Milwaukee Board of Zoning Appeals Public Hearing - July 23, 2026

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BOZA) held a rescheduled public hearing on July 23, 2026, beginning at approximately 10:30 AM. The meeting was rescheduled from June 25, 2026. Chairman Lomberg presided with a quorum present (St. Arnold Bell, Rocker, Current, Samoyski, Lomberg). City departments (DPW, DNS, DCD) provided testimony under oath on each agenda item. The board considered 18 agenda items (some adjourned), heard from applicants and aldermen, and rendered decisions including approvals, denials, and conditions.

Item 1 – 4902 West State Street: Car Wash and Light Motor Vehicle Body Shop

• Applicant: Rigoberto Arteaga.
• Discussion: The applicant sought to add a car wash and continue occupancy. DPW noted that bollards at the pedestrian ramp had been installed and permitted. The board discussed the condition that no display vehicles be parked near the bollards.
• Key Outcome: Approved for 5 years, subject to conditions including bollard installation and no parking in that area. Unanimous vote (5-0).

Item 2 – One Brewer's Way: Automatic Freestanding Changeable Message Signs

• Applicants: Elizabeth Haas and Steve Ethier (Milwaukee Brewers).
• Discussion: Request to allow two video signs facing Highway 175 that do not comply with flashing/intermittent sign restrictions. DPW opposed citing distracted driving concerns, while the Brewers argued the signs would be used only during game days/events and would be screened by additional trees. Board members noted no objections after seeing the tree planting.
• Key Outcome: Approved to run with the land, with a condition that the tree canopy be maintained (maples and elms). Unanimous vote (5-0).

Item 3 – 3841 West Villard Avenue: Light Motor Vehicle Sales and Repair

• Applicants: Me Hodges and Stacy Gurnt (Blue Fox Automotive).
• Discussion: Renewal application with concerns about tire disposal and vehicle storage. Applicant stated they have a contracted tire service and will limit vehicles to nine on site.
• Key Outcome: Approved for 2 years, with conditions: tire service must be maintained, and no more than nine vehicles on site at any time. Unanimous vote (5-0).

Item 4 – 3505 West Keenaline Avenue: Assembly Hall (Motorcycle Club)

• Applicants: Gloria Penny, Ricky Williams, Jerry Washington (motorcycle club).
• Discussion: Use variance request for an assembly hall in an IL-1 industrial zone. DNS, DPW, and DCD all opposed citing self-imposed hardship, lack of exceptional circumstances, concerns about noise, alcohol, and hours (2-5 AM). Applicant argued they are a community-focused nonprofit, but the board found the criteria for a use variance not met.
• Key Outcome: Denied (use variance criteria not satisfied). Unanimous vote (5-0).

Item 5 – 6801 West Villard Avenue

• Adjourned (no action taken).

Item 6 – 2468 North Delsman Street: Ground Transportation Service

• Applicant: Edwin Martinez.
• Discussion: Use variance to operate a towing business from a residential garage. DPW, DNS, and DCD opposed because the property is in a residential RT4 district, and the use would be disruptive. Applicant explained he parks the truck inside by 5 PM and uses the home only for paperwork, but departments noted licensing issues and lack of exceptional circumstances.
• Key Outcome: Denied (use variance criteria not met). Unanimous vote (5-0).

Item 7 – 822 North 24th Street: Rooming House Renewal

• Applicant: Robert Conklin (property manager) and George Shaparis (owner).
• Discussion: Renewal for a twelve-occupant rooming house with a long history of operation. No speakers in opposition despite a letter of objection.
• Key Outcome: Approved for 3 years (staff recommendation), subject to conditions including maintaining a valid city dwelling facility license. Unanimous vote (5-0).

Item 8 – 8253 West Appleton Avenue: Commercial Building and Accessory Parking

• Applicant: Thomas Sakoiak (architect, Stack Design Group).
• Discussion: Dimensional variance and special use for a commercial building with parking. The plan had been previously approved in December 2024 but not executed. No objections from departments or aldermen.
• Key Outcome: Approved to run with the land. Unanimous vote (5-0).

Item 9 – 9235 West Capitol Drive: Assembly Hall Renewal

• Applicant: Not present (but represented).
• Discussion: Renewal of an assembly hall special use. No complaints since last approval. The aldermen had no objection.
• Key Outcome: Approved for 5 years with standard conditions. Unanimous vote (5-0).

Item 10 – 3434 North Holton Street: Light Motor Vehicle Repair

• Applicant: Ziauddin Khan (new owner).
• Discussion: New special use for a repair facility. Departments had no additional comments.
• Key Outcome: Approved for 3 years with conditions. Unanimous vote (5-0).

Item 11 – 3617 North Tetonia Avenue: Community Center

• Applicant: Danielle Rinn (owner).
• Discussion: Special use for a community center adjacent to an existing adult daycare. Neighborhood association letter of support. No objections.
• Key Outcome: Approved for 5 years. Unanimous vote (5-0).

Item 12 – 8700 West Brown Deer Road: Assembly Hall

• Applicant: Kathryn O’Coven (owner) with architect Nicholas Robinson.
• Discussion: Request to use a multi-tenant building as an assembly hall with limited on-site parking (25 spaces) and a parking agreement with an adjacent lot. Alderwoman Taylor expressed concerns about long-term parking viability. DPW found the parking arrangement common and adequate. The applicant agreed to limit occupancy per inspection and plant additional perennials.
• Key Outcome: Approved for 3 years, with conditions including adherence to parking agreements and no teenage parties. Unanimous vote (5-0).

Item 13 – 3770 South 52nd Street: Front Porch Variance

• Applicant: Darwin Reyes Alvarado.
• Discussion: Dimensional variance for a front porch that extends 18 inches beyond setback limits. Applicant explained that remnants of a previous stoop made excavation difficult. DNS opposed, but DCD had no objection. Board member St. Arnold Bell voted opposed, citing aesthetic concerns (the porch looks like a backyard deck).
• Key Outcome: Approved to run with the land (4-1; St. Arnold Bell opposed).

Item 14 – 6441 West Howard Avenue: Add Light Motor Vehicle Sales

• Applicants: Zwalee Tulay and Yaakub Hamden.
• Discussion: Adding sales to existing repair facility. Conditions include no more than 30 vehicles on lot and no parking on drives/public right-of-way. Alderman Brigalis had no objection with those conditions.
• Key Outcome: Approved for 5 years. Unanimous vote (5-0).

Item 15 – 161 South First Street: Assembly Hall

• Applicants: Stephanie Lemke and Roberto Hill.
• Discussion: Small assembly hall (estimated 25-35 capacity). Conditions require obtaining public entertainment license and signage compliance.
• Key Outcome: Approved for 3 years. Unanimous vote (5-0).

Item 16 – 3852 South 20th Place: Sunroom Addition

• Applicant: David Schnesky (for his elderly mother).
• Discussion: Hardship hardship variance for a sunroom on an existing slab to accommodate his mother’s mobility and vision impairments. DNS changed position to no objection.
• Key Outcome: Approved to run with the land. Unanimous vote (5-0).

Items 17 & 18 – 1026 and 1010 East Leighton Avenue: Intensification and Variance

• Applicants: Nabiel Alpha Hill and Mohosaid.
• Discussion: Combined special use and dimensional variance to operate a repair facility and sales with increased capacity. Conditions include no more than 121 vehicles on site, landscaping enhancements (perennials to be planted by September 30, 2026, and revised landscaping plan submitted within 60 days).
• Key Outcome: Both approved for 10 years with conditions. Unanimous votes (5-0).

The meeting adjourned after the final items.