RIVER FALLS – The River Falls City Council voted unanimously April 9 to annex 22.66 acres from the Town of River Falls and zone it R-2 Multiple Family.

The annexation petition, submitted by Andrea and Luke Chaffee and Kevin and Cynthia Haskins, includes two parcels adjacent to Highway 29 south of town/Larson Park. A developer has expressed interest in building 31 single family home lots and a 53-bed supportive housing facility for adults with autism.

No official application has been submitted yet, but a design concept has been provided. The existing home at N8118 Highway 29 would remain and become integrated into the new single-family neighborhood.

During public comment, 805^th Avenue resident Mike Miraldi asked the council to consider zoning it R1, which he said was more in keeping with the character and value of the properties adjacent to the two parcels, particularly on the south side. He also felt the R1 designation would be “more respectful due to the sweat equity property owners have put into their properties to maintain the character and value.”

Alderperson Sean Downing asked City Administrator Scot Simpson why city staff was recommending R2 versus R1 zoning.

“The R2 is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. We just finished the process of engaging the community in future land use planning, what they see for as a vision of the community and as a result of that, the R2 classification would be more consistent with the Comprehensive Plan,” Simpson said. “In particular, this is adjacent to a planned unit development and some higher density just across the street. It has proximity to a park and we’re looking for ways as a community to build reasonable density into areas and so R2 seems to be a fit in staff’s mind given those factors.”

He added that in Focus River Falls, staff heard residents’ request to address housing needs and adding density is a way to do that.

“Where there’s opportunities for infill housing, in this case it’s kind of surrounded by existing development, it’s an infill project, it makes sense to us to do some density, and it’s R2, so it’s not a high density classification, it’s a medium density classification,” Simpson said. “A lot less opportunities to add more supply, for people to get housed, if you go with R1.”

Alderperson Diane Odeen agreed it’s the right zoning move.

 “One of our most pressing needs is affordable housing, small housing, denser housing … that’s an issue that’s affecting not only our community but nation-wide,” she said.

Elections

During public comment, Downing commented on the national trend of not enough people running for local office. According to the Wisconsin Policy Forum, 52% of 188 cities and villages are averaging zero to one candidate per election.

“A vibrant democracy does require different people stepping up, sacrificing their time and family commitments to be a part of this,” Downing said. “I just want to highlight that because I think often times we get sucked into the national election cycle and we spend a lot of time thinking about that. We probably don’t think about the way we conserve elected spots locally.”

Clerk Amy White said 41% of registered voters voted in River Falls April 2.

Other business

• ­Mayor Dan Toland reappointed Michael Metro to the River Falls Public Library Board through July 2027 and Amber Bjork to the Utility Advisory Board through May 2027.
• The city proclaimed April 26, 2024 as Arbor Day. River Falls has been a Tree City USA Community since 1994.
• The city designated April 15, 2024 as Purple Up Day in honor of military children residing in River Falls.