Woodbury Advances Bailey Properties Master Plan Amidst Safety, Design Scrutiny
The proposed 185-acre development north of Bailey Road progresses through the Planning Commission, sparking detailed discussions on pedestrian safety, green infrastructure, and comprehensive plan alignment.
The Woodbury City Council Planning Commission recently advanced the Bailey Properties Master Plan (Project #19-2025-00603), a significant development covering 185 acres north of Bailey Road. The evening’s detailed discussion focused on the plan's impact on infrastructure, community safety, environmental considerations, and its alignment with the city's long-term planning documents.
Thank you, Dan. Uh, one item on the agenda for this evening. Uh, that is the Bailey Properties Master Plan, project number 19-2025-00 603.
Staff member Eric explained the master plan's purpose and enforceability during the session, underscoring its foundational role.
Master plans are a a guiding document. So they certainly do establish policy direction. Um they do they are adopted by resolution by the city council and any project that is requesting a PUD through the city must be consistent with the that master plan.
Pedestrian Safety and Century Avenue Concerns
A prominent point of discussion revolved around the future of Century Avenue South, particularly its potential extension and pedestrian safety. Residents living along Century Avenue voiced significant concerns regarding the plan's implications for their neighborhood.
Please consider not extending that just for the safety of everyone both that live there and also use the park.
Johnny Demay, another resident, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration with neighboring cities to ensure development is done safely.
we want to make sure that you guys continue working with our city and make sure that, you know, it's done safely.
Commissioner Jacob Guzik pushed for enhanced pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and green space integration, specifically recommending additional tree planting and safety features along major corridors. He referenced the city's approach plan for safety improvements.
If possible, I would like to see boulevard trees along Century Avenue between the trail and the roadway and not just the double row on the outside. I do think within the City of Woodbury's safe safe systems approach plan... it would be prudent to have more curve extensions or bump outs or pedestrian refuge islands, potentially raised crosswalks on the city owned streets could make that more pedestrian friendly.
Staff confirmed that these suggestions would be carefully reviewed as the plan progresses from draft to final form.
We will certainly take a look at that as part of the movement from the draft plan to the final plan.
Comprehensive Planning and Community Integration
The master plan also necessitated modifications to the existing 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which had not accounted for the recent acquisition of land by New Life Academy for campus expansion. Discussions included parking strategies for New Life Academy's sports fields.
In a perfect world, there'd be probably more utilization of the existing parking at the church and academy site, but in reality, that's just not what we see.
The evaluation of the Century Avenue extension, along with other land use changes from 'places to work' to 'low-density residential,' is slated for more extensive review during the development of the 2050 Comprehensive Plan, scheduled for 2027 and 2028. The proposal also touched on adjacent developments in Newport, including plans for a QuickTrip, light industrial uses, and affordable housing, highlighting the need for inter-municipal coordination. Staff confirmed ongoing dialogues with the Cities of Newport and Maplewood for several months.
The plan’s focus on green spaces and landscaping received positive feedback from commissioners.
And then the landscaping, I was pleased to see so much green focus on that and I appreciate your focus Commissioner Guzick on that. As many trees, etc. We don't want to be a concrete jungle.
Public engagement had included a neighborhood meeting hosted by Newport last fall and a Woodbury project neighborhood meeting in May with approximately 40 attendees, providing feedback that informed the current plan. The Bailey Properties Master Plan, once officially adopted, will serve as a critical guiding document for all future planned unit developments within the 185-acre site. The feedback from residents and commissioners will be crucial in refining the draft plan as it moves towards finalization, ensuring a balance between development, safety, and community well-being.
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Areas of Interest (5)
- Residents raise urgent safety concerns over the proposed Century Avenue extension, citing multiple accidents and advocating for alternatives.
- Woodbury's 185-acre Bailey West Master Plan faces scrutiny over pedestrian safety, architectural consistency, and inter-city coordination challenges.
- New Life Academy's 30-acre expansion triggers significant land use modifications in Woodbury's master plan, with implications for parking and traffic.
- The future of Century Avenue's extension remains uncertain, pending a critical review in Woodbury's 2050 Comprehensive Plan amidst public opposition.
- Commissioners push for enhanced pedestrian-friendly designs, including boulevard trees and safety infrastructure, in Woodbury's new developments.
Notable Quotes (10)
Thank you, Dan. Uh, one item on the agenda for this evening. Uh, that is the Bailey Properties Master Plan, project number 19-2025-00 603.
Please consider not extending that just for the safety of everyone both that live there and also use the park.
we want to make sure that you guys continue working with our city and make sure that, you know, it's done safely.
Master plans are a a guiding document. So they certainly do establish policy direction. Um they do they are adopted by resolution by the city council and any project that is requesting a PUD through the city must be consistent with the that master plan.
We will certainly take a look at that as part of the movement from the draft plan to the final plan.
If possible, I would like to see boulevard trees along Century Avenue between the trail and the roadway and not just the double row on the outside.
I do think within the City of Woodbury's safe safe systems approach plan, I don't know if we've adopted I don't think we've ever adopted complete streets per se, but I think it would be prudent to have more curve extensions or bump outs or pedestrian refuge islands, potentially raised crosswalks on the city owned streets could make that more pedestrian friendly.
And um the only concern was for the the traffic, I think, um especially of trucks and such uh delivering things. Yeah, they I know they worked that out among themselves.
Mhm. In a perfect world, there'd be probably more utilization of the existing parking at the church and academy site, but in reality, that's just not what we see.
And then the landscaping, I was pleased to see so much green focus on that and I appreciate your focus Commissioner Guzick on that. As many trees, etc. We don't want to be a concrete jungle and I think the foc
People (13)
Jim GentileChairCalled the meeting to order and introduced the agenda item.
