Latest news with #PlanCommission
Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Hobart council approves supportive housing apartments
Plans by CoAction to build supportive housing as well as office space for its staff can go forward. Tentative plans are to begin construction in 2026, pending funding of the project which will be known later this year, CoAction chief housing officer Jordan Stanfill said. The Hobart City Council gave unanimous approval on Wednesday to petitioners Stanfill and attorney Todd Leeth. The petitioners sought a rezone in an established PUD or planned unit development to a new planned unit development on 21 acres located on the northwest corner of Grand Boulevard and U.S. 30. Leeth said the property, located in a wetlands area, does offer significant challenges. But the planned 111-unit apartment complex would be built between lakes avoiding the wetland. CoAction was founded in 1965 with a mission to help people be self-sufficient and to advocate for people who need to be supported and represented, according to the CoAction website. In Northwest Indiana, CoAction plans and carries out a variety of programs that serve the unique needs of low-income families and disabled individuals in Lake, Porter, Newton and Jasper counties. The first phase of the project would be to build 36 apartments which would include office space for CoAction staff members. A second and third floor with apartments would follow, Stanfill said. Stanfill, at a previous Plan Commission meeting, said the apartments are for those individuals with no place to go and may include those who had been sleeping outside in tents. 'It (the planned housing) is for those in a housing crisis,' Stanfill said. Leeth said the project had one remonstrator, a property owner in the area, but CoAction reached out to her and she was fine with their plans. There were no remonstrators at the meetings but city officials, including Hobart Mayor Josh Huddlestun, said they had only positive things to say about the organization after visiting their facilities in other communities. 'Welcome to Hobart,' Huddlestun said. In other business, Huddlestun said that there have been many unexpected delays with the contractors going forward with renovations on the Bright Spot restaurant in downtown Hobart. 'It's like Pandora's Box or like a box of chocolate; you never know what you're going to get,' he said.. Work should begin in coming weeks, Huddlestun said. The city has written a letter to officials in New Chicago with regards to renegotiating its ambulance services. Huddlestun said Hobart residents now pay around $1,000 per call for ambulance services while New Chicago residents pay $100 per call. 'We are asking to make the rate more equitable,' he said. The ambulance service agreement with New Chicago ends at the end of the year. The city recently swore in four new firefighters, all with EMT certifications.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Where do things stand with the Buc-ee's planned for Oak Creek? Here's the latest.
Buc-ee's is trying to build in Oak Creek but there's a delay in the final approvals for 'the Disneyland of gas stations.' Angela Janik, project coordinator for Buc-ee's, made the "Disneyland" comparison during an early meeting for the proposed 74,000-square-foot store which includes a fueling plaza of 120 gas pumps. It would be constructed on nearly 30 acres near West Elm Road and South 27th Street, just west of the interstate. Here's what to know: Buc-ee's is hoping to open its 24/7 store and fueling plaza in early 2027 and is expected to employ between 175 and 225 full-time workers. The City of Oak Creek put out a timeline for when various approvals for Buc-ee's were up for discussion. These dates have come and gone: Jan. 28 the Plan Commission passed resolutions to change the property to commercial use from business park in the city's comprehensive plan. It was also rezoned from primarily agricultural to B-6 Interchange Regional Retail District. March 18: Oak Creek's Common Council voted in favor of amending the city's 2020 comprehensive plan land use for the three properties and a rezoning application for retail use. May 20: Following the Plan Commission's recommended approval in April, a conditional use permit for the fueling plaza and convenience store was approved by the Oak Creek Common Council. The council also approved a certified survey map for the project combining the three parcels into two lots and an outlot. Oak Creek City Administrator Andrew Vickers told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on July 2 the city's timeline for local reviews and approvals was to conclude June 10 with a site plan and building review in front of the Plan Commission. However, the timeline hit a speed bump with a traffic analysis. 'This final, public step has been delayed as (the Wisconsin Department of Transportation) and Buc-ee's continue working toward what the Traffic Impact Analysis will require for road improvements,' Vickers said via email. He noted city staff will create an agenda for the Plan Commission meeting once the DOT accepts the traffic impact analysis. Vickers said the city doesn't anticipate any issues with the analysis, noting "those traffic data exchanges and iterative engineering processes are mostly between DOT and Buc-ee's." Some neighbors who are opposed to the proposed project have decided to band together as Oak Creek Neighbors United and sue the city. The lawsuit was filed April 11 in Milwaukee County Circuit Court and alleges the rezoning and comprehensive plan amendment were only to benefit the property owner and called it 'illegal spot zoning.' The plaintiffs want a declaratory judgment that the 2020 comprehensive plan amendment approval and rezoning be voided by the court, according to the lawsuit. The suit is ongoing with the city filing a motion to dismiss the case and Oak Creek Neighbors United having until Aug. 4 to reply, according to online court records. Contact Erik S. Hanley at Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here's the latest on the proposed Buc-ee's in Oak Creek
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New subdivision would add mix of almost 180 housing units in Howard
