Racine---A classic land use battle is playing out here.
A manufacturing company says it may move its plant out of the city unless it can buy a small corner of adjacent park land for expansion purposes. Fischer USA—a company that makes high-speed spindles for the aerospace industry and other sectors---needs less than an acre of the 7-acre Pierce Woods Park for a 10,000 sq. ft. expansion. The addition would allow the company to increase its workforce from 65 to 85 employees.
A city council committee narrowly recommended approval of the sale this past week, over the objections of a number of park neighbors. Susan Schuett complained about the dozen or so Oak trees that would be lost. "They're the top of the niche. They're Oaks," she said. They're historic in and of themselves."
Tammy Haywood supported the sale. "I don't think three-quarters of an acre is worth losing what amounts to 85 jobs that are good paying family-supporting jobs," she said.
Another council committee will weigh in on the issue when it meets Monday night. The matter eventually will go before the full council.
The proposed purchase price is $40,000
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From our partners at WRJN.