Village plan addresses development

Posted: July 7, 2009

Village of Mukwonago — One of the key elements in the village's new comprehensive plan is economic development.

According to the plan, the goal of the economic development element is to analyze the workforce and business environment within the village to create a sustainable community where employees can enjoy the live/work interaction in which they reside.

The plan addresses several concerns of local business owners and residents. A public participation survey was mailed to all residents in the village to determine what types of businesses are seen as desirable and which businesses and services are not needed. Retail businesses received the most responses as desirable.

Four locations were identified by survey responses as areas where future development should be planned: downtown, north (Pick 'n Save region), far south (Walmart, Home Depot region) and south (old Walmart, Sleep Inn region.)

Attracting new business

"Attracting new businesses to locate in the Village of Mukwonago involves many factors," notes the plan. "Factors in which the village lacks control are as broad as the state income tax, the willingness of residents to work in a specific industry and the state of the regional economy."

The survey results concluded that the village must attempt to retain young professionals for businesses to hire. According to the report, many businesses turned away from locating in Mukwonago because there was not enough of a skilled labor force and they were not able to find qualified employees, even though the village is part of a quality school district.

Another setback for business owners may be the village's sign ordinance, which was identified as being unfriendly to businesses.

Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator Joe Hankovich explained that the sign ordinance was redone in 2003.

"That's when it became anti-friendly, in my opinion," he said.

Hankovich has been asked by the Village Board to review the ordinance and make recommendations on how to make it more business-friendly. He said he hopes to find a balance between the size of the signs and the areas in which they are located.

"This is a complicated issue," said Hankovich. "We want it to be business-friendly, but we want the community to look nice also."

A tax burden may also negatively influence business owners. In 2007, the village had a property tax ranking in the upper half of all the communities in Waukesha County. There is also no additional space available for industrial growth in the existing industrial park.

Finally, the report notes that, "a few individuals that do not appear to be interested in selling or developing their property at this time control a large amount of vacant land in the village. This situation may hinder potential to attract economic development opportunities."

Village Administrator Paul Moderacki explained that the toughest problem that any village has to face is the rights to private ownership.

"People can ask whatever they want for a piece of land … the village has to respect the rights of what they (landowners) feel is in their best interest. There's the tension of what is best for the entire community and respecting the rights of others," he said.

Moderacki said the goal of the plan is not just to get businesses to come to Mukwonago but to think more proactively about what kind of development the village would need and then try to attract those businesses.

According to Moderacki, 80 percent of all local businesses don't come in from the outside, but instead develop from within.

"We also need to be more proactive in the development of local business itself," he said.

Taking action

Some of the element's goals are to attract and retain high-quality development, to coordinate and communicate with the Mukwonago Area Chamber of Commerce and to develop and implement an official downtown master plan.

The plan notes that the revitalization of the downtown area is a priority and that a committee should be formed to help with strategic planning.

A public information meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. July 16 to provide residents with information about the plan, which can be viewed in its entirety at www.villageofmukwonago.com.