The type and scale of the Ruckus development, with NO parking, would affect more than just the immediately adjacent neighbors. The other neighbors on all of the nearby blocks who DID pay top dollar for their homes, and bought them in a long stretch of North Ave. predominantly lined with apartments and single-family homes, away from the established business districts, would also be affected.
There have been other suggestions and ideas for the space that would have much less impact to the neighbors and could be deemed a true compromise by the affected neighbors, but no one seems willing to discuss or partner on those. Instead, neighbors that do not want this particular development because it is highly likely to turn the streets into a parking lot, smell like a state fair, and impact children's safety are very often vilified and branded as anti-development which is simply not the case and extremely unfair. Even nastier are the people that suggest things like a strip club and other loathe alternatives seemingly as some form of punishment or payback to the neighbors just for opposing this PARTICULAR development. (To those commenters that seem to understand the neighbors' position here, THANK YOU.) To say it was a gas station, it's already commercial, no, not really. The impact to the neighbors of the gas station and the Ruckus are absolutely not comparable. The gas station was innocuous.
I would also like to point out that if the adjacent neighbors did their homework before buying and were told by the city that the parcel was zoned multi-family residential and changing the zoning would be difficult, that the purchaser of the gas station in late 2015 for only $75K theoretically should have been given the same information and been aware that if the gas station ceased operation he/she would have a multi-family residential lot on their hands. If the buyer didn't do his/her homework, that is on the buyer. Either case is not the neighbors' problem to solve by agreeing to the development opportunity the owner wants to grab. It's been stated that the neighbors should "have a plan" to deal with the defunct gas station, it seems to me that the owner is the one that should have a plan that meets the current restrictions or at least doesn't create more of an impact (near zero) to the neighbors than the gas station's was for over 80 years.
ExTosa - 7 years ago
The design offers NO PARKING to accommodate customers. This is a downside for both the business and the residents. If it were a small business other than a restaurant and custard stand it may be different. Gillies has lots of parking lot and still you need to park on the side street sometimes. And Gillies is a quick in and out establishment and parking turns around fairly quickly. While the Ruckus seems like a nice addition, I agree it is better suited for a larger location. I liked the old Colony Camera location which is now an eyesore at Ludington and Norh Ave. That area has access to two rows of parking. That parking lot should be bought by he city and made into public parking for all business to benefit from.
Mary O'Brien - 7 years ago
The neighbors are concerned about their kids (mainly), traffic and parking. These are big issues. As are property values. If Ruckus doesn't make it, that building would be a much larger eyesore than the gas station. If everyone is worried about the gas station being an eyesore, raze it, make a green space, offer it for sale and see what happens. But please don't rezone before trying everything - if it's rezoned we can't go back.
Dre robinson - 7 years ago
Tosa is starving for more single family homes. Build a new home here and build the Rucus just west down north avenue to Ludington and North Ave where the old Colony Camera has sat vacant for over 10 years. There's room, parking, and already zoned commercial.
Justin ForaComment - 7 years ago
The most noise generated for the "NO" camp is from the neighbors whose parcels are adjacent. They ask others to empathize and see it from their side. I can empathize with that and see how you may personally be affected.
I ask that you please empathize with us as well. It is easy to find that all of the properties purchased around the gas station were bought way below market value. We that are in a block or two away from the North corridor paid much more for our houses. Why? Less risk of development next door. We paid 70-100k more to live in a home without this risk. Your discounted homes allowed you into the neighborhood (one extremely hard to get into) and access to Tosa schools, services, and the community as a whole.
Now that the development is a real possibility, nearby residents are very vocal that their residences and families are at risk. This is how it works. Nobody is forcing you to continue to live there. You took the risk on discounted properties, and it didn't pay off.
I have heard so many times how you verified with the city that the gas station parcel is zoned residential and it will return to that. A gas station was on the property. The parcel was being used commercially for 80 years. What did you think would happen to the property?
Pasadena property values have gone way up over the last 10 years. Houses are receiving multiple offers the first day they go on the market. You still have the option of moving away from a commercial corridor.
Erik Ulvog - 7 years ago
Tosa's growth initiatives are not congruent with vibrant community. Excessive Community - yes, Vibrant - No. They seem to be focused merely on increasing tax revenue, by increasing building size and density levels where ever possible. The common council could benefit by looking at Elm Grove, Greendale, or Whitefish Bay's master planning strategies.
Please support the preservation of Sanctuary Woods.
Tam - 7 years ago
I agree! A vibrant neighborhood commercial district is essential. I remember, and not all that long ago, when many of the store fronts were vacant. Now, we're the envy of many surrounding urban communities. Let's welcome these local businesses and stop spending time complaining. Think how much we could accomplish if we spent time focusing on the good that is taking place in our wonderful community.
