05-07-2007 DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT TASKFORCE FIRST MEETING NOTES May 7`''Downtown Redevelopment Taskforce First Visioning Meeting
Meeting Outcome: The Taskforce will be asked to develop two or three generalized land
use concepts or patterns. The policy assumptions that the Taskforce will be asked to
confirm on April 9"' should be used as the springboard/framework for this process.
"Props"Needed: properly scaled and oblique aerial base maps without four focus areas
Meeting Steps:
1) Two groups will produce their own"land use concept"
a. Start with the question "What do we mean b town?" and define the
"downtown" area.
b. Conceptualize in "areas" (north, south, etc.).
c. Compare the concepts (similarities/differences).
2) Chris &Michael will articulate each group's concept to the Taskforce as'a'whole.
Roles
• Cathy to monitor Chris's group
• Heidi to monitor Michael's group
• Scott will wander0
• Stacie will monitor entire room
MEMORANDUM
TO: Downtown Redevelopment Plan Task Force
FROM: Heidi Steinmetz, Assistant Director of Economic Development
DATE: May 7, 2007
SUBJECT: Meeting Location: Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
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The May 7 Task Force meeting will be held at 6:00pm in the EOC, located in the Elk River
Public Safety Building across from City Hall. This is the same location in which the first
Task Force meeting was held.
Following this cover memorandum is the meeting agenda, the April 9, 2007 draft minutes
for your review and “visioning” information.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Downtown Redevelopment Plan Task Force
FROM: Heidi Steinmetz, Assistant Director of Economic Development
DATE: May 7, 2007
SUBJECT: Visioning Session 1 of 2
Attachment
Policy Assumptions, April 9, 2007
Background
The Task Force has met six times for a total of approximately eighteen hours. Within that
time the Task Force has become extremely educated on issues relating to its Redevelopment
Study Area and has also developed the attached eleven policy assumptions based on
discussions held during those six meetings.
Preparing to “Vision”
It is important that the Task Force utilize their policy assumptions and mission statement as
a framework throughout the visioning process. The Task Force mission statement reads as
follows:
“To develop a comprehensive plan that will redefine the "greater downtown area" to
preserve its historical character while promoting the future viability of the community.
Maximum public input will be gathered to create and assess alternatives resulting in a formal
redevelopment plan with a combination of a master vision, working policies, specific area
recommendations and implementation priorities.”
What is “Visioning” Anyway?
In simple terms, visioning is closing your eyes and imagining what you would want the
Redevelopment Study Area to look like in ten to fifteen years.
In technical terms, the below American Institute of Architects’ Ten Principles for Livable
Communities can be used as a model when visioning:
1. Design on a Human Scale
May 7, 2007 Visioning Session 1 of 2
Page 2 of 2
2. Provide Choices
3. Encourage Mixed-Use Development
4. Preserve Urban Centers
5. Vary Transportation Options
6. Build Vibrant Public Spaces
7. Create a Neighborhood Identity
8. Protect Environmental Resources
9. Conserve Landscapes
10. Design Matters
Recommendation
Staff recommends that Task Force members physically visit the Redevelopment Study Area
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prior to the May 7 meeting, especially areas off of your normally traveled routes. What do
you like/dislike about the area? What would you keep? What would you change?