Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tells the story

Last week the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published an excellent update on the progress of Braeger's move to Oak Creek. You can find the full text of the article here.

The article reports that a resolution to the zoning questions could come in early to mid June.

"Braeger president and owner Todd Reardon made his latest pitch to Oak Creek aldermen last week during a public hearing on possible restrictions that may be used when new zoning is approved for the area. The Common Council could take action on that issue June 7 or 21. Another public hearing would be held prior to any zoning changes," they said.

However, time is incredibly important, as the siblings who currently own the property, and who have entered into a contract with Braeger, are all over 80 years old. As the Journal Sentinel also points out "The family,...has hired an attorney, who said the city is denying the owners their property rights on land that has been in the family since 1926...'All they want to do is sell their property,' Stern said. 'They want to reap the benefit of the sale of the property in their lifetime."

The alternative to Braeger which is being considered by the Oak Creek Common Council is referred to as an "Urban Village." Specifically, "a mix of high-end residential, office, shops and retail which all draw upon each other," said Doug Seymour, the city's community development director.

The article also implicates another group in the ongoing affair.

"I have a problem with a three- to four-car dealership . . . across from the premier office complex in southern Milwaukee County," Foeckler [the alderman who represents the area] said.

And therein lies a part of the problem, Reardon contends.

The premier office complex to which Foeckler refers is Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., which Reardon refers to as "the 800-pound gorilla on the road.""

We're all hoping that the Aldermen see the direct and tangible benefits to Oak Creek though. Remember, also from this article, that while the current property owners paid $4,589 in taxes in 2003, it is estimated that Braeger would "yield a total local tax payment of $377,400"--almost 100 times as much.