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Page 1 of 5 1 Community Development Department 222 Lewis Street River Falls, WI 54022 715.425.0900 www.rfcity.org MINUTES PLAN COMMISSION AUGUST 4, 2026 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS Members Present: Rob Gormanson, Arriety Lowell, Diane Odeen, Steven Severson, Michael Woolsey, Alison Page Members Absent: Chris Holtkamp Staff Present: Emily Shively, Becky Corson, Jonathan Thoen CALL TO ORDER Meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES M/Odeen, S/Woolsey to approve minutes. Motion carried 6/0. PUBLIC COMMENTS William Hanson (N8723 1025th Street) – Spoke about the Junction Falls Dam and Hydro facility. Hanson noted the recent relicensing of the hydro facility and the estimated continued renewable electricity for another 40 years. Hanson also discussed the condition of the Dam and Hydro facility and the benefits it provides to the City. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (None) REPORTS Comprehensive Plan Implementation Updates Emily Shively, Assistant Director of Community Development, presented about implementation of the City’s 2023 Comprehensive Plan. Shively indicated that the previous Comprehensive Plan had been adopted in 2005 and that the purpose of the presentation was to review accomplishments since adoption of the updated plan, implementation actions and next steps. Shively covered that the Comprehensive Plan serves as the City’s guide for community, physical, social, and economic development and establishes a long-term vision over a twenty-year period, while functionally serving as a 10 -year planning document. Shively mentioned that this plan establishes the foundation for other City regulations and planning tools, including the official map, subdivision regulations, and zoning regulations. Shively mentioned that the 2023 planning process also included updates to the City’s Outdoor Recreation Plan and Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. Shively said the Comprehensive Plan has a Page 2 of 5 10–20-year planning vision, while the Outdoor Recreation and Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans have a shorter 5-year vision. Shively highlighted the community engagement process used to develop the 2023 plans. Engagement included a community kickoff, presentations to community organizations, pop -up events, stakeholder discussions, interactive mapping, walking and biking tours, o pen houses, surveys, and use of the Engage River Falls website. Shively mentioned that stakeholder discussions focused on areas including housing, economic development, transportation, and future growth. Shively said there were more than 5,000 interactions with community members during the planning process. Shively summarized that community engagement identified River Falls’ community, river, parks, downtown, businesses, and trails among the characteristics people were proud of. Housing, downtown, maintaini ng community character, water, and affordability were among concerns identified for the future. Shively covered the six overarching goals of the Comprehensive Plan: connections, livability, access, resources, partnerships, and resiliency. Shively explained how each goal is applied across the various plan elements and how goals provide broad policy direction rather than detailed operations direction. Shively highlighted each of the six goals and their relationship to community input. Connection: creating connections among residents, opportunities, places, and services considering quality of life when making infrastructure, regulatory, service, and programming decisions. Livability: supporting intentional growth man agement, diverse housing, local businesses, and a strong connection to place. Access: providing safe, sustainable, and efficient transportation options for multiple modes of travel. Resources: protecting natural and cultural resources and providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and healthy lifestyles. Partnerships: maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with community organizations, educational institutions, and state and regional agencies. Resiliency: maintaining resilient infrastructure, com munity facilities, and utilities to protect health, safety, and welfare, and quality of life. Shively noted that the community’s interest in natural resources, parks, greenways, and open space was significant enough that recreation was included as a separate chapter in the Comprehensive Plan. Shively also discussed the community’s interest in a potential community center and the role of partnerships in providing recreation facilities and programming. Shively reviewed the chapters of the Comprehensive Plan, including housing, natural and cultural resources, economic development, transportation, utilities, and facilities, land use, recreation, and intergovernmental cooperation. She explained that each ch apter includes background information, data and analysis, strategies, and implementation tools. Technical memorandum data provides additional detail and supporting data behind the plan chapters. Shively discussed that the implementation section identifies approximately 100 implementation actions. Actions are categorized by type, including regulatory, programmatic, planning/exploration, decision-making guidance, and physical development. Each actio n also identifies complexity, anticipated benefit, potential partners, and a lead department, division, or committee. Shively highlighted several priority implementation actions, including: updating zoning regulations to support missing middle housing, continuing collaboration with Wisconsin DNR and U.S Army Corps of Engineers regarding the Kinnickinnic River and other water