Oak Creek council rescinds 2002 conditional-use plan and approves rezoning of 8825 S. Howell Ave.

The Oak Creek Common Council on Jan. 21 voted to rescind a conditional-use permit adopted in 2002 and to change the land-use designation and zoning for the property at 8825 South Howell Avenue, clearing the way for standard commercial and office uses.

Community Development Director Christie Lane said the action was initiated at the property owner’s request. "This is an application that is kind of rare — something that common council does not see frequently — and that's to revoke or remove a conditional use permit at the request of the property owner," Lane said. She told the council the site was originally zoned RM-1 multifamily residential after a 2002 ordinance intended for a 62-unit senior living development that never materialized.

The council first adopted a resolution formally rescinding ordinance number 2224 and the associated conditional-use permit for housing for the elderly at the site. It then approved an amendment to the City of Oak Creek 2020 comprehensive plan to change the parcel’s land-use category from public/semi-public to commercial (ordinance 3117). Finally, the council adopted ordinance 3118 to rezone the parcel from RM-1 Multifamily Residential District to B4 General Business District.

Lane told the council the site currently includes an office building fronting Howell Avenue and vacant land behind it that was designated for the earlier senior housing plan. She recommended the three-step sequence — rescind, amend the comprehensive plan, then rezone — so a prospective tenant could occupy the office building under standard commercial uses.

Planning Commission reviewed the requests at its Dec. 10 meeting and recommended approval. The council’s motions were moved and seconded and approved by roll call votes. The resolutions and ordinances take effect according to the city’s standard ordinance and publication rules.