Given A Second Chance, Developer Scores A Goal With Soccer Field Plans

Frank O’Connor’s near Weyer Road and Lisbon Road thudded off the crossbar earlier in June. However, his retooled plan hit the back of the nets and scored a goal with the Menomonee Falls Plan Commission Tuesday.

O’Connor got the OK to from commissioners Tuesday to move forward with a plan to build three soccer fields on 10 acres of land along Weyer Road. The fields would include parking for 103 vehicles.

Commissioners put the brakes on O’Connor’s plan June 9 because the details were far from ironed out, and a number of concerns from neighbors still needed to be addressed.  Tuesday’s meeting was a continuation of the public hearing that began June 9.

The parking lot was moved further from Lisbon Road and berms were built in to screen the fields from surrounding residents. The Fire Department also had concerns that were rectified.

Throughout the process, O’Connor met with neighbors near the proposed fields and changed the plans to appease their concerns. In the end, when minds came together a plan much better than the original was developed.

“I think this is wonderful how this has all worked out,” said Commissioner Tim Newman. “I think that a lot of credit goes to everyone for getting together and getting a much better plan than what we had in the first place.”

Still, not all in attendance Tuesday were pleased about the fields. Commissioners heard concerns about parking along the road, traffic and crowds gathering during games.

“We have no problem about the soccer fields, but we want to be sure that this is for adults only once you let kids start playing you get grandmas, grandpas, aunts and uncles there,” said Joyce Mercenelli.

One man brought an agreement from 1890 between the village and Brookfield that diverted water toward his property. He was concerned that water would flood his property as a result of the new fields.

Commissioners told the man the agreement from 1890 that diverted water toward his yard was a matter that would need to be taken up at a different meeting. 

Under O’Connor’s plan, parking would be regulated with passes, and teams that use the fields will be given a limited number. An attendant will also be on the scene regulating parking. Fields would also only be used by adult teams, and would need approval from the police department if used for youth games.

Parking by teams, players and staff at the field is prohibited along Weyer and Lisbon roads. Commissioner Chris Rolenc also added a provision that was agreed on to prohibit parking on River Road as well.

While several people were leery of the soccer filed proposal, almost an equal number were in favor Tuesday. Residents said the village has an abundance of baseball fields, but a shortage of soccer fields.

“You look for soccer fields and in Sussex they have one. I really favor the opportunity to continue to develop soccer fields because we just don’t have that many. We have ball fields everywhere though,” said Tom Konkol, girls soccer head coach at Hamilton High School.

The soccer fields proposal will go to the Village Board July 5 for final approval.