New Berlin council votes down key step for proposed rehab center

NEW BERLIN, Wis. - The New Berlin Common Council voted Tuesday night against a controversial $12 million residential rehabilitation center, denying a key land-use request after nearly two hours of public comment dominated by opponents.

What we know:

Developers had earlier described the vote as the final hurdle for a Milwaukee Rescue Mission facility planned to house up to 120 men seeking addiction treatment, mental health services and spiritual counseling.

The council voted to deny combining two parcels of land needed for the project. City officials noted the decision does not necessarily end the proposal, but blocks it from moving forward in its current form.

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Opposition to the project was widespread, with an online petition to stop the development gathering more than 1,700 signatures ahead of the vote.

What they're saying:

"My concern revolves around revenue for the city," said Bret Wu, a New Berlin resident who spoke during public comment. "These are two properties that we are going to lose off of the tax base. I owned a business in New Berlin and am retired now. I don't want to see our potential for tax revenue coming in decrease, because if it does, that means my taxes and everybody else's go up."

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Dig deeper:

The Milwaukee Rescue Mission previously said it had not yet purchased the land but had an agreement in place and was waiting on the outcome of the council’s vote.

It should be noted that denying the parcel combination does not mean the entire project is dead.

What's next:

FOX6 reached out to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission about possible next steps on Tuesday, including whether the proposal could return to the plan commission.