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Suamico trustees reshape Chapter 5: favor grant-ready language and active redevelopment
Summary
Trustees revised Chapter 5 (economic development) of Suamico's comprehensive plan, removing or rewording some items (e.g., the Vickery Village master plan reference), keeping historic Downtown Suamico as a focus, and preferring active language to 'drive redevelopment' and preserve grant eligibility.
The Suamico Village Board spent the bulk of its Nov. 17 meeting revising Chapter 5 of the village comprehensive plan, focused on economic development objectives for the Vickery/Victory Village town center, the US Highway 41/141 corridor, and regional retail areas.
Trustees debated whether to retain language referencing the "Vickery Village Town Center concept master plan," with several members arguing the master plan has been substantially implemented. Trustee Stevens and others recommended replacing that phrase with a broader reference to "historic Downtown Suamico." Trustee 4 said, "I would remove Vickery Village and say historic Downtown Suamico because it really encapsulates all of it."
Administrator Caker urged the board to keep aspirational items in the plan to preserve eligibility for grant programs: "When we apply for any type of grant opportunity, a common question is, is this included in your comprehensive plan? And if it is, you get bonus points for it," Caker said. That reasoning persuaded some trustees to retain certain objectives but to sharpen the wording.
A recurring debate centered on whether the village should "consider," "support," or take active steps to redevelop underutilized parcels along the highway corridor. After extended discussion trustees favored stronger, action-oriented wording. An unnamed speaker who led several motions urged a change from passive language and said, "We will proactively drive redevelopment of underutilized parcels in the village of Suwanaku," framing a shift toward measurable village priorities.
Trustees also discussed public access to the Suamico River and Bay of Green Bay, balancing aspirations for expanded waterfront access against cost and limited village authority to acquire private land. The board generally agreed to retain references that preserve the village’s ability to seek grants while avoiding promises to purchase property. On design standards for new development, trustees discussed how to enforce site-plan and design requirements now that the former design review committee has been dissolved; staff noted zoning code standards remain and the board could revise the municipal code or exercise direct oversight.
The board's edits will be incorporated and sent to the planning and zoning commission and citizen representatives for further review; several trustees noted final prioritization of strategic goals will follow a later synthesis of all plan chapters.
