The River Falls Council approved a host of commission meeting reports at its September 22 meeting, and there is worthwhile info there for those who look. So what have the city commissions been up too? A lot. First up, the Plan Commission!

Meeting this past August 4, at 6:30 p.m., the Plan Commission unanimously approved the March 9 meeting minutes for the Plan Commission along with July 23 meeting minutes for the Extraterritorial Zoning Committee related to Troy.

From there, it was into public comment, with protest raised to city plans related to Milltown Residences. Specifically, Neil Gilbertson, Susan Meyer, George and Joann Ayres, Julie Larson and Katherine Hector all spoke out against the Milltown Residences, though for different reasons.

Neil Gilbertson spoke out against the Milltown Residences with safety and traffic as primary concerns, being seconded in this by Larson, who also noted that the proposed construction would mean it would no longer be “the edge of town.” George Ayres said that the extension of Roosevelt Street would destroy the park, while Joann Ayres raised concern about a transient population that might inhabit the townhomes. For her own part, Hector presented a petition with 1,091 signatures against the Milltown Residences project due to the way it would change the neighborhood, park and environment, also raising parking and traffic with a lack of desirable retail in the City amongst her concerns.

Moving from the Milltown Residences to items 3 and 4, no public comment was forthcoming, with Mayor Dan Toland calling for a motion provided by alderman Hal Watson to designate Proposed boundaries and approve a project plan for TID (Tax Incremental District) No. 16. The motion was seconded by Commission member Craig Hinzman, and passed unanimously. A Resolution to amend the Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use map for Mann Valley and the DeSanctis Vicinity also passed on motion by Watson and Hinzman, with five in support of the resolution and one against. Prior to approval, Watson asked City staff is the City had reached out to local developers after the Gerrard project fell through to build single family homes. The staff responded that they had reached out but that all developers had passed due to “steep slopes” at the site. Later on during approval of a specific implementation plan, it was made known that rezoning was not necessary for the property because the planned use development (PUD) granted flexibility on density. Upon a vote there was a tie, with Watson, Hinzman, and Mayor Dan Toland in favor while Patrica LaRue, Rebecca Prendergast and Lisa Moody against the motion.

Moving from plan development to business movement, a virtual meeting held July 14 at 8:30 a.m. for the City of River Falls Business Improvement District say Jimmy Leske’s request of $1,050 approved for new façade paint, opting for a warm gray tone in place of the red. With a motion by Hal Watson being seconded by Terry McKay, the grant request passed unanimously.

Among other business in the building improvement meeting was an expression of interest by Dave Markson for a mural at 101-103 North Main Street. The Business Improvement District had already committed to a mural for the year but will consider it next year. Sam Wessel was present and said that he was in contact with Taylor Berman of the River Falls School District on a monthly basis regarding the ability of his class to paint a mural that fall, given COVID-19. A recurring check was issued for CAB (Crazy about Baseball) and Wessel included several historic BID-related newspaper articles he had found in the meeting packet.