A 28-story tower has passed a second review by a Tosa board. Neighbors are appealing that decision with the board of zoning appeals.
Developers for the hotly debated 28-story Drew Tower in Wauwatosa overcame another hurdle Thursday night.
After the Wauwatosa Design Review Board approved the plans for the tower Jan. 20, neighbors filed an appeal of that decision.
On Thursday, the board voted to reaffirm its earlier decision.
"The Drew Tower project team is pleased that the Wauwatosa Design Review Board affirmed the previous approval of the mixed-use development plans," said a statement from Brian Randall, an attorney who represents developer John "Johnny V" Vassallo.
The approval prompted Underwood Neighbors United, the neighbors who oppose the plans, to appeal to the board of zoning appeals.
Indy Stluka, a member of the neighbors group, is still hoping for a "positive outcome."
"The positive outcome is to have that corner developed; it's just that it needs to be at a reasonable height and complement the neighborhood," Stluka said.
"We're not against development. I can't stress that enough," he added.
The next board of zoning appeals meeting is scheduled for March 24.
The 28-story building planned for the southwest corner of West Bluemound and North Mayfair roads has space for 65 apartment units. The design also includes eight floors of office space totaling about 80,000 square feet.
Karl Schreiber, Wauwatosa's building and safety manager, said the board on Thursday only conducted a review of its Jan. 20 decision.
That motion passed, 4-1, with member Robert Kennedy voting no. Kennedy had previously raised concerns about how appropriate the building was for the location.
"This building is not going to make Wauwatosa a better place to live for those people in the neighborhood near this tower," Kennedy said.
It was ultimately up to the design review board to approve the building permit, as the project doesn't need approval by the plan commission or Common Council because it fits as a “permitted use” in the C2 zoning district.
"The Drew Tower design complies with all of Wauwatosa’s zoning requirements and the $50+ million project will be constructed without any TIF money or other public financing," Randall's statement said.
Joseph Cincotta, an attorney for Underwood Neighbors United, argued in the appeal to the board that the tower will negatively affect neighbors who live near the site.
Cincotta said that city ordinances require the design review board to consider the effect on property values during its review of the plans.
"The DRB failed to consider the impact of the Tower as currently proposed on the property values of the immediate neighboring residential and other properties including but not limited to the likely depreciation in the value of many of these nearby properties," Cincotta wrote.
Cincotta pointed out that a Wauwatosa ordinance says the board shall consider whether the building "causes a substantial depreciation in the property value of the neighborhood within the applicable district."
Randall has also argued in the past that the project will not affect the values of neighboring properties. Randall submitted a letter to the board from the president of Moegenburg Research Inc., a Wisconsin certified general appraiser.
"No 'substantial depreciation in property value' of nearby residential properties has been caused by other multi-story or mixed-use developments and it is my professional opinion that no substantial depreciation will be caused by the vertical mixed-use building," wrote Peter Moegenburg in that letter.
Randall has also maintained that the project, which is aiming to start construction this fall, fits within the zoning for the site and is a permitted use.
Randall added in his statement that the building will be developed at a vacant lot at West Bluemound and North Mayfair roads that will connect it to the "Research Park, Milwaukee Regional Medical Center, Mayfair Mall, and many other neighboring destinations."
"The mixed-use building that will lease commercial space, office suites, and apartment residences will transform the commercial corridor and be an iconic landmark for years to come," Randall said.
Evan Casey can be reached at 414-403-4391 or evan.casey@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @ecaseymedia.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wauwatosa Design Review Board reaffirms 28-story Drew Tower plans