Zak - 7 years ago
People are worried about this affecting traffic or their property values? This stretch of North Ave is lined with Multi-family homes and is blocks away from hugely trafficked Sendicks area. I really don't see any harm in adding a business here.
I feel like people are missing the big picture here. North Avenue should be lined with small commercial establishments, It makes the entire area more walk-able. It would be great if we could make more of a connection between the Collectivo to Sendiks zone and the Juniper to North Ave Grill area. I used to live just off of North ave on 64th and loved being able to walk to Belair, Camp, Red Dot, Juniper etc. I think it would be wonderful if 60th-92th had wide sidewalks with a large variety of businesses. It will drive up property value because people want to live in an area where they can walk to eat, shop, and have fun and traffic won't be much of an issue if the main customers are the neighbors. A neighborhood used by the community is also a safer neighborhood.
Allison Ryther - 7 years ago
Pink Flamingos, see 1286 Glenview Place in Wauwatosa that is currently being redeveloped. This type of development would absolutely work for this site. We and the neighbors are also fine with multi-family. We knew the site might be developed multi-family when we bought our houses next door. And, the City is still collecting property taxes from the current owner so if the Ruckus falls through, it's not really that big of a deal. The City isn't losing money on the property.
bella - 7 years ago
This is a terrible location for this business... I'd prefer this business be built in an area that's already primarily commercial. It would be nice if a house could be built there or a pocket park ..yes I realize these things need plans and funding as well and that could be figured out. I hoped that the residents in this neighborhood win and this is built elsewhere because it's time that Tosa started hearing the voices and concerns of it's residents.
Ann - 7 years ago
Way too much commercial and residential development in Tosa.
This is a rukus.
The lot is too small, traffic on North Ave would make it difficult to get in or out of the business, to say nothing of traffic and parking on nearby residential streets.
. Would like to know how much tax revenue this business would generate? I'd be happy to pay more taxes for less development
I DO NOT live close to this rukus development, but have lived in Tosa for 45 years.
No Gridley! - 7 years ago
The neighbors in the neighborhood have chosen that they do not want to get this restaurant here and voiced their concern with the desire for a super majority. Even though I think this restaurant itself is a great idea, the consideration of the neighbors should be respected and zoning should remain. There should be other locations in Tosa that are already properly zoned for a business like this and we should encourage collective too to continue its search because it would be great but let's be respectful to our neighbors. What if it was going to be build next to you and they wanted to remove that? I'm certain you would ban together as well.
Pink Flamingos - 7 years ago
Allison, where's the plan? Please help the rest of us understand how the pocket park or other development ideas will be paid for? Who will purchase the property from the current landowner when The Ruckus plan fails? Where are the facts that support any claims for reduced property values, etc? We get the complaining, but offer some substantive alternatives, please. The "calling people out" tactic only works so much and then real facts have to be provided.
Mary Hanson - 7 years ago
I still like the suggestion of various food trucks taking turns. They're a big deal downtown and provide a little variety and walk-up traffic.
Allison Ryther - 7 years ago
Oh, and "Pink Flamingos", there is a location for the Ruckus in East Tosa. It's directly next to Camp Bar & it's already zoned commercial. It's all yours!
Allison Ryther - 7 years ago
Hey Pink Flamingos, why don't expose your true identity and quit hiding behind a fake name?
Pink Flamingos - 7 years ago
Come on, Nearby Neighbor, where's your plan for the property? How are you paying for it? Why are you wanting others to solve your problems? Buy the property and invest your own money to make it what you want. No one owes you anything! And by the way, we do have restaurants on our block in East Tosa and we love them! We'd love the Ruckus here too! Our property values have never been better!!!
LAT - 7 years ago
Wauwatosa, City of Homes. Yeah, that has changed. I'm not all for this new development. Probably because I am in direct proximity of state street station. It's been complete hell living here. We were assured traffic, noise and dirt would be handled. They had a "plan." Guess what? They didn't. It all boils down to money. Tosa doesn't care about its residents. It cares about how much money it can bring in. Good luck keeping it out of your neighborhood. We all fought hard and more and more development continues. I'm holding out to see if they will buy us all out for more development. There's talk that Lions Club building is being bid on and houses will be bought out for another retail/residential complex. I can't wait. My house will be surrounded by these. So much for charming neighborhood. It's time for Toda to slow down and more carefully consider the impact of these commercial buildings in residential neighborhoods. I'm just fed up. Finish a project before and really study the impact before starting a new project. That would be nice.
Bea - 7 years ago
My family moved to Los Angeles a few years ago. We chose Wauwatosa because of its charm, abundance of trees, and slower-paced lifestyle. Now, with all these developers wanting to take every nook of charming Tosa and build a condo, or over-priced burger place- it's alarming! Build it away from tiny houses, away from families trying to sleep at night. Not to mention the parking, the traffic-rethink this guys!!!
