PCR2013021AMENDED
RESOLUTION #P.C.021-2013
APPROVAL OF A BUILDING SITE AND OPERATION PLAN
FOR NORTHERN GEAR LOCATED IN THE NE ¼ OF SECTION 3
(MOORLAND COMMERCE CENTER WEST / TAX KEY NO. 2169.993.010)
WHEREAS, On March 18, 2013 plans were submitted by Briohn Building for a Building, Site and
Operation Plan for Northern Gear located in the NE ¼ of Section 3 (Tax Key No. 2169.993.010), and
WHEREAS, The submittal is to build a new 96,235 square foot light manufacturing/office structure
(86,332 SF footprint: ~14,642 Office & 81,593 Shop) on a 8.73-acre parcel, and
WHEREAS, The site plan shows that up to 50,000 SF could be added on in the future which would be
subject to a future Plan Commission approval, and
WHEREAS, Said property is currently zoned BP-3 Business Park District and the proposed use is allowed
within said zoning district, and
WHEREAS, The City's 2020 Comprehensive Plan has the area designated as business park uses
consistent with commercial and light industrial uses, and
WHEREAS, Said parcel will be serviced by public sewer and water facilities, and
WHEREAS, The utility, stormwater, and grading plans are subject to City Engineering approval before the
release of building permits, and
WHEREAS, Said property is subject to the design standards outlined in the City of Muskego’s General
Design Guide, and
WHEREAS, Northern Gear is a complete gear manufacturing CNC Machining company that produces
gears, shafts, and related assemblies as well as machined parts such as valve blocks, spools, housings,
and other components for many global corporations in the automotive, construction, agricultural, defense,
and mining industries, and
WHEREAS, Northern Gear anticipates moving its 90+ employees to Muskego from Franklin, WI with a
facility that will operate on two shifts or 20 hours a day Monday through Friday with occasional Saturday
operation when required, and
WHEREAS, Truck traffic would be limited to 7 am-7pm Monday-Friday, and
WHEREAS, The structure is an average of about 29 feet which is allowed by code, and
WHEREAS, The building will be centrally located on the site with trucking operations to go around the
structure to the west and the employee parking to be around the east half of the structure, and
WHEREAS, A total of one hundred forty-three (143) parking stalls are shown on the site plan (thirty-five
(35) stalls for the visitor and main office parking in the front of the building, one hundred (100) stalls in
employee area along the east portion of the site, eight (8) stalls in shipping/receiving along the west
portion of the site), and
WHEREAS, For an industrial site the parking codes mandate that there should be approximately 1
parking space for every two employees and the parking shown more than meets code as well as the
company’s stated 90+ current employees and future visitors, and
WHEREAS, The employee parking stalls all are shown as 10 feet by 20 feet but the visitor/office and
shipping/receiving stalls are shown as 9 feet by 20 feet, and
WHEREAS, The parking lot will be curbed throughout and ample pedestrian access from the lot to the
entrances to the building can be found throughout, and
WHEREAS, Vehicular access is depicted off of the Commerce Center cul-de-sac. All driving lanes are
illustrated at 25 feet in width or larger where two-way traffic will exist and the proper markings are shown
throughout the site, and
WHEREAS, Fire access lanes are found along the east facade of the structure which meets code of
having a fire access along at least 50% of one façade of the structure and the Fire Dept. has reviewed the
site plan for compliance, and
WHEREAS, A photometric plan and lighting specifics have been submitted and the photometric plan
shows conformity to the City’s design guidelines of .5 foot-candles at the property lines with the exception
of a couple areas on the west and northwest portions of the site, and
WHEREAS, The plans show a variety of polelights and wall pack lighting around the site with all fixtures
being LED, and
WHEREAS, The pole lights shown are zero degree cutoff lights with poles 25 feet in height and 6”
concrete bases all meeting code requirements, and
WHEREAS, Signage is depicted as including a monument sign along the Commerce Drive cul de sac
area and possibly some wall signage mounted on the building and exact sign details are not yet known
and will simply require sign permit approvals via the Community Dev elopment Department when needed,
and
WHEREAS, A landscape plan is part of the submittal and has been approved by the City Forester, and
WHEREAS, The landscape plan shows an intense amount of trees and shrubs throughout the
development that should complement the building entrance and the surrounding parking lots, and
WHEREAS, Extra care was taken along the south property line where the property abuts a residence
