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Page 1 of 3 Community Development Department 222 Lewis Street River Falls, WI 54022 715.425.0900 www.rfcity.org MINUTES PLAN COMMISSION JUNE 2, 2026 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS Members Present: Rob Gormanson, Diane Odeen, Rebecca Prendergast, Michael Woolsey, Alison Page, Members Absent: Chris Holtkamp, Steven Severson Staff Present: Emily Shively, Becky Corson, Chris Buntjer , Sgt Denton Anderson, Jonathan Thoen CALL TO ORDER Meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES M/Gormanson, S/Woolsey to approve minutes. Motion carried 5/0. PUBLIC COMMENTS William Hansen (N8723 1025 th St) – Spoke about how Lake George is a unique water feature that should be protected and preserved along the Kinnickinnic River. Matt Johnson (109 W Cedar St) – Owner of Garage Bikes and Brews, spoke on a concern about the E-Bike usage and keeping right as far as you can when on main streets and single file usage in these areas. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Proposed ordinance amendment to Title 17 – Zoning: Chapter 17.124 – Regulations for the protection of wetlands within the shoreland Chris Buntjer, Senior Civil Engineer with the City of River Falls gave a presentation on the proposed wetland ordinance amendments. Buntjer explained that the DNR completed an audit of the City’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) which also included the stormwater and wetland ordinances (Ch. 17.124 & Ch. 17.128) and determined that t he existing wetland ordinance does not comply with NR 151.125 and 151.245 indicating only wetlands within the shoreland zone. Buntjer covered the proposed changes to demonstrate compliance with The DNR requirements. These changes are 1. Title Section, to change from protecting wetlands within the shoreland zone to protecting all wetlands within City corporate limits; 2. General Provisions Section to revise to include all wetlands within City corporate limits, not just shoreland; 3. Definition Section to add 1 Page 2 of 3 the DNR’s definition of Protective Areas, including the buffer requirements for various wetland types. Adding the buffer requirements will help ensure that City staff don’t approve something that wouldn’t be approved by a DNR wetland permit. 4. Shoreland -Wetland Zoning District revised to specify the inclusion of all wetlands within City corporate limits, and to add requirements for the inclusion of impervious surfaces within protective areas. Buntjer explained that these proposed changes will make City ord inances important and helpful for future annexation areas containing wetlands. Buntjer summarized that staff recommends forwarding the proposed changes with a favorable recommendation for City Council consideration with next steps of going to future City Council meetings. Conversation was had about whether we have to follow state law regardless of our ordinances which would include the DNR. And questions were raised about how many wetlands we have that are not adjacent to the Kinnickinnic River, and it was noted that there are not many but possible future potential with annexations. Questions were also asked about any projects that this would impact now or in the future that are not complying, and it was explained projects are already subject to these regulations from the DNR. There might be some projects that could contain wetlands and wetland setbacks, but overall projects are already following the DNR requirements. Michael Woolsey made a motion to forward the proposed ordinance amendments to City Council for approval. M/Woolsey, S/Odeen – carried 5/0 Proposed ordinance amendment to Title 10 – Vehicles and Traffic: Creating Chapter 10.21 relating to electric bicycles and electric scooters. Sgt Denton Anderson gave a presentation on ordinance amendments to Title 10 – Vehicles and Traffic: Creating Chapter 10.21. Sgt. Anderson gave a brief overview of the work completed so far on the amendment changes and the different classes of E -Bikes. He highlighted a few revisions to what was presented in January. The first update was to Class Three and the age range for users which is 16 years of age or older. The next update was to the definition of what is defined as a bike path and what is defined as a sidewalk. Sgt Anderson defined the sidewalk as any impervious portion of a roadway between the curb line or lateral lines of a roadway and adjacent property lines constructed for pedestrian use and are less than eight feet in width. Sgt. Anderson then explained that a bike path is defined as any impervious surface completely separated from the roadway that is eight feet wide or greater and constructed for pedestrian, bicycle, or other non -automotive means of transportation. Bike paths may also be referred to as Multi-Use Paths or Shared Use Paths. Sgt. Anderson shared a map of the bike paths and sidewalks within the City limits and what class of bikes can be used where. Conversation was had about sidewalks on Main Street and that width of the sidewalks in that area. Conversation was also had about current ordinances that require bicycle usage on the far right of the roadway. Conversation was had about how to tell what type of e-bike someone is using if they are pedaling or if you can tell what type of bike they are operating. Matt Johnson from Garage Bikes and Brews indicated it would be very hard to know what someone is riding on unless they fly past others on bikes. Page 3 of 3 Conversation was had about Main Street, and there was one amendment that was approved in January and no bikes are allowed on sidewalks in the downtown area (bicycles must be walked unless the rider is under 12 years of age), this is the only place in town where regular bikes are not allowed. Question was had on education or something for community for this ordinance and the one about e-motos maybe going out in a newsletter. Sgt. Denton Anderson then presented on the ordinance changes pertaining to scooters. He indicated that the provisions revolving around scooters are part of the e -bike ordinance. There was also a note of some wording that needed to be cleaned up about the usage of motor and human power optional which has been addressed. Commissioner Odeen made a motion to forward the proposed ordinance amendments to City Council with a favorable recommendation. M/Odeen, S/Gormanson – carried 5/0 Planning Update Emily Shively gave a planning update that Council adopted the Safe Streets Action Plan on May 12th. With that plan getting adopted the City was able to apply for a Safe Streets implementation grant which was submitted on May 23 rd with anticipation of hearing if that was awarded later in September. Shively also covered the housing needs analysis update that took place in 2026 which is now viewable on our website. Shively reminded commissioners she sent out a training opportunity they are welcome to sign up for, and that our next meeting will be on July 7th. Conversation was had about promoting the housing needs analysis study online on social media for others to review as well as a link to the master plan for expanding the City. Shively did indicate that will be highlighted in the River Falls reader in the future, as well as publishing ordinance amendment updates and updates on the Safe Streets Action Plan as well. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Woolsey made a motion to adjourn at 7:06 p.m. S/Odeen; motion carried 5/0. Respectfully submitted, Becky Corson, Community Development Coordinator