Planning Commission backs conditional use and site plan for Modern Fence Technologies headquarters in East Troy business park

The Village of East Troy Planning Commission recommended Village Board approval of a conditional use permit and approved the site plan for a new 53,317-square-foot industrial building for Modern Fence Technologies (applicant: MFT East Troy LLC), at the northeast corner of Corporate Circle and Executive Drive.

Planner Oren told the commission the project includes an approximately 5,950-square-foot paved outdoor storage area that the applicant proposes to screen with a 6-foot vinyl fence and an additional fuel/utility tank area on the south side of the building shown on an updated plan the applicant provided at the meeting. Oren said staff proposes conditions requiring an updated landscape plan, revised architectural elevations, and lighting cut sheets as part of final administrative review.

Applicant Fred Carlson described the building program: offices at the front, a metal fabrication shop and mold shop on the south side, and loading docks and the outdoor storage area on the east elevation. Carlson said the company currently has about 20 employees and expects that could grow to about 30; staff noted the plan proposes about 36 off-street parking spaces.

Commissioners asked whether the tanks would present an explosion risk and what type of product would be stored. The applicant and staff clarified the tanks are liquid oxygen and nitrogen in the described configuration, and the applicant said deliveries typically pull inside and the tanks are not left exposed. The commission discussed screening options; staff recommended screening that matches the building or a precast screen wall rather than the initially proposed vinyl fence.

Engineering review raised a drainage issue: Lynch (consultant) warned directing storm sewer and swale flow toward neighboring property could create drainage or flooding issues. Staff said the parcel has wetlands that cross property lines and recommended connecting to the Corporate Circle storm sewer with sizing calculations; staff also cautioned the village likely cannot approve a discharge onto a neighbor’s property without the neighbor’s permission.

The fire chief reviewed turning movements and, after seeing the submitted drawings, reported no further concerns assuming firewall ratings and state standards are met. Staff also noted the project remains subject to business park protective covenants and that sign approval will proceed as a separate application.

An unidentified commissioner moved to recommend conditional-use approval subject to conditions 1–5; the motion was seconded and the commission voted in favor. Later in the meeting the commission approved the site plan and plan-of-operations for MFT East Troy LLC, subject to conditions 1–26, with the motion carrying by voice vote.

Next procedural steps include Village Board consideration of the conditional-use order and administrative review of the required landscape, lighting, and architectural revisions before final approvals.