Council approves conditional-use permit for outdoor storage at Oak Creek Wood Products with limits and screening

The Oak Creek Common Council on Jan. 21 approved a conditional-use permit allowing outdoor storage for Oak Creek Wood Products at 190 West Marquette Avenue, with conditions intended to address prior complaints about unregulated outdoor storage and parking.

Community Development Director Christie Lane described the permitted layout and conditions: outdoor storage must be limited to designated areas shown on the approved site plan, no materials may be stored within 15 feet of any building (a fire-department requirement), materials may not be stacked higher than the perimeter fence, and the company may keep up to two enclosed 53-foot trailers specifically to contain sawdust plus an approximately 3,000-square-foot area for lumber storage. Lane said the plan includes privacy slats in the fencing along First Street and pavement markings to indicate storage zones.

Council members asked whether existing conditions in photographs reflected compliance; Lane said the photos pre-dated the Planning Commission review and that the neighborhood preservation officer had worked with the owner and would continue enforcement oversight. "The modifications they intend to make are gonna resolve those issues," a council member said during the discussion.

Planning Commission had recommended approval at its Dec. 10 meeting. The council adopted the conditional-use permit by roll call vote; the motion included the Planning Commission conditions and the specific storage, fencing and hours-of-operation limits.