Village of Rothschild approves six‑month conditional use permit for outdoor portable‑building sales after on‑site arson

The Village of Rothschild Village Board approved a six‑month conditional use permit on Dec. 9 to allow continued outdoor display and sales of portable storage buildings at Buska Properties, 1024–1028 East Grand Avenue.

Zoning Coordinator Rebekka Borchardt told the board that applicant Paul Retzlaff had applied for continued display and sales of sheds, garages and similar portable buildings. Borchardt said the lot typically held five to ten buildings, ranging about 8 feet by 12 feet up to 14 feet by 40 feet, and that overall property maintenance had been “maintained fairly well over the course of the summer.” She also reported that an arson destroyed one shed and damaged another; the total‑loss unit remained on site for a time and required repeated communications before it was removed. Retzlaff asked for a one‑year permit; staff recommended repeating the previous six‑month provisional term.

After discussion, the board approved the conditional use permit for a six‑month term. The motion to approve the conditional use permit for outdoor display and sales of portable storage buildings at Buska Properties, LLC was made by Bill Schremp and seconded by Rex Zemke and carried 7–0.

Why it matters: the permit allows a retail use that requires outdoor display under the village C‑2 zoning rules while preserving a short review window for village staff to monitor site maintenance and compliance. The board’s six‑month term repeats the provisional approach taken earlier this year.

What’s next: the village will monitor the site during the six‑month term and may revisit the permit if property‑maintenance issues recur.