New apartments proposed for Port Washington would feature gardens, beehives and chicken coops
One of the first apartment complexes in Southeastern Wisconsin blending farming and housing is being proposed for Port Washington.
The Farm, a new agricultural neighborhood, is proposed for 2326-2332 Sunset Road in Port Washington. The project features nine private entrance, 22-unit stacked ranch buildings with attached garages.
The complex would include pollinator gardens, beehives, chicken coops and edible landscapes. The community club house would have hydroponic gardens and a commercial kitchen with a large dining room to host dinners.
Hydroponic indoor farms can grow more than 394 pounds of produce annually, according to the proposal.
The hydroponic vertical farms can grow produce like lettuce, tomatoes and various herbs.
The project would also include a playground that would be open to the public.
Mequon-based Shaffer Development LLC discussed a similar development in Germantown in 2019 but dropped the project due to high sewer and water costs. The developer said those won't be concerns at the Port Washington site because the site already has sewer and water.
"I feel that we're going to see greater demand for this with food insecurity and healthy eating and really food as medicine," said Shaffer Development owner Cindy Shaffer.
The developer is also planning to apply for tax credits and will need a TIF. Shaffer said the amount of funding needed will depend on the cost of the final proposal for the project.
Estimated completion for the project is scheduled for late spring or early summer of 2023 with an 18- to 24-month construction time frame, according to the developer estimates.
In the future, Shaffer said she hopes more agriculture apartments become more popular developments across the state. She said it's a chance to also help farmers who might be struggling to afford their land.
The project is planned to go before the planning commission on Oct. 18 for a pre-concept review. There are two remaining community outreach meetings scheduled for the public:
Wednesday, Oct. 5 from 4 to 6 p.m. at 116 W. Grand Ave. in conference room #104
Thursday, Oct. 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. at 116 W. Grand Avenue in conference room #104
More: Sherman Park Grocery wants to bring more than healthy food to the neighborhood it serves
Contact Alex Groth at agroth@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @grothalexandria.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Apartments eyed for Port Washington would blend housing and farming