Nearby Neighbor - 7 years ago
Okay, then let's put it on your block if you love it so much, Pink Flamingos. Done.
Pink Flamingos - 7 years ago
I find it discouraging that the neighbors will probably ruin this business deal. Why do they get to dictate what's on property they do not own? How can they say just make it a park? Who pays for the park? This was a gas station. They're not tearing down a house. And I'd be pretty sure that if someone comes along and wants to put up an apartment building on that site, they'll be protesting that too! I could see this reaction if the proposal was a block off of north avenue.
Dan - 7 years ago
I'm sorry. I know this is slightly off-topic, but can I just say that I don't get the stupid penguin associated with the Ruckus? Looks like some sort of carnival character, like Welcome to Wally World or something. Let's keep Tosa classy. Signage restrictions exist for a reason.
Allison Ryther - 7 years ago
Jean is absolutely right. There are bigger issues going on in our City than just the Ruckus. I never would have known if this development hadn't been proposed right outside my front door. I can't encourage the residents of Wauwatosa enough to be informed about what is going on in your City. Some of the decisions being made may not effect you now, but they might one day.
Marge - 7 years ago
That's actually not a bad idea, Jim Stansel.
Although the gas cleanup has been done already... originally the new developers wanted to keep the gas station building and incorporate it into their design.
Why not renovate the existing structure and turn it into a small neighborhood sandwich shop like Sherman Perk, built from a former gas station in 1939): http://shermanperkcoffeeshop.com/#2724.
A business like this would fit much better in the current location and fix the blighted property issue.
Think outside the box people.
Jean - 7 years ago
Greg, you're probably thinking of the toy store with the same name (ludicrous, I know).
This whole "Ruckus" ordeal isn't just about fitting a square peg I a round hole with this new hipster burger joint; I think the passion around this particular issue is because the Ruckus is representative of a bigger problem that our city as a whole needs to confront.
The fact is that most citizens are gravely uneducated and blind to the facts. They hear ice cream and churros and check the Yes box.
The real issue at play is the city's willy nilly re/development "plans"...instead of working on the taxation issue, they keep adding businesses under the guises of creating jobs and increasing property value and things like walkability...
Why don't they take a vote or real survey (who knew Poll Daddy still existed?) about what the citizens want before a bunch of people who we elected in good faith to represent our best interests make the wrong decisions for us.
I'm willing to bet that most of us would take a $50-$100 increase on our taxes over creating yet another apartment complex that will bring crowding and traffic issues, effectively ruining a lot of the charm of the city and the reason many of us chose to live here in the first place.
If you want to run your residents to Brookfield and further out, keep operating the way you have, with no respect for your taxpayers opinions or quality of life.
Greg S. - 7 years ago
I thought Tosa already had a Ruckus? I'm confused.
Mamma Bear - 7 years ago
I live near this monstrosity in Shorewood. They've had to close their dinner service because they couldn't keep up with the volume. Parking is horrendous. On top of that the food is overpriced for what you get. I can think of 10 places within a mile of that Tosa location where I could get a burger. Who needs another burger joint?!
Bob Cera - 7 years ago
North Avenue has enough traffic issues already that the City has a problem in addressing. Why add more.
Becky - 7 years ago
Re: Thainamite... not even comparable, That's all commercial on that stretch and was a restaurant replacing a restaurant.
Jim - 7 years ago
I agree, @LynnJensen. It appears the same people deriding this poll are also the ones trying to skewer the results. I'm seeing all kinds of "vote" campaigns on Facebook, which opens this poll up to family and friends outside Tosa who could care less. I tend to agree that the overwhelming majority of the city wants to see this happen. Everyone I know wants it. If the Ruckus folks pack up and leave because of this experience, we'll know who to thank.
As a side note, I don't recall any of the opponents of this project opposing the Thainamite proposal a few blocks down the road when some of those neighbors had the same concerns. I assume it's because they liked the idea of walking there without having it in their own backyard.
P.S - doesn't 7/11 gas station have churros too? And slurpees?
Lynn Jensen - 7 years ago
Hmm, considering the comments below about this poll being unscientific, it looks more like the opposition has rigged it and is campaigning for "no" votes. I support the city's pursuit of redevelopment of this parcel. If the neighbors are unhappy with a restaurant, then the city should allow a gas station to reopen there and give it late night hours like they would for any other gas station. Consistency, right? Then we'll see what the neighbors have to say.
Jim stansel - 7 years ago
I think we should remodel the gas station and restore it to when our forefathers used it to build Milwaukee into a manufacturing giant. It's time we take Tosa back!!
