Middleton Ponders Limiting Big Box Stores
Costco To Open Soon
Posted: 10:54 am CDT August 18, 2008
MIDDLETON, Wis. -- Costco is just about to open in Middleton but a proposed ordinance could make that the last big box store in town.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportMiddleton's Mayor Kurt Sonnentag said the ordinance would limit big box stores. The suggestion was made after rumors started that a Super Wal-Mart could go up in the Tribeca part of town.Supporters of the ordinance said they want to limit the traffic coming through town, but Sonnentag, who opposes the ordinance, said there isn't enough room for big box stores in Middleton for it to be an issue."Those growth areas that we've identified really don't have that much commercial involved in it. It's mostly residential, so the commercial area that we have is defined and we really don't have that much space for retailers," Sonnentag said.The ordinance is just being discussed, and the mayor said it likely won't be voted on until sometime this fall. But it's a topic that is being debated, especially with Costco set to open.A Wal-Mart project for Middleton is not in the works. Sonnentag said that representatives from Wal-Mart said that a Middleton store is not part of its three-year plan.Costco said that in communities with similar ordinances it has taken steps to make a store's appearance and landscaping above what is required by law.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportMiddleton's Mayor Kurt Sonnentag said the ordinance would limit big box stores. The suggestion was made after rumors started that a Super Wal-Mart could go up in the Tribeca part of town.Supporters of the ordinance said they want to limit the traffic coming through town, but Sonnentag, who opposes the ordinance, said there isn't enough room for big box stores in Middleton for it to be an issue."Those growth areas that we've identified really don't have that much commercial involved in it. It's mostly residential, so the commercial area that we have is defined and we really don't have that much space for retailers," Sonnentag said.The ordinance is just being discussed, and the mayor said it likely won't be voted on until sometime this fall. But it's a topic that is being debated, especially with Costco set to open.A Wal-Mart project for Middleton is not in the works. Sonnentag said that representatives from Wal-Mart said that a Middleton store is not part of its three-year plan.Costco said that in communities with similar ordinances it has taken steps to make a store's appearance and landscaping above what is required by law. Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
