20/20 Cold Spring Vision Team

Minutes of the Meeting
Land Use/Design Standards
November 10, 2004

Minutes of the Meeting
Land Use/Design Standards
November 10, 2004


The meeting’s agenda highlighted the possibility of a collaborative effort between the Land Use and the Design Standards committees in determining a strategy for rezoning Cold Spring’s commercial districts. Committee outcomes included a division of duties to avoid any possible overlap and to best use each group’s time and expertise. It’s also important to note that a potential planning consultant was present at the meeting to provide insight and answer questions regarding this process.


2020 Land Use agenda (revised) Nov. 10, 7-8:30 PM

Review: what brought us to this point

Through the 2020 survey and Design Team discussions Cold Spring residents told us they want sustainable, managed growth to retain a small town atmosphere

Residential growth: Larry Lahr provided some background information on upcoming residential housing developments. His report focused on several developments slated for the near future that include: Granite Ledge, Maple Ridge, North Point 4, River Links, and Blue Heron Heights. These developments totaled about 150 units, one being a PUD with townhouse style construction, wide tree lined boulevards, and an association governing body. Some discussion also involved lower income housing and the necessity to have starter homes available for this market. Land use committee members concluded new housing construction at this point reflects an affordable balance for varied income levels.

Business growth: industrial, retail Mike Kathman and Dan Steil led discussion about the business needs of the community. The presenters concluded some general direction about new business ventures and the need for balance between residential requirements, commercial opportunities, and industrial compatibility to existing uses. Residential needs should include a grocery store, drug store, hardware, etc. Existing local business expansion should be encouraged so these operations remain in Cold Spring. In addition, industrial expansion should include new businesses that conform to existing uses already in place. Some discussion followed regarding transportation usage and the need for a master plan to provide guidance for any future business development.

After this discussion, John Frischmann, chair for the Design Standards, brought the Land Use committee up to date regarding their participation in rezoning Cold Spring’s commercial areas. John shared a preliminary drawing of three commercial districts and their potential boundaries. Past Design Standards meetings concluded the need for these districts and their possible locations throughout the city. They include: downtown commercial, fringe commercial that incorporates the Hwy 23-corridor west of the Sauk River, and a Highway commercial (east of the Sauk). Suggestions to avoid possible over lap of each group’s efforts were specific: the design committee would work on the three zones, businesses appropriate for these zones, and their building standards that includes appropriate signage. Land use committee members would decide where the boundary lines should be drawn for these uses and the larger scope of these specific zones to the community. Dan Steil also suggested committee members study Cold Spring’s land use plan that was developed in 1999 and may provide insight to this process.

Additional conversations focused on whether to apply the group efforts on specific target areas where development would occur more rapidly. Larry suggested it would be more beneficial for the city to provide the three updated zones to avoid any confusion or unnecessary complications. Dave Olson recommended that a collaborative effort by both committees could achieve a possible completion by April 2005. Reasons for this urgency revolves around the expected commercial opportunities along Hwy 23 and a rezoning would improve this process not only for the city but the businesses involved. Rezoning would also assist in planning traffic patterns, parking, and other landscape/streetscape issues.

The process to rezone the commercial areas involves numerous steps that include both volunteer hours and paid professional services. Land Use and the Design committees would provide the background data needed for beginning phases. However, at some point in the near future, the city would need to hire a consultant to compile and complete these ordinance revisions. This step is considered a high priority for the successful completion of the rezoning process. Discussions during this time also focused on the need for an updated comprehensive plan that would provide a blueprint for any future community development. This larger document would also utilize the services of a consultant.

The process of rezoning Cold Spring’s commercial districts involves several layers of community government. Through the collaboration of the design standards and the land use committees, recommendations would be given to the planning commission. Publishing these notices in the newspaper would then include public hearing(s) to discuss these modifications. Upon approval, the planning commission would then forward these recommendations to the City Council for adoption.

Do we want to request grant money for a Comprehensive Land Use Plan? Committee members answered yes for the full amount of $40,000 of which the city would have to pay half.


Meeting adjourned by 8:35 PM