Ashwaubenon committee approves equipment enclosure for Pioneer Metal Finishing

The Ashwaubenon Site Plan Review Committee on Tuesday approved a site plan for an equipment enclosure and platform at 486 Globe Avenue for Pioneer Metal Finishing.

Aaron, a village staff member, presented the proposal and described "what you see here is basically a containerized unit hosting an anhydrous ammonia refrigeration system," with an evaporative condensing unit on top. He said the platform will sit on the north side of the building, in an area currently used for outdoor industrial equipment storage, and that the property is zoned I2 Heavy Industry. Staff recommended conditions including use of fully concealed fasteners on exterior metal wall panels and compliance with the Ashwaubenon site plan review and other applicable village ordinances.

The matter drew a brief question-and-answer exchange over visual impacts and logistics. One committee member asked whether the proposed color must be the one shown and suggested "a darker colour would just blend in with the rest of the material." Jordan Van Emenhoven, an applicant representative with Bass Mechanical, said the color had already been ordered and "it's scheduled to show up around September," and that "changing the color at this point would postpone install by approximately a month," though other options were available.

A separate committee participant raised concern about potential noise or smells affecting nearby residences; Aaron replied that there should not be noise or smell from the proposed equipment. Another committee member asked whether the items shown outside were trucks; staff clarified they are outdoor equipment storage and said there is room for them on site.

A committee member moved to approve the site plan, another member seconded, and the committee voted to approve the enclosure with the staff-recommended conditions. The record shows the motion carried with no recorded opposition. The meeting adjourned after noting items for a future agenda.

The staff presentation and the committee's approval make the project eligible to proceed under local site-plan rules; the record does not show a formal condition requiring a color change, only the committee's request that the applicant consider a darker finish to blend with surrounding materials.