Oak Creek council approves conditional use permit for Buc-ee’s after lengthy hearing and neighborhood opposition

The Oak Creek Common Council on May 20 approved a conditional use permit (CUP) and a certified survey map to allow a Buc-ee’s fueling plaza and travel center at three parcels on South 20th Street, after a lengthy public hearing that drew neighborhood opposition and a pending court challenge.

The CUP approval permits the applicant to move forward with detailed site, landscaping and traffic work required by city code and by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). Christie Lane, the city’s community development director, explained that the zoning review requires findings under Article 4 of the municipal code and additional fueling-plaza standards, and that any required improvements or conditions identified by WisDOT must be met before the project can proceed.

Neighbors, organized groups and environmental and health professionals urged the council to pause or deny the permit because of traffic, air emissions, groundwater and process concerns. Joe Sincotta, attorney for Oak Creek Neighbors United, said the association has filed a court action challenging prior rezoning and comprehensive-plan amendments and asked the council to stay further action. “Because of the court case, we ask that further review of this project be stayed so the court process could proceed,” Sincotta said.

Multiple residents and nearby property owners raised concerns about traffic on West Oakwood Road and 20th Street, odor and air emissions near homes and wells, nighttime lighting and noise, and stormwater…