Planning Commission forwards rezoning and alley vacation for River Falls School District transportation center

The River Falls Planning Commission voted Jan. 7 to recommend that City Council rezone 807 West Locust Street from R-2 (medium-density residential) to School Zone and to vacate an adjacent unpaved alley, clearing the way for the River Falls School District Transportation Center.

Senior planner Harley Melhorn told commissioners the school district intends to construct a single‑story administrative building for its transportation center on the site and that the parcel became vacant after demolition of a single‑family home. “Before you tonight is a rezoning and unpaved alley right of way vacation for the River Falls School District Transportation Center,” Melhorn said.

Melhorn said the parcel at 807 West Locust is designated in the city Comprehensive Plan as “horizontal mixed use” and is covered by the Locust and Winter Street small area plan, which anticipates a mix of residential and commercial uses. He said the proposed School Zone designation does not directly match the small area plan’s block‑level illustration of large multifamily residential development but that the School Zone would promote cohesive, non‑piecemeal development and would be consistent with surrounding parcels. “Staff recommends forwarding both the resolution for the right of way vacation and ordinance for the rezoning to city council with a favorable recommendation,” Melhorn said.

Commissioners voted to forward the rezoning request and the alley right‑of‑way vacation to City Council with a favorable recommendation. The meeting record does not specify who made or seconded the motions, nor does it record a roll‑call tally; the chair called for the ayes and recorded no opposition. The rezoning and vacation will go to City Council for two readings: first reading is set for Jan. 28 and the final disposition is scheduled for Feb. 11, according to staff.

Melhorn said the alley in question was dedicated historically but never paved or used for vehicular access or utility conveyance; vacating it would allow the school district to incorporate that strip into a more cohesive site plan. He also said staff will continue to review building plans and that any proposed building would be approved administratively only if the rezoning is approved.

During a brief planning update after the vote, staff member Emily said there are no applications currently scheduled for the February Planning Commission meeting and that the commission will likely cancel that meeting. She also said staff will bring the commission an annual report summarizing 2024 activity and the proposed Comprehensive Development work plan for 2025 at the next meeting the commission holds.

The commission adjourned with no further public comment recorded.