Linda - 7 years ago
This stretch of North Ave. is mostly residential. This project will be crammed onto a typical Tosa lot, with little or no permeable surface. The home to the north has no alley separation from the project like many commercial to residential properties do, and the home to the east is right on top of where the building will be placed. Pity that poor homeowner when their value plummets. To the families that think this would be a great place to walk to for ice cream.... think of the families living next door trying to get their children and babies to sleep with the neon lights shining in their windows and the rumbling of air handlers on the roof rattling the glass in their windows. This residentially zoned property would be best served by having a duplex built on it.
Nearby neighbor - 7 years ago
Something should go there but it needs to be smaller to better fit the residential neighborhood. This proposed restaurant would lower the property values of the neighbors.
Nate Bauer - 7 years ago
What is with Tosa and the sudden need to make it, well, so much less a Tosa and so much more commercial?
There seems to be a disconcerting trend to bring in new businesses, mixed use and apartment buildings that, while growing commerce and tax rolls, blight the neighborhoods with parking issues and a population density that, frankly, is the antithesis to why we all moved here and love it so.
And for those who think that more commerce and residents will lower your taxes, you are disillusioned.
Protect the current residential magic that is tosa and develop wisely, don't add to already poor parking conditions.
Rob Deflieze - 7 years ago
I live 2 blocks away and would love to see Ruckus move in!
Brad Cortright - 7 years ago
Completely unscientific poll. I can see the email now asking all friends, relatives and coworkers of those who stand to benefit from building it here to login and vote yes
John - 7 years ago
It's illogical; simply no space. Those who want this to go through just put your home in that immediate location then tell yourself you still what it. And remember, they will be serving beer.
Why not move this thing into the colony camera store? Perfect location and plenty of parking. And make the gas station location a smal park or a small playground instead.
Wauwa-Lifer - 7 years ago
I'm not sure where are city leaders heads are. Actually, I know exactly where they are...I understand that they want to get rid of a blighted building, but to increase traffic exponentially in a residential neighborhood is pretty shortsighted. My guess is the planning commission lives nowhere near this neighborhood. They pulled this same junk on my block. With very little regard to the homeowners on our street, they went ahead and allowed for the rehab of a blighted property with grand designs for a coffee shop, restaurant, work out facilities and who knows what else on an intersection that can barely handle the traffic that's already there. Throw in a few semis and let the fun begin. Clueless.
Ed Seybold - 7 years ago
I would like to see the restaurant in another location. There isn't enough room there for anything other than a small fruit ???? stand.
Passerby - 7 years ago
After driving past this location, I understand why neighboring residents are concerned. This is mainly a residential area and the lot in question does not appear to be large enough for a business of this type. Not to mention the house to the east would be tight up against the side of the proposed structure. It would appear that a residence would be a better fit for this location rather than a commercial venture.
B Moyer - 7 years ago
That is incorrect it is currently zoned residential, that is the reason for the zoning change request. The gas station was grandfathered in. Now is actually the greatest time for the neighbors to have a voice in what goes into that location, it could be residential housing or with support of the neighbors rezoned for limited commercial use.
Scott - 7 years ago
It's zoned for commercial so something will eventually go in there. Right now neighbors have a choice to let this business in that's owners have a good reputation. Or you can be forced to let in a revolving door of subpar businesses down the road.
M Mullikin - 7 years ago
Just like B Moyer stated, this leaves out the specific issues. By the way, there is a local place you can walk to if you want to take your kids to get ice cream and burgers, its called Johns on 90th and North, North Avenue Grill, McDonald's... I can keep going. Keep this abomination out of my backyard and don't support spot zoning, its simple.
FRE - 7 years ago
This is a tough choice for our alders to consider. On one hand, there is a unsightly vacant building on residentially zoned lot that appears ripe for development. A reputable restaurant operator is hoping to put a family friendly burger and frozen custard stand with very limited parking adjacent to some residential homes. Will the neighboring homes be impacted negatively by parking, noise and smells? Most likely they will. However, an argument could also be made that the restaurant will improve the value of the vast majority of the neighboring homes. Although many will disagree, I believe that the addition of restaurant and bar options in East Tosa have increased property values considerably over the last five years. The same can be said for the Colectivo at 68th and Wells. Here's hoping a reasonable compromise can be found.
B Moyer - 7 years ago
I think the spirit of the poll is ok but leaves out the specific issues, Who doesn't want a new dining option in Tosa? But who wants to live next door to it? It will drive some traffic to the website, get some clicks and encourage more debate but I hope this doesn't become a tool for supportive policy by our elected officials. This obviously unscientific, but unfortunately we've witnessed this type of information used by some at city hall to push certain agendas.
