By clearing a hurdle at Plan Commission, hopes are that construction of a multi-family residence toward lake can begin as soon as tavern is razed, with a new pub and restaurant to follow shortly after.
In contrast to the debate over the request and approval to rezone the property for DJ's Pub and Grill this past summer, the review of plans for the business and residential property was relatively peaceful. The Plan Commission met Tuesday night to review the building, site and operation plan for the 1.4 acre parcel, which is now zoned as a downtown rivival property. With Waukesha County planning on razing the current tavern, owner Dan Hewitt hoped to replace the business with a new 3,500 square foot restaurant near Janesville Road, and a 3,800-square-foot four-family residence toward Little Muskego Lake. The developer, Burback Builders, provided plans for landscaping, parking, lighting and construction to the commission. The biggest point …
Plan Commission addresses neighbors' concerns over lake living environment, and recommends downtown revival zoning for pub and residence that will be razed for Janesville Road construction.
After a public hearing that had residents raising red flags over the rezoning of DJ's Pub on June 26, a more conciliatory chord was struck Monday night as the Plan Commission recommended rezoning, with conditions to satisfy neighbors' concerns. Previously, concerns centered around rezoning the one-and-a-half acre parcel to a "downtown revival" business designation, as the property is sandwiched between other residential properties. However, City Planner Jeff Muenkel and plan commissioners explained that rezoning will actually give the city more control over what happens to the parcel. "We've heard from residents who want the property grandfathered as a residential parcel, but really it's never had a BSO (building, site and operation plan…
Removal of references to lake park on Janesville will be made first before council will approve, and residents ask for responsible development.
Overall the marketing plan done for the city of Muskego received little negative feedback from Common Council members, but specific references to the development of a lake park were asked to be removed from the plan before the council would approve. The city had hired an outside firm to explore its business centers, and develop a plan of action to attract more of them to the city. City Planner Jeff Muenkel told the council it was up to them if they wanted to approve the plan with the tweaks in place or defer it and come back. However the recent uproar over the development of a park along Janesville Road was reason enough to have the council ask for any language that could be read as an endorsement for that particular land be stricken first…
Denise Konkol
7:32 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
I'm not sure what bothers you about it. The tenants will likely be paying a premium for rents, even without direct lake access. At the end of the day it's no one's property except Mr. Hewitt's and it does meet city guidelines for the zoning. In addition, I don't think you'll get to see much of it when you're driving by. more ›