City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date: 

Item No.:        

Recommendation:  That the Council adopt Resolution No. 10570-111505 designating the easterly 235 feet of 6851 S. 20^th Street, 6840 S. 26th Street and 6868 S. 27th Street as a nature center.

Background:  The applicant, Menards Inc., is requesting that the easterly portion of the Menards property be designated as a natural area to exempt them from the City of Oak Creek weed abatement ordinance.  Menards, located at 6800 S. 27^th Street recently received approval for an expansion of their store that will include an outdoor garden center, expanded lumberyard, and a revised parking lot layout.  As they were in the process of approval it was discovered that the area to the east of the store’s stormwater detention pond was a Butler’s Garter Snake habitat.   

Menards worked with the State of Wisconsin DNR to establish a snake conservation plan.  The DNR has approved the plan however the habitat has certain requirements, one of which is a limitation on lawn mowing.  Under the terms of their approval lawn mowing is limited to: 1) mowing in small patches on a rotational basis, 2) Set mower blades to 8” off the ground or higher, and 3) Conduct the mowing only when the temperature is over 80 degrees or below 50 degrees.  The City of Oak Creek Municipal Code Section 8.06 prohibits the growth of natural lawns in excess of twelve (12) inches in height unless the Council designates the property by resolution as a nature center or wildlife preserve.

Fiscal Impact:  None

Prepared by: Doug Seymour, AICP Director of Community Development

Fiscal Review by: Beverly A. Buretta, CMC City Clerk