JLP - 7 years ago
This poll is silly. Of course everyone would like The Ruckus to move into Tosa. The poll completely ignores the reasons behind the debate itself. Who is going to vote "no" based on the way the poll question is asked?
Andrea Stephenson - 7 years ago
Absolutely! We hope to enjoy this with our kids and visitors. I hope your poll shows that a small group of people who have been attacking anyone who expresses support for this do not speak on behalf of everyone who lives close by.
Charles E. Jagemann - 7 years ago
Wouldn't it be great to be able to go out with your kids to get a burger and frozen custard and not have to go to Brookfield (Murf's), Milwaukee (Gilles) or West Allis(Oscar's)? We could go it our our community/neighborhood. Maybe even walking distance. Or take our bikes. Plus some more jobs for our teens and young adults. And get rid of that ratty old abandoned gas station. Vote yes!
The type and scale of the Ruckus development, with NO parking, would affect more than just the immediately adjacent neighbors. The other neighbors on all of the nearby blocks who DID pay top dollar for their homes, and bought them in a long stretch of North Ave. predominantly lined with apartments and single-family homes, away from the established business districts, would also be affected.
There have been other suggestions and ideas for the space that would have much less impact to the neighbors and could be deemed a true compromise by the affected neighbors, but no one seems willing to discuss or partner on those. Instead, neighbors that do not want this particular development because it is highly likely to turn the streets into a parking lot, smell like a state fair, and impact children's safety are very often vilified and branded as anti-development which is simply not the case and extremely unfair. Even nastier are the people that suggest things like a strip club and other loathe alternatives seemingly as some form of punishment or payback to the neighbors just for opposing this PARTICULAR development. (To those commenters that seem to understand the neighbors' position here, THANK YOU.) To say it was a gas station, it's already commercial, no, not really. The impact to the neighbors of the gas station and the Ruckus are absolutely not comparable. The gas station was innocuous.
I would also like to point out that if the adjacent neighbors did their homework before buying and were told by the city that the parcel was zoned multi-family residential and changing the zoning would be difficult, that the purchaser of the gas station in late 2015 for only $75K theoretically should have been given the same information and been aware that if the gas station ceased operation he/she would have a multi-family residential lot on their hands. If the buyer didn't do his/her homework, that is on the buyer. Either case is not the neighbors' problem to solve by agreeing to the development opportunity the owner wants to grab. It's been stated that the neighbors should "have a plan" to deal with the defunct gas station, it seems to me that the owner is the one that should have a plan that meets the current restrictions or at least doesn't create more of an impact (near zero) to the neighbors than the gas station's was for over 80 years.
The design offers NO PARKING to accommodate customers. This is a downside for both the business and the residents. If it were a small business other than a restaurant and custard stand it may be different. Gillies has lots of parking lot and still you need to park on the side street sometimes. And Gillies is a quick in and out establishment and parking turns around fairly quickly. While the Ruckus seems like a nice addition, I agree it is better suited for a larger location. I liked the old Colony Camera location which is now an eyesore at Ludington and Norh Ave. That area has access to two rows of parking. That parking lot should be bought by he city and made into public parking for all business to benefit from.
The neighbors are concerned about their kids (mainly), traffic and parking. These are big issues. As are property values. If Ruckus doesn't make it, that building would be a much larger eyesore than the gas station. If everyone is worried about the gas station being an eyesore, raze it, make a green space, offer it for sale and see what happens. But please don't rezone before trying everything - if it's rezoned we can't go back.
Tosa is starving for more single family homes. Build a new home here and build the Rucus just west down north avenue to Ludington and North Ave where the old Colony Camera has sat vacant for over 10 years. There's room, parking, and already zoned commercial.
The most noise generated for the "NO" camp is from the neighbors whose parcels are adjacent. They ask others to empathize and see it from their side. I can empathize with that and see how you may personally be affected.
I ask that you please empathize with us as well. It is easy to find that all of the properties purchased around the gas station were bought way below market value. We that are in a block or two away from the North corridor paid much more for our houses. Why? Less risk of development next door. We paid 70-100k more to live in a home without this risk. Your discounted homes allowed you into the neighborhood (one extremely hard to get into) and access to Tosa schools, services, and the community as a whole.
Now that the development is a real possibility, nearby residents are very vocal that their residences and families are at risk. This is how it works. Nobody is forcing you to continue to live there. You took the risk on discounted properties, and it didn't pay off.
I have heard so many times how you verified with the city that the gas station parcel is zoned residential and it will return to that. A gas station was on the property. The parcel was being used commercially for 80 years. What did you think would happen to the property?
Pasadena property values have gone way up over the last 10 years. Houses are receiving multiple offers the first day they go on the market. You still have the option of moving away from a commercial corridor.
