8.2. PRSR 04-02-2014 Gty of
El Request for Action
River
To Item Number
Parks and Recreation Commission 8.2
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Action Items April 2,2104 Chris Leeseberg,Park Planner- Planner
Item Description Reviewed by
City Comprehensive Plan Michael Hecker,Parks and Recreation Director
Reviewed by
Action Requested
• Commission discussion of the draft City Comprehensive Plan
• Take public comment
• Recommend, by motion, approval of the City Comprehensive Plan
Background/Discussion
The City of Elk River's Comprehensive Plan establishes the goals and vision at all levels for the
development of the entire community for the next 20 years. From this document,the zoning ordinance
is developed and land use decisions are made. It is appropriate to periodically review the plan to ensure
that the assumptions,vision and goals are consistent with the community's desires, as these may
evolve/change over time. The city last updated its Comprehensive Plan in 2004.
In May, 2013,the city began the process of updating its plan with the formation and monthly meetings of
a Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC, representing the various boards, commissions, City
Council, Sherburne County, and the Chamber of Commerce, met and discussed appropriate updates and
changes to the plan. The CAC also hosted two open houses, one in July and one in December. Through
this process, a draft plan was developed for review. A copy has been posted to the city's website and the
land use map was published in the Star News.
The Comprehensive Plan includes chapters on vision, land use, transportation,housing, utilities,
environmental resources,parks,trials and open space, community facilities, community development, and
community image. A brief description of the chapters can be found on page three of the document.
The Comprehensive Plan incorporates recently approved plans, including the Mississippi Connections
Downtown Plan (2012),the FAST study(2010),and the Highway 10 and Highway 169 geometric studies
(2008).
In addition, the major changes of the plan from 2004 include:
• Commercial Reserve (proposed to be renamed Development Reserve) is expanded to include the
mining area west of Highway 169.
• Commercial Reserve along Highway 10 on the east side was removed, in favor of Highway
business, mixed use, and open space.
'POWERED R /
NATURE
• Wetlands and the floodplain are shown on the land use map, in part to establish expectations
early in land use decision making.
• The Elk River Sportsman's Club is shown as open space, similar to the designation for the Elk
River Golf Course.
• The addition of regionally defined transportation corridors.
• The urban service area is expanded to include residential properties along Yale Street and 175th
Avenue. This allows for planning for eventual expansion of the water and sanitary sewer system.
• City owned land north of the Youth Athletic Complex is guided for industrial uses, from rural
residential uses.
Some of these changes were presented and briefly discussed at the March 12,2014 Parks and Recreation
Commission Meeting during the Announcements portion of the agenda. Commissioners shared some of
their concerns regarding some of the changes in the plan. Due to the concerns of the Commission
Members, Commission Chair Dave Anderson requested a special meeting on April 2,2014 to review and
recommend those changes.
A full color version may be found on the city's website by searching Comprehensive Plan and clicking on
Comprehensive Plan Update. (or on the city's website select, Departments/Planning/Current
Projects/Comprehensive Plan Update and then download the plan)
The document is formatted to provide background,general information,then goals and vision. Each
chapter closes with implementation, a strategy to complete the vision.
In reviewing the document,the Parks and Recreation Commission should consider.
1. Is the city vision clearly stated?
2. How should the natural environment be treated?
3. Is there adequate industrial/commercial growth opportunities?
4. Is there adequate parks and recreation growth opportunities?
5. Does the plan support transportation needs for the region?
Financial Impact
None
Attachments
• None
N:\Depanments\Parks and Recreation\Commission\Packets\2014\04-02-14 PRC Packet\Comp Plan Update.docx