Milwaukee Board of Zoning Appeals approves Noble Catering event space, clears several day‑care and auto‑use requests; tobacco plans split

The Milwaukee Board of Zoning Appeals on April 3 approved a package of permits and variances including a major redevelopment of former industrial buildings for an event and catering campus, multiple child‑care and social‑service uses, and several auto‑related operations, while sending one proposed tobacco/e‑cigarette retail application back to the applicant for revision.

The board’s most prominent action was a 15‑year approval for the proposed Noble Catering event campus at 329 and 339 E. Stewart St. The applicant said it will buy the property and invest more than $2.5 million in renovations to convert the buildings into an event hall, kitchen and support spaces; the board cited the scope of the investment and the industrial character of the block in granting a long approval horizon.

Why it matters: the Stewart property is a long‑span industrial building type that the board said is well suited to assembly and commercial reuse; the extended term (15 years) reflects the applicant’s stated capital commitment and the board’s intention to give the project time to stabilize.

Key approvals and dispositions

Votes at a glance (selected items discussed at the hearing) - Consent block (agenda items 1–19): Board approved staff recommendations to dismiss or grant the listed variances and special uses as recommended. Outcome: approved (consent block).

- 2606 W. Wisconsin Ave. (proposed off‑premise automatic changeable wall sign): Applicant asked the board to reopen the record and reschedule the hearing to submit an updated plan of operation; the board granted the request and rescheduled the item. Outcome: record reopened/rescheduled (postponed).

- 217127 W. Lisbon Ave. (day‑care center expansion to serve up to 79 children across two units): Approved for a 5‑year period, subject to standard department conditions including maintenance of loading zone and continuity of operator for the two units. Outcome: approved, 5 years.

- 233341 W. Hopkins St. (light motor vehicle sales/repair and outdoor salvage): Approved for a 5‑year period with conditions requiring the outdoor salvage to stay inside a fenced enclosure, landscaping be maintained and replacement of a chain‑link fence with an opaque screen by the deadline stipulated in staff conditions. Outcome: approved, 5 years.

- 246737 N. Petunia Ave. (light motor vehicle sales): Approved for 3 years with DPW limits on outside parking…