Muskego City planning commission approves Jewel Trucking 17,000-square-foot building with conditions

MUSKEGO, Wis. — The Muskego City Planning Commission on June 3 approved a site and operation plan that will allow Jewel Trucking to build a roughly 17,000-square-foot industrial building at the southwest corner of Mercury Drive and Saturn Drive.

The commission approved the building site and operation plan after a staff presentation that described the proposed structure, outdoor storage yard, and several conditions staff recommended for final approval. Staff said the building would be primarily masonry and metal-panel construction, with an entry at the northeast corner, multiple garage doors on the rear elevation facing the storage yard, and ground-mounted mechanical equipment on the north side.

Planning staff noted the design meets the city's masonry-guideline intent (an average masonry coverage the presentation listed as over 56 percent) and recommended approval. The plan includes an eight-foot composite fence fully enclosing the rear outdoor storage yard; staff flagged the applicant's proposed black chain-link gates with black slatting as a detail the commission could discuss.

The commission record shows several operational and site conditions appended to the approval: the approach from Mercury Drive into the fenced yard must be paved to avoid gravel tracking onto the public roadway; light pole base heights inside the fenced area are limited per city standards; dumpsters and refuse containers must be enclosed inside the fenced yard; and any gravel surface in the rear storage area was allowed by staff as a waiver because the site is separated from residential areas. Staff also noted the applicant may, depending on final budget numbers, reduce the building by one bay without returning to the planning commission if the change is limited to that single bay and does not alter masonry components or window placements; a reduction of more than one bay would require a new submission.

Staff told the commission the east-side property frontage may need a larger culvert to permit truck maneuvering. Because the area contains a FEMA-designated floodplain, staff said the city is coordinating with state and federal agencies and has opened communications with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to determine any approvals required before filling or altering that area.

The commission discussed minor aesthetic changes such as additional depth or overhangs on gable ends to break up the appearance of a large metal building and debated whether gate materials should more closely match the building's gray tones. One commissioner identified a conflict and declared an abstention, saying their firm represents the applicant; the transcript records the abstention but does not provide a name for that speaker. The commission then voted to approve the site and operation plan; the motion was seconded and the planner recommended approval.

Staff presentation and the commission discussion made clear staff will work with the applicant and city engineering on any required DNR or FEMA approvals, the culvert design, and final landscaping and lighting details during building-permit review.

The approval permits Jewel Trucking to maintain its existing nearby site while building the new facility and using the rear yard for outdoor storage screened by the proposed fence. The city will require final engineering and permitting before site construction and any fill in the floodplain area is allowed.

ACTIONS: The planning commission approved the building site and operation plan for Jewel Trucking (agenda item noted in staff remarks as PC0302025). The motion was moved and seconded; the transcript records one abstention by a commissioner who said their firm represents the applicant. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally of yes/no votes.