A nearly 180-unit mixed-use subdivision proposed in the village Howard will advance for further review and public comment. Meacham Realty & Development under the subsidiary DML Properties LLC applied for a preliminary Planned Development District designation to develop the Red Leaf subdivision on a 37-acre property in the 4100 block of Shawano Avenue. The village's Plan Commission on June 16 unanimously approved the request, which still faces further review. More than 20 people attended the commission's meeting, but the public was not provided an opportunity to comment. The planned development district approval would enable DML Properties to create a mix of housing types on the site that otherwise would require a mix of zoning designations for the property. The planned development would allow the construction of single-family homes, duplexes, townhouses and apartments in the subdivision. The Red Leaf subdivision's property address is 4183 Shawano Ave. The 37.3-acre property is located west of Shawano Avenue and north of Milltown Road. It wraps around Howard Fire Department Station No. 2, 4165 Shawano Ave. Plans submitted to the village call for 179 total units, nearly half of which would single-family home lots of varying widths. Here's the proposed residential mix: Five 55-foot-wide single-family lots 20 60-foot-wide single-family lots 36 70-foot-wide single-family lots 13 80-foot-wide single-family lots Nine 90- to 120-foot-wide single-family lots Four duplexes 32 townhouses 60 apartments on one lot along Milltown Road According to Meacham Realty team members and Steve Bieda, a consultant with Vierbicher developing plans for the Red Leaf subdivision, the mix of housing types and lot sizes was necessary to develop the site for several reasons. The three, 20-unit apartment buildings along Milltown Road would provide a buffer from traffic on Milltown and the Wisconsin Public Service Corp. substation across the street. The mix of 55-foot to 120-foot lot sizes and mix of housing types helps spread utility and road construction costs across more units, bringing the per-lot infrastructure costs down. The smaller lot sizes will enable construction of smaller homes that are both in demand with consumers and can be sold at lower prices. The group revised the prior plans, which the village rejected, to align with the village's recent efforts to permit a range of single-family lot sizes to increase density in new developments. In its submission to the village, Meacham Realty indicated the combination of housing types was crucial to develop a mixed-use neighborhood "that caters to all stages of life from apartments and townhomes to smaller and standard-sized lots." Plan Commission members asked for more information on whether the plans included green space (it doesn't), how stormwater would be managed (off-site across Shawano Avenue), the inclusion of the apartment buildings in the plan, and how water and sewer service would reach the site (off Shawano Avenue). While members of the public could not address the Plan Commission, a couple of residents indicated general concerns with the proposal include the inclusion of apartments, road conditions, traffic and the pace of development in the village. The developers plan to construct 1,500- to 2,000-square-foot homes with two- or three-stall garages included. An additional garage stall could be added to some lots. The prices for the new single-family homes were estimated at an average of $450,000 while the townhouses were expected to sell for $385,000 to $425,000 each. The developers' calculations estimate the single-family, townhouse and apartment lots combined could generate $63.9 million in new assessed value for the village. The Plan Commission's initial approval will be followed by three more reviews before village committees. The Howard Village Board will take up the Plan Commission's recommendation, potentially as soon as its next meeting on June 23. After the subdivision plans are finalized, the planned development district application would be reviewed again by both the Plan Commission and Village Board. Contact business reporter Jeff Bollier at (920) 431-8387 or jbollier@ Follow him on Twitter at @JeffBollier. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Howard gives initial OK to 179-unit subdivision off Shawano Avenue
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oconomowoc takes steps toward Olympia Fields plan for new apartments and entertainment
Within the ever-evolving Olympia Fields, two new developments could further the diversity of an already diverse mix, with the addition of an entertainment complex and a tall residential-and-retail building. Elevate, a five-story apartment and townhome complex with commercial space on its base, and The Social, an indoor-and-outdoor facility including event space and dining, figure prominently in an emerging tax-subsidy plan that will be discussed ahead of a public hearing on July 2 before the City of Oconomowoc's Plan Commission. But first, to secure or open the door to any such plans, the city must extend the boundaries of a special development taxing district that birthed Olympia Resort's reclamation in recent years. That will be the focus of the public hearing. Assuming the tax-incremental financing district, which invests property tax dollars generated by new development for certain upfront costs, is approved, both developments would further the financial strength of Olympia Field's ability to generate new tax dollars, officials say. A 41-page document outlining TIF District 7 revisions at least provides a glimpse of what both developments would look like and feature. Wangard Partners, the central player in the redevelopment of the old Olympia Resort site just west of Highway 67, plans to build a five-story building with townhomes and 19,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor and four floors of apartment units above it. Consisting of more than 100 apartments and nine town homes, Elevate is planned for vacant land on the north side of the roundabout linking Olympia Fields Drive and Pabst Road. Regardless of the TIF district, Elevate has already been approved for development by the city, but Wangard is also seeking a $6.5 million development incentive payment. The full amount, under the pay-as-you-go financing method, could not be collected until the development is complete. Its construction would enable Olympia Fields to proceed with future developments, according to city officials. At the