Economic Development Committee approves rezoning, parking lease amendment and two CDBG loans

At a meeting of the City of West Allis Economic Development Committee, members approved several items including a rezoning ordinance, an amended parking lot lease and two economic development loans.

The committee approved an ordinance to rezone 6604-20 West Mitchell Street from I1 (industrial) to C3 (commercial), a zoning change recorded on the agenda as item 26. Members voted in favor without extended discussion.

The committee also approved an amended nonexclusive parking lot lease with Deco Venues for property at 7546 West Greenfield Avenue (agenda item 27). Committee discussion clarified substantive changes to the lease: the lease start date was changed to the business opening date so the tenant would not pay rent before opening; the expiration language was revised to a five-year term; and the rent payment schedule was clarified as annual rent payable quarterly with due dates adjusted to reflect the floating start date. Committee members noted that nonpayment could trigger a process that would revoke a related special-use approval.

The committee approved two economic development loans: up to $150,000 to Oak Brewing Company LLC under the Capital Catalyst Loan Program (agenda item 28) and $50,000 to Bars and Recreation, Inc., d/b/a SSB MKE, from the CDBG loan program (agenda item 29). City staff highlighted that the CDBG loan program is designed to leverage private investment; staff said CDBG loans frequently bring additional private and bank financing and that the $50,000 note is structured as a five-year instrument that may be forgiven upon meeting job-creation commitments tied to low- and moderate-income hiring.

All items were approved by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript.