Commission approves Drexel Town Square sign relocation and site plan for new multi‑tenant building

The Oak Creek Planning Commission on June 24 approved two related items in Drexel Town Square: (1) an amendment to the sign plan to relocate the existing multi‑tenant monument sign about 90 feet west to accommodate new development, and (2) site and architectural plans for a one‑story, roughly 8,700‑square‑foot multi‑tenant commercial building at 7935 South Main Street.

Staff said the sign was originally approved in 2014 and that approval of the sign relocation requires vacating the current sign easement and recording a new easement at the new location. The commission approved the easement actions as a condition of the sign plan amendment.

For the new building, staff presented plans showing three tenant spaces (one with a pickup window), patios that will require a 3–4 foot railing, landscaping, 50 on‑site parking spaces and a shared parking arrangement with the adjacent lot that yields 142 shared spaces overall. The applicants provided two dumpster‑location options: (a) share an existing dumpster with the neighboring property or (b) install a screened on‑site enclosure that would reduce parking by three spaces.

Architect Eric Abhart and a representative from Phelan Development told commissioners the pickup window is a staffed pickup point for pre‑paid app orders, not a drive‑through order point; the applicant said there would be no illuminated order speaker or queuing sign. Commissioners pressed the applicant about queuing and pedestrian safety; the applicants said sidewalks, striping and added building‑mounted lighting would address pedestrian egress.

Commissioners asked about transformer screening, stormwater and access; staff required final locations and screening details be submitted with revised plans. The commission approved the site and architectural plans with standard code compliance and submission requirements, and with a 12‑month expiration if a building permit is not issued.