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Planning commission approves conditional use permit for vehicle facility at 6315 23rd Avenue with amended conditions
Summary
The Kenosha City Planning Commission voted Feb. 6 to approve a conditional use permit for a vehicle facility at 6315 23rd Avenue (Brand X Motors), deleting two draft conditions, reducing a required setback from 20 to 15 feet, and allowing a mountable curb instead of a decorative fence.
The Kenosha City Planning Commission on Feb. 6 approved a conditional use permit for a vehicle facility at 6315 23rd Avenue, adopting staff-recommended edits that deleted two conditions, reduced a setback requirement from 20 feet to 15 feet, and allowed a mountable curb (or wheel stop) in lieu of a 3-foot decorative fence to keep vehicles clear of the sidewalk.
Staff described the edits as a compromise to reflect the site's existing parking layout and to balance neighborhood safety with practical use. A staff presenter said the items marked in red "could be waived" and recommended the reduction to 15 feet and acceptance of a mountable curb as an alternative to the fence. "We'd suggest going down to 15 feet," the staff member said, adding that landscaping was still preferred where feasible.
Applicant Charlie Suede told the commission he had met with staff and was "on the same page" with the recommended changes. During discussion a commissioner raised concern about the property's existing curb cut and potential need for turnaround space; that commissioner also said requiring landscaping that the buyer neither installed nor caused could amount to "government intrusion." Staff and other commissioners said they believed the amended conditions struck an appropriate balance for the existing lot.
The commission voted by roll call to establish the conditions of approval as amended; the clerk recorded ayes from the listed members and the motion carried. The approval requires the commission's conditions be formalized and public notice (Class 2) completed per staff procedure before final implementation.
Because the change allows a mountable curb instead of a decorative fence and reduces the setback requirement, neighbors and the applicant may see different maintenance and setback expectations; staff said the common approach for similar existing used-car lots informed the recommendation. No fines, penalties, or enforcement procedures beyond the standard permitting requirements were discussed at the hearing. The City will publish the amended conditions after the required notice period.
