Commission denies request for rezoning of button factory

The Town of Fredonia Plan Commission denied a request to rezone the former button factory in Waubeka into a single-family residential property on March 7.

Property owner Charles Sheridan bought the building from Ozaukee County in a 1990 auction and is seeking to restore the interior of the structure.

For the building to be restored, it needs to first be rezoned from conservancy to residential. However, a motion to recommend rezoning to the Town Board was denied by the commission.

Ozaukee County Zoning and Sanitation Specialist Barry Sullivan said the building adjoins a floodplain and doesn’t meet side and front setback requirements for it to be rezoned.

Plan Commission member Chris Janik, a town supervisor, made a motion for the property to be rezoned, but the motion did not receive a second.

Sheridan has 30 days to appeal the committee’s decision.

“Historical buildings almost never meet the side and front setbacks because the conditions were made after the buildings were built,” Sheridan said.

He said the building is on the National Register of Historic Places, which will help ease the environmental conditions of the floodplain.

Sheridan also said the building was a residence for the previous owners, and he wants to continue that type of use.

“I would like to make a residence out of the property,” he said. “The town has allowed me to repaint the outside of the building, but I can’t do anything with the foundation until I get a permit.”

Previously, Sheridan added a permanent roof to the building without a permit and was fined $2,500 by Ozaukee County.

If Sheridan wins his appeal, he will still need approval by the Town Board, Ozaukee County and the state for the building to be rezoned.

“To me, it’s one of the most beautiful spots in Wisconsin and it has a gorgeous view of the river,” Sheridan said.

“It is a fantastic place to live.”