Planning commission recommends Creamery at Cedar GDP to council, flags parking and floodplain concerns

River Falls’ planning commission voted to recommend approval of the general development plan (GDP) for the Creamery at Cedar, a proposed three-story mixed-use building on the river at West Cedar and River Streets, while emphasizing that specific parking and operational details must be resolved in a later implementation plan (SIP).

Harley Melhorn, presenting for planning staff, described the project as a roughly 17,000-square-foot building with a 5,800-square-foot footprint divided across three levels: a ground-floor taproom and small restaurant, a second-level event space for weddings and other gatherings, and a third level with four short-term rental units. Melhorn said the applicant proposes a mixed parking strategy — a combination of on-street parking, proximate private lots and a shuttle service — to meet the code-mandated peak demand of 156 spaces. Melhorn told commissioners that staff supports the conceptual parking arrangement but recommends that no more than 30% of the total parking demand be supplied by on-street spaces.

Sarah Edwards, a public commenter who identified herself as a River Falls resident, urged the commission to consider development that would allow Garage Bikes and Brew to grow and described the Kinney as a "natural treasure." Elizabeth Bowden, another resident, told the commission she opposed development at the site, citing two major floods during 15 years of home ownership and warning of increased parking pressure on Clark Street.

Commissioners asked operational questions — an elevator was confirmed for building access and a commissioner cited a 225-person event capacity for the second-level event space. Staff said the GDP sets the framework and the SIP will be the instrument to review detailed operational conditions, recorded parking agreements, and any mitigation; Melhorn noted the city could reduce building occupancy if recorded parking agreements lapse for more than 60 days.

After discussion the commission moved, seconded and voted to forward the GDP to city council with a favorable recommendation. Melhorn said the item will go before the council on April 28; if the GDP is approved by council, a specific implementation plan will be required before issuance of certificates of occupancy.

What’s next: Council consideration is scheduled; the SIP must document recorded parking agreements and operational stipulations before final approvals or certificates of occupancy are issued.