Plan Commission defers Schwab Orthodontics site-plan over missing applicant and unclear exterior changes

The Village of Hales Corners Plan Commission on March 16 deferred a decision on a site plan for Schwab Orthodontics at 6160 S. 108th St. after the applicant and representative did not attend the meeting and commissioners raised questions about exterior alterations shown in the rendering.

Chair D. Besson and Village Planner B. Wiedenfeld noted the applicant had been notified of the meeting but was not present. Wiedenfeld said the proposal would fill in the arch — specifically the arch's shadow box — and replace siding. Commissioners sought clarification about three gables shown on the front elevation and noted that columns appearing in the rendering were not present on the existing building. Commissioner T. Brinkmeier said the rendering did not represent the exterior changes clearly; Commissioner C. Stipe also pointed out the columns do not exist on the current building and commissioners questioned why that addition was not explained in the application.

An initial motion to approve the site plan was made but subsequently withdrawn for lack of a second. Commissioner C. Stipe then moved and Commissioner T. Brinkmeier seconded a motion to defer the decision to the Plan Commission's April 20 meeting; that motion passed 7-0. Village Administrator S. Kulik told the commission that if the applicant does not attend the April 20 meeting, the application will be considered denied.

The deferral preserves the commission's ability to request clearer drawings or additional explanation of exterior changes before taking action. The next Plan Commission meeting is set for April 20, 2026.