bottom of the ski hill, a hotel and ski chalet once greeted outdoor enthusiasts. Under a conceptual plan, that part of what's now Olympia Fields would be redeveloped into a 60,000-square-foot venue called The Social. Neumann Developments, a company already involved with home construction projects within Olympia Fields, is partnering with Kevin Havens for a project that would result in "a year-round destination for families, adults of all ages and corporate clients," the developer said in a summary included in the TIF revision document. In addition to dining and event spaces, the grounds would incorporate indoor and outdoor activities. Outside attractions include sand volleyball and snow tubing. The indoor list includes pickleball, golf simulators, bowling, ax throwing and rock climbing. The Social would also have a full-service restaurant, a sports-viewing venue, a coffee shop, an ice cream parlor and a cocktail lounge. The plan, presented only in concept and not yet vetted through the city's development approval process, would depend partly on a $6 million development incentive paid up front from the amended TIF district, according to city documents. Before its financial collapse in 2018, the former Olympia Resort was once viewed as a conference center and hotel, fronted by a modest commercial center anchored by Kmart. Today, it's part of a plan that includes a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, apartments and a beefed-up commercial section that includes a veterans clinic and restaurants, with more on the way. But Elevate, with its retail bottom floor, and The Social would introduce new elements: higher density residential living in the commercial area and a regional attraction on the resort grounds. "The continued partnership with Neumann Developments and Wangard provides an opportunity to accomplish the overall objectives of the District to eliminate and prevent the spread of blight and create a high-quality, mixed-use development to fit the context and vitality of the surrounding area," the city said in the TIF amendment document. Oconomowoc created the TIF district in November 2020 to spur development in what legally had to be declared a "blighted" area of the city, a definition that suggests the private sector was unwilling to invest in an outdated, underutilized and deteriorating property. The success of TIF District 7 is measured by how much new revenue has been generated above the base amount before redevelopment projects began. According to city documents, the district has generated more than $45 million in incremental tax, which has financed the costs of road, sewer and water main constructions and included incentives for developers. The original 154-acre redevelopment district was amended in 2023 to include 88 more acres. The second amendment would add 16 acres. Under current projections, the debt from the district would be retired by 2044 as tax revenue builds up. Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Oconomowoc's Olympia Fields may add apartment, entertainment complexes
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Local manufacturer plans to redevelop Journal Sentinel's closed printing plant with 1,000 jobs
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's former printing plant would be converted into a facility for a local manufacturer under a new proposal − bringing up to 1,000 jobs to that site. Global Power Components wants to buy the building, at 4101 W. Burnham St., West Milwaukee, and construct a large addition for its growing operations. That's according to information disclosed May 9 by the West Milwaukee Plan Commission. The commission is to consider Global Power's proposal at its May 13 meeting. Global Power has outgrown its main facility at 2300 S. 51st St., said John Stalewski, village president. He told the Journal Sentinel the company plans to still maintain that operation on Milwaukee's south side. Global Power, known formally as BHP Inc., builds fuel tanks, enclosures and other equipment for the power generation industry. "Apparently, stand-by generators have gotten to be a big business," Stalewski said. He said Global Power says the West Milwaukee plant would have three production shifts totaling around 1,000 employees. Global Power currently operates in five Milwaukee-area facilities with more than 1,200 employees, according to the Plan Commission documents. "We're very excited about this project," Stalewski said. He said the development could include village funding through a possible tax incremental financing district. The West Milwaukee plant, along with the company's Milwaukee facilities, "will help us serve our customers with industry-leading innovation and design," said Chief Operating Officer Mike Watkinson, in a statement. The Journal Sentinel's 476,316-square-foot former production facility is listed for leasing, and for sale, by Colliers, a commercial real estate services provider. The listed sale price is $27.5 million. Global Power wants to build a 230,000-square-foot addition to provide more manufacturing space, according to the Plan Commission documents. The news organization's corporate parent, Gannett Co., closed the production facility in 2022 as a cost-savings move − eliminating 180 jobs. The Journal Sentinel is now printed at a Gannett plant in Peoria, Illinois. The $112 million West Milwaukee printing plant opened in 2003. The property was sold in 2022 for $26 million to 4101 W. Burnham St. Milwaukee WI LLC. That's an affiliate of New York-based Alden Global Capital LLC − an investment firm that owns newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune. But Alden Global's apparent plans to print the Chicago Tribune in West Milwaukee never materialized. Global Power's plans were disclosed around one year after the maker of Palermo's frozen pizzas announced plans to expand through a new West Milwaukee production facility with 50 jobs. Palermo Villa Inc.'s new operation is being developed at 3900 W. Lincoln Ave. That was the longtime site of Froedtert Malt Corp.'s complex before it was demolished in 2023. (This story was updated to provide new information). Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@ and followed on Instagram, Bluesky, X and article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Global Power to bring 1,000 jobs to former Journal Sentinel facility
