September 13, 2021 at 11:20 a.m.
Plan commission approves rezoning request, CUP for Blain's Farm and Fleet
Economic development collides with 'NIMBY' at public hearing
Plan commission approves rezoning request, CUP for Blain's Farm and Fleet
The approvals came despite opposition from a vocal group of property owners from the Timber Heights subdivision.
Many of the speakers said they are not against the store coming to Rhinelander, just the location. One actually said, "not in my backyard" which is often represented with the acronym NIMBY.
Jane Blain Gilbertson, owner and CEO of Blain's Farm and Fleet, said her father and uncle started the company 66 years ago, and she continues to operate with the same business philosophy they established.
As part of her presentation to the commission, she stated the retailer now has a total of 43 stores in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Michigan.
"A little bit about who we are in terms of what we sell and what our purpose is, we refer to ourselves as a modern general store. So all of the categories under one roof, if you know anything about the old general store, it's just a modern version of that," she said.
Gilbertson noted that the company has always prided itself on the connections it makes in the communities where it chooses to establish stores.
"The idea is to provide the community with a good assortment of quality products, brand name products, at great value that supports the community," Gilbertson said. "My dad and uncle started that by always supporting the communities that they are in. It should be noted, we have never closed a store in those 66 years (of company history). We are very thoughtful about the communities we choose, and we look at it as an investment in the community, and it is our responsibility to take care of that community because we are good neighbors."
She said the company has supported many organizations in the communities where it has located stores.
"Each store manager, as a matter of fact, has their own budget to determine what local organizations they might support," Gilbertson said. "Typically always agriculture or children-based, but beyond that we think each store manager is best equipped to make those decisions for each community."
When asked how much the company, as a whole, donates to local organizations, Gilbertson said, "I don't really know" but estimated the figure is in the "millions."
She also noted that the company is still family-owned.
"We think that is a differentiation between a lot of the large organizations," Gilbertson said.
One competitor in particular is often confused with Farm and Fleet.
Fleet Farm was started by the Mills brothers shortly after the Blain brothers opened their first store. Gilbertson said the Mills twins were so impressed, they asked for - and received - permission to use a variation of the Blain's company name for their own.
"We are not Fleet Farm," Gilbertson pointed out.
After Gilbertson's presentation, the floor was opened to the public. Chris Dries was the first to speak out against a "big box store" he said will affect the people in the Timber Heights neighborhood "greatly." He said the site would be better suited for the construction of more housing, which Rhinelander needs.
Dries also noted the increased traffic down Timber Drive would lead to problems for Timber Heights residents getting into and out of the area.
Jeff Verdoorn, executive director of the Oneida County Economic Development Corporation, spoke in favor of granting the requests. He stressed the economic development the project will bring to Rhinelander, including more jobs and increased tax revenue for the city.
"OCEDC has shown through tax levies that one new job will also create at least one other indirect jobs in our area," Verdoorn said, adding that the people hired would most likely be from the immediate area.
He also said property taxes would run between $125,000 and $200,000 based on the estimated value of the store when completed.
"This is a very good deal for our economy," Verdoorn observed.
He also noted the property has a sizable buffer of land that will remained undeveloped that would serve to isolate the properties to the east on Timber Drive.
Verdoorn also mentioned the separate housing and hotel studies the city is presently undertaking and noted that he expects the results of those studies will show that the Rhinelander area is poised for continued economic development and growth. This will further solidify Rhinelander's place as an economic hub for the Northwoods, he said.
"Growth means change, change can be a little bit unnerving," Verdoorn said, adding that the commission and the City Council can guide this growth so it is less daunting.
Following Verdoorn to the podium was a steady stream of speakers opposed to the project, and Tammy Javenkoski was first in line.
"I would ask you what would you feel if you lived on Woodland Drive or Timber Drive or Timber Heights Drive or anywhere around this property should it be rezoned commercial," Javenkoski said. "This is in our backyards. We have beautiful properties, we have quiet properties with mature trees. We have children, I even have animals. No disrespect for your business, I would love for it to be here just not in my backyard."
She said those who are in favor of the project see it "as a dollar figure."
"But please look at it from a human point of view," Javenkoski said. "There are a lot of people that will be affected very negatively if this were zoned commercial."
Thirteen other speakers followed Javenkoski. Some simply gave their names, addresses and said they supported what the previous speakers had said.
Sara Iverson Smith, director of real estate, construction and facilities for Blain's Farm and Fleet, then took to the podium. She spent most of her time addressing the gallery directly. She went through many of the concerns that had been raised and how the plans eliminate or greatly minimize their impact.
She also said that several existing buildings were looked at, but none met the requirements of the company.
Javenkoski was given an opportunity to respond to Smith's statement as a close to public comments.
"I would just like to say that what she said changes nothing for me," she said. "They are still in my backyard. There are other places they can go, and we don't want them in our backyard."
City attorney Steve Sorenson told the commissioners that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has ordered a traffic impact study be conducted to determine if access to the property off State Highway 17 will be allowed. But that has no legal standing as to the rezoning or the site plan that the company submitted.
Ultimately all three requests were passed with commissioner Sandy Bergman casting the lone dissenting votes. Bergman said the property would best serve the city as the site of residential homes.
The City Council was scheduled to review the commission's action during its regular meeting Monday evening. That meeting took place after this edition went to press.
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected].
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