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Planning commission approves rezoning for 4807 7th Avenue to permit barbershop
Summary
The Kenosha City Planning Commission unanimously approved an amendment to the land-use map and a rezoning of 4807 7th Avenue from RG-2 General Residential to B-4 Mixed Use on June 16, 2025, allowing a storefront barbershop and aligning zoning with the building’s long-standing commercial character.
At a special meeting June 16, 2025, the Kenosha City Planning Commission voted to amend the City of Kenosha 2035 land-use map and rezone 4807 7th Avenue from RG-2 General Residential to B-4 Mixed Use, clearing the way for a planned barbershop tenant.
Planning staff told the commission the parcel is currently designated medium- to high-density residential in the land-use plan but is a corner storefront that fits the surrounding mix of commercial, institutional and residential zones. "We support both the land-use amendment as well as the rezoning," a planning staff member said, adding that the B-4 district allows residential on the ground and second floors and better reflects the building’s existing storefront character.
Applicant James Matzer, who identified himself as the building owner at 4815 7th Avenue, told the commission he has owned the property since 1970 and that the site "has been misused" without an occupancy permit since a rezoning in 1984. "I remodeled the storefront to accommodate a barbershop," Matzer said. "I'm asking that it get rezoned B4." He said the change would restore an appropriate commercial use for the storefront and prevent conversion of the storefront into a bedroom.
Neighbor John Fox, who said he has lived next door at 4803 for about 35 years, urged approval and described the property’s long history as retail. "It's always been some sort of a retail business," Fox said, and he welcomed the new tenant. Alderman Bill Seal also spoke in support and thanked city staff, calling the rezoning a step to "codify" the building's longstanding use.
The commission moved to consider items 1–3 together — the land-use amendment, zoning map change and the mayoral rezoning ordinance citing section 10.05 of the zoning ordinance — and placed the motion on the floor. In a roll-call vote the commission recorded the following 'Aye' votes: Aldo person Ruffalo; Aldo person Lamakia; Commissioner Mark Bork; Commissioner Michael Foster; Commissioner Vincent Ruffalo; Commissioner Jeffrey Wallace; and Mayor Vitabella. The motion carried, approving the land-use amendment and rezoning.
The chair said the special meeting had been called to help speed the timeline for the tenant and that the rezoning will be forwarded to the City Council, with the chair anticipating council consideration at its first meeting in August. The commission adjourned after brief post-vote comments thanking staff.
The record shows the commission approved the land-use amendment and rezoning; the ordinance change will not be final until the City Council reviews the commission’s recommendation.
