CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL – meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.

Members present: Mayor Don Richards, Tom Heimerl, Sandy Bowen, Susan Reese, Ellen Smith, Todd Schultz, David Cronk, Erin Tomlinson, and Reid Wronski.

There was a quorum present at all times.

Staff present: Buddy Lucero, Planning Director; Tony Steiner, City Planner; Matt Parent, Planning Intern.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA/MINUTES –

1. Amend the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map and Rezone Property from R-2 (Multiple Family Residential) and I-1 (Industrial) to B-2 (Limited Commercial) in the area of Lewis Street and West Maple Street

Planner Steiner reported that the purpose for rezoning this area is to provide appropriate zoning to accommodate the building of a new City Hall. The land in the area of Lewis Street and West Maple Street is currently zoned as R-2 (Multiple Family Residential) and I-1 (Industrial). The recommendation is to concurrently amend the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map and rezone the property to B-2 (Limited Commercial).

Kelly Meyers, 223 West Pine Street, River Falls, is an adjacent property owner who recently purchased her home. She asked if the building (Ingram Center) that is currently on that site will be demolished and where would the businesses that are housed in that building go. She also asked what services/departments will be housed in the new City Hall and if the building and landscape would blend with the residential area.

Planning Director Lucero responded that the Ingram Center would be demolished. The City, along with the University, has been working to find suitable locations for those non-profit agencies that are currently in the building. The new City Hall will house mostly administrative offices, including new Council Chambers, Cable Commission, Parks & Recreation and Utilities. The Police and Fire will remain at the 123 Elm Street building. Lucero also invited Meyers to come to the City Hall during business hours to see the Preliminary Landscape Plan that has been developed, which includes various trees, bushes and other landscaping to help soften the building.

2. Amendments to Ordinance 17.08.020 A. Regarding Regulations and Standards for Driveway Widths

Planning Intern Parent made a recommendation to amend the Driveway Width Ordinance. The current Ordinance is unclear and difficult in maneuvering large trucks while turning. The current code also does not allow the City Engineer to approve changes in driveway transitions. The current width standards have not been reviewed or updated for more than 10 years. The recommended changes apply only to the driveway transitions (from the curb to the property line) and not to the overall driveway width.

Joe Lenzen presented the 2007 annual report for the Building Inspection Department, which enforces Chapter 15 of the Municipal Code, including electrical, building permits and plumbing for commercial and residential, as well as Chapter 15.04, which covers rental housing.

Lenzen reported that there were no new subdivisions for 2007. Many large contractors have left the City due to the slow down in new construction; however, there was a sharp spike in new home construction with smaller contractors. Permits for new single-family home construction jumped 2.8% from 2006.

The cost of commercial construction, not including lot price, is down 44% to $9.2 million. Lenzen reported that there were a total of 143 new dwelling units in 2007. Those units consisted of 67 single-family homes, one 4-unit townhome, two 10-unit condominium buildings, 24 River Falls Housing Authority units and 28 units in the Comforts of Home development.

Mayor Richards asked how many lots are vacant in the City. Lenzen responded that there are approximately 1500-2000, however not all have infrastructure. Lucero added that only approximately 400 of those lots are final platted and available for development.

Lenzen also reported that while the average cost of construction is down 19% to $149,000, the average size of the homes being built is also down 16%, from 2006 to 1614 square feet.

The vacancy rate for rental units is beginning to decline from a high 25-30% 2 years ago. Landlords are starting to fill rental units; however landlord/tenant complaints have tripled, approximately 150 for 2007. These complaints can be time consuming. It seems that in trying to fill units, some of the standard background checks have been somewhat relaxed. As a result there are generally more problem tenants for the landlords, which also translate into more complaints for inspectors, fire and police.

Lucero summarized that with the size of new homes down an average of 200 square feet and the cost of construction down $35-40,000, River Falls now has more affordable housing for median income families.

Planner Steiner reported on two items heard by the Board of Appeals in 2007. The first was for a variance to the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance, which was requested after an older existing home had been heavily damaged by fire. The owner wished to tear down that structure, as well as another building on an adjacent lot that was not damaged, and build two new dwellings. The variance was granted for the fire damaged dwelling but denied for the second, as there was no hardship shown.

The second case heard by the Board of Appeals was a request for height variance from Eco Energy of Madison, to construct a wind test tower and a wind turbine generator to be erected in Whitetail Ridge Corporate Park. The height variance was granted for both towers; however, construction would be subject to review by the Plan Commission and City Council.

Through Extraterritorial Zoning there were three Certified Survey Maps in 2007, down significantly from 2006. Planner Steiner reported that the first was a four lot Certified Survey with several outlets, received from Valley Land Company and came in under the old Subdivision Ordinance. The other two were both from private property owners, involved in agriculture and were splitting land for a son. Under the new Ordinance there are several restrictions when splitting land in the Extraterritorial Zone. One exception on how land can be split is in the case of a son or daughter. All three Certified Survey Maps were in the Town of Troy.

Planning Director Lucero gave the Historic Preservation Year End Report. The basic mission statement of the HPC is to promote and protect historic resources and educate the community about its history. May 2007 was designated as Historic Preservation Month. During this time there were seminars, handouts and a display at the Public Library. The Freeman House and the Glen Park Pool were both named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. These are the first two buildings in the city to be named to the Register. A Special Recognition award was given to Pauly and Debbie Cudd, the owners of the home at 223 N 4^th Street, in recognition of the maintenance and upkeep of their historic home. This award was also given to Charlie and Nancy Rader, owners of 402 S 6^th Street, in recognition of their historic home and attention to detail in the garage addition that was done in the same architectural style of the original home.

Lucero also highlighted a few of the Historic Preservation Commission goals for 2008 which include obtaining plaques for designated structures, completing an updated inventory of downtown area historic buildings and working with the Leadership River Falls Group on the documentation for those plaques. The HPC will also be working on completing landscaping at the Junction Mill Smokestack and documenting both the Ingram Center building and Railway Express Freight Depot. The Commission will also be working with the Park Board to locate grant money and funding for Glen Park Pool and Bathhouse.

For the next Plan Commission Workshop Planner Steiner will update the Commission members on the Park Board’s FF Sports Facility Masterplan and the Safe Routes to School Plan. Lucero will have a draft of definitions for review as well as an outline for possible surveys for the downtown area with UWRF.

A public meeting to review the recommendations from the consultant on the Safe Routes to School Project will be held at Meyer Middle School Library on March 5, 2008 at 5:30 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT – Meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

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Jessica Urbach, Recording Secretary