Woodbury Planners Tackle Parking Challenges for New Life Academy Sports Fields
As New Life Academy expands its campus, city officials are grappling with practical solutions for sports field parking within the broader Bailey Properties Master Plan.
The Woodbury City Council Planning Commission recently delved into strategies for managing parking at New Life Academy's expanding sports fields, acknowledging long-standing challenges associated with event-day traffic and existing facility utilization. The discussion formed part of a broader review of the Bailey Properties Master Plan, a significant development proposal encompassing 185 acres north of Bailey Road, which includes New Life Academy's planned growth.
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 commission's consideration of parking solutions comes as New Life Academy moves forward with a substantial land acquisition and campus expansion. This growth is anticipated to bring increased activity, particularly around its sports facilities, making efficient and effective parking strategies crucial for minimizing neighborhood impact and ensuring smooth operations. The Bailey Properties Master Plan aims to provide a comprehensive framework for this and other developments in the area.
Guiding Development Through Master Plans
City staff underscored the role of master plans as foundational documents that set policy direction for all new projects. These plans are adopted by resolution by the city council, ensuring that any subsequent development, such as planned unit developments (PUDs), must align with their established guidelines. This process provides a structured approach to managing growth, including specific requirements for elements like parking.
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.
The comprehensive nature of the Bailey Properties Master Plan means that parking solutions for New Life Academy's sports fields will be integrated into a larger scheme that also addresses traffic flow, pedestrian connectivity, and green infrastructure for the entire 185-acre site. Commissioners like Jacob Guzik also emphasized the importance of green spaces and pedestrian-friendly designs within the larger development.
The initial discussion signals the city's commitment to proactively addressing the logistical demands of expanded community facilities. Future planning will ensure that proposed parking strategies not only accommodate the academy's needs but also align with Woodbury's broader goals for sustainable development and neighborhood quality of life. The process for moving from a draft plan to a final plan involves careful consideration of all these interwoven elements.
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.
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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
Bailey Properties Master Plan (Project #19-2025-00603)
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
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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