Eau Claire City Council: Food Trucks, Princeton Valley development, Haymarket Bridge Lighting

At its May 22 Legislative Session, the Eau Claire City Council took action to revise food truck rules, approve a zoning change for a Princeton Valley area development, receive DNR funds for residential lead pipe replacement, grant a liquor license for a planned reopened Gordy's Market on Clairemont Ave., approve a five-year Park, Open Space, & Recreation Facilities Plan, and accept a donation for lighting the new Haymarket pedestrian bridge. 

Haselwander Brothers:  Development of 27 Single Family Lots in Princeton Valley

The Council approved a rezoning request that will allow for the development of 27 single-family residential lots along Gooder St., LaSalle St., and East Princeton Ave., by Haselwanter Brothers, Inc.

(Above: Preliminary plot provided to the Plan Commission at its May 14 meeting)

City staff noted that the proposal is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan for low-density residential development, and the surrounding area is mostly the same R-1 single family zoning with existing single family homes in the vicinity of Princeton Valley Golf Club.  However, at Monday evening's public hearing, two nearby residents complained about the added development near their homes.  Developer Neil Haselwander, who himself lives in the area, said the homes are intended to fill demand for more affordable housing, especially senior citizens looking to downsize. 

Food Truck rules revised to encourage more licenses

After a lengthy discussion and consideration of amendments, the Council approved revised rules and license fees for food trucks to encourage more of them to set up in city parks and along city streets. Among the changes were lowering the license fee from $250 per year to $120 and increasing the allowable length of time open on a city street from four to six hours.  The Council continued restrictions related to trucks open in proximity to existing restaurants, and deleted a proposal to allow daily food truck parking on the Schlegelmilch Lot at Farwell and Lake streets. Much of the discussion centered around the balance between encouraging food truck businesses while avoiding unfair competition with brick-and-mortar restaurants who have higher licensing and operating expenses. At Monday's public hearing, restaurant owner Lisa Aspenson raised concerns about lowering license fees for food trucks after health inspection fees charged to restaurants were increased significantly last year. 

Donation enables decorative lighting on new Haymarket pedestrian bridge

The Council will accept a donation of $110,000 from Jamf co-founder Zach Halmstad to pay for lighting on the pedestrian bridge currently under construction between Phoenix Park and Haymarket Landing.  ​

​By paying for the Haymarket lights, the donation makes it possible for the city to also illuminate the Grand Avenue pedestrian bridge, currently being rebuilt across the Chippewa River.

Also at Tuesday's meeting, the Council agreed to accept $300,00 from the DNR to continue a program to assist residential water customers to replace existing lead pipes, approved a liquor license for Gordy's Market, which plans to reopen its location on Clairemont Avenue in the Shopko Plaza (the former Ron's Castle Foods), and approved a five-year Park Open Space & Recreation Facilities Plan. The plan was updated with one amendment to include investigating the feasibility of an additional trail between downtown and the East Hill Neighborhood.

News coverage:
EC City Council loosens food truck rules (Leader-Telegram)
Gordy's Market works to reopen Eau Claire location (WEAU TV 13 News)

The Eau Claire City Council meets twice a month.  The agenda is released the week before, with a Monday session at 7:00 p.m. to receive public comments, and a Tuesday session at 4:00 p.m. to take legislative action on business items and ordinances. Meetings are streamed live at Community Television/Valley Media Works and available to be viewed on demand within a couple days later. The next meetings will be June 11 and 12.

Posted by: Scott Rogers, Governmental Affairs & Workforce Director
​rogers@eauclairechamber.org​