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Hudson Comprehensive Plan
Hudson, Wisconsin
The City of Hudson is undergoing the process of developing a comprehensive plan. The purpose of the comprehensive plan is to continue to balance development within the community as a way to improve and maintain Hudson’s image as an attractive place to live, work and play.
Balancing the growth is important because concerns exist about the pace of growth and the citizens enjoy the small-town feel of Hudson.
Elements of the Comprehensive Plan
- Issues and Opportunities
- Agricultural, Natural and Cultural Resources
- Economic Development
- Land Use
- Housing
- Transportation
- Utilities
- Intergovernmental
- Implementation
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Key Elements of the Hudson Comprehensive Plan:
- Encourage distinctive neighborhoods with a sense of place
- Create housingopportunities and choices
- Preserve the community’s natural resources
- Achieve stakeholder collaborationin development decisions
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Project Background
The City adopted its first Comprehensive Plan in 1967 and last updated it in 1993. This update occurred before Wisconsin adopted a statute that required all cities, villages, and towns exercising village powers to implement a Comprehensive Plan by 2010. The City of Hudson is located on the scenic St. Croix River and is the county seat for St. Croix County, one of the fastest growing counties in Wisconsin. Hudson is a community rich in history as reflected in efforts by the City, residents, businesses and organizations to preserve the historic downtown. Historic buildings include City Hall, the old library and post office, the Octagon House and other residences along 3rd Street. Hudson does not, however, only honor its past. The City is astutely attuned to the needs of its present residents by serving as host to a number of annual community events such as Booster Days in July, the Spirit of St. Croix Days in October, the Hot Air Affair in February and on-going “Concerts in the Park” in the Lakefront Park amphitheatre.
Hudson, as one of Wisconsin’s gateways to the west, is also within a short commuting distance of the St. Paul-Minneapolis Metro area via Interstate 94. Moreover, its western shoreline abuts the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. This close proximity to a major metropolitan area, combined with historical appeal and small town charm has resulted in significant growth in and around the Hudson area.
The City, in preparation for updating its Comprehensive Plan, worked with the University of Wisconsin, River Falls Extension Service to solicit community input by surveying both Hudson business owners and residents. The survey report was published in May 2006. Although a number of topics were surveyed, the following inter-related issues resonated among the groups:
Community Character
Hudson possesses an intrinsic charm reminiscent of the area’s rich cultural and natural history. For the most part, Hudson has retained a great deal of original architecture both in the downtown business area and in the neighborhoods, such as 3rd Street. In addition to retaining its historical character and small-town appeal, the City is developing distinct neighborhoods and business districts that continue to define its community character. General business districts include the downtown retail area, the hill commercial area, and the industrial areas.
The challenge of new development is to retain the community’s spirit and sense of place so that it does not resemble “everywhere or anywhere USA.” To understand and assess potential citywide revitalization, the retail, commercial and industrial districts could be further segmented into sub-districts for additional study.
Community Growth
Hudson has retained and attracted residents for a number of reasons including its general quality of life, and specifically for the small-town atmosphere that it has been able to retain. Unfortunately, as towns and cities begin to grow, this quality becomes harder to maintain. Accelerated growth without a long-term vision or thoughtful planning creates an ambivalence that can make a community anxious. Community comments related to safety, City facilities and infrastructure capacity, natural resource degradation, etc. are all factors that contributed to the “quality of life” as noted in the Extension Service Survey. However, while residents felt that Hudson has been growing at an uncomfortable rate, business owners (especially those on the hill) felt that the City’s growth rate has been acceptable. However, business owners are still in favor of putting growth strategies in place. Hudson has primarily grown within its development limits and has not pursued annexation opportunities, with exceptions such as the River Crest Elementary School property south of Coulee Trail.
Transportation/Traffic Congestion
According to survey responses, the City’s transportation network was reported to be adequate with the exception of a few problem areas. Most notable were the Carmichael Road intersection at Crestview (the original east-bound access from I-94 to Crestview near the old Perkins site was re-located by WisDOT to Carmichael) and the increased traffic providing access to the downtown area, Highway 35 is a significant north-south corridor along the west side of Wisconsin that provides access from I-94 to North Hudson, Houlton, Somerset and New Richmond on the Wisconsin side and to Stillwater on the Minnesota side. Highway 35 also takes traffic from the hill area via Coulee Road. The City of Hudson also worked with the University of Wisconsin to prepare a parking survey in 2005. Among other findings, it was noted that “parking conditions in the downtown region merit on-going consideration.”
Croix Meadows Dog Track Site
Although not directly part of the Comprehensive Plan Survey Report, the former 126-acre greyhound race track and facility at St. Croix Meadows is showing painful signs of neglect since it closed in 2001. While it is beyond the scope of this project to discuss the reasons for the state of the property and facility, it is important to acknowledge its present condition, past redevelopment ideas, and plan for what the property can eventually become to best serve the needs of the Hudson community.
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Meeting Information
Coming Soon
Past Community Open House
Meeting Poster
April 23, 2009
4:30-6:30 Comprehensive Plan Open House
City Hall
The purpose of this meeting is to review the City's future land use map and review the draft chapters of the plan.
Past Meetings
Project Documents
Transportation Plan
Draft Land Use Map - April 2009
Draft District Land Use Maps - April 2009
Comprehensive Plan (20M, Right-click and select "Save As")
Contact
Mike Darrow
Project Manager, SEH
E-mail
612.758.6782
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