More public comments on the proposed Menards store--but "no" votes still prevail

The Decorah City Council again heard from the public Monday night about the proposed Menards store on Old Stage Road.  14 people spoke--five in favor and nine opposed.

City resident Ron Onsager urged city council members to consider the economic impact of a Menards store.  He said the city shouldn't turn down additional tax receipts.  Decorah resident Willard Hanson also supported Menards, saying the city allowed Gundersen Clinic and the city wastewater treatment plant to build in the floodplain and should allow Menards to do likewise.  Another speaker, Steve Downing, said we shouldn't tell Menards where to put its store.

Nine speakers opposed the Menards application, including several Freeport residents.  Ardith Rooney reminded the city council "your decision will affect us."  Ted Schacherer, who lives across from Walmart on Old Stage Road, said a new Menards store would add to traffic problems on the road.  He also warned of "the cumulative effect of all developments."  Freeport resident Kristine Bradbury said she and other Freeport residents spent a lot of money cleaning up from the 2016 flood.  "It was like a war zone," she said.

Menards representative Tyler Edwards told city council members Menards would not sue the city if it rejected the rezoning.  "We're on the same team (as the city)," he promised.

The Decorah City Council will bring up the issue again on October 1st.