NEW BERLIN — A proposed residential drug and alcohol recovery facility in New Berlin can move forward after the New Berlin Board of Appeals voted during a special meeting Monday to uphold the city’s interpretation of the project’s zoning status.
The proposal, submitted by the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, would establish a residential recovery campus near Moorland Road and Interstate 43. The project has generated significant debate in the community, with some residents raising concerns about property values, public safety and increased traffic in the area.
The focus of the appeal was New Berlin Plan Commission’s determination that the development qualifies as a church because it includes a chapel. Based on that interpretation, city officials concluded the facility is a permitted use within the city’s M-1 Industrial zoning district and does not require rezoning.
Opponents challenged that classification, arguing the commission improperly categorized the recovery facility as a church and should have required a different zoning review process.
The appeal came after a Waukesha County judge dismissed a lawsuit involving DeMoCat, LLC, Moorland Hospitality Group, LLC and the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. The plaintiffs had sought a writ of mandamus compelling the city to allow the project to proceed. Before the case was dismissed, the court granted a motion by New Berlin Citizens United to intervene.
“Yesterday’s decision affirms what city staff and the Plan Commission already determined: New Journey is a permitted use under city code. We’re grateful for the careful review and look forward to moving ahead with a privately funded, Christ-centered residential recovery program that is structured, secure, and staffed 24/7,” said Patrick Vanderburgh, president at Milwaukee Rescue Mission.
Following Monday’s decision, New Berlin Citizens United issued a statement expressing disappointment with the outcome while acknowledging the board’s role in the process.
“Today (Monday), the Board of Appeals issued its decision regarding the Milwaukee Rescue Mission proposal,” the group said. “While we are disappointed with the outcome, we respect the Board’s role in the process and appreciate the time and effort devoted to reviewing this matter.”
The organization emphasized that its opposition centered on zoning compliance and land-use questions rather than resistance to charitable or religious efforts.
“From the beginning, New Berlin Citizens United has sought to raise legitimate questions regarding zoning compliance, land-use classifications, and the long-term implications of this project,” the statement said.
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The group stressed that its role was advocating transparency.
“Our participation was never about opposing charitable work or religious organizations. Rather, it was about ensuring that local ordinances are applied consistently and that residents have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their community,” the statement said.
The group also highlighted the level of public participation the proposal generated, noting that hundreds of residents attended meetings, submitted comments and became involved in local government discussions.
Despite the setback, New Berlin Citizens United said it plans to remain active in advocating for transparency, accountability and thoughtful planning in the city.
Vanderburgh had previously said the project emerged from the organization’s long-term strategic planning efforts.
“As we were doing that, part one of the questions was, is God leading us to do something, the next kind of big thing,” Vanderburgh said. “We felt the next strategic thing to do would be to find a campus outside of the city that could be kind of a regional resource and then expand the capacity to serve more than twice as many men as we’re serving now, realizing that addiction, alcohol, or substance addiction is just everywhere.”
The mission’s New Journey recovery program currently operates at its central campus near Marquette University and serves 40 men in a residential recovery program. Vanderburgh said the organization has operated the program for four decades and increasingly serves participants from outside Milwaukee.
Under the proposal, the New Berlin campus would be dedicated exclusively to the recovery program and staffed around the clock.
“This campus will be specific to that program, and that’s always been the design,” Vanderburgh said. “It’s a community of men working together with our staff. We’ve got 24/7 staffing for the program.”