The Brookfield Village Board voted unanimously on Nov. 12 to amend its zoning map creating a single commercial zoning classification for four parcels of land being targeted for a mixed-use development.
Now, developer Michael Gatto of RMG Realty will appear before the Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, Nov. 15 seeking three zoning variances for his proposed three-story building at 3704 Grand Blvd.
The public hearing, which officials say is being continued from Gatto’s last appearance before the commission last month, will be held in the council chamber of the Brookfield Village Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave. at 7 p.m.
Village trustees voted on Nov. 12 to make all four parcels – one facing Grand Boulevard and three smaller lots facing Sunnyside Avenue – part of the SA-4a district, a transitional commercial district that seeks first-floor commercial uses and residential uses above.
Gatto wants to build a three-story building with a commercial storefront on Grand Boulevard and a covered parking area facing Sunnyside Avenue on the ground floor. The development would have 11 apartments, one at the rear of the ground floor and 10 above on two floors.
Because Gatto wants to build the development lot line to lot line, he needs a pair of zoning variances related to building setbacks. Gatto is also seeking a variance to be granted 40 percent semi-permeable lot coverage as a concession for also constructing a new storm sewer to meet storm water detention requirements.
The additional semi-permeable coverage will be in the form of green roof and garden balconies, said Gatto.
Gatto needs zero setbacks in order to meet the village’s onsite parking requirements for the district.
Village trustees agreed with a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission that it made sense to consolidate all of the parcels into one zoning classification, one that matched the zoning of the property immediately north, which also partially fronts Sunnyside Avenue.
“The geometrics of each individual parcel, either the Grand Boulevard parcels or the Sunnyside parcels, is that individually they don’t have the depth or the massing to create any new real development there,” Gatto said.
Last month, neighboring residents criticized the proposal, fearing it would hamper parking, create more traffic, reduce privacy and worsen storm water issues.
