Milwaukee Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting - April 2, 2026
Milwaukee Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting - April 2, 2026
The Milwaukee Board of Zoning Appeals met on April 2, 2026, at 10:15 AM to hear a consent agenda of 25 items and 28 public hearing cases. The board, chaired by Eric Lomberg, had a quorum of four members (later five when Board Member Right arrived). Representatives from the Department of Public Works (DPW), Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS), and Department of City Development (DCD) provided input. Key decisions included approvals, denials, and adjournments across a range of special use, dimensional variance, and use variance requests.
Consent Calendar (Items 1–25)
The board voted unanimously to approve staff recommendations for all consent agenda items (1–25, with item 17 adjourned). This included approvals for special use permits (5- or 10-year terms), dimensional variances (running with the land), and dismissals without prejudice. No objections were raised by the public.
Discussion Items and Key Outcomes
Item 26 – 3211 W Ruskin St (Fence Correction) Approved unanimously. The board accepted a correction to a previous approval, confirming a 7-foot solid wood fence as built. Condition: the fence may not be raised higher than its current height. Public testimony from neighbors (Jim and Don Pierce) expressed concern about the fence height in the front yard, but DNS clarified it is technically a side yard.
Item 27 – 1722 S 13th St (Daycare Center) Denied unanimously. The applicant sought a special use for a daycare for 50 children. DPW, DNS, and DCD all opposed the proposed play space located in a vacated alley (only 11.3 feet wide per survey, vs. 24 feet in plans) due to safety hazards (fire escapes, utility poles, dumpsters). The board found the criteria for public health, safety, and welfare not met.
Item 28 – 1919 S 13th St (Light Motor Vehicle Repair) Approved for 5 years unanimously. The applicant, Hassel Sale, had operated for 22 years without complaints. DCD initially opposed tire repair in the rear garage but withdrew after testimony that all work is indoors. Conditions: no outdoor tire storage and compliance with hearing summary.
Item 29 – 1012 S 2nd St (Adult Retail Establishment) Adjourned unanimously. The applicant proposed an adult retail store focusing on LGBT merchandise. Neighbors opposed due to proximity to a school and residential area. The board adjourned to allow the applicant to meet with Alderman Perez (who had concerns about window visibility) and neighbors, and to revise hours and window shielding plans.
Item 30 – 1909 W Leyden Ave (Modification of Condition) Approved unanimously. The board granted a condition modification to install louvers on a sign to shield residential neighbors from light until landscaping trees mature. Louvers must be installed within 75 days and remain until the next board review.
Item 31 – 6401 S 13th St (Digital Sign) Approved unanimously. Dimensional variance granted to run with the land for a digital message sign on an existing pylon. DCD opposed due to non-conformity with sign size limits, but the board and Alderman Spiker supported the sign as beneficial for a hotel and restaurant.
Item 32 – 112 W Bowden St (Car Rental and Car Wash) Approved for 3 years unanimously. DPW emphasized no traffic through adjacent daycare parking lot and no work in public right-of-way. No public opposition.
Item 34 – 3264 S Indiana Ave (Detached Garage) Approved unanimously. Dimensional variance to exceed lot coverage granted to run with the land. No opposition.
Item 35 – 1633 W Center St (Hand Car Wash and Vehicle Sales) Approved for 5 years unanimously. New operator; DPW conditions on vehicle limits and no work in right-of-way.
Item 36 – 1926 W North Ave (Community Center) Approved for 2 years unanimously. Concerns about staffing for a wide range of activities were addressed by the applicant. DCD and DNS supported a short trial period.
Item 38 – 7418 W Hampton Ave (Daycare Expansion) Approved for 3 years unanimously. New operator expanded from in-home to group; DPW required maintaining a loading zone.
Item 39 – 6270 N 76th St (Auto Repair) Approved for 2 years unanimously. One-year lease; no opposition.
Item 40 – 1504 E North Ave (Drive-Through) Approved unanimously. Dimensional variance to run with the land and special use for 15 years. The board added a condition allowing two years (instead of the standard one) to obtain permits, after a previous approval expired due to delays.
