City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  June 20, 2006

                                                                                                Item No.:

Recommendation:  That the Council consider Ordinance No. 2416 that would impose a six-month development moratorium on the properties in the vicinity of Interstate 94 and West Drexel Avenue.

Background:  It is being recommended that a moratorium be imposed on the processing of any request to amend the zoning map or the Official Map and that the moratorium be extended also to the processing of any certified survey map, subdivision plat or development of any kind.  The area proposed to be included in the moratorium area is shown on the attached map.  Within this area are parcels that take access from West Drexel Avenue in the vicinity of a planned freeway interchange with Interstate 94.

The existing zoning on these properties came about as a result of changes recommended in the 2001 Comprehensive Plan.  The future land use map that was adopted as part of the plan illustrates many of these properties as Single Family Residential.

Staff feels that it would be in the best interest of the City to reevaluate development of this area in light of the adopted 27th Street Corridor and Urban Village plans, as well as the I-94 north-south corridor study, which illustrates a potential freeway interchange at Drexel Avenue.

The City has the right to impose a moratorium as long as it is for a legitimate public purpose, it is for a reasonable length of time and an indication is given as to what is expected to be accomplished during this moratorium period.  The public purpose is to plan for appropriate development within the potential interchange area, that would not be detrimental to public safety.   Its duration should be for a period not to exceed six months.  During this time staff will inventory and review existing conditions, evaluate current development proposals in the area and their impact, and prepare alternative land use and access proposals for the Commission to review.

The Plan Commission has reviewed this proposal, and has recommended that the moratorium be established, provided that there is a provision for property owners to seek special exceptions to the moratorium through the Plan Commission and Common Council

Fiscal Impact:  For the duration of the moratorium, there would be no application or development fees forthcoming from potential projects in this area.  However, the coordinated planning of this area offers the potential to significantly enhance the City’s future tax base.

Prepared by: Doug Seymour, AICP Director of Community Development	Respectfully submitted, Patrick DeGrave City Administrator
Fiscal Review by: Beverly A. Buretta, CMC City Clerk