If you have a couple minutes to spare, the City of Stanley would like your feedback on the future of the historic downtown area. The “Downtown Stanley Survey” is currently posted at the City website at https://stanleywisconsin. us/. Just click on “View More” to the right on the home page and then “Downtown Stanley Survey” under “Recent Posts.” The survey will be available until July 14 and is estimated to take just 15 minutes, with a follow-up survey in August on downtown actions and solutions.

That being said, the Stanley Plan Commission heard once again from Susan Badtke of the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission this past Monday June 29 at the Fire Hall. A previous scheduled meeting earlier this year had been postponed until later due to COVID-19 restrictions. Badtke had come to present and receive feedback on a draft report prior to submitting a final report to the City Plan Commission for its recommendation to and consideration by the Stanley Common Council. In the draft report submitted by Badtke to the Plan Commission, four key areas for future growth and prosperity had been identified, each with their boundaries. First though, there was important side information.

“Zoning is your regulatory authority,” she said. “By State statute, any zoning decisions that the City makes in land use has to be consistent with your comprehensive plan.”

After this had been covered, the first growth area was identified as a rectangular portion of land plotted from the school district north, bordered on the west by Jefferson Street. The second plan growth area identified was in the East Business Park, with the hospital and agricultural land both inside it.

The third growth area, was the West Side Industrial Park, and the fourth area was across from the Elk Park, currently used for agricultural purposes and under strict rules due to close water well proximity— no contaminants please! Most of the growth areas identified were a matter of filling in the existing zoned areas with more of the same. Residential—more residential; Industrial— more industrial. Not all followed the same pattern though, and there was one place in particular that needed attention according to Badtke.

“Let’s go back to the East Park,” Badtke said of growth area two as the other areas had been touched upon. “Here’s where I need some thoughts.” After it was shared that one particular wet area was low, Badtke said that it could be designated for conservancy. A few Commission members gave their input on minor changes in planned land use for other areas, and then Dave Jankoski had a comment.

“You have another name for land that you don’t designate,” he said. “What do you call it?”

“Urban transitional,” Administrator-Clerk-Treasurer Cynthianna Bergman chimed in. Additionally, the current Halterman salvage yard on Fourth Avenue was tentatively identified for future residential use, which led into a discussion on soil samples and rules related to this sort of repurposing, along with downtown talk.

“I know one of Mr. Erickson’s concerns from the last meeting was balancing new residential with infill, that brings people downtown,” Badtke said, also making note that by building on present agricultural land within the City limits it would help conserve agricultural land outside the city limits. Land, Badtke said, was one of the City’s best assets, as it didn’t need to be acquired as was often the case with other towns—and then there was shovel ready talk.

“Shovel ready is about having all your steps, all your ducks in a row,” Badtke told the Plan commission, then adding, “And again, these are working maps, we can continue to refine (them),” she said of the four areas her firm had identified for

Susan Badtke (left) of the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission updated Stanley Plan Commission members recently on a report her firm is working on for the City. Around the arch from back left are: Cynthianna Bergman; Rick Hodowanic; Al Haas; Dave Jankoski; Larry Norrell; Rick Denzine; and Susan Badtke. Staff photo.