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Politics & Government

Hudson Coucil's Rezoning of 64 Acres Draws Criticism

The City Council unanimously approved changing the zoning of about 64 acres from general business to light industrial at the July 5 meeting.

The Hudson City Council agreed to rezone nearly 64 acres of land in Hudson’s southwest corner by Highway 35 and Hanley Road from general business to light industrial Tuesday, despite opposition from neighborhood residents during a public hearing prior to the July 5 meeting.

The newly-rezoned area butts up to another industrial zone, which Alderperson Lori Bernad said made her decision to approve the rezoning easier.

“It’s adjacent to another industrial park, it seems logical (to approve this change),” she said.

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But some nearby residents didn’t like the idea of the addition in their neighborhood. Some residents came forward during a public hearing session before the meeting to say they purchased their homes with the expectation that the land would eventually develop into commercial. One woman said she opposed the zoning change because she had hopes of “walking to a store and buying something.”

Others were concerned with the impact large trucks would have on
the new community and would prefer the original plan be followed. Alderperson Lee Wyland disagreed saying a strip mall would bring in much more traffic than an industrial company.

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Fellow Alderperson Mary Yacoub also supported the plan to rezone,
especially since the company interested in moving into the property, Uline, is a company she supports. She visited a Uline California site and reported it was a “beautiful” building that was well maintained, low traffic and quiet. Uline sells businesses packaging equipment and supplies and has proposed the construction of a 640,000-square-foot building which would bring nearly 150 jobs to the community.

Alderperson John Hoggard echoed Yacoub and said he has been to
Uline’s Eagan plant many times and thinks the company would be a good fit in Hudson.

The plan to rezone passed unanimously.

In other City Council news:

- Approval was given for the purchase of a new Ford Expedition with a $26,099 price tag to update the EMS fleet. The new chase vehicle will replace a Dodge Durango – which will be traded in when the new
ride is paid for with cash on hand. The lights and other emergency equipment, said EMS Chief Eric Christensen, will transfer from the old to the new vehicle. This is the first step in giving the fleet an overhaul, Bernard told the finance committee.

- A $34,911 bid to Eau Claire Roofing to re-roof the Public Works garage was unanimously approved. The bit was the only one made
and maintained after some initial bidders backed out of the project proposal. A $40,000 budget from 2011 capital bonds was set to cover the under-budget project.

- Hudson residents have a new option for disposal of yard waste- the council unanimously approved a Veolia Environmental Services proposal. The new optional plan will have residents pay $90 a year or
$20 a month to have scheduled pick up of yard waste. Troy Hemmesh, from Veloia, said the proposal will help route the company’s entry-level position. The new proposal, however, won’t eliminate the current option to have a Friday pick up scheduled when needed.

-  Tom Zeuli, director of public works and parks, was given approval to purchase a new aeration blower. Currently, he told the council members, the four blowers –which use the most power on site- are from 1979 and 1999 and each operate on 100 horsepower. The new blower will be 50 horse power and come with a 90-day trial period. The new blower costs $58,000 but promises a minimum $7,846 annual savings and with a $14,156 grant the blower will be paid back in 5.6 years. The proposal was unanimously approved.

- Hudson joined other Wisconsin municipalities and counties in redistricting following a census. The wards now change with the
update and council’s unanimous approval. The wards, in part, determine polling locations, wards one, two, nine and 10 will now vote at Hudson City Hall, wards five-eight will vote in the fellowship hall at Hudson United Methodist Church and wards three, four, 11 and 12 will vote in the community room at the St. Croix County Government Center. Next the aldermanic district changes will be discussed at an undated public hearing and up for approval after the hearing.

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