DENMARK — Despite a loophole that states the village could annex New Denmark property four miles outside of the village's border, it's not likely to happen, effectively killing plans for a new soccer complex.

The owners of the property, Clement and Theresa Kafka, 4881 Langes Corners Road, have withdrawn their petition for annexation.

In a letter to village President Robert Goral and village Administrator Gordon Ellis, the Kafkas stated, "After approximately 1˝ years of attempting to get this approved by the town of New Denmark officials and being routinely denied, we cannot continue to ride the emotional roller-coaster ride because of the stress and anxiety it has caused."

The Green Bay Lightning soccer club had hoped to install a soccer complex of more than 20 fields on 80 acres of the Kafkas' land. It was twice rejected by the New Denmark Town Board as board members cited traffic and some land management concerns.

Had the village annexed the land and allowed the property outside of its own boundaries, it could have created tensions between the two municipalities, New Denmark Town Board Chairman Gary T. Moore said at Monday's Plan Commission meeting.

"On Nov. 10, the Town Board of New Denmark went on record opposing the annexation of the property owned by Clement and Theresa Kafka … " Moore said reading from a statement. "Creating this island would create extreme hardship with the town … the village and town have had minor problems in the past, but they were worked out by working together."

Moore said the town has tried to work with the property owner and was rejected.

Milton Bielinski, the only village resident to speak, said he does not think the annexation fits with the village's smart growth plan.

Ellis said he hopes the Green Bay Lightning continue to look for a site in Brown County for its soccer complex.

The Plan Commission voted to recommend rejecting the annexation. The Village Board will take up the issue Dec. 1.

— Steve Arveson writes for the Denmark Press.