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Plan commission approves 60‑unit townhome‑style development at former Mark Griffin Chrysler site with conditions
Summary
The Plan Commission approved a conditional use for a 60‑unit, five‑building townhome‑style apartment development on approximately 5.5 acres at the former Mark Griffin Chrysler site along Highway 100 and Oklahoma Avenue, subject to conditions on sidewalks, facade enhancements, refuse placement and traffic‑calming measures.
The West Allis Plan Commission voted to approve a conditional use for a proposed 60‑unit, townhome‑style residential development on about 5.5 acres at the site of the former Mark Griffin Chrysler dealership along Highway 100 and Oklahoma Avenue. The project is proposed by developer Bill Salus and is estimated by staff to have an approximate value of $10,000,000.
Planning staff reviewed a revised site plan that added a second refuse enclosure, snow‑storage areas and a hammerhead turnaround to improve circulation. Surface parking shown on earlier plans was reduced from 76 stalls to 55 stalls; each unit includes an attached garage space and the total shown does not exceed the zoning maximum of two spaces per unit. Staff emphasized the need for pedestrian connectivity to surrounding retail on Highway 100 and recommended sidewalk connections to both Highway 100 (to tie into an existing stubbed sidewalk) and Oklahoma Avenue. Staff also recommended interior pedestrian connections and bicycle parking per code. Stormwater, utility and county/state reviews are ongoing; staff noted Milwaukee County and state reviewers may request additional technical studies (for example, a traffic or technical memorandum) depending on their review.
Several commissioners pressed the developer and architect on design variety, location and screening of dumpster enclosures, access points that could become cut‑throughs, and traffic calming to prevent high‑speed entries from Highway 100. Commissioner comments urged design modifications to avoid a “cookie‑cutter” appearance and asked that dumpster enclosures be sited or screened to reduce visibility and odor to adjacent units. Commissioners also discussed potential pedestrian connections with neighboring properties (including the Windsong Apartments to the west) and suggested keeping certain gateways pedestrian‑only while allowing staff to work with the applicant to refine details. The developer said he would work with the architect and staff on façade material choices to add variety and on landscape screening near existing commercial uses (for example, the adjacent car wash).
The commission’s approval includes conditions requiring: aesthetic enhancements to the north and west facades subject to staff review, pedestrian sidewalk connections to Highway 100 and Oklahoma Avenue as feasible, additional information on refuse size/location and collection frequency, consideration of traffic‑calming features at internal crosswalks (for example, speed tables or similar measures), and continued coordination on stormwater and utility matters with state and county reviewers. The commission recorded the motion as approved by voice vote.
Why it matters: The project converts a large former auto‑dealer parcel into a mid‑scale multifamily development with pedestrian ties into a busy commercial corridor. Commissioners’ conditions focus on mitigating vehicle speed and cut‑through traffic, improving pedestrian access to nearby retail, and ensuring the development’s materials and refuse placement are compatible with neighboring properties.
