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MEMORANDUM
lity of
Elk TO: Planning Commission
River
FROM: Scott Harlicker, Planning Assistant / A
t•
DATE: January 5, 1999
SUBJECT: Annual Meeting
This years annual meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 5th at 6:30 p.m.
at LaRose's Pizza and Pasta, 508 Freeport Street. Meals and/or snacks will
be provided.
Attached is the agenda for the 1999 annual Planning Commission meeting.
Included as backup information are the Planning Commission Rules and
Procedures, the minutes from the 1998 annual meeting and March 9th joint
meeting with the City Council, and Section 214 of the City Code which
pertains to the Planning Commission. If anyone has any articles or
information which might be of interest, please feel free to bring copies to the
• meeting or get them to me in advance and I can make copies.
If any of the Commission members have any questions or would like to add
items to the agenda, please let me know. Also, if anyone is unable to attend
the meeting please let Debbie or myself know.
i
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612)441-7425
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• SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 1998
The Annual Meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission was held Saturday, January 17,
1998, at 8:30 a.m.at Elk River City Hall.
Present: Judy Thompson, Jon Anderson,Tom Mesich, Lester Morris, Doran Cote and
City Planner,Steve Ach.
Absent: Louise Kuester
The meeting was called to order by Chair Anderson and the agenda was reviewed.
COMMISSIONER COTE MOVED TO APPROVED THE AGENDA, SECONDED BY MESICH. THE
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
COMMISSIONER THOMPSON AND SECONDED BY ANDERSON TO ELECT THE 1998 OFFICERS
AS FOLLOWS: CHAIR -TOM MESICH; VICE CHAIR - DORAN COTE. THE MOTION CARRIED
5-0.
•
The Planning Commission reviewed the rules and procedures and found no changes that
need to be made. Commissioner Cote made a comment about Section 8.2.- Protocol,
No. 8, regarding written testimony received at the public hearing. It was suggested that
staff look into making available 3"x5" cards for those in the audience not wishing to
speak but would prefer to write their comments down and make them part of the public
record.
The Planning Commission reviewed Section 214 of the City Code regarding the Planning
Commission. There were no changes made to this section of the ordinance.
The goals and objectives for 1997 were discussed and reviewed. The following is a review
of the 1997 goals:
1. This goal was achieved.
2. The Planning Commission scheduled a meeting with the Park and Recreation
Commission; however, only a couple of Park and Recreation Commissioners were
in attendance. Therefore, the meeting did not take place. A meeting with the
City Council was held early in the year.
3. This goal was achieved.
4. This goal was achieved.
Planning Commission Annual Meeting
January 17, 1998
Page 2
• 5. This goal was discussed with the City Council briefly, however, the item was not
accomplished in 1997.
6. Individually, the Planning Commission reviewed sites in addition to a mobile
workshop that was held during the middle of the year.
1997 Workshops
1. The Planning Commission had two mobile tours to visit sites within Elk River as well
as outside of the community.
2. &3. The Police Chief and Fire Chief, along with the city attorney, met with the
Planning Commission at one workshop to discuss a variety of issues.
4. Two chapters of the Comprehensive Plan were reviewed.
5. The Planning Commission did meet with the City Council at a joint meeting and
formulated a list of topics for discussion throughout the year.
6. Some of the Commission members attended a seminar at the City of Otsego to
discuss urban sprawl.
7. The Commission continued to discuss issues at various workshops throughout the
year.
• Commissioner Anderson indicated that he made several attempts at contacting
Dave Schwarting, Sherburne County Highway Engineer, to receive information on
the transportation plan and to invite Mr. Schwarting to a Planning Commission
workshop to discuss the transportation plan. Mr. Schwarting never returned his
calls, therefore, a meeting was never held with Sherburne County Highway
Department.
It was also noted that a resolution supporting community values was prepared by
the City Attorney and adopted in 1997.
The Planning Commission discussed goals for 1998. The 1998 goals and objectives were
as follows:
1. Meet with the City Council in a joint session to discuss one general topic of growth
in Elk River and particularly, in East Elk River.
2. Schedule a joint meeting with the Park & Recreation Commission to discuss
common topics among the two commissions.
3. Participate in the 1998 State and National Planning Conferences.
4. Continue to promote for new commission members, training through the
government training service.
5. Inspect completed or ongoing development projects that were reviewed by the
Planning Commission the previous year.
Planning Commission Annual Meeting
January 17, 1998
Page 3
• The Planning Commission discussed the Holiday Gas Station site at School Street
and Highway 169 and how the lighting on the canopy and building is much more
intense than they had thought. This is one example of the benefits of reviewing
sites after they are constructed to help the Commission in their review process of
upcoming projects. Commissioner Anderson asked if the Planning Commission
could write a letter to Holiday stating their disappointment with the amount of
lighting that has been developed on this site. Chair Mesich volunteered to
prepare a letter to be sent off to Holiday
The following is a list of 1998 workshop topics:
1. Have three mobile workshops.
2. Meet once again with the Fire Chief and Police Chief.
3. Dedicate 4-5 workshops to discuss general planning issues, as well as upcoming
projects.