Items 41 and 42 – 1216 N 13th St (Emergency Shelter) and 1214 N 13th St (Transitional Housing) Both approved with different terms. Neighbors (pastor of adjacent church and property manager) objected to the emergency shelter, citing loitering, drug use, and public safety issues. The applicant (Steven Bauer, CEO of Guest House) testified that most problems are not from their clients and that they cooperate with police. Board approved the transitional housing (Item 42) for 5 years with conditions, and the emergency shelter (Item 41) for 2 years, both requiring the formation of a quarterly neighborhood committee to address concerns.
Item 43 – 308 W Kilborn Ave (Parking Lot) Approved for 5 years unanimously. Objections from residents of Journal Commons about overselling parking were addressed by the applicant: new license plate cameras and staff at events ensure reserved spots for tenants.
Items 44 and 45 – 324 N 15th St (Multifamily Parking Waiver) and 1357 W St Paul Ave (Parking Lot Use) Both approved to run with the land. The board granted a 2-year permit window due to historic preservation requirements. Added condition for an approved landscape plan.
Item 46 – 8302 W Lisbon Ave (Motor Vehicle Storage) Approved for 2 years unanimously, over Alderman Westmoreland’s request for 1 year. The applicant had previous over-parking violations but implemented a vehicle counting system. DNS and the board agreed a 2-year term would allow for DOT permit renewals.
Item 47 – 7609 W Capitol Dr (Filling Station) Adjourned due to applicant absence. The board ordered a letter requiring attendance at the next meeting or case dismissal.
Item 48 – 1812 W Atkinson Ave (Daycare) Approved for 3 years unanimously. No opposition.
Item 49 – 3477 N 2nd St (Daycare) Approved for 3 years unanimously. Applicant expanding from in-home center.
Item 50 – 5444 W Vliet St (Community Center) Approved for 3 years unanimously. Applicant described staffing and volunteer structure for diverse programs.
Item 51 – 1112 S 23rd St (Duplex Conversion) Approved (dimensional variance to run with the land) unanimously. Alderwoman Moore supported the added affordable housing.
Item 52 – 5818 W Blue Mound Rd (Daycare) Approved for 3 years unanimously. Previous approval for 50 children did not proceed; this request for 32 children was supported by Alderwoman Moore with no resident complaints.
Meeting Transcript
On. All right. Welcome everybody to the April 2nd, 2026 meeting of the Milwaukee the Board of Zoning Appeals for the City of Milwaukee. My name is Eric Lomberg. I'm the board chair. Molly Vang is in the back, helping get people checked in. And India Garr is the secretary. She'll be helping lead this meeting. First order of business is to call the rule. Board member right. He is going to be a little bit tardy. Okay. Board member Cushell. He's excused. Board Member St. Arnold Bell. Here. Board Member Rocker. She's excused. Board Member Current. Here. Vice Chairman Smyski. And Chairman Lomberg. All right. So we have four. We have a quorum. We can conduct the business. Uh we are chased with conducting tonight. We have we are also joined by representatives from the three city departments. They will be giving us input throughout the evening relative to each file. They make suggestions for conditions or give us any comments they might have. The first swath of items that we're going to hear. Um what are known as the administrative consent agenda? These have already been uh vetted by staff and there have been in there's been input and recommendations given. We're going to read all of these in order, and they will be voted on in one block. If there's anyone present for any of the items, which is one through 25, with the exception of 17, which has been adjourned on the administrative consent agenda. There's anyone present that is here for any other reason than just find out what happens, but wishes for the item to be pulled off of the consent agenda and scheduled for a public hearing. Just indicate that when we read off the list and we will pull that and we'll vote on the rest of them and it can be rescheduled. So we'll hear from uh we have each of the city department representatives introduce themselves and we'll have them sworn, starting with DPW. If we're gonna mean Department of Public Works, DNS, Peter Larrickson and DCD. Ed Richardson. Thank you. Madam Secretary. Um please raise your right hands. Do you affirm under oath that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Yes. All right, thank you as always for being with us tonight. Um, we'll do one other item quickly as well. We'll do the we have the minutes uh have been circulated from our March 5th meeting. I think all of us were present at that meeting.
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