Re. Holton Gas Station: Two Residents' Letters to the Board of Zoning Appeals

1. LETTER FROM: Tess Reiss to BOZA
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TO: Board of Zoning Appeals
RE: Holton Gas Station, 3105 N. Holton St.

At a meeting of the Riverwest Neighborhood Association last
week, all those present were in favor of Mr. Mian's plans
to construct a new building with landscaping and no pay
phones.

There are two elements of the proposed plan, however, that
are of concern to the group: 1) the materials for the
exterior of the building, and 2) the enclosed lobby.

The group expressed a preference for a brick exterior
rather than split concrete and for a walk-around
convenience store rather than a glass-enclosed lobby. A
brick building is more in keeping with the direction that
Holton St. is heading within the next few years. A
walk-around convenience store conveys a message to
customers that this is a friendly neighborhood to be in and
a friendly place in which to shop.

We would strongly urge Mr. Mian to make these changes. Many
residents do not take their business there now because of
the unfriendly and uninviting nature of the present
structure that is covered with unsightly cigarette
advertising and has a metal tray through which all
transactions are conducted.

There has been recent investment in Riverwest by the County
for a $3 million renovation of Gordon Park (on Locust &
Humboldt), by the City for the Center St. repaving project,
and a $3 million investment in a new Lena's Food Store on
Holton St. Also in the works is redevelopment of
Kilbourn/Reservoir Park by the City, plus all the condo
development on Commerce St.

The dynamics are changing for the better in the Riverwest
and Harambee neighborhoods. It would be more in keeping
with such emerging developments to build a structure which
will help set a new standard on Holton St. for our
neighborhood.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,
Tess Reiss


2. LETTER FROM: Donna Davids to BOZA
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To the Board of Zoning Appeals:

I live 1 1/2 blocks away from the gas station located at
3105 N. Holton Street owned by Mian Petroleum and have
recently seen the building plans that Mr. Mian has proposed
for this site. I have also seen photos of some of Mr.
Mian's other gas stations in the Milwaukee area. The plans
for Holton Street are not up to Mr. Mian's usual standard
of a brick facade, tasteful advertising, and an open store.

As a Riverwest resident and a patron of this gas station, I
would like to see this building look like Mr. Mian's other
gas stations. I would like to see an open store that has
aisles that a customer can walk through - not an employee
nearly barricaded behind glass that I have to give my
shopping list to! I can see the need for an employee to be
in a secure area but not to this extreme. The other gas
stations in the area have secured areas for their employees
and have an open store concept (Citgo stations on Humboldt
and North and also Holton and Keefe). Why does Mr Mian feel
that this location should be different than the others in
the area?

It is also my understanding that a representative of Mian
Oil surveyed area residents within a three block radius of
the Holton/Burleigh site to get approval for the plan. I
live on Booth Street (one block east of Holton Street) and
was not asked what my opinion was. Nor were my neighbors.

I do not approve of the plan as it stands today. Mr. Mian
has proven that he can erect a quality structure that will
enhance a neighborhood. We in the Riverwest and Harambee
neighborhoods deserve the same consideration as his patrons
in other areas of the city. I applaud his willingness to
improve his property but he should respect our input to his
proposal just as he expects us to have respect for his
property and employees.

Sincerely,

Donna Davids

If you would like to email a letter to BOZA on this
matter, email to: boza@mkedcd.org and also cc Ald. D'Amato
at: mdamat@ci.mil.wi.us.

Read more about this issue in this month's Currents!