03-09-1998 CC MIN SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL - TRAINING ROOM
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1998
City Council
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Planning Commissioners
Present:
Commissioners Absent:
Staff Present:
Also Present:
Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Dietz, Farber, Holmgren
and Thompson
None
Chair Mesich, Commissioners Anderson, Cote, Kuester,
Morris and Thompson
Commissioner Chambers
Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Peter Beck, City Attorney,
Steve Ach, City Planner; Debbie Huebner, Recording
Secretary
Duane Kropuenske
Call Meetinq To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River was called
to order at 6:55 by Mayor Duitsman.
Consider 3/9/98 A,qenda
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER
HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consider Exemption from Lawful Gamblinq request by River City Snow Riders
COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE REQUEST BY RIVER CTIY
SNOW RIDERS FORR AN EXEMPTION FROM LAWFUL GAMBLING. COUNCILMEMBER
DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
1997 Planning Department Annual Report
Steve Ach, City Planner, presented the Planning Department annual report.
Discussion took place regarding follow-up on approved plats, conditional use
permits and site plans. The Council asked Steve to report back to the Council
after the summer inspection season to determine if conditions of approved site
plans are being completed (i.e., landscaping, signage, etc.).
Special Joint Cily Council and Planning Commission Meeting
March 9, 1998
Page 2
5. Joint Meetin,q Issues
a. Growth in Elk River
Planning Commission Chair Tom Mesich expressed his concern that the increasing
residential growth will overwhelm the city's and school district's infrastructure. He
stated that if the growth is allowed to continue at its present rate, the taxes on
the city's residents could become unbearable.
Mayor Duitsman indicated the City's Comprehensive Plan is in place to plan for
the City's growth. He stated it is the City Council's responsibility to implement the
Comprehensive Plan. He stated the Council has more of a political role, and the
Council relies on the Planning Commission's technical review of issues.
Duane Kropuenske indicated the impact of residential growth on the school
district goes beyond Elk River, and is affected by growth in Zimmerman and
Rogers, as well.
Discussion followed regarding the need for industrial development in Elk River.
Mayor Duitsman indicated some of the gravel pits are nearly mined out, and the
City needs to begin looking at these areas for possible industrial development.
b. Development Standards
The Council and Planning Commission discussed the following issues:
Sidewalks and trails
The Councilmembers encouraged the Planning Commission to be more
proactive and vocal in commenting at Council meetings on new plats. The
Councilmembers also felt it was important a representative of the Park &
Recreation Commission attend Council meetings when discussing new plats, in
order to state their position and reasons for the recommendations regarding trails
and sidewalks.
Tree Preservation
The group discussed the problem of more trees being removed than expected in
new subdivisions such as Cherrywood Hills, Cottages of Elk River and Lafayette
Woods. Steve Ach, City Planner, explained how tree preservation plans may vary
from what is displayed on paper and what takes place on the site. Discussion
followed regarding the loss of saved trees 2 - 3 years after construction. Methods
of dealing with this issue were discussed including a tree inventory, tagging trees
to be saved, and a tree replacement program. It was the consensus of the
Council and Planning Commission that a tree replacement program may be the
most realistic way to approach this issue.
c. Downtown Master Plan
Mayor Duitsman indicated the HRA will be meeting jointly with the Planning
Commission on Tuesday, March 10th, to discuss the downtown. Duane
Kropuenske suggested Jim Brimeyer of the Brimeyer Group facilitate the
downtown "visioning" process.
Special Joint City Council and Planning Commission Meeting
March 9, 1998
Page 3
d. Electronic Reader Boards
Steve Ach indicated the information for discussion on this item was not available
at this time and will be considered at a later date.
7. Adjournment
There being no further business, MAYOR DUITSMAN ADJOURNED THE MEETING.
The meeting of the Elk River City Council was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Huebner
Recording Secretary