Germantown, Wisconsin Development News

Village Board Denies Rezoning and Conditional Use Permit for Tree Removal Business

The Village Board considered a rezoning application from R2 single-family residential to B3 general business district and a conditional use permit application for a tree removal business operation. The proposed operation includes on-site equipment storage, servicing, and a new pole building, as well as firewood cutting, splitting, and temporary material storage. Staff noted that the 2050 comprehensive plan designates the area as low-density residential, making the rezoning inconsistent with the plan. Historical use of the property for a similar business was deemed illegal non-conforming, with prior rezoning requests denied. Surrounding land use is predominantly residential, with some pre-existing non-residential uses. The Planning Commission recommended denial of both applications, and resident feedback was entirely in opposition. Despite a motion to approve, the motion ultimately failed. [cite: 291-435]