Planning Commission unanimously recommends Envision Stillwater 2045 to City Council

The Stillwater Planning Commission on Nov. 18 voted 5–0 to recommend that City Council adopt Envision Stillwater 2045, the updated comprehensive plan summarizing the city’s policy goals for land use, transportation, housing, economic development and infrastructure over the next two decades.

Consultants who led the update presented the plan after two years of work and multiple public-engagement activities. Dawn Thomas, an urban planner with Freese and Nichols, said the document ‘‘provides the North Star for the plan’’ and read the plan’s vision aloud: "Stillwater's an innovative community that deeply cares for one another, cultivating a strong sense of belonging. It's a desirable destination for residents, visitors, and businesses, cherishing deep rooted connections, prioritizing education, and radiating a warm, friendly character." The presentation described four guiding principles and eight plan chapters that connect the vision to concrete goals and actions.

The consultants reported broad public engagement: approximately 80 people attended the initial in-person open house, the online community survey received about 540 responses and the project website logged more than 130 interactive map notes. The presentation said the plan includes an appendix housing a roughly 90‑page housing assessment prepared by CDS that informed housing goals and projected demand.

Key recommendations emphasize a ‘‘fix-it-first’’ approach to transportation (repair and reconstruction of existing roadways and targeted investments in sidewalks, bike lanes and trails), support for mixed‑use and infill development in appropriate nodes, and diversification of housing choices to include missing‑middle types (duplexes, triplexes, townhomes) and broader allowance for accessory dwelling units. The consultants also recommended preparing updated zoning and subdivision regulations to implement the future land use map and policy goals.

The implementation chapter contains an action table with 84 recommended items; the presentation said roughly 15–20 of those are focused on regulatory updates (zoning, subdivision and process). The table assigns timeframes (short term = 1–5 years, midterm = 6–12 years, long term = more than 12 years) and numerical priorities (items marked "1" are highest priority). The consultants and staff described the intent to monitor progress and produce regular progress reports so decision makers can track implementation.

Commissioners asked for tracking tools and clarifications. Commissioner Shanahan suggested Gantt‑style progress tracking and raised concerns about short‑term rentals’ impact on housing availability and flood/dam and wildfire hazards. The consultant and staff said the plan references the city’s recently updated hazard mitigation plan and does not attempt to replicate specialized operational plans; the mitigation plan, they said, addresses risks including dams and wildfire and helps qualify the city for federal funding where applicable.

After staff presented findings and recommended Alternative 1 (accept findings and recommend City Council adopt the plan), a commissioner moved to accept the findings and recommend Council adoption; the motion was seconded and the Planning Commission voted unanimously, 5–0, to forward the recommendation to City Council.

Staff also announced that the city has approved an agreement with a planning consultant to update the development code and held a kickoff meeting; Development Services staff said they expect a new code to be adopted in about one year and that they will conduct a public process during the code rewrite. The commission’s next regular meeting is Dec. 2.

The City Council will consider the planning commission’s recommendation at a future meeting; no date for council action was specified during the Planning Commission meeting.