New 'Life' for an Old Building?

The Plan Commission granted preliminary approval of the concept and footprint of an addition to the former West Suburban Christian Academy property at 1615 Silvernail Road for Apostolic Life Church.

, currently located at W271 S2929 Merrill Hills Road, is seeking to purchase the former school if the church can put an addition on the building for a sanctuary.

The proposed 8,364-square-foot addition would be on the front of the building, facing Silvernail Road. The building is a different campus than the former West Suburban Christian Academy campus where the

City Planner Mike Hoeft said that because the proposed addition is near one of the runways for Crites Field, the height of the building would be a concern. However, the addition seems to comply with the height limitations. He said that the church construction team would also have to check with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Waukesha County about any restrictions and for official approval.

In discussion, the Plan Commission encouraged the church to develop plans that included windows or some feature to break up the expanse on the front of the proposed addition.

Hoeft said that the property is zoned appropriately for church use so rezoning would not be required. Final Plan Commission approval would require detailed site plans, including grading, utilities, parking lot and landscaping.