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City kicks off master plan for 180-acre Bailey property; New Life Academy acquisition discussed
Summary
Woodbury staff opened a master planning process for the Bailey property, a more-than-180-acre site in southwest Woodbury, outlining land-use options, infrastructure needs and a multi-jurisdictional coordination effort that includes Newport and Maplewood; the plan will feed into the city’s 2050 comprehensive plan.
City planning staff on Monday kicked off a master plan process for the Bailey property, a holding of more than 180 acres on the north side of Bailey Road in southwest Woodbury, and asked the planning commission for early guidance on land use, connectivity and design themes.
Staff said the council directive requires master plans for properties over 100 acres and that the Bailey property spans multiple municipal jurisdictions (Woodbury, portions in Newport and Maplewood) and involves coordination with Ramsey and Washington counties. The project team will evaluate roadway connections, pedestrian links, stormwater, landscaping and potential land uses, and staff emphasized the value of early engagement with private-sector developers and adjacent property owners to create a plan that is implementable and commercially viable.
On an initial plan provided by the landowner, staff said a portion of the Bailey property could be acquired by New Life Academy for expanded recreational and athletic fields; that acquisition would change the layout and reduce the amount of land available for residential or employment uses. Century Avenue is expected to be extended into the site and staff said existing tree lines could be used for buffering between new uses and existing residential neighborhoods.
Commissioners discussed architectural palettes and the role of color and materials in place-making. Staff said the master plan will include a recommended materials palette and design direction; the commission will have early opportunities to weigh in before specific zoning or site proposals arrive. Staff also noted environmental review will be triggered by the total amount of development; the plan will likely use multiple Environmental Assessment Worksheets (EAWs) rather than an AUAR because AUARs require periodic updates by municipalities.
Public engagement steps will include neighborhood meetings and joint coordination with Newport staff, which has already begun outreach on adjacent parcels. Staff said the goal is cohesive design across municipal boundaries so that the built environment appears seamless to residents regardless of the formal jurisdictional line.
Staff outlined a project schedule that includes neighborhood meetings and subsequent planning commission review and said the master plan would be transmitted to the City Council for adoption, with target milestones before the end of the year. Commissioners asked about market viability for commercial sites, the potential for quick-service retail adjacent to athletic uses, the possibility of Century Avenue extending further in the future, and how the master plan will interface with the city’s forthcoming 2050 comprehensive plan.
