Somers industrial park gets preliminary OK

September 20, 2013 |
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Somers — The Plan Commission gave a collective nod Monday night to a proposed industrial park development on 309 acres of farmland at highways H and S.

Majestic Realty Co. is proposing the project. Although there is no timeline yet, and sale of the land must be completed, Josh Wheeler of Majestic said the company plans a long-term commitment to the development.

Majestic already is developing a single-tenant property in Pleasant Prairie. The Somers project would include multiple tenants.

Wheeler said the company was attracted to Somers due to Wisconsin’s “extremely pro-growth,” pro-business, pro-job development stance.

Town Administrator Bill Morris assured the commission the proposal fits into the town’s Smart Growth plan required by the state, as well as the town’s neighborhood land use plan “for non-residential industrial or business park” development.

Flooding concerns

Several residents with neighboring properties expressed concerns about management of runoff water to prevent flooding should the project come to fruition.

“Are we going to get flooded out?” asked Angie Pasquale, whose home in the 2000 block if Highway H abuts the north line of the park.

Pasquale said springtime flooding already is a problem in the area.

“You also lose a ton of dirt when that water starts flowing. The fields just keep getting lower and lower,” Pasquale said.

Glenn Fenske, whose family has farmed adjacent acreage to the east for four generations, said he family isn’t against the proposed development, but wants to see plans for flood control.

“When you’ve got water running right through the center of your 140 acres, that’s a concern,” said Fenske, who lives in the 2900 block of 72nd Avenue.