Developer Seeks Rezoning to Allow Six-Story Development

Village officials are considering a zoning amendment to the two parking lots near Sendik's so Milwaukee developer Mandel Group can move forward with its plan for a six-story, retail and apartment development.

Plans for the $32 million Mandel project, breaks multiple zoning rules for its district. At 76 feet, the building would be 16 feet taller than the current 60-foot zoning restriction.

Additionally, the design violates the “set-back” requirement, which mandates that all buildings be 20 feet from the curb in the district the development sites currently sits in, according to Planning and Zoning Administrator Ericka Lang.

There was little discussion Wednesday as the village's Plan Commission held its final meeting on the Mandel Group development project, before their public hearing next week when they plan to vote on whether to grant the project exemptions from current zoning rules.

On the East Kenmore Place side of the planned development, for example, there would only be 12 feet from building to curb. Representatives from Mandel explained that the sidewalk along Kenmore Place would be six feet wide, with an additional 5 feet of planting between the sidewalk and street, and planters between the sidewalk and building.

For the project to move forward, the Plan Commission must approve a zoning amendment for a new district encompassing the development — a Plan Development District.

“Whatever is adopted for this project, is then the zoning for that district,” Lang said.

To grant a zoning amendment, the commission must find that a slew of requirements are met under village code (section 535-22). These include that the development is in accord with the village comprehensive plan, that it will provide sustainable benefits to the community and that the financing is feasible.

Another requirement is that each stage of development is capable of standing on its own, in case of delay between stages. The first stage of the Mandel development is the parking structure off of North Bartlett Avenue, west of Sendik’s. The second stage will be the mixed-use building and second parking structure, with the developer planning to open the parking first, then retail space, and then the apartments.

Before contending with these requirements, representatives from Mandel addressed concerns from previous meetings.

Some members said they worried about cars pulling out of the parking lots being unable to see bikers and pedestrians using the sidewalks.

“You got a lot of kids coming from the high school on their bikes and skateboards through that area really fast,” Plan Commission Member Sam Dickman said.

Dickman asked if there was a way to ensure that cars slowed down before crossing the sidewalk.

Richard Lincoln, senior vice president of Mandel, said there would be stop signs at the exits, and they could consider putting flashing lights on the stop signs. The designers also removed some paneling on the walls of the structure to create larger windows of visibility as cars approach the sidewalk.

Some members were also concerned that the parking entrances would create traffic back-ups on North Oakland Avenue.

to address these concerns. He said the maximum back-up of cars waiting to enter a lot would be 25-50 feet.

The commission plans to vote whether to approve the zoning amendment for the Plan Development District at their open meeting 7 p.m. Tuesday in the . Their recommendation will then go to the village board for a final vote.