Oak Creek council approves comp‑plan amendment and rezoning to allow proposed Buc‑ee’s after heated public hearing

The Oak Creek Common Council voted March 18 to amend the city’s 2020 comprehensive land‑use plan from “business park” to “commercial” and to rezone three parcels totaling about 29 acres on South 20th Street to B‑6 Interchange Regional Retail — actions that the council and city staff said would allow a proposed Buc‑ee’s destination travel center to seek later permits.

Why it matters: the project is large and designed to serve long‑distance travelers. Supporters say it would bring a major private investment and jobs; opponents said the site’s proximity to the Saint John’s subdivision and nearby farms creates risks from traffic, light, stormwater and air emissions and could lower nearby property values.

Community development director Christie Lane told the council the comp‑plan amendment and rezone are a “pecking order” of approvals: the comprehensive plan designation must change before the city can rezone the land and the applicant can pursue a conditional‑use permit, certified survey map and site plan review. Lane said the three parcels are “approximately 29 acres” and that the applicant’s conceptual plan shows a roughly 74,000‑square‑foot building with fueling stations; she noted the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is reviewing a traffic impact analysis for the state‑controlled South 20th Street intersection and that “the project will not move forward until the DOT approves certain traffic flow standards.”

Stan Beard, director…