Muskego planning commission approves Jewel Trucking site plan with conditions

The Muskego City Planning Commission on June 3 approved a building site and operation plan for Jewel Trucking to construct a roughly 17,000-square-foot industrial building and enclosed outdoor storage yard at the southwest corner of Mercury Drive and Saturn Drive.

Planner Adam Chazmietowski told the commission the structure will use masonry on most elevations — staff calculated average masonry coverage at more than 56% — with metal panels on gables, multiple garage doors facing the storage yard, a glass entry and a mix of asphalt, concrete and gravel on the site. Chazmietowski recommended approval with conditions, including working with state and federal agencies on floodplain and fill issues and ensuring paved access to the fenced storage gate.

The commission’s discussion focused on exterior appearance, screening and site access. Commissioners suggested optional architectural enhancements such as added gable overhangs or awnings to break up the building’s large form. Staff noted the outdoor storage will be enclosed by an 8-foot composite fence; the applicant proposes black-slatted chain-link gates to reduce gate weight, and staff asked the commission to consider gate finish and compatibility with the building’s gray tones.

Chazmietowski said staff and engineering will coordinate with the applicant and the engineer to secure any necessary approvals from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources or FEMA related to an area of mapped floodplain near the east entrance and to permit a larger culvert to accommodate truck turning movements. He also noted a utility easement under part of the building must be signed off or removed before construction. The plans allow a one-bay reduction if that change is limited to a single bay and does not alter the masonry and window composition; larger changes would require returning to the planning commission.

On site-surface materials, staff noted parking and drive aisles are asphalt; a rear area is shown as gravel for storing trailers and equipment. The code generally limits gravel near buildings due to dust concerns, but staff said the property’s distance from residences and the enclosed fence allow a planning commission waiver. Staff recommended that the approach up to the fenced gate be paved to prevent gravel tracking onto the public street.

Chazmietowski said light pole base heights within the fenced area would be limited to roughly 2½ to 3 feet, while pole bases in non-enclosed areas must meet the city standard and not exceed the typical six inches above grade. He also said ground-mounted mechanical equipment is shown on the north side of the building and refuse containers will be enclosed within the fenced yard.

“I’m recommending approval for this project. We think it’ll be a nice addition to this park and glad to see the business expanding,” Planner Adam Chazmietowski said during the presentation.

A commissioner disclosed a conflict and said, “I would just add that I’ll be abstaining. This is our firm is representing,” and did not participate in the final vote. The commission then moved to approve the resolution on the building site and operation plan. The motion carried with an abstention; the commission did not record a roll-call vote in the meeting transcript.

The commission left choices about optional architectural details and gate finish to the applicant and the commission’s discretion; staff conditions require coordination on floodplain and utility easement matters before permits are finalized.