4. Invite former Planning Commission member Minton to a workshop to discuss the
Comprehensive Plan.
The Commission indicated they would like to meet with the City Council as early
as possible and identified March 2nd as a date for staff to discuss with the City
Council.
41111 Attendance to the National Planning Conference in Boston was discussed.
Commissioner Anderson and Chair Mesich indicated they would probably be able to
attend this year.
Meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
S eve Ach
City Planner
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: Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Dietz, Farber, Holmgren
and Thompson
Members Absent: None
Planning Commissioners Chair Mesich, Commissioners Anderson, Cote, Kuester,
Present: Morris and Thompson
Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Chambers
Staff Present: Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Peter Beck, City Attorney,
Steve Ach, City Planner; Debbie Huebner, Recording
Secretary
Also Present: Duane Kropuenske
• 1. Call Meeting 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.
2. Consider 3/9/98 Agenda
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER
HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
3. Consider Exemption from Lawful Gambling 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.
4. 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 City Council and Planning Commission Meeting
March 9, 1998
Page 2
• 5. Joint Meeting 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,
&Me. 1/-a-7)-7Ze'l
Debbie Huebner
Recording Secretary
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•
212 . 04 - POWERS AND DITTIES
41/ The Health Care Delivery Commission shall have those powers and
duties imposed upon them by local ordinance. The Commission
shall:
1. Listen and respond to community input and comments on the
delivery of emergency medical transportation services in the City
of Elk River.
2 . Communicate this input and these comments to the emergency
medical transportation services staff.
•
3 . Monitor, on an ongoing basis, the needs of the Elk River
community for emergency medical transportation services.
4 . Submit an annual report to the City Council which shall
include the Commission's findings on the needs for emergency
medical transportation services provided in the City of Elk River
with appropriate recommendations.
212 . 06 - MEETINGS
•
The Commission shall meet at least two times each calendar year,
41, at such time and place as the Commission shall determine. Notice
of Commission meetings shall be posted at City Hall and published
in the City' s official newspaper.
45 SECTION 214 - PLANNING COMMISSION
214 . 00 - ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION
A City Planning Commission for the City of Elk River is hereby
established. The Commission shall be the City planning agency
authorized by Minnesota Statutes, Section 462 .354, Subdivision 1 ,
214 . 02 - MEMBERS AND TERM
The Planning Commission shall consist of seven (7) members
appointed by the City Council for terms as follows: two members
whose terms expire December 31, 1982; two members whose terms
expire December 31, 1983 ; three members whose terms expire
December 31, 1984 . Thereafter, each member shall be appointed at
the first meeting of the year for terms of three (3) years. A .
vacancy shall be filled by the City Council for the remainder of
the term. The members of the Planning Commission, by a majority
0 vote, shall elect one of the appointed Commissioners at the first
meeting of the year to serve as Chairman ,
•
2.22 .
214 . 04 - POWERS AND DUTIES
211/1
The Planning Commission shall have and exercise the powers and
duties conferred upon such commissions by the Municipal Planning
Act (Minnesota Statutes, Section 462 .351 to 462 .364) and by
ordinance rules and regulations of the City. The Commission shall
also exercise the duties conferred upon it by this Code and by the
Council. After the Commission has prepared and adopted a
comprehensive plan, the Commission shall periodically review the
comprehensive plan, any ordinances and any capital improvement
program the Council has adopted to implement the plan. After such
review it shall, to the extent it deems necessary, revise the
comprehensive plan, adopt the amendments or the new comprehensive
plan, and recommend it to the Council in accordance with law.
Similarly, after such review, it shall recommend to the Council
any amendments it deems desirable to the capital improvement
program and any ordinance implementing the plan.
214 .06 - MEETINGS AND PROCEDURE
The Commission shall meet regularly on the fourth Tuesday of each
month. Special meetings may be held at any time upon the call of
the Chairperson. Notice of the time and place of a special
meeting shall be communicated to the members and publicly noticed
at least three (3) days prior to the meeting except in the event
of an emergency. A majority of the Commission members shall
constitute a quorum. All Commission meetings shall be open to the
public. Except as provided herein, the Commission shall be
governed by and operate pursuant to Robert's Rules of Order as
most recently revised.
SECTION 216 - PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
216 . 00 - ABOLITION OF PARK BOARD AND RECREATION BOARD
The Park Board and Recreation Board in and for the City of Elk
River heretofore established pursuant to the provisions of
Minnesota Statutes, Section 412 .501 to 412 .531, is hereby
abolished.
216 . 02 - ESTABLISHMENT OF PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
A City Park and Recreation Commission for the City of Elk River is
hereby established. This Park and Recreation Commission is
established pursuant to the authority given by the Minnesota
ellStatutes Section 412 .
2.23