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Board approves planned development district

By Heather Graves
Correspondent

BELLEVUE – Going against recommendations from the Plan Commission and village staff, board members approved a planned development district (PDD) at their meeting Wednesday, Sept 11, for property on the southwest corner of Kewaunee and Cottage roads.

The applicants, owners of Glenn’s 24-Hour Towing located across the street, requested the PDD to allow the construction of a truck storage and impoundment facility.

Community Development Director Andrew Vissers said the recommendation from staff to deny the request was based on many factors.

Vissers said the property is currently zoned B-3, Intensive Business District.

The proposed use of the property is an industrial use and therefore isn’t consistent with the village’s comprehensive plan.

The area’s future was also a concern for the Plan Commission and staff.

Vissers said Cottage Road is currently a dead end, but is anticipated to connect to Interstate 43 as part of a future state project completing the eastern arterial – therefore opening the area to more traffic, making it a highly-visible corner or intersection.

“It’s not that we are opposed to the use, but again we said each use has its place and has its place in a certain zoning district,” Vissers said. “The use may fit there now, but we look at the future and what’s intended to go there, we don’t think it does.”

Trustees approved the PDD with a couple of conditions, including the requirement that any outdoor storage needs to be screened by a solid, masonry wall constructed to match the building.

“I think this family is willing to work with us with staff recommendations,” said Board President Steve Soukup. “I know they will keep the property looking good. I just don’t want to not give them the opportunity to grow in the Village of Bellevue.”

The motion passed 4-1 with Trustee Tom Katers opposed.

“This is something that is not visually welcoming to the village,” Katers said. “This whole business has been a good one for the village, I get that. But we have also been pressed as a board to come up with our own vision of what we want the village to look like and it’s not now, it’s not 10 years from now, it’s what the future holds.”

Village to apply for DNR matching grant

Board members gave newly appointed Parks, Recreation and Forestry Director Adam Waszak the go-ahead to apply for the 2020 Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry grant.

The annual matching grant was applied for from 2015-18, and was awarded to the village in all those years except 2017.

Waszak requested permission to apply for the grant for 2020 for new and continuing urban forestry projects.

During the meeting, Waszak gave trustees a summary of the projects staff will look to complete if the grant is awarded.

They include the removal and replacement of 50 ash trees throughout the village, arboretum continuation, training and further education for staff and insecticide treatment for 10 ash trees.

If approved, the village would need to initially fund 100 percent of project costs.

Upon completion, the village would by reimbursed for 50 percent of the costs.

Waszak said award notification typically happens in December.

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