Residents who live just outside the Decatur city limits continue to voice their disapproval for a voluntary annexation of property that would be used for heavy industrial zoning use.
The first reading of an ordinance on voluntary annexation for 163 acres on the north side of Farm Road 2264 east of U.S. 81/287 was held Monday.
However, the commission voted 3-2 to recommend denying the request to zone the property heavy industrial, which is the least restrictive of all zoning designations.
“Be careful what you do, because in 20 or 30 years you’ll look back and say, ‘Why did we put a manufacturing place right in the middle of our community?
Ernest Gunstream and Cathy Wells, who both own property along County Road 4010 that borders the Wise County Consortium property, talked about their concerns that a buffer would not have to be built between their properties since they were not in the city limits.
He explained the consortium’s property is located adjacent to existing heavy industrial property, which makes it a good fit for the city.
“I really feel like the city is wanting to grow,” Adams said.
We feel like in this instance we are providing some good benefits for the city.” Current EDC Director Thom Lambert also spoke in favor of the annexation and the heavy industrial zoning for the property and tried to address some of the concerns raised by the residents.
“Believe me, we don’t want anything nasty, filthy, dirty or loud,” Lambert said.
“You say you don’t want to live next to heavy industrial.

Wochit SHEBOYGAN – A state department charged with reviewing annexations has said the Kohler Company’s contentious bid to connect new land to the City of Sheboygan is “in the public interest.” But the Department of Administration is nevertheless advising the city and the Town of Wilson, which would lose land under the proposal, to work together on resolving irregular boundaries “to avoid future disputes.” The Kohler Company is pushing for the annexation in a bid to establish a new 18-hole golf course on land it owns in the Town of Wilson along Lake Michigan.
The Press received a copy of it after requesting the letter Tuesday from a city official.
“I’m stunned that something so contrived and all about one person can be called ‘public interest,’” added DesJardins, who characterized the proposed annexation and golf course as a pet project foisted on locals by former Kohler CEO Herbert V. Kohler Jr. Sheboygan Common Council members could vote as soon as their next meeting to approve the annexation, along with a few other related items.
Besides finding the move would be in the public’s interest, the department also suggested the proposed golf course would fit better in a city than in a town.
The type of annexation in question, though, has drawn scrutiny.
(The term refers to annexations that connect a large property — the “balloon” — to cities along narrow strips of adjoining land — the “string.”) The administration department doesn’t clearly say whether the Kohler Company’s proposal would meet conditions for annexation, though it hints that the move, “while not ideally shaped,” might survive legal challenge.
(Kohler’s move would involve connecting the golf course property to the city along a stretch of land between 190 and 1,450 feet wide.)
“Additionally, we find that the proposed land use of the annexation territory and the adjacent land to the north is more homogenous with the City than it is with the Town,” the department says, noting the proposed golf course is “urban in nature.” The letter suggests the city could eventually annex other nearby parts of the Town of Wilson, noting parts of the town near the golf course that have seen housing developments in the past fit more neatly in the city than in the township.
Committee recommends approving agreement The city’s Finance and Personnel Committee earlier this week voted, 3-to-1, to recommend the Common Council eventually approve a pre-annexation and development agreement with the Kohler Company.
Among other things, the agreement, which still needs approval from the full council, would spell out how the eventual golf course would connect with city water lines.

Northside subdivision faces costly annexation choice.
City staff, however, is recommending the annexation be delayed, and residents are feeling conflicted.
"And of course the financial situation," Schweiss said.
Despite the target date, the city is not obligated to pursue the annexation — which would require nearly $1 million in city contributions to the construction of sewer and water lines and streets.
And almost all of the lots are so large that there’s room to add a new septic system if the existing system is failing.
Because of the large lots, Hensonshire and Jo Ray are unlike other recently annexed rural subdivisions that had very limited options for failing sewer systems.
Property owners looking to sell or expand a home must be inspected with a plan in place to address failing sewer systems, which contribute to water pollution.
It’s also possible Blue Earth County may decide to inspect all noncompliant properties if the city officially decides to delay annexation, Hentges said.
If a majority want to get the process over with, they could petition the city to add the sewer project to its construction schedule with work probably occurring in 2019.
Council President Mike Laven suggested Hensonshire homeowners, if they opt for waiting, start socking away money each year for the inevitable bill.