RIVER FALLS — The Creamery at Cedar had its Planned Unit Development (PUD) approved by the River Falls City Council on April 28 for a three-story mixed-use development off of River and West Cedar streets, directly adjacent to the Kinnickinnic River trail.

According to city documents, the project would include:

• A brewery/taproom and small restaurant on the first floor
• An event space on the second floor
• Four short-term rental apartments on the third floor
• An outdoor deck overlooking the Kinnickinnic River

The proposal is also next to the Depot/City Station apartments. Matt and Stephanie Johnson, owners of The Garage Bikes+Brews, are the proposers of The Creamery at Cedar. The reason for the PUD request was due to the parking model which utilizes limited on-site parking, street parking, nearby public lots and agreements to share lots with some private businesses.

“That total of what’s in that map is well above, I think it’s over 50 spots more than we are legally obligated to provide,” The Garage Bikes+Brews Owner Stephanie Johnson said. “We have worked with our neighbor business, the Moose Lodge, and worked out agreements with them. Our plan is to inform event goers and/or tap room goers that the preference is that there’s not street parking, that we’re using the public parking lots.”

Johnson also mentioned the business entrance is being redrawn to avoid chaos of sharing an entrance with the nearby apartments.

City Administrator Scot Simpson addressed any concerns that the business could alter the ecosystem of the Kinnickinnic River due to its proximity.

“This project, like others, would be required to follow our stormwater ordinances. In this case, it’s close to the river, so it’s got some extra responsibilities,” Simpson said.

Simpson said the expectation for the project is to have less impact on the river than there is currently when development is complete.

Resident Amy Hartman said during public comment, having experience with Matt and Stephanie Johnson, they are going to do the project right by everyone and safely for the trout stream.

“Garage Bikes & Brews was one of the first places that I happened to come upon when I moved here,” Hartman said. “They took me in right away and have made me feel very much a part of the community. They’ve been a sounding board for me on every decision I’ve had to make on so many things related to my farm.”

The vote was unanimous with the exception of absent Alderpersons Diane Odeen and Michael Page.

Rezoning

The board held a public hearing and first reading of a rezoning at Sterling Ponds Corporate Park from Conservancy to Industrial due to a change in property ownership.

“It’s an interesting rezoning. When the interchange went in, there was a piece of property that did not have an entry point, and so it was put into conservancy. Now, someone has bought the property next to it. They can get access to that property, so we’re going to flip it from conservancy to industrial so it can be utilized by that neighboring property,” Mayor Alison Page said.

Other Business

• Approved a purchase agreement and first right of refusal with Decentralized Foods, seeking to build a 10,000 square foot manufacturing building in the Whitetail Corporate Park. The item was presented to the council during a previous meeting’s closed session period.
• Approved a $63,763 contract for 2026 pavement marking at eight different sites.
• Approved noise control exemptions for Music in the Park on June 11 and for an Indivisible River Falls rally at Veteran’s Park that included a band performance May 1.
• Reached a Memorandum of Understanding with the River Falls Municipal Court to recognize roles and establish staffing.
• Approved the purchase of a telehandler forklift for $65,000.
• Appointed a new agent for alcohol sales at Kwik Trip Store #301.