Rezoning clears way for relocation of Werner Electric

• Grand Chute reclassifies a 40-acre property for industrial use.
• Homeowners fear industrial businesses will increase truck traffic and noise.
• The town plans to create its first tax incremental financing district to recover its costs.

GRAND CHUTE – Promoting an increased tax base and job growth, the Town Board voted 5-0 Tuesday to rezone 40 acres of vacant land for industrial use to accommodate a new corporate office and regional distribution center for Werner Electric Supply Co. of Neenah.

The property, located at the northwest corner of Prospect Avenue and Casaloma Drive, currently is zoned for commercial use. The rezoning still needs approval from Outagamie County.

Bob Buckingham, Grand Chute's director of community development, said Werner Electric's search for a new location extended beyond the Fox Cities, so the town's ability to keep the company local is a triumph for the area.

"This is a wonderful business expansion project that is the best news for Grand Chute in many years in terms of true economic development," Buckingham said.

About 100 people attended the meeting, and many of them wore stickers saying "No to industrial." Six people spoke against the rezoning during a public forum. They expressed concerns with a lack of information from the town and with traffic congestion, noise and safety. They also questioned the board's fiduciary and moral responsibility to residents and residential property values.

"I'd expect this in China," said Tom Riordan, a resident on Waterstone Court. "I'd expect this in Chicago. I don't expect it in Grand Chute."

After the vote, Kathryn Rowen, a spokeswoman for the 230 people who signed an online petition against the rezoning, said opponents would pursue legal action.

"That's why we had our lawyer here," Rowen said. "We didn't expect anything different than the town to approve this. It's unfortunate."

The new site would allow Werner Electric to grow its business and increase employment. The new building would house about 200 employees who currently work at the company's headquarters and distribution center in Neenah. The opening of the facility is scheduled for early 2016.

Scott Teerlinck, president of Werner Electric, said the company would be a good neighbor. "It is our intention to work together to address the concerns that have been raised in the areas of safety, noise and our hours of operation," he said.

Buckingham said Werner Electric would build on the southern 25 to 30 acres of the property and that its trucks would use Prospect to get to and from U.S. 41. He said the town would place restrictive covenants on the northern section of the property to ensure its use is compatible with nearby residences.

The covenants, he said, would "provide much greater protection than is available today with the commercial zoning that currently is in place."

Grand Chute plans to spend $3.5 million to prepare the 40-acre property for development. The investment would pay for land acquisition, sewer and water services, stormwater management, site work, street improvements and traffic controls.

The town intends to create its first tax incremental financing district to recover the $3.5 million investment. In a TIF district, the amount of property taxes collected by local schools and governments is frozen at the base year's value. New tax revenue generated in the TIF district from rising property values — the increment — goes toward paying back the public investment and is diverted from the other taxing entities.

— Duke Behnke: 920-993-7176, or dbehnke@postcrescent.com; on Twitter @DukeBehnke

At a glance

Name: Werner Electric Supply Co.

Business: Provider of automation, electrical and data communication products and services to industrial, commercial and construction customers

Founded: 1948

Headquarters: Neenah, but moving to Grand Chute in 2016

Locations: Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Janesville, Kenosha, Madison, Neenah, Pewaukee, Sheboygan, Stevens Point, Wausau and Kingsford, Mich.

Employment: 350, including 200 in Neenah

Annual sales: $250 million

Leadership: Lynn T. MacDonald, owner and chief executive officer; Scott Teerlinck, president

Website: www.wernerelectric.com