Tosa's growth initiatives are not congruent with vibrant community. Excessive Community - yes, Vibrant - No. They seem to be focused merely on increasing tax revenue, by increasing building size and density levels where ever possible. The common council could benefit by looking at Elm Grove, Greendale, or Whitefish Bay's master planning strategies.
Please support the preservation of Sanctuary Woods.
I agree! A vibrant neighborhood commercial district is essential. I remember, and not all that long ago, when many of the store fronts were vacant. Now, we're the envy of many surrounding urban communities. Let's welcome these local businesses and stop spending time complaining. Think how much we could accomplish if we spent time focusing on the good that is taking place in our wonderful community.
People are worried about this affecting traffic or their property values? This stretch of North Ave is lined with Multi-family homes and is blocks away from hugely trafficked Sendicks area. I really don't see any harm in adding a business here.
I feel like people are missing the big picture here. North Avenue should be lined with small commercial establishments, It makes the entire area more walk-able. It would be great if we could make more of a connection between the Collectivo to Sendiks zone and the Juniper to North Ave Grill area. I used to live just off of North ave on 64th and loved being able to walk to Belair, Camp, Red Dot, Juniper etc. I think it would be wonderful if 60th-92th had wide sidewalks with a large variety of businesses. It will drive up property value because people want to live in an area where they can walk to eat, shop, and have fun and traffic won't be much of an issue if the main customers are the neighbors. A neighborhood used by the community is also a safer neighborhood.
Pink Flamingos, see 1286 Glenview Place in Wauwatosa that is currently being redeveloped. This type of development would absolutely work for this site. We and the neighbors are also fine with multi-family. We knew the site might be developed multi-family when we bought our houses next door. And, the City is still collecting property taxes from the current owner so if the Ruckus falls through, it's not really that big of a deal. The City isn't losing money on the property.
This is a terrible location for this business... I'd prefer this business be built in an area that's already primarily commercial. It would be nice if a house could be built there or a pocket park ..yes I realize these things need plans and funding as well and that could be figured out. I hoped that the residents in this neighborhood win and this is built elsewhere because it's time that Tosa started hearing the voices and concerns of it's residents.
Way too much commercial and residential development in Tosa.
This is a rukus.
The lot is too small, traffic on North Ave would make it difficult to get in or out of the business, to say nothing of traffic and parking on nearby residential streets.
. Would like to know how much tax revenue this business would generate? I'd be happy to pay more taxes for less development
I DO NOT live close to this rukus development, but have lived in Tosa for 45 years.
The neighbors in the neighborhood have chosen that they do not want to get this restaurant here and voiced their concern with the desire for a super majority. Even though I think this restaurant itself is a great idea, the consideration of the neighbors should be respected and zoning should remain. There should be other locations in Tosa that are already properly zoned for a business like this and we should encourage collective too to continue its search because it would be great but let's be respectful to our neighbors. What if it was going to be build next to you and they wanted to remove that? I'm certain you would ban together as well.
Allison, where's the plan? Please help the rest of us understand how the pocket park or other development ideas will be paid for? Who will purchase the property from the current landowner when The Ruckus plan fails? Where are the facts that support any claims for reduced property values, etc? We get the complaining, but offer some substantive alternatives, please. The "calling people out" tactic only works so much and then real facts have to be provided.
I still like the suggestion of various food trucks taking turns. They're a big deal downtown and provide a little variety and walk-up traffic.
Oh, and "Pink Flamingos", there is a location for the Ruckus in East Tosa. It's directly next to Camp Bar & it's already zoned commercial. It's all yours!
Hey Pink Flamingos, why don't expose your true identity and quit hiding behind a fake name?
Come on, Nearby Neighbor, where's your plan for the property? How are you paying for it? Why are you wanting others to solve your problems? Buy the property and invest your own money to make it what you want. No one owes you anything! And by the way, we do have restaurants on our block in East Tosa and we love them! We'd love the Ruckus here too! Our property values have never been better!!!
Wauwatosa, City of Homes. Yeah, that has changed. I'm not all for this new development. Probably because I am in direct proximity of state street station. It's been complete hell living here. We were assured traffic, noise and dirt would be handled. They had a "plan." Guess what? They didn't. It all boils down to money. Tosa doesn't care about its residents. It cares about how much money it can bring in. Good luck keeping it out of your neighborhood. We all fought hard and more and more development continues. I'm holding out to see if they will buy us all out for more development. There's talk that Lions Club building is being bid on and houses will be bought out for another retail/residential complex. I can't wait. My house will be surrounded by these. So much for charming neighborhood. It's time for Toda to slow down and more carefully consider the impact of these commercial buildings in residential neighborhoods. I'm just fed up. Finish a project before and really study the impact before starting a new project. That would be nice.
