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Council OKs conditional use permit for Brett’s Towing at 4355 Calumet Avenue after operator addresses concerns
Summary
The council approved a conditional use permit for Brett's Towing and Truck Repair at 4355 Calumet Avenue. Applicant Jeff Pillar described planned operations and security measures; staff required outdoor storage to be behind the building and screened.
The Manitowoc Common Council unanimously approved a conditional use permit allowing Brett’s Towing and Truck Repair to operate a wrecker service at 4355 Calumet Avenue, following a staff presentation and brief public comment by the applicant.
Adam Tagan, Community Development Director, said the property is in the B-3 General Business district, where a wrecker/towing service is a conditional use. He told the council the applicant proposed to use a vacant space east of Superior Liquor, and staff recommended 13 conditions of approval, primarily to control outdoor storage and operations. Tagan said planning commission and staff recommended approval; he also noted a resident raised concerns about early establishment and potential runoff, which would be handled under existing stormwater regulations.
Jeff Pillar, who identified himself as owner of Brett’s Towing and Repair and All City Towing, described his company’s experience and security practices. “I operate what I call best in class towing service for the state of Wisconsin...All my trucks have cameras on them. We take pictures of cars. Anything that's impounded in our yard will be surveillanced, 24/7,” Pillar said. He said he expects two long-term Brett’s employees from Manitowoc to run the location and emphasized the business would be “very clean and orderly.”
Alderman Bill Schley spoke in support of the applicant, noting positive experience with Brett’s in Sheboygan and Milwaukee. Alderman Norell said Pillar had contacted him before applying and that staff had addressed complaints; Norell said he had no issue supporting the conditional use permit.
The council accepted the plan commission report and approved the permit unanimously. Conditions discussed at the hearing include a requirement that any outdoor storage be located behind the building and screened by a site fence; Tagan referenced 13 recommended conditions but the transcript does not enumerate each condition verbatim. The plan commission’s recommendation was filed as Document 6-83.
The permit allows the applicant to proceed with local permits and operations subject to the city’s conditions and stormwater regulations.
