There could be new townhomes coming to River Falls soon, pending the zoning details. Contained in the council packet for the Tuesday, October 13 meeting was a proposal to change the zoning classification of land currently classed as R-1 low-density single family housing to that of R-2 medium density multifamily, thereby making way for a 10-unit, two-story townhome complex located on S. Wasson Lane. The total site in question is 1.33 acres, with the City’s Comprehensive Plan allowing for 4.1 to 8 units per gross acre on land that is zoned as medium density residential.

The proposed zoning amendment to a Future Land Use (FLU) map is necessary given that under Wisconsin state statute 66.1001(3), a city’s zoning decisions must align with its comprehensive plan. The current zoning classification of R-1 low-density housing doesn’t allow for townhomes, while an upgrade to R-2 medium density classification would. To that end, local developers Ron Raedeke and Susan Loomis are seeking council approval of the zoning amendment. The proposed units to be built on the site will reportedly feature granite countertops, hardwood floors, patios, second-story balconies, and be similar to a recently completed project by the same developers in New Richmond, Wisconsin.

In its update to the River Falls City Council, staff reported that surrounding land uses “include medium and high density multifamily (housing) to the southwest, single family to the northwest,” a soccer park to the north, “the STH 35-65 bypass to the east, and a few single family homes to the south.” Additionally, one property adjacent to said property on the southeast is in the Town of River Falls Extraterritorial Zone (ETZ) and zoned for RS Residential Suburban, while the Town of River Falls is a separate governmental unit from that of the City. Wisconsin state statutes do not require that a municipality be in compliance with a neighboring municipality’s Comprehensive Plan.

Returning to the proposed site rezoning of the 1.33 acre parcel in question, the site is reported as being currently “vacant with a small wooded area.” According to the Housing Needs Analysis, the City of River Falls will need an additional 600 units of multifamily housing within ten years, a need “the proposed development helps address,” as noted in the council packet. A 2005 Comprehensive Plan by the City expected Chippewa Valley Technical College to expand to the north, but now that expansion is considered likely on E. Cascade Avenue instead. City staff recommends the zoning change to bring the property in question into line with others in the area, while a notice of the proposed rezoning was mailed on August 12 to owners of property within 300 feet of the proposed rezone, a sign being placed on the site August 17 in line with the City’s municipal code. Finally, a Class 1 and Class 2 notice making residents aware of the October 13 public hearing were run in a local newspaper.

After the public notice by the City, a neighboring married couple in the Town of River Falls attended the virtual September 1, 2020 Plan Commission meeting, asking questions on the logistics of a shared driveway, with these details to be determined at the development review process. The Plan Commission adopted a resolution September 1 recommending approval of the proposed rezoning and comprehensive plan amendment for the 1.33 acre land parcel. A first reading was held at the September 22 council meeting, with the hearing October 13.