Oak Creek council approves development agreement allowing $25,999 mitigation for trees or beautification at 7655 S. Sixth St.

The Oak Creek Common Council on April 15 approved a development agreement with 7655 South Sixth Street LLC that accepts a $25,999 payment from the developer in lieu of meeting the municipal tree-replacement ratios on a heavily wooded parcel at 7655 South Sixth Street.

The payment, which council members amended into the agreement as section A.3, will be payable to the city and may be used "for the installation of said trees or to be used for other beautification projects by the City at locations that are consistent with the preservation and replacement of trees and woodlands in the City," the motion states. The motion to approve the development agreement as amended was made by Alderman Florek and seconded by Alderman Fritz and carried on a roll call vote.

The council heard from Christie Lane, the City of Oak Creek’s Community Development Director, who said the northern portion of the parcel is densely wooded and that complying with the city’s 2022 tree-preservation rules (which require replacement at a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio depending on diameter) is not feasible on-site. Lane said the applicant expects to build an…