At the meeting this Wednesday afternoon Mayor Lois
called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. starting with a
roll call: Frank Cannella, Larry Dawley, Paul Mueller,
Bill Phenicie, Matthew Russell and Robin Vos. Excused:
David Torgler, Kenneth Jaeger, Pat Hoffman and Karen
Schinke. Also present was Jenny Trick of Racine County
Economic Development Corporation.
Approval of Minutes. Motion by Frank Cannella,
seconded by Robin Vos the minutes of the August 15, 2001
EDC meeting were approved.
Presentation by and discussion with Thomas Kopatich
of Polacheck Company relative to Alternative Building
Materials within Area Business Parks.
Tom Kopatich of the Polacheck Company was not able to
attend the EDC meeting due to a family emergency but
provided alternative building material information in
advance of the meeting. Specifically, information
regarding the Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS)
was provided to the committee members, as well as photos
of local buildings that incorporated this material.
Additionally, a section of the M-3 zoning ordinance was
provided and discussed pertaining to the building
material that are allowed within said zoning district.
In review of the ordinance, the following was
highlighted:
"The use of the following building materials for
exterior building facades shall be prohibited on any
building façade facing a public street right-of-way:
Plain concrete;
Plain concrete block;
Metal siding;
Corrugated metal building skins;
Plywood and wood panel composite siding."
It was noteworthy that the verbiage "facing a public
street right-of-way" determined that there appears to be
some latitude in the building materials used on
non-facing public street right-of-way sides of the
building. Therefore, after considerable discussion, the
members concluded that it remains important to continue
the use of aesthetically compatible materials as the
other existing buildings within the Burlington
Manufacturing and Office Park. However, the members
believed that in review of the approved ordinance
language, it was appropriate to consider alternative
building materials on non-facing public street
right-of-way elevations of buildings.
Old Business. None
New Business.
A Discussion of "Big Box" Retail Opportunities within
Communities.
A number of documents regarding the impact of "Big
Box" retailers were provided to the committee members
for their review and discussion. Some of the committee
members were concerned about the long-term maintenance
issues that appear to be deferred at some area large
retail facilities. Discussion occurred regarding the
potential mechanisms to prevent such deferral matters at
any proposed facilities within the Burlington community.
The EDC members concluded that it is important to
allow the market to determine the success of a retail
opportunity. However, the members also concurred that it
is also the responsibility of the municipality to ensure
that there are adequate safeguards and preventive
measures in place to ensure a compatible long-term
relationship with the retail/developer/property owner
within the Burlington community.
Adjourn.
On a motion by Bill Phenicie, seconded by Robin Vos
the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Recording Secretary – Jenny Trick, RCEDC
