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Council tables Wildflower Meadows PUD after residents and council raise lot‑size and park concerns
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Summary
Council voted to table the Wildflower Meadows general development plan and asked staff to work with the developer on park size and lot-width issues; plan commission did not recommend and park board had reservations.
The River Falls City Council on Oct. 28 tabled the Wildflower Meadows general development plan and directed staff to work with the developer on concerns raised by residents and advisory boards.
Assistant Director Emily Shively presented the proposal for Wildflower Meadows, a proposed 93‑unit subdivision north of Powell Avenue that would create 61 single‑family lots and 32 twin‑home lots. The developer requested flexibility under the city's PUD process on lot width (some lots as narrow as 50 feet), measuring side‑yard setbacks from foundations rather than eaves, and small corner‑side setbacks for two twin homes. Shively said the city's staff review found the proposal was generally consistent with the comprehensive plan and that stormwater and park amenities were included in the concept.
Neighbors and advisory boards
Multiple nearby residents and the Woodridge Neighborhood Association spoke in opposition, raising safety, parking, traffic and stormwater concerns and saying the requested deviations undermine neighborhood character. Council members noted the plan commission did not recommend approval and park board members had concerns about the size of the internal park. Developer Paul DeBohm (JPB Land) acknowledged staff feedback and said the company was willing to consider changes, including expanding the small internal park by consolidating lots.
Tabled and next steps
Rather than vote the GDP up or down, councilors voted to table the item and asked staff to work with the developer on park size and lot-widths and to bring a revised GDP back to council for further consideration. Staff indicated an intent to return the item to a future council meeting after the developer adjusts plans and staff evaluates the revisions.
What the table means
Tabling the GDP stops final action and gives the council and staff an opportunity to secure changes the council signaled it wants to see — chiefly larger lot widths or a larger park area — before the developer submits a specific implementation plan.
Provenance
Topic introduced: SEG 2137 (Emily Shively presentation). Topic tabled: SEG 3300–3312 (motion to table; council vote).