resources, supporting infill commercial development through local financial tools a nd policy guidance , developing policies to support trail connections as development occurs, planning for infrastructure Page 3 of 5 capacity and long -term resilience, exploring the feasibility and funding opportunities for a community center, and reviewing cooperative agreements with surrounding towns. Shively explained that City Council’s two-year strategic initiatives help prioritize the approximately 100 Comprehensive Plan implementation actions and direct resources towards areas of current opportunities and community benefit. Shiv ely highlighted some of the completed or ongoing initiatives included the 2025 National Community Survey, relicensing of the Junction Falls Hydroelectric facility, work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Kinnickinnic River corridor, support the UW -River Falls Science and Technology Center, completion of a Safe Streets and Roads for All Action Plan, Glen Park improvements, Mann Valley Corporate Park infrastructure, the downtown/Main Street planning effort, the Powell A venue Bridge reconstruction, library improvements, fire station planning, public utility investments, construction of the biosolids processing facility, financial planning, and review of impact fees. Shively next reviewed the City’s Future Land Use Map and explained how it guides future development, including consideration of land uses, development densities, infrastructure capacity, and natural resource protection. Shively noted that the map is intended to provide flexibility over a 10 to 20-year period rather than indicate that all identified areas will be annexed or developed within that timeframe. Shively discussed recent land use implementation, including updates to residential zoning categories and dimensional standards, creation of the Corporate Park zoning district, review of growth policies and statutory growth boundaries, updates related to electronic signs, regulation of electric bicycles and motorized bicyc les downtown, and recent fence and boulevard setback amendments. Shively reviewed implementation actions related to housing, including missing -middle housing, accessory dwelling units, multifamily housing standards, and tools to encourage mixed -income housing. Shively indicated that more than 1,000 housing units had been constructed, were under construction, or approved since adoption of the 2023 Comprehensive Plan. This amount represents the total number of units associated with the identified developments and does no t subtract housing units that were removed as part of redevelopment. Shively explained that recent zoning amendments allow additional density within existing neighborhoods, including duplexes, triplexes, and accessory dwelling units. Shively also discussed redevelopment opportunities near downtown, parks, and educational institutions, while noting that redevelopment can be more complicated because it often requires acquisition of multiple properties. Shively also talked about the importance of utilizing existing infrastructure where possible while balancing new development at the City’s edges with preservation of natural resources. She provided the example of the Thompson annexation, where existing wetland was incorporated into the neighborhood design with a trail around the wetland, providing a recreation amenity while preserving natural resources. In the area of Agriculture, Natural and Cultural Resources, Shively highlighted implementation actions related to habitat restoration and preservation, collaboration with the DNR and the Army Corps, community environment designations, river access, education, public art, and historic preservation. Shively covered the creation of the Conservation and Parks Division and the addition of staff focused on natural resources, along with the creation of the Forestry Management Plan, Emerald Ash Borer management, and restoration of the City’s urban forest through t ree removals and replanting. Shively covered a few other accomplishments including the City’s bee -friendly initiatives and designations of a bee city park, historic preservation work that resulted in two historic homes Page 4 of 5 being added to the National Register of Historic Places, planning for rehabilitation of the Swinging Bridge, historic interpretive signage, Glen Park’s 125 th anniversary, library interpretive exhibits, and preservation planning for Foster Cemetery. For Economic Development, Shively reviewed implementation actions related to supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs, business incubation, maker spaces, home occupations, infill development, financing tools, corporate parks, and partnerships with economic development organizations. Shively talked about the St. Croix Valley Innovation Business Center as an important business incubation and resource to the community. Shively also talked about efforts to update regulations related to home occupation users. Shively highlighted that the City created a tax increment district for Mann Valley Corporate Park to assist with infrastructure financing and completed construction of the Mann Valley Infrastructure in 2024. Other examples she highlighted of economic development and redevelopment activity included new industrial and commercial development, redevelopment of the former Value Stay Motel property, and the recently approved development agreement for The Creamery at Cedar. Shively next talked about transportation implementation actions such as implementation of the Bike and Pedestrian Plan, pavement preservation, trail connections associated with development, and passenger rail. Some of the accomplishments include Powell Avenue Bridge reconstruction, North Main Street sidewalk