Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Building Appearance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Milwaukee board voices concern over Rexnordbrick painting; hears GE expansion and Rishi Tea leasing plans
Summary
The Village Board expressed serious concern about Rexnords plan to paint or stain its buildingbrick, noting village code "highly discourages" painting of brick and discussing possible code changes. Administrator Kim Egan also reported GE expansion plans and that Rishi Tea will occupy a vacant Electric Avenue building.
The West Milwaukee Village Board discussed several local development proposals and on Sept. 15 flagged a planned exterior alteration at a major industrial site that may prompt changes to the village code.
Administrator Kim Egan told the board that Rexnord plans to paint or stain the brick on its building in a corporate gray color scheme. The board "expressed serious concern" about the visual change and discussed options to address it. Egan noted that while the village code "highly discourages" painting of brick, the code does not explicitly prohibit the practice, leaving limited enforcement options.
Egan also reported that GE will bring plans for expansion to the Planning Commission, and that consultants working with the Village on the American Family Field parking lots are studying connectivity and potential improvements at the Komatsu site, including bike paths and improved walkability to the stadium. She said Rishi Tea will occupy an empty GE building on Electric Avenue in the coming months.
Board members asked staff about potential regulatory responses to the Rexnord plan, including whether amendments to the code could strengthen the villages ability to limit or regulate painted brick surfaces. No formal motion to amend the code was introduced during the meeting; the discussion closed with direction to staff to explore options.
Next steps: Egan said GEs expansion materials will go to the Planning Commission, and any proposed code changes would follow the typical ordinance amendment process and come back to the board for formal consideration.