1 quote
Called the meeting to order and introduced the agenda item.
“Thank you, Dan. Uh, one item on the agenda for this evening. Uh, that is the Bailey Properties Master Plan, project number 19-2025-00 603.”
Introducing the Bailey Properties Master Plan as the main agenda item.
DanNot specifiedCalled out commissioners' names during the roll call.
Called out commissioners' names during the roll call.
Marsha KennedyCommissionerConfirmed her attendance and later inquired about the Newport section and parking.
3 quotes
Confirmed her attendance and later inquired about the Newport section and parking.
“And um the only concern was for the the traffic, I think, um especially of trucks and such uh delivering things. Yeah, they I know they worked that out among themselves.”
Recalling past traffic concerns regarding the QuickTrip project in Newport.
“Mhm. In a perfect world, there'd be probably more utilization of the existing parking at the church and academy site, but in reality, that's just not what we see.”
Commenting on the practical challenges of parking for New Life Academy's sports fields.
“And then the landscaping, I was pleased to see so much green focus on that and I appreciate your focus Commissioner Guzick on that. As many trees, etc. We don't want to be a concrete jungle and I think the foc”
Expressing approval of the green infrastructure and landscaping focus in the plan.
John ColumnCommissionerConfirmed his attendance during roll call.
Confirmed his attendance during roll call.
Stephanie SwansonCommissionerConfirmed her attendance during roll call.
Confirmed her attendance during roll call.
Shay See BrooksCommissionerConfirmed her attendance during roll call.
Confirmed her attendance during roll call.
Jacob GuzikCommissionerConfirmed his attendance and asked detailed questions about the master plan and design.
2 quotes
Confirmed his attendance and asked detailed questions about the master plan and design.
“If possible, I would like to see boulevard trees along Century Avenue between the trail and the roadway and not just the double row on the outside.”
Suggesting boulevard trees for Century Avenue for aesthetic and environmental benefits.
“I do think within the City of Woodbury's safe safe systems approach plan, I don't know if we've adopted I don't think we've ever adopted complete streets per se, but I think it would be prudent to have more curve extensions or bump outs or pedestrian refuge islands, potentially raised crosswalks on the city owned streets could make that more pedestrian friendly.”
Advocating for specific pedestrian safety improvements at intersections.
Giselle ParnellCommissionerConfirmed her attendance during roll call.
Confirmed her attendance during roll call.
Rian HalloleCommissionerConfirmed her attendance during roll call.
Confirmed her attendance during roll call.
Soren ShawCommissionerConfirmed her attendance during roll call.
Confirmed her attendance during roll call.
EricStaffPresented the master plan and responded to public and commissioner inquiries.
2 quotes
Presented the master plan and responded to public and commissioner inquiries.
“Master plans are a a guiding document. So they certainly do establish policy direction. Um they do they are adopted by resolution by the city council and any project that is requesting a PUD through the city must be consistent with the that master plan.”
Explaining the policy and regulatory role of master plans.
“We will certainly take a look at that as part of the movement from the draft plan to the final plan.”
Responding to Commissioner Guzik's suggestions for pedestrian crossing improvements.
Janelle EricksonResidentLives on Century Avenue South, spoke about pedestrian and cyclist safety concerns.
1 quote
Lives on Century Avenue South, spoke about pedestrian and cyclist safety concerns.
“Please consider not extending that just for the safety of everyone both that live there and also use the park.”
Urging the commission to reconsider the extension of Century Avenue South due to safety issues.
Johnny DemayResidentLives at 1211 Century Avenue South, Maplewood, voiced concerns about road safety.
1 quote
Lives at 1211 Century Avenue South, Maplewood, voiced concerns about road safety.
“we want to make sure that you guys continue working with our city and make sure that, you know, it's done safely.”
Emphasizing the importance of inter-municipal cooperation for road safety.
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (5)
- June 15th Planning Commission meeting
- Neighborhood meeting (last fall, hosted by City of Newport)
- Woodbury project neighborhood meeting (May 11th, ~40 attendees)
- Weekly dialogues with City of Newport and City of Maplewood (ongoing for several months)
- 2050 Comprehensive Plan review and discussion (scheduled for 2027 and 2028)
Ordinances & Resolutions (5)
Staff recommends Planning Commission recommend City Council adopt the master plan for 185 acres north of Bailey Road.
Existing plan that did not contemplate the New Life Academy land acquisition, requiring modifications.
Future plan to evaluate land use changes (places to work to low-density residential) and the Century Avenue extension.
Used as a reference for recommended right-of-way standards for Century Avenue.
Framework mentioned for potential pedestrian safety enhancements like curve extensions and raised crosswalks.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
June 15th Planning Commission meeting procedures
Master plan requirements for properties over 100 acres
Stormwater management approach for regional ponds
Pedestrian and greenway corridor planning
Architectural themes for development continuity
Modifications to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan
New Life Academy land acquisition and campus expansion
Evaluation of Century Avenue extension in 2050 Comprehensive Plan
Public engagement and neighborhood meetings feedback
Traffic and pedestrian safety concerns on Century Avenue South
Enforceability and guiding principles of master plans
Newport's adjacent development plans (QuickTrip, light industrial, affordable housing)
Washington County design standards for right-of-way widths
Proposed landscaping and boulevard trees along Century Avenue
Pedestrian connectivity and walkability in commercial areas
Parking strategies for New Life Academy sports fields
Integration of green spaces and landscaping in development
Discussion of private drive access and pedestrian paths
Implementation of curve extensions, bump-outs, and raised crosswalks
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