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Gas station at 7002 West Center approved for five years with neighborhood conditions
Summary
The Board approved continued occupancy for Mount Everest Petro (Petro Mart) at 7002 West Center Street for five years, imposing conditions including landscape work, rodent control, trash pickup at close, lighting standards and a neighborhood contact to address recurring complaints.
The Board of Zoning Appeals approved a five‑year renewal for Mount Everest Petro Inc., doing business as Petro Mart, to continue operating the motor‑vehicle filling station at 7002 West Center Street but attached a set of conditions aimed at neighbor concerns.
City departments signaled they did not object to continuance but asked for enforceable conditions. Don Schmidt of DPW and Ed Richardson of the Department of City Development emphasized site maintenance and traffic implications. Department of Neighborhood Services highlighted prior complaints tied primarily to the adjacent towing/repair tenant and requested stronger property maintenance measures.
The station’s attorney described a supplemental plan of operation submitted to licensing and explained immediate steps taken: hiring an exterminator for rodents, committing to weekly dumpster pickups, adding lighting designed to improve safety while minimizing impacts on neighboring windows, and agreeing to coordinate with Milwaukee Police Department on loitering and trespass. The applicant said fuel pumps would be shut off during licensed closed hours to avoid inadvertent 24‑hour operation.
Several neighbors—including Steph Figge and Phil Jones—spoke in the hearing, acknowledging previous problems but indicating they had seen improvements or welcomed the operator’s written plan and point of contact for complaints. Alderwoman Moore said she had met with applicants and favored giving the gas station an opportunity to correct earlier deficiencies.
After discussion the board adopted a motion to approve occupancy for five years subject to the hearing summary conditions: implementation of the supplemental plan of operation, landscaping improvements per DCD condition, a rodent mitigation program, emptying trash at close or installing covered receptacles, adjustments to lighting to meet city standards, and signage or barriers to reduce commercial access to the alley.
Votes and outcome: Motion to approve for five years with conditions passed on roll call.
What happens next: The operator must implement the plan and remain available to neighbors and city staff; DNS will continue enforcement where necessary and verify conditions are implemented.
