would care for children and senior citizens.

The facility could also provide a variety of classes, cultural events and workshops for people to attend during the week.

And on weekends, when regular clients don’t attend the center, there could be art shows, speakers and events the public could attend, she said.