Lisbon opposes Meijer's

Village of Sussex - Three Town of Lisbon officials tonight refused to go along with recommended terms for a proposed permit for the construction and operation of a nearly 200,000 square foot Meijer's grocery and household goods super store at the intersection of Hwys. 164 and K.

The negative votes of Town Chairman Matt Gehrke, Supervisor Joe Osterman and Plan Commissioner Neil Sasse blocked what would have been a favorable review of the project by a joint Town of Lisbon-Village of Sussex Plan Committee.

The vote is largely symbolic because the committee does not have the authority to approve or reject proposed developments. The committee was created by a border agreement between the two communities to review projects along the town-village boundaries, according to Sussex Village Attorney John Macy.

The Meijer's store is located on farmland in the town that is in the process of being added to the village for development as part of the border agreement.

The town officials argued the proposed development is too large, poses problems for controlling storm water and flooding and  will result in increased truck and car traffic on town and county roads.

An attorney for two town families who own land near the development warned the joint-committee that the border agreement is being violated.

Milwaukee Attorney Joseph Cincotta argued the agreement stipulates that any project near the boundaries of the two communities must meet the conditions of long term land use plans of the communities.

Cincotta said the project violates the village's land use plan because the documents encourages the development of retail stores of about 100,000 square feet while discouraging the development  of "big box stores" along Hwy. 164.

Village Trustees recently changed the plan and argued a portion of the land was always designated for commercial use.