VERONA, Wis. -- Verona has attracted another possible big-box development as city officials continue to refine a possible ordinance.

A Sun Prairie developer said that he's open to anything in the city, WISC-TV reported.

Verona Mayor John Volker said that the latest big-box talk is only the latest reason the City Council needs to act quickly on an ordinance.

The most recent big-box plan is only one early option, but it involves a prime piece of real estate close to Verona's downtown that has made headlines before.

Eight years ago, a business college trying to open in a former nursing home went belly up just before school started -- stranding more than 100 students.

The bankrupt property was bought by a Sun Prairie developer who opened the elder care facility Hometown Village.

Two months ago, however, developer Bill Clemens closed it down to pave the way for new development. Epic's 340-acre project is pushing the development envelope in Verona.

"We recently shut the facility down, moved the residents to other existing facilities that we own and I think the development time with Epic in town is just ideal for it," Clemens said.

There's already been serious talk of a multi-"big-box" development on what's known as the Thompson property on the city's west side, WISC-TV reported.

City officials said that something like a Home Depot and Kohl's could go in, although nothing is on paper.

The other two proposals include some possible big box retail -- either one or two stores.

"I don't know if we're really leaning that direction," Clemens said. "I know the city is probably more receptive to a downscale big box, not something large. We won't say any names, but more like the Walgreens-type thing."

Clemens said that Wal-mart hasn't approached him about the land, but other big-box retailers have, as well as a big church group that is looking to set up a Christian retreat.

Whatever pans out, Volker said that the city needs to act on a big-box ordinance soon.

"The world doesn't stand still," Volker said. "Somebody could come in and propose a plan right now and we don't have (an ordinance). You know, so we want to get something in place."

After three drafts, the ordinance that Verona is currently considering doesn't set size limits and instead relies on a slew of minimum standards. The standards cover everything from landscaping and noise to storm-water runoff and architecture.

All projects go through a three-step process for approval, WISC-TV reported.

The city's been working on big-box regulation for almost a year and a half.