Politics & Government

Walmart Site Issue Could Get to Board This Summer

The village has suggested a schedule for the group that would put a recommendation before the Planning Commission this spring, and in front of the board this summer.

The land use plan work group looking at zoning on the proposed Walmart site will work quickly over the next few weeks to meet the suggested timeline from Caledonia Village Administrator Mark Janiuk. 

After Walmart submitted a rezoning request and a land use amendment application, Village Administrator Mark Janiuk and Attorney Elaine Ekes presented the idea for the work group to the Plan Commission - which includes many of the same people who were on the original land use plan work group. 

It will address the inconsistencies between the 2035 land use plan, the 2006 neighborhood plan and the way land is currently zoned at 4-Mile and Green Bay Roads. There are land use designations of medium- and high-density residential on one plans, said Julie Anderson, of the Racine County Planning Department, but zoning for light industrial and a different residential designation on another plan. 

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"There are discrepancies in the land use plan against what the zoning shows," she said. "That's not necessarily wrong, but plans should be revisited every five to 10 years, like when we knew the train wasn't coming."

The group met for the first time Wednesday, and used the time to get a handle on the work expected of it and to set a schedule.

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Anderson also pointed out that this issue may be getting attention because of Walmart's application, but the work sessions cannot be about Walmart.

"This work group is not a hearing on Walmart and we need to be clear on that," she said. "Walmart made the request to look at the subject parcels, but they also asked to look at the VCM area. The Plan Commission could have said no to the work group and go straight to the question ... but the commission said, 'let’s get people’s ideas prior to the formal public hearing.'"

Janiuk's proposed schedule would have a recommendation to the Planning Commission by the conclusion of the May 15 meeting, for a total of four meetings. Former Town Chairman Susan Greenfield felt the schedule might be a little too aggressive, but Dale Miller thinks it's reasonable.

"We have a goal and we should have a deadline," he said. "We’re going to look at one portion of the land use plan so this won't be like it was originally. May 15 might be reasonable."

And, Ekes pointed out that with an application on the table, the village has to take action. Going this route allows the most public input for deciding what the community wants that area to look like. The group's meeting on April 17 will include a public comment period.

"There is time for people to sign up to talk to give their thoughts and visions for that area," she said. "It's not a public hearing so there is no formal record, but it will be good for the work group to hear from the community."

Subsequent meetings are scheduled for May 1 and May 15, but group members have penciled in May 8 as well.

After the work group makes its recommendation to the Plan Commission next month, commission members will make a recommendation to the Village Board. Trustees will then either send the matter back to the commission or schedule a public hearing where public input will be formally heard and be part of the record.

A final determination is expected from the Village Board sometime this summer.


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