The First Amendment got a hearing at the River Falls Council meeting August 25th. Three separate written petitions to the local River Falls government for “a redress of grievances” under said amendment were included in the council packet for last Tuesday’s meeting.

The chief matter in dispute with the council was Resolution 2020-07, amending a Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use map for the Mann Valley Corporate Park Concept. Of special distinction within the amended map boundaries were 6.3 acres of currently vacant and agricultural land zoned for low-density housing and residential, now slated to become a townhouse style development with a Planned Use Development (PUD) overlay by the City.

The City of River Falls was previously gifted 20 acres of land by the Peter and Susan DeSanctis family in the 1980s for a park in memory of their son and the City later purchased the land adjacent to this from the DeSanctis family in 2017 to help incentivize a development that ultimately didn’t happen. The first objection to the townhouse concept now in play came from Jane Terkelsen of River Falls, sent via email due to a work conflict.

“This email is to let you know I am NOT in favor of the multi-family residences in DeSanctis Park area,” she said. “A FEW single family homes might be okay.” After saying the added population would “add congestion to our streets and the already heavily traveled Division Street past the Armory,” the local River Falls resident said that a better place would be in the old Shopko location, with grocery, dine out, and quick freeway access. “Please protect the peace and tranquility of DeSanctis Park for our fu-