infill, South Wasson Lane reconstruction, Cascade Ave/South Main Street roundabout, Mann Valley Trail improvements, Paulson Road Trail extension, Safe Routes to School program, Safe Streets and Roads for All Action Plan, and continued roadway maintenance and transportation-related ordinance updates. In Utilit ies and Community Facilities, Shively highlighted different implementation related to infrastructure capacity, water quality, stormwater management, electric utility resilience, and public facilities. Some of the completed projects include a new water tower, looped water service from Paulson Road to Sterling Ponds , water, sewer, and electric expansions to Mann Valey Corporate Park, the biosolids facility at the wastewater treatment plant, the library remodel, fire station improvements, the Hoffman Basin flood study, and updates to the City’s wetland ordinance. For Recreation, Shively discussed the implementation of the Outdoor Recreation Plan, greenway and multimodal connections, future park needs, recreation partnerships, and minimum park standards. Shively talked about the Glen Park improvements, partnership with local recreation organizations, new parks planned for Wildflower Meadows and Iron Horse, and the Fox Recreational Easement. Shively explained that the Fox Recreational Easement will extend Whitetail Ridge trail system and allow public use of privately owned land through an easement. She noted that the Kinnickinnic Off-Road Cyclists have already constructed more than one mile of trail in the area. Shively reviewed the Greenway Recreation Plan developed with the National Park Service, including potential opportunities for river access and kayak launch/takeout locations. Shively next covered ongoing cooperation with surrounding towns, the school district, counties, employers, and the state and regional organizations. Shively mentioned that the City has had discussions regarding a cooperative boundary agreement with adjacent towns and currently has a cooperative boundary agreement with the Town of Kinnickinnic . Highlights also include collaborations with the school district on the Safe Routes to School Plan and future gateway signage, as well as the St. Croix Valley Innovation Center and related economic development partnerships. Page 5 of 5 Shively explained that City will continue implementation of the Comprehensive Plan while recognizing that not all 100 implementation actions can be pursued simultaneously. Shively expects a review of the Comprehensive Plan, Outdoor Recreation Plan, and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan in the upcoming year (2027). Both plans will need to be refreshed by 2028, while the Comprehensive Plan will be approximately five years old at that time. Shively indicated the review will evaluate accomplishments, determine whether priorities remain appropriate, identify emerging issues, collect updated data, and consider whether implementation actions should be modified, removed, or added. Shively explained that the Plan Commission served as the steering committee for the Comprehensive Plan, and that the Park Board will have a primary role in reviewing the Outdoor Recreation Plan, and the City may consider reestablishing or utilizing an existing committee for the Bicycle and Pedestrian and Safe Streets and Roads For All work. Discussion on the upcoming downtown/Main Street project and the importance of communicating the need for the project to the community. It was also noted the age of the City’s infrastructure and the importance of explaining the long -term planning and infras tructure needs behind the project. Discussion was also had on the value of the Comprehensive Plan and related planning documents as tools for explaining City decisions to the community and demonstrating that major projects and policies are based on established planning, data, and community input. Discussions continued regarding the City’s identity and whether future planning should address how River Falls is perceived and marketed, including its identity as a university community and its arts, cultural, rec reational, and community assets. Discussions continued into opportunities to use roundabouts and other gateway locations to strengthen community identity. Shively explained that over the next several months, an outline will be developed for reviewing each Comprehensive Plan chapter, identifying additional data needs, and incorporating review into regular Plan Commission and Park Board meetings. These discussions wi ll provide opportunities to evaluate priorities and make adjustments as appropriate. Shively emphasized that the Comprehensive Plan establishes broad direction rather than serving as an operational plan, and that the Bicycle and Pedestrian and other functional plans can be reviewed and updated as necessary, including maintaining current plans for grant eligibility and implementation opportunities. Discussion was had with appreciation for the City’s planning work and noted that the City’s strong planning foundation has helped position River Falls to successfully pursue grants and attract development/investment. Planning Update Emily Shively gave a planning update that the next meeting will be September 1 st and that it is expected to bring the driveway width ordinance back to the Commission for consideration after additional work on the ordinance package. Shively also mentioned the July Community Development update that went out includes information regarding ongoing implementation of the City’s day-to-day Community Development activities. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Woolsey made a motion to adjourn at 8:01 p.m. S/Gormanson; motion carried 6/0. Respectfully submitted, Becky Corson, Community Development Coordinator