By Tracy Ouellette
SLN Staff
The East Troy Village Board approved July 18 the rezoning of the property at 2019 Beulah Ave. from light industrial to multi-family residential Monday night, but not without some discussion.
Two residents who live near the property spoke in citizen participation saying they were concerned about “low-income housing” being built in the area.
Timms told the board and audience that the owner of the property, Steve Lambrechts of East Troy Lumber, was looking to possibly sell it to be developed as a nursing home or similar structure, but there were no immediate plans for development.
“The intent is possibly senior housing or a nice, small apartment complex,” Timms said.
The reason behind the zoning change is the village’s Master Plan which calls for the area in question to be zoned residential at some point in the future. However, the area is zoned light industrial at the moment with the lumber yard, Allan Integrated Control Systems and other businesses in the area.
There was a discussion about the legalities of not rezoning the property, which Village Attorney Linda Gray said could land the village in some legal hot water since it’s the village’s own Master Plan that calls for the zoning to be changed. She said if the village didn’t rezone it, the applicant could sue.
The board discussed how to make sure the property was developed as an asset to the village and to the neighboring properties, acknowledging they would have to be diligent with their decisions regarding the property.
“I have spoken to the owner of the property and in his eyes, he sees a nursing home there,” Trustee Scott Seager said. “It was never his intent to put low-income housing there, but that trust goes out the window with the new owner.”
The board also approved July 18 the rezoning of the Plan Commission’s recommendation for a conditional use permit to all Gerard’s Embrace Inc. to build a small group home for unwed mothers on the St. Peter’s Church property. The home will be limited to no more than 12 persons.
