City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date: June 19, 2007

Item No.:         

Recommendation:  That the Council adopt Ordinance No. 2459, which would rezone the property at 140 E. Rawson Avenue from B-4, Highway Business to M-1, Manufacturing.

Background:  Goodwill Industries of Southeast Wisconsin is requesting that the 13 acre property at 140 E. Rawson Avenue be rezoned from B-4, Highway Business to M-1, Manufacturing to allow for the construction of a Goodwill Industries Center for Work and Training.   This 140,000 square foot facility would have two major components, an office and administration center which would have around 70 employees and a work and training center for Goodwill program participants.  The work and training center would have around 300 program participants working in light manufacturing and assembly jobs.  There will not be a Goodwill thrift store or a drop off area for donations, this facility will be used for administration and their job training programs.  This facility will replace their existing facility on W. Vogel Avenue near the airport.  Offices are permitted within the current B-4, Highway Business district however the light manufacturing and assembly uses in the work and training center are only allowed under the M-1, Manufacturing zoning district, which is the reason for the rezoning request. 

Goodwill has provided a preliminary site plan showing the proposed building location, parking areas, and stormwater management ponds.  There are several parking spaces along the east side of the building for busses which are used to transport Goodwill program participants from their homes to this facility.  Representatives from Goodwill will be present at the meeting to give a brief presentation on their program and this project.  Should this rezoning be approved, Goodwill will need to return to the Plan Commission for review and approval of their site, building, and landscaping plans.

The current owners have requested that the adoption of the ordinance rezoning this property be made conditional upon the sale of the property to Goodwill Industries.  This is for the benefit of the property owner, who is concerned that the property remains zoned commercial should the property not be purchased by Goodwill Industries.

The Plan Commission has reviewed this request, and has recommended that the property be rezoned.

Fiscal Impact:  The rezoning, if approved, may impact the value of the property, since commercially zoned land is typically more valuable than manufacturing property.  Additionally, the ownership and use of the property by a tax exempt organization could affect the tax revenue received based on the value of this property (currently $526,100).

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