Meijer Store Project Vetted By Public At Two Hearings

Sussex Village President Greg Goetz described the two public hearings held Wednesday regarding the proposed Meijer store as productive with valuable input gained from both supporters and those that are opposed to the project.

About 100 residents attended and about two dozen spoke during the two public hearings for a condition-use permit and changes to the village's land-use map to allow for the store to be built.

"We answered a lot of the questions that they had," said Goetz. "I think some of the people were satisfied. They even stated that they were not totaling against the project, but they had a lot of questions…I think some of those were addressed."

Some of the concerns involve the proposed store being open 24 hours a day, traffic congestion that the big box may bring and the size of the proposed 200,000-square-foot store to be located at Highways K and 164 if approved. 

Another public hearing is scheduled for December 20 with the intention to field more concerns and suggestions from the public, according to Goetz.

"We want that input from the people. We are elected officials and not elected to make every decision based on what we feel. I want to get the pulse of the people in the village," he said.

The store, which plans to hire 200 to 250 employees, will be about 60 percent grocery and also consist of retail, a gas station, a garden center and pharmacy.