Village Board Moves Forward With Reevaluating Land Use Plan

The Village Board approved a resolution Tuesday night to reexamine the land use plan for multiple areas in the Village.

Initially, the Board had limited the scope of the study to Highway 31. However, after further discussion, several board members felt other areas should be included in the study. In a 5 to 2 vote, the Village Board directed Julie Anderson, zoning administrator for the Village, to develop a list of areas that could be looked at for commercial development.

Jerry Griswold and Kathy Burton voted against the resolution. Griswold opposed expanding the scope of the study because he felt nothing would get accomplished.

A land use plan helps to guide development within municipalities and is intended to involve the community in the planning process.

Ron Coutts, the Village President, told the crowd that they weren't looking at the land use plans for a potential commercial development, even though one could happen on Highway 31 and Four Mile Road. Still, developers for a potential 115,000-square foot development, which would include a 40,000 square foot grocery store and other retail space, have yet to file a formal proposal with the planning department.

Coutts said they were looking at reevaluating the land use plans because of the potential I-794 extension that could come into Caledonia.

Anderson said she and the Village staff would make a list of potential areas for developemnt and prioritize the list, then bring that list back to the Village Board for approval. They would also solicit input from community members through neighborhood meetings and hold public hearings on any potential changes to those land use plans.