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Plan commission backs conditional use permit for 89,000‑sq‑ft solar array at MMSD site, with screening conditions
Summary
Oak Creek’s Plan Commission recommended the Common Council approve a conditional use permit for an 89,000‑square‑foot ground‑mounted solar array at the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District facility at 8400 S. 5th Ave, subject to full screening from the public right‑of‑way and coordination of site details in later site and architectural review.
The Oak Creek Plan Commission on Feb. 24 recommended that the Common Council approve a conditional use permit for a ground‑mounted solar energy collection system at the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District property at 8400 South 5th Avenue.
Staff described the proposed array as roughly 89,000 square feet with an 8‑by‑8 transformer enclosure and a 16‑by‑9 switchboard enclosure. The applicant previously received three zoning variances from the Board of Zoning Appeals allowing the array to be located between the principal structure and the front property line, permitting a panel height of roughly 9.75 feet (where code normally allows 5 feet), and allowing a 0‑foot setback from existing wetlands.
Staff recommended full screening of the array from the public right‑of‑way; the proposal shows two rows of arborvitae roughly 10 feet tall along the western edge and continuation of screening by an existing vegetated berm. Commissioner concerns focused on whether nearby homes would hear a steady low hum from the transformer. Nina Fercano, speaking for the applicant, said she was not certain of audible distances; the applicant’s electrical engineer, Mike Hemmingson, said the transformer sound would be low and would not be heard at nearby homes.
The commission voted to recommend approval after discussion; staff noted details of screening (trees, slats, or fencing) and final site and architectural details will be reviewed at the subsequent planning stage and then by the Common Council.
