COTTAGE GROVE, Wis. -- Cottage Grove wants to keep its small town feel.

So, in an unprecedented move, village trustees voted on an ordinance regulating big box stores in their community.

Watching other neighboring communities struggle with the big box issue prompted the board to take action before the village was approached by a large retailer.

Dave Schommer owns the Piggly Wiggly in town and is glad to see the proactive measure.

Schommer said his supermarket's 26,000 square feet could be dwarfed by big box retailer.

"My business operates close as it is and to lose a small bit, even at this point, would be devastating," said Schommer.

Cottage Grove has grown from 1,000 residents just 15 years ago to nearly 5,000.

Schommer said that growth has been crucial in keeping his business alive.

"We've seen our volume double since we've opened which is definitely good," said Schommer.

Schommer and village trustees want to keep Cottage Grove's small town feel.

"We are by no means trying to keep big boxes out of Cottage Grove, but when they come they'll hopefully blend in and become a nice part of our community," said village trustee Kevin Hoey.

The ordinance addresses a variety of factors including storm water runoff, size of parking lots and exterior facades.

It also sets a limit of 60,000 square feet, which is about the size of a small Wal Mart.

"Going up against another grocery store would be easier than going up against a superstore," said Schommer.

"I'm hoping that by enacting this we can keep competition equal," said Hoey. "We don't want to drive businesses out of business."

Village trustees say the ordinance is designed to preserve that small town image while also deciding how the village will identify itself in the future.

Currently no large chain has approached the village about development.