DTSR AGENDA 01-23-2012Regular Meeting
of the
Downtown Task Force
AGENDA
I. SELECTION OF TASK FORCE CHAIR/ CO CHAIRS
2. PROBLEM STATEMENT DEVELOPMENT
3. BREAK
4. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND CONSENSUS
5. NEXT STEPS/ HOMEWORK
6. NEXT MEETING: FEBRUARY 27, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
6:30 p.m.
Elk River City Hall
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notlce. Rleue contact the CiryElerk ac 763.635:1000 to makes requesr_ Examples of alternate formau may include: large print;
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pIBEAEO B1
I~A~'URE
MEMORANDUM
per
TO: Downtown Task Force Members
FROM: Jeremy Barnhart, Planning Manager
DATE: January 23, 2012
SUBJECT: January meeting agenda discussion
The agenda fox the meeting on January 23`° includes a number of items. This memo is
intended to provide some preliminary information as you prepare for that meeting.
1. Selection of chair/co-chairs. With the full task force in place, the election of officers is
necessary. I suggest that a small group of people, not more than three, be named to facilitate
the meetings, lead the presentation of the plan to the public, and in general take on a
leadership role fox this project.
2. Problem statement. The problem statement remains to be defined. Recall that the City
Councfl established a task force so that stakeholders could in large part define the result of
the planning process. The public review portion of the planning process will begin soon, the
problem statement will help in defming the issues fox the property owners and other
stakeholders.
The initial draft of the plan included a mission statement and vision statement.
"The Mission statement reads: `To develop a comprehensive plan that will redefine the "greater
downtown area" to preserve its historical character while promoting the future viabik'ty of the community.
Maximum public input will be gathered to create and assess alternatives resulting in a forma!
redevelopment plan with a combination of a master vision, working policies, specific area recommendations
and implementation priorities. "
The Vision statement reads: `The Mississippi Connections Study Area is the cornerstone of the
community. The Redevelopment Framework provides the blueprint for creating an environment and culture
that encourages private reinvestment. This environment will be characterised by a robust business climate,
strong affordable residential neighborhoods, diverse recreational opportunities, an agreed upon transportation
framework, recognition of its historical place, and enhancing opportunities for connections with the
community. "
PBNE8E9 ®-
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If the mission statement gives the Task Force members general instruction on "where" and
"how" to do an activity, and the vision is the "what", the "why" needs to be answered.
The problem statement answers the why. To develop a problem statement, members axe
asked to write a problem statement, prior to the meeting. At the meeting, the task force will
divide into smaller groups, and each group will form a recommended problem statement
from its members' previously written statements. With 4-5 problem statements, the whole
group will work to bring together the best ideas into one.
3. Break. Sandwiches and soft drinks will be provided, as will time fox a short break. This
will be taken approximately midway through the evening.
4. Items fox discussion. At the November meeting, members were asked to review the plan
as provided, and outline items they felt required additional discussion. A list of topics
received was sent out via email in December, and included here.
1. Revitalizing the core downtown area (details to be determined).
2. The "river trial". Is this a part of the plan?
3. Schedule (Is the length suggested by the draft schedule appropriate?)
4. Process. How do we incorporate community input?
5. Preserve older housing stock. Axe we doing that?
6. Preserve historic buildings (implementation priorities to include identification, programs,
resources available to property owners).
7. Jackson Ave changing land use to "medium density" on the East side.
8. Clarity on Hwy 10 fox access from the Hwy and access on city streets to downtown.
9. Bluff Block along Main St-the current new building and history and the established
business and history.
10. The building demolition on Main St. next to the ER Meats and the ER Meats area.
11. The 'future study area'.
12. Future transit ox train station locations.
13. Study area boundary, does it need to be expanded?
14. Study area boundary, does it need to be condensed.
15. Planning horizon. Currently 20 years. Should it be longer, shorter?
16. Jackson Avenue alignment, and its intersection with Highway 10.
17. Careful review of the alignment of streets north of 10.
18. Commercial uses along and south of Main, should there be a defined edge of
downtown?
19. Historic Preservation.
20. Mixed uses, a general evaluation of appropriate land uses.
21. Proximity of residential to the rerouted railroad.
22. Better understand issues with existing new projects, so that appropriate changes to our
plan can be made to reduce that risk.
From this list, the Task Force needs to collectively decide where this topic falls in relation to
the mission statement of the study, and if within the scope, is this topic critical to the
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completion of the plan. My goal fox this discussion is that the group builds consensus on the
items it discusses, and those items once decided are no longer issues within the group.
5. Next steps. I need some direction from the Task Force as to its desire fox making and
reviewing changes to the document. The two main options staff has identified include: Staff
can redline the document and submit sections as they become available, ox the Task Force
can name a small committee to work closely with staff to effect the necessary changes.
Homework will be determined at the meeting. With the added time fox a break, I anticipate
concluding the meeting no later than 9 p.m.
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Downtown Task Force
Draft Schedule
January 23, 2012
November 28, 2011 Organization, problem statement
December 26, 2011 No Meeting, holiday
January 23, 2012 Organization, problem statement, plan review
Febmary 27, 2012 Goal development
March 26, 2012 Finalize plan
April 2, 2012 Presentation to HRA, Council
Apri12, 2012 Public Comment period opens
Apri19, 2012 EDA meeting
April 10, 2012 Planning Commission meeting
April 11, 2012 Paxk Commission meeting
April 19, 2012 Heritage Preservation Commission meeting
April, 2012 2 open houses TBD
Apri123, 2012 Review comments received
May 2, 2012 Public Comment period ends
May 28, 2012 Review responses to the comments
June, 2012 Presentation to City Council.
Bold represents normal meeting dates
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