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Greendale board denies zoning change to allow bakery stands in county parks
Summary
After a lengthy public hearing and trustee debate over precedent, parking and local oversight, the Village of Greendale Board voted to deny a proposed zoning-text amendment that would have created a conditional 'bakery stand' use in Milwaukee County parks.
The Village of Greendale Village Board voted to deny a zoning-text amendment that would have created a new conditional land use category for small "bakery stands" in Milwaukee County parks.
Village staff and trustees said the proposed change raised questions about setting a precedent for commercial retail on tax‑exempt park land and potential impacts on downtown brick‑and‑mortar businesses. "The village manager recommendation is denial of the proposed zoning text amendment," staff told the Board, urging more study of long‑term impacts on the property‑tax base and village services.
Applicant representatives described a narrow draft ordinance that would limit stands to baked goods made in a home kitchen, restrict operation to county parks, cap units at 115 square feet and require insurance, background checks and county approvals. Attorney Michael Van Cloonen said the revised draft was deliberately constrained: "We've created a definition for bakery stand... it could only be baked goods" and the use would be a conditional permit with strict administrative requirements.
Supporters, including Milwaukee County Supervisor Kathleen Vincent, said the use could activate underutilized park space and produce modest county revenue. "The lease will also generate approximately $3,000 annually for Milwaukee County Parks," Vincent said, adding that relocating an established operation to Scout Lake Park could improve safety and park use.
Opponents and several trustees worried about precedent and enforcement. Trustee comments repeatedly urged caution: one trustee said they were "not comfortable with unlimited retail in our parks" and proposed limiting the village to a single small commercial stand per county park if the Board were to proceed.
After debate, the Board approved a motion to deny the amendment. The denial removes the proposed bakery‑stand conditional use from the Greendale zoning code; any future applicant would need to pursue a separate text amendment or other zoning relief.
