Open space proposal wins support

The Red Wing Planning Commission approved an open space preservation plan Tuesday.

The plan would prop up preservation goals and potential policies for consideration. The recommendation now goes before the Red Wing City Council.

Commissioner Jeff McDowell, the lone dissenter, said preserving open space is important, but he felt the plan is “slanted away from development.”

“I’ve always been uncomfortable with that,” McDowell said. “And I’m kind of still uncomfortable.”

Planning Director Brian Peterson has maintained that the main thrust of the plan is for the city to work with developers in maintaining natural treasures.

“As Brian has said, this doesn’t mean development won’t happen,” said Assistant Planning Director Steve Kohn.

Kohn said the goal is to protect the areas of highest priority and for development to occur around them.

At the commission’s January meeting, several property owners also expressed concern over the aim of the plan.

The matter was tabled during the commission’s last two meetings for retooling.

“There is nothing in this plan that says if you have a high-priority area (the city) is going to stop you from developing,” Peterson said at the January meeting.

The plan itself highlights areas in the city deemed high priorities for preservation.

It also lists policies potentially establishing public-private partnerships, impact fees and overlay districts.

The policies specified in the plan would be handled on an individual basis if the plan is approved by the City Council.

Tags: news, open, space, planning, commission

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