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Woodbury adopts Bailey West master plan but defers Century Avenue decision to 2050 plan
Summary
Council adopted the Bailey West Master Plan to guide roughly 185 acres for phased development, stormwater management, greenways and mixed uses, but amended the plan to mark the Century Avenue extension for further study as part of the 2050 comprehensive-plan transportation review following public safety and multi-jurisdictional concerns.
The City Council voted on June 24 to adopt the Bailey West Master Plan (resolution 26-76) with an amendment to defer a final decision on the Century Avenue extension until the 2050 comprehensive-plan transportation chapter can evaluate multi-jurisdictional impacts.
Community Development’s Eric Searles summarized the plan’s purpose: provide guidance for stormwater via regional basins, connect greenways and pedestrian infrastructure, and establish architectural themes across commercial, light-industrial and residential uses. He said the Bailey family holds about 185 acres in Woodbury and that New Life Academy is under contract to acquire roughly 30 acres carved out for public and semi-public use.
"The Bailey family holds about 185 acres in Woodbury," Searles said, explaining the need for coordinated master planning across multiple jurisdictions and noting the plan’s phasing to accommodate future development and the 2050 comprehensive plan.
Nearby residents urged caution. Johnny Demay and Roger Anderson, who live near Century Avenue South and Carver Lake Park, told the council they oppose pushing Century Avenue through to Bailey Road, citing steep grades, blind driveways, winter-safety concerns, wildlife disturbance and potential for truck traffic on a narrow, winding road. Resident Ellen McPartlin raised questions about traffic, noise, stormwater runoff and Carver Lake’s status as a DNR-protected water body.
Planning Commission liaison Shay Seabrooks said the commission unanimously recommended approval at its June 15 meeting but included comments raising safety and pedestrian concerns, parking near the commercial area, architectural details and the controlled intersection at Bailey Road and Century.
In response, staff noted Century Avenue is jointly owned by Washington and Ramsey counties and that connection and design would be further reviewed in the 2050 plan and in coordination with those counties and the City of Maplewood. The council amended the resolution to mark the Century connection for future review and adopted the master plan by roll call vote.
