City of Milwaukee Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting - July 30, 2026

The City of Milwaukee Board of Zoning Appeals convened at 2:15 PM on July 30, 2026, chaired by Eric Londberg, with members St. Arnold Bell, Rucker, Vice Chairman Smyski, and Chairman Lomberg. The board approved minutes from the July 23 and June 4 meetings and then addressed the consent agenda and 25 public hearing items.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–18 were approved en masse as recommended by staff: Dismissals without prejudice for items 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8; adjournments for items 7 and 13; approvals for varying terms (e.g., 10-year special use for items 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18; 5-year for item 12; use variance through 2035 for item 11; dimensional variance to run with the land for item 10). No public objections were raised.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 28 (4254 W Fond du Lac Ave): James Selinski (property owner of 3500 N Sherman Blvd) testified in opposition, citing safety and space concerns.
• Item 30 (518 S 72nd St): Neighbors Carrie Kelly and Mary Olson testified in opposition to the parking variance, describing a contractor yard and street parking issues.
• Item 31 (6411 W Burleigh St): Four residents (Jennifer Evans, Isaac Winicki, Lisa Albers, Terry Algayer) testified in opposition to the proposed digital billboard, citing traffic distractions, pedestrian safety, and detraction from the residential character. Lamar representative Matthew Gilson responded, emphasizing safety measures and community benefits.
• Item 26 (426 E Burleigh St): A letter of objection from a neighbor was noted but the neighbor did not appear.
• Item 23 (2133 W Wisconsin Ave): Alderwoman Moore expressed support and noted public correspondence.
• Other items had no public testimony.

Discussion Items

• Items 19 & 20 (4926 & 4930 N 32nd St): Proposed expansion of an assembly hall and recording studio to a capacity of 310 persons. DPW raised concerns about site size, parking (only one written agreement 1 mile away), and conflicting plans. The board voted to adjourn the item to allow the applicant to secure closer parking and address remaining issues.
• Item 21 (4624 N 36th St): Group home for two teenage mothers. No objections. Approved for 5 years.
• Item 22 (728 E Juneau Ave): Dimensional variance for glazing at a historic church being redeveloped into 29 apartments. No opposition. Approved to run with the land.
• Item 23 (2133 W Wisconsin Ave): New operator for community center with assembly hall and tavern. Concern over proposed 2:30 AM tavern hours; board conditioned 1 AM. Approved for 10 years.
• Item 24 (9929 W Silver Spring Dr): Intensification of self-storage facility with additional outdoor units. Approved to run concurrent with existing approval (expires Dec 19, 2032).
• Item 25 (7609 W Capitol Dr): Renewal of motor vehicle filling station. Alderman Westmoreland recommended 3 years. Approved for 3 years.
• Item 26 (426 E Burleigh St): New motor vehicle filling station. Neighbor concern noted but addressed; board required clarified landscaping plans. Approved for 10 years.
• Item 27 (3295 W Townsend St): Renewal of material processing facility (Milwaukee Materials). DPW and DCD raised concerns about hours, landscaping, and DPW lease. Board approved for 3 years with concrete crushing limited to 7 AM–8 PM.
• Item 28 (4254 W Fond du Lac Ave): Heavy motor vehicle rental/storage (U-Haul). DPW and neighbor objected due to sidewalk blockage and space constraints. Board approved for 3 years with conditions: max 5 U-Haul trucks, none longer than 15 ft.
• Item 29 (6477 N 51st St): Daycare expansion. Supported by Alderwoman Taylor. Approved for 3 years.
• Item 30 (518 S 72nd St): Dimensional variance to park 10 light motor vehicles. DPW, DNS, and DCD opposed due to contractor yard operation. Neighbors testified against. Board denied the variance.
• Item 31 (6411 W Burleigh St): Replacement of static billboard with a smaller (300 sq ft, 35 ft high) digital billboard. Public opposition but board found safety and economic benefits. Approved for 10 years.
• Item 32 (5824 W Appleton Ave): New light motor vehicle sales facility. No opposition. Approved for 10 years.
• Item 33 (732 W Maple St): New operator for light motor vehicle repair. Applicant committed to no outdoor repairs. Approved for 2 years.
• Item 34 (552 W Maple St): Renewal of restaurant/tavern. No concerns. Approved for 10 years.
• Item 35 (502 W Greenfield Ave): Renewal of light motor vehicle sales. Approved for 3 years.
• Item 36 (6230 S Howell Ave): Construction of 4 commercial buildings with personal instruction school and self-storage. Applicant investing $3 million. Approved for 15 years with landscaping condition.
• Item 37 (5727 S 27th St): Adjourned.
• Item 38 (550 W Grange Ave): Renewal of light motor vehicle rental. No issues. Approved for 5 years.
• Items 39 & 40 (1215 & 1235 W Leighton Ave): Canopy addition and zoning consolidation for gas station. Complex CSM process. Approved: 1215 for 1 year, 1235 to run concurrent with previous approval (expires May 5, 2033).
• Item 41 (4575 S Fifth St): Assembly hall in former warehouse. No opposition. Approved for 10 years.
• Item 42 (1003 E Potter Ave): Dimensional variances for garage and fence. No opposition. Approved to run with the land.
• Item 43 (3510 W Belite St): Outdoor storage container for art park. Applicant Derek Caney. Approved for 10 years.

Key Outcomes

• Items 19–20: Adjourned for future hearing.
• Items 21, 22, 24, 26, 31, 32, 34, 36, 38, 41, 43: Approved unanimously (5-0) as noted.
• Items 23, 25, 27, 28, 29, 33, 35, 39, 40, 42: Approved with specific term limits and conditions.
• Item 30: Unanimously denied (5-0).
• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
• Minutes: Approved unanimously.

All decisions were made by the board members present. The meeting adjourned after completing all agenda items.