zoning district where a long line of coniferous trees 7-8 feet in height are up along the top of the retaining
wall here and this will help provide a buffer to the residence that exists up in that area, and
WHEREAS, One item of note is that there isn’t landscape islands every 10 parking stalls in the various
parking areas and Plan Commission can waive this requirement when the lot has overall good application
of landscaping, and
WHEREAS, The structure is proposed to be constructed with four sided architecture with the prominence
of the front (northern) façade to be key as this will be most viewable, and
WHEREAS, A variety of colors and materials are proposed for the structure including “light buff” colored
pre-cast concrete wall panels with “medium grey/brown” colored accents, “blue” colored pre finished
metal coping, and pre finished “light buff” metal panels, and
WHEREAS, Windows will be clear anodized with an insulated low-e solar blue colored tint, and
WHEREAS, The structure has the most architectural elements in the front (north) façade and along the
side (east façade) as these are the most prominent for passersby, and
WHEREAS, All rooftop mechanicals are not shown but will be screened, and
WHEREAS, All ground mechanicals and storage areas (Including truck loading doc ks) are shown to be
screened with parts of the principal structure or separate screening structures made of the same
architectural materials as the principal structure, and
WHEREAS, There are a variety of retaining walls needed throughout the perimeter of the site in order to
maximize the building footprint of the development and many of these retaining walls are quite large in
height (upwards of 25+ feet in the rear), and
WHEREAS, For the safety of the public and vehicles , fencing and/or guard rails are found for certain
retaining walls in the development, and
WHEREAS, The City Council is in the midst of negotiating a developer’s agreement with Northern Gear
for certain incentives pertaining to this development and this resolution is subject to those approv als.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Plan Commission approves of the Building, Site and
Operation Plan submitted by Briohn Building for Northern Gear located in the NE ¼ of Section 3.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That an annual review be required six months after occupancy to
review all aspects of the BSO approval and specifically sound and trucking.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That all doors and windows must remain closed except for loading
and unloading of trucks.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That additional landscape be noted on the Landscape Plan to
include 9-10 foot coniferous trees staggered on the retaining wall along the south and west
property lines, located on site in cooperation with staff.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a new photometric plan showing .5 footcandles at all property lines is
required at building permit approvals. Current plans show limited bleeding over property lines on the
western portions of the site and shielding of a few fixtures may be required.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Planning Commission approves of waiving the one landscape island for
every 10 parking stalls given that this is a daily business site and not a daily retail commercial site and
since there is ample landscaping and natural landscaping surrounding the entire site.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That all roof top and ground mechanicals shall be screened from view
and/or incorporated into the design of the site/structure (painting, screening, etc.).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That any additional signage will require Com Dev Department approv al.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That all bollards not architecturally noted on the site plans be painted to
match the colors of the principal structure.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That all handicap signs be incorporated into bored bollards.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a Developer’s Agreement be approved and executed before the
release of building permits for Northern Gear.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of said plans be kept on file in the Community Development
Department and that all aspects of this plan as they relate to landscape areas and drainage shall be
maintained in perpetuity unless otherwise authorized by the Plan Commission.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That failure to comply with the approval contained in this resolution shall
result in the imposition of fines of $100 per day, the initiation of legal action, or both.
Plan Commission
City of Muskego
Adopted: April 2, 2013
Defeated:
Deferred:
Introduced: April 2, 2013
ATTEST: Kellie McMullen, Recording Secretary