A New Berlin appeals board is expected to announce whether the Milwaukee Rescue Mission can move forward with a proposed drug and alcohol recovery facility near Interstate 43 and Moorland Road. The meeting is set for 4 p.m. at New Berlin City Hall, weeks after the Board of Appeals deliberated in closed session and kept its decision secret for nearly three weeks.The nonprofit’s proposal calls for a 57,000-square-foot building that would serve more than 100 men at a time. New Berlin’s Plan Commission approved the proposal in December, but the project has faced months of pushback.The Board of Appeals heard both sides earlier this month, deliberated in closed session and voted, then did not announce its decision. The delay has added tension to the project.The group New Berlin Citizens United appealed the approval. The group is challenging the city’s decision to treat the facility as a church under zoning rules and is also raising concerns about emergency resources.”What’s been misconstrued is that we’re anti rescue mission. We’re not anti rescue mission. I believe that they have a right to apply to develop any kind of facility in New Berlin,” said Cody Fitzwilliams of New Berlin Citizens United. “I’ve never heard of any religious entity requiring its members to be male only and have some kind of addiction problem to join.”Spensor Fons, who lives in New Berlin, questioned the delay in announcing the vote.”That’s kind of ridiculous in my opinion. Because if they just talked about it and they just made a decision now, why would they announce it later?” Fons said.The Milwaukee Rescue Mission plans to move forward with the project regardless of the board’s decision. The nonprofit says it will keep pushing for the project, even if that means applying for more permits or rezoning.The Rescue Mission also needs to raise $12 million for the facility and says that cost could increase if there are more delays.

NEW BERLIN, Wis. —

A New Berlin appeals board is expected to announce whether the Milwaukee Rescue Mission can move forward with a proposed drug and alcohol recovery facility near Interstate 43 and Moorland Road.

The meeting is set for 4 p.m. at New Berlin City Hall, weeks after the Board of Appeals deliberated in closed session and kept its decision secret for nearly three weeks.

The nonprofit’s proposal calls for a 57,000-square-foot building that would serve more than 100 men at a time. New Berlin’s Plan Commission approved the proposal in December, but the project has faced months of pushback.

The Board of Appeals heard both sides earlier this month, deliberated in closed session and voted, then did not announce its decision. The delay has added tension to the project.

The group New Berlin Citizens United appealed the approval. The group is challenging the city’s decision to treat the facility as a church under zoning rules and is also raising concerns about emergency resources.

“What’s been misconstrued is that we’re anti rescue mission. We’re not anti rescue mission. I believe that they have a right to apply to develop any kind of facility in New Berlin,” said Cody Fitzwilliams of New Berlin Citizens United. “I’ve never heard of any religious entity requiring its members to be male only and have some kind of addiction problem to join.”

Spensor Fons, who lives in New Berlin, questioned the delay in announcing the vote.

“That’s kind of ridiculous in my opinion. Because if they just talked about it and they just made a decision now, why would they announce it later?” Fons said.

The Milwaukee Rescue Mission plans to move forward with the project regardless of the board’s decision. The nonprofit says it will keep pushing for the project, even if that means applying for more permits or rezoning.

The Rescue Mission also needs to raise $12 million for the facility and says that cost could increase if there are more delays.