Commission approves conditions for Star Line Motors vehicle facility, requires landscaping and driveway changes

The Kenosha City Plan Commission on April 9 established conditions for a conditional-use permit for a vehicle sales facility at 1108 60th Street (Star Line Motors), including safety and site-design requirements.

Architect Marie Desart said the owner had cleaned up the property since taking ownership and worked with neighbors; she presented proposed landscaping and site improvements. Staff noted the commission had previously approved a similar conditional-use permit at the adjacent property and recommended conditions addressing landscaping, driveway approaches close to intersections, parking-space adjustments in front of unused doors, and a masonry or wood dumpster enclosure consistent with ordinance standards.

Staff told the commission they “would recommend keeping that [driveway-closure] condition of approval there” to reduce public-safety risk at the south driveway close to the intersection. Commissioners discussed removing the southmost driveway apron, mitigating the appearance of unused doors on the east façade (by removing parking spaces or covering the doors with siding or masonry), and adding a 3–5 foot landscaping strip between the two properties to provide a visual buffer. The applicant agreed to remove the south driveway apron and to address parking and door treatments on revised plans; staff proposed a condition that final landscape plans for the west plot line be submitted for commission review when the project returns.

A motion to approve the conditional-use permit with staff’s amended language (including the landscape-condition requirement) was moved, seconded and carried. The commission recorded the motion as passed; staff said the applicant will return roughly 30 days later for the formal public hearing consistent with notification requirements.