Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Industrial Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Plan Commission approves Ares Industries expansion at 576 Elizabeth St., requires masonry enclosure or alternative dumpster location and solid fence towardhomes
Summary
The commission approved a roughly 8,000 sq ft addition and site improvements for Ares Industries at 576 Elizabeth St., imposing conditions that the property be combined or a recorded cross‑access easement provided, dumpsters be enclosed or relocated, and fencing facing residences be solid rather than chain link.
The Waukesha Plan Commission unanimously approved a final site plan and architectural review for a proposed expansion of Ares Industries at 576 Elizabeth Street that includes an approximately 8,000-square-foot addition, repaving, a fenced truck-storage area, new lighting and landscaping.
Charlie (S3) told the commission the project would reconstruct a demolished rear section to create a new drive-through entry for trucks, repave deteriorated parking, add landscaping and install a fenced area for truck storage. Staff recommended approval conditioned on combining the subject lot with the adjacent property or recording a cross-access easement, requiring a masonry dumpster enclosure (or relocating dumpsters to a suitable alternate location), ensuring the fence facing adjacent residences is solid (wood or similar), and addressing engineering, fire and utility comments prior to permits.
Applicant representative Mark Rellinger (S8) said a masonry enclosure at the current dumpster location would significantly reduce turning radius for trucks and eliminate valuable employee parking; he argued the dumpsters are well‑hidden from public view and that chain-link fencing is more in keeping with industrial sites. Commissioners pressed for alternatives, suggesting pushing the enclosure back toward an existing retaining wall or granting additional variances if necessary. Several commissioners emphasized the need to protect neighboring residents from visibility or maintenance problems associated with slat or fabric screening. The commission approved the site plan with staff conditions, noting staff will confirm the enclosure location or approved alternative and that a solid fence is to be provided where the property abuts residences.
The approval also requires the applicant to provide either evidence of a recorded cross-access easement or to combine lots before building permits are issued.