My family moved to Los Angeles a few years ago. We chose Wauwatosa because of its charm, abundance of trees, and slower-paced lifestyle. Now, with all these developers wanting to take every nook of charming Tosa and build a condo, or over-priced burger place- it's alarming! Build it away from tiny houses, away from families trying to sleep at night. Not to mention the parking, the traffic-rethink this guys!!!
Okay, then let's put it on your block if you love it so much, Pink Flamingos. Done.
I find it discouraging that the neighbors will probably ruin this business deal. Why do they get to dictate what's on property they do not own? How can they say just make it a park? Who pays for the park? This was a gas station. They're not tearing down a house. And I'd be pretty sure that if someone comes along and wants to put up an apartment building on that site, they'll be protesting that too! I could see this reaction if the proposal was a block off of north avenue.
I'm sorry. I know this is slightly off-topic, but can I just say that I don't get the stupid penguin associated with the Ruckus? Looks like some sort of carnival character, like Welcome to Wally World or something. Let's keep Tosa classy. Signage restrictions exist for a reason.
Jean is absolutely right. There are bigger issues going on in our City than just the Ruckus. I never would have known if this development hadn't been proposed right outside my front door. I can't encourage the residents of Wauwatosa enough to be informed about what is going on in your City. Some of the decisions being made may not effect you now, but they might one day.
That's actually not a bad idea, Jim Stansel.
Although the gas cleanup has been done already... originally the new developers wanted to keep the gas station building and incorporate it into their design.
Why not renovate the existing structure and turn it into a small neighborhood sandwich shop like Sherman Perk, built from a former gas station in 1939): http://shermanperkcoffeeshop.com/#2724.
A business like this would fit much better in the current location and fix the blighted property issue.
Think outside the box people.
Greg, you're probably thinking of the toy store with the same name (ludicrous, I know).
This whole "Ruckus" ordeal isn't just about fitting a square peg I a round hole with this new hipster burger joint; I think the passion around this particular issue is because the Ruckus is representative of a bigger problem that our city as a whole needs to confront.
The fact is that most citizens are gravely uneducated and blind to the facts. They hear ice cream and churros and check the Yes box.
The real issue at play is the city's willy nilly re/development "plans"...instead of working on the taxation issue, they keep adding businesses under the guises of creating jobs and increasing property value and things like walkability...
Why don't they take a vote or real survey (who knew Poll Daddy still existed?) about what the citizens want before a bunch of people who we elected in good faith to represent our best interests make the wrong decisions for us.
I'm willing to bet that most of us would take a $50-$100 increase on our taxes over creating yet another apartment complex that will bring crowding and traffic issues, effectively ruining a lot of the charm of the city and the reason many of us chose to live here in the first place.
If you want to run your residents to Brookfield and further out, keep operating the way you have, with no respect for your taxpayers opinions or quality of life.
I thought Tosa already had a Ruckus? I'm confused.
I live near this monstrosity in Shorewood. They've had to close their dinner service because they couldn't keep up with the volume. Parking is horrendous. On top of that the food is overpriced for what you get. I can think of 10 places within a mile of that Tosa location where I could get a burger. Who needs another burger joint?!
North Avenue has enough traffic issues already that the City has a problem in addressing. Why add more.
Re: Thainamite... not even comparable, That's all commercial on that stretch and was a restaurant replacing a restaurant.
I agree, @LynnJensen. It appears the same people deriding this poll are also the ones trying to skewer the results. I'm seeing all kinds of "vote" campaigns on Facebook, which opens this poll up to family and friends outside Tosa who could care less. I tend to agree that the overwhelming majority of the city wants to see this happen. Everyone I know wants it. If the Ruckus folks pack up and leave because of this experience, we'll know who to thank.
As a side note, I don't recall any of the opponents of this project opposing the Thainamite proposal a few blocks down the road when some of those neighbors had the same concerns. I assume it's because they liked the idea of walking there without having it in their own backyard.
P.S - doesn't 7/11 gas station have churros too? And slurpees?
Hmm, considering the comments below about this poll being unscientific, it looks more like the opposition has rigged it and is campaigning for "no" votes. I support the city's pursuit of redevelopment of this parcel. If the neighbors are unhappy with a restaurant, then the city should allow a gas station to reopen there and give it late night hours like they would for any other gas station. Consistency, right? Then we'll see what the neighbors have to say.
I think we should remodel the gas station and restore it to when our forefathers used it to build Milwaukee into a manufacturing giant. It's time we take Tosa back!!
