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Neighbors urge Verona to drop proposed Public Works site on Shady Bend Road over safety, planning and groundwater concerns
Summary
Two Shady Bend residents told the council the Smith property proposed for a new Public Works facility conflicts with the comprehensive plan's 'transition' designation, would route heavy trucks down a narrow road ill‑suited to them and could risk groundwater contamination from salt sheds; the mayor said staff will do further research and the council is scheduled to revisit the site Oct. 13.
Dale Velske (6422 Shady Bend Road) and Janet Nodorff (6415 Shady Bend Road) told the Verona Common Council they oppose siting the city’s proposed Public Works facility on the Smith property adjacent to the Shady Bend neighborhood.
Velske said the city's comprehensive‑plan map designates the 40‑acre parcel as a "residential transition area" and that placing the municipal facility there would preclude the planned buffer between commercial Liberty Drive and the Shady Bend residential area. He argued Shady Bend Road is unsuitable for frequent heavy vehicles, citing thin pavement and past incidents when snowplows and heavy trucks damaged the road surface. He also warned the facility’s salt sheds pose a risk to private wells and septic systems in an area he described as internally drained, and he cited "Trans 2 77" and DNR monitoring as relevant regulatory references.
Nodorff said the site would bring noise, bright lights and diesel fumes to a quiet neighborhood, endanger pedestrians and cyclists on a curving narrow road without sidewalks, and threaten mature trees and wildlife. She said the project would undermine local investments in home property values.
Mayor Luke Diaz said open‑meetings law limited council discussion at this time but asked staff to research the site concerns and confirmed the item will be discussed at the Oct. 13 meeting after staff follow‑up.
No formal approval or site decision was made at the Sept. 22 meeting.
