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Planning commission forwards rezoning for 235 Highway 35 in Sterling Ponds to city council
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Summary
River Falls planning staff recommended and the planning commission voted to forward an ordinance to rezone a remnant parcel at 235 Highway 35 from Conservancy to Industrial, saying the request conforms with the comprehensive plan; the item will go to city council with hearings set for April 28 and May 12.
River Falls’ planning commission voted to forward an ordinance that would rezone a remnant parcel at 235 Highway 35 from Conservancy District to Industrial District.
Staff presenter Harley Melhorn told the commission the parcel sits inside the Sterling Ponds Corporate Park and was retained as conservancy when the park was platted because it had no legal access. Melhorn said combining the parcel with adjacent Lot J and rezoning it to industrial would make it developable and is consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan. “The proposed zoning of the industrial is consistent with this designation, and all surrounding properties are likewise zoned industrial,” Melhorn said.
Melhorn reviewed how rezonings change permitted uses and development standards, and recommended the commission forward the ordinance to the city council with a favorable recommendation. The mayor closed the public hearing, the commission took a motion and second, and the item was forwarded to council.
Under the timeline Melhorn presented, two city council actions are required: an initial hearing set for April 28 and a disposition scheduled for May 12. Melhorn said rezonings are adopted by ordinance and permanently change the zoning classification and land-use entitlement for a property.
Next steps: the ordinance will be scheduled for city council consideration on the stated dates; if council approves, the rezoning would be recorded and the parcel could be combined with Lot J for development.
Who said what: Harley Melhorn (staff presenter) framed the request as consistent with the comprehensive plan. The mayor facilitated the hearing and the commission moved and voted to forward the ordinance.
What remains unresolved: the council will hold the required hearings and make the final determination; no implementation or development permits have been approved as part of this action.