This stretch of North Ave. is mostly residential. This project will be crammed onto a typical Tosa lot, with little or no permeable surface. The home to the north has no alley separation from the project like many commercial to residential properties do, and the home to the east is right on top of where the building will be placed. Pity that poor homeowner when their value plummets. To the families that think this would be a great place to walk to for ice cream.... think of the families living next door trying to get their children and babies to sleep with the neon lights shining in their windows and the rumbling of air handlers on the roof rattling the glass in their windows. This residentially zoned property would be best served by having a duplex built on it.
Something should go there but it needs to be smaller to better fit the residential neighborhood. This proposed restaurant would lower the property values of the neighbors.
What is with Tosa and the sudden need to make it, well, so much less a Tosa and so much more commercial?
There seems to be a disconcerting trend to bring in new businesses, mixed use and apartment buildings that, while growing commerce and tax rolls, blight the neighborhoods with parking issues and a population density that, frankly, is the antithesis to why we all moved here and love it so.
And for those who think that more commerce and residents will lower your taxes, you are disillusioned.
Protect the current residential magic that is tosa and develop wisely, don't add to already poor parking conditions.
I live 2 blocks away and would love to see Ruckus move in!
Completely unscientific poll. I can see the email now asking all friends, relatives and coworkers of those who stand to benefit from building it here to login and vote yes
It's illogical; simply no space. Those who want this to go through just put your home in that immediate location then tell yourself you still what it. And remember, they will be serving beer.
Why not move this thing into the colony camera store? Perfect location and plenty of parking. And make the gas station location a smal park or a small playground instead.
I'm not sure where are city leaders heads are. Actually, I know exactly where they are...I understand that they want to get rid of a blighted building, but to increase traffic exponentially in a residential neighborhood is pretty shortsighted. My guess is the planning commission lives nowhere near this neighborhood. They pulled this same junk on my block. With very little regard to the homeowners on our street, they went ahead and allowed for the rehab of a blighted property with grand designs for a coffee shop, restaurant, work out facilities and who knows what else on an intersection that can barely handle the traffic that's already there. Throw in a few semis and let the fun begin. Clueless.
I would like to see the restaurant in another location. There isn't enough room there for anything other than a small fruit ???? stand.
After driving past this location, I understand why neighboring residents are concerned. This is mainly a residential area and the lot in question does not appear to be large enough for a business of this type. Not to mention the house to the east would be tight up against the side of the proposed structure. It would appear that a residence would be a better fit for this location rather than a commercial venture.
That is incorrect it is currently zoned residential, that is the reason for the zoning change request. The gas station was grandfathered in. Now is actually the greatest time for the neighbors to have a voice in what goes into that location, it could be residential housing or with support of the neighbors rezoned for limited commercial use.
It's zoned for commercial so something will eventually go in there. Right now neighbors have a choice to let this business in that's owners have a good reputation. Or you can be forced to let in a revolving door of subpar businesses down the road.
Just like B Moyer stated, this leaves out the specific issues. By the way, there is a local place you can walk to if you want to take your kids to get ice cream and burgers, its called Johns on 90th and North, North Avenue Grill, McDonald's... I can keep going. Keep this abomination out of my backyard and don't support spot zoning, its simple.
This is a tough choice for our alders to consider. On one hand, there is a unsightly vacant building on residentially zoned lot that appears ripe for development. A reputable restaurant operator is hoping to put a family friendly burger and frozen custard stand with very limited parking adjacent to some residential homes. Will the neighboring homes be impacted negatively by parking, noise and smells? Most likely they will. However, an argument could also be made that the restaurant will improve the value of the vast majority of the neighboring homes. Although many will disagree, I believe that the addition of restaurant and bar options in East Tosa have increased property values considerably over the last five years. The same can be said for the Colectivo at 68th and Wells. Here's hoping a reasonable compromise can be found.
I think the spirit of the poll is ok but leaves out the specific issues, Who doesn't want a new dining option in Tosa? But who wants to live next door to it? It will drive some traffic to the website, get some clicks and encourage more debate but I hope this doesn't become a tool for supportive policy by our elected officials. This obviously unscientific, but unfortunately we've witnessed this type of information used by some at city hall to push certain agendas.
This poll is silly. Of course everyone would like The Ruckus to move into Tosa. The poll completely ignores the reasons behind the debate itself. Who is going to vote "no" based on the way the poll question is asked?
Absolutely! We hope to enjoy this with our kids and visitors. I hope your poll shows that a small group of people who have been attacking anyone who expresses support for this do not speak on behalf of everyone who lives close by.
Wouldn't it be great to be able to go out with your kids to get a burger and frozen custard and not have to go to Brookfield (Murf's), Milwaukee (Gilles) or West Allis(Oscar's)? We could go it our our community/neighborhood. Maybe even walking distance. Or take our bikes. Plus some more jobs for our teens and young adults. And get rid of that ratty old abandoned gas station. Vote yes!