Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Zoning Appeals (Minutes) - 04/05/1978 Board of Zoning Appeals Minutes April 5, 1978 Meeting Page Seven VIII. Appeal for Thomas Guenther, 579 Evans Street, owner of the property, proposes to structurally alter a nonconforming use. He proposes to remodel an existing beauty salon which is a nonconforming C -1 Use in an R -2 Two Family District. The proposed remodeling will include an area which was previously used as a garage. Mr. Miller explained that there is an apartment above the beauty salon. When the floor area is increased it is considered a structural change. Richard Langkau, Patty Guenther, Robert Guenther, and Attorney Robert Jansen, were present to represent Tom Guenther. Mr. Miller said that the lot is occupied by the beauty salon. Aty. Jansen said that the property was originally owned by Tom Raning. Ten or fifteen years ago it was turned into a beauty parlor. There are two sets of wide doors that were probably used for a loading dock before it was made into a beauty shop. Mr. Jansen said that he purchased the property without knowing that the use was nonconforming. He then sold it to the Guenthers. A Petition was passed around the neighbor- hood in support of this use being expanded and it was signed by all the neighbors. A copy of the Petition is on file in the Department of Community Development.) The petitioners want to take out the existing front windows and remodel the garage so that it can be used for beauty salon purposes. The ceiling in the garage would be lowered and the bathroom would be moved from the basement to the main floor. There has never been a problem with parking. Aty. Jansen said that the shop is now capable of handling five operators. It would not be profitable for them to have less than this number. Mrs. Guenther said that the styling stations would be in the main building. A possible lunch room and dryer area would be proposed for the garage area. Aty. Jansen said that if they were allowed to lower the room they could accommodate any handi- capped people that might want to use the facilities. (7) Board of Zoning Appeals Minutes April 5, 1978 Meeting Page Eight Mr. Cundy asked if the amount of money spent to improve this nonconforming use would come into effect here. Aty. Jansen said that the amount of money they would be spending would be less than is allowed in this case. Mr. Miller asked if parking has always been provided for the tenant above the beauty salon in the concrete area. Mrs. Guenther answered, "yes." Mr. Miller explained to the Board that if this nonconforming use were allowed to expand, at some future date another use could move in and occupy the same expanded space. Future uses may not be as desirable to the neighborhood as this beauty salon is. Mr. Carpenter asked if there have been any complaints about parking. Mr. Miller answered, "no." Mrs. Hintz s aid that since all the neighbors signed the Petition, they must be in favor of this expansion. Mr. Fischer made a motion to approve this appeal. Mrs. Hintz second the motion. Motion carried 5 -0. IX. Appeal for Paul E. Redemann III, Agent for 1st Bank (N.A.) Midland Milwaukee Division, owner of the property (543 -551 High Avenue) propose to construct a ground sign near the Pearl Avenue property line. The proposed ground sign would have a support pole which would be setback 8' from the Pearl Avenue property line. The sign would project to within 2' of the Pearl Avenue property line. A 25' setback is required for the pole. The sign should not project closer to the Pearl Avenue property line than 23'. Mr. Redemann explained that this property contains a small shopping complex off Wisconsin Avenue. This property only contains half of the parking lot area. There was a sign on the SE corner of High and Wisconsin that has since been taken down. The poles are still there. There is an easement whereby the Complex could erect another sign at this same location, but they would rather put a sign on their own property to eliminate the possibility of any problems in the future. There is a definite need for a sign showing the University Plaza and which stores it contains. Many people do not even know that it exists, because there is very little exposure from the street. Because the sign being proposed is two sided, it should be put on Pearl Avenue in order to utilize both sides. (8)