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2 PCSR 04-27-1994 � Y �' DOD Q MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER STEERING COMMITTEE HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1994 Members Present: Chairman Minton, Committee Members: Hank Duitsman, Pat Dwyer, Dick Hinkle, Dave Anderson, Dana Anderson, Mark Lucas, Merry Sipe, Marly Glines, Mary Eberley, Mary McDevitt, Lloyd Barthel, Arnie Engstrom, and Bill Birrenkott Members Absent: Committee Members Chris Kreger and Steve Johnson Staff Present: Steve Ach, City Planner, Terry Maurer, City Engineer 1. Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Steering Committee was called to order at 7 p.m. by Chairman Minton. 2. Consider Steering Committee Agenda • The agenda was accepted with no additions or subtractions. 3. Introduction Chairman Minton briefly introduced the topic of updating the Comprehensive Plan and highlighted the role of the Steering Committee for this process. Hank Duitsman provided further overview emphasizing, the importance of the Comprehensive Plan update, and described how the culmination of this plan will guide future development of Elk River. Mr. Duitsman indicated with the amount of growth that is occurring in the City at this time, the update of this plan will be very important. Chairman Minton described the Steering Committee's role and how it fits into the City's structure. The Steering Committee will conduct various public hearings to obtain information and comments from the public in order to prepare a draft Comprehensive Plan. The plan will then be forwarded to the Planning Commission for recommendation on to the City Council. Ultimately, the City Council will have the final decision in adopting this Comprehensive Plan. 4. Overview of the Process of Updating the Comprehensive Plan Chairman Minton highlighted a previous joint meeting between the Planning Commission and City Council and pointed out the framework for which this process would be conducted. The process will be kept as simple as possible and consist of changes to the current plan, not a complete revision. The process is to • involve as many people as possible to provide input into the outcome of this plan. Lastly, the process should be geared towards the public in a participatory r • • Steering Committee Minutes Page 2 April 27, 1994 III Ps, po .manner, which will result in a Comprehensive Plan that will reflect the CityDs for the future of Elk River. Chairman Minton also explained that the process will consist of approximately six public hearing meetings. Those meetings will be broken down into one meeting with the industrial businesses, one meeting with the commercial businesses, and four residential meetings. These meetings will be an opportunity to obtain information, which can then be compiled into the Comprehensive Plan. Following these public hearing meetings, the information will then be summarized and included in the draft of the Comprehensive Plan and brought back at future public hearings before being sent on to the Planning Commission and City Council. 5. Introduction of Key Issues Involved in Updating the Comprehensive Plan A. Limits of urbanization/utility extension Terry Maurer gave a brief overview of the City's current capabilities to extend sanitary sewer given the condition of the treatment facility. Mr. Maurer also elaborated on future extension possibilities and that a feasibility report is currently in the process of being prepared and should be ready for Council review in 40 to 60 days. It was concluded that this will be one of the key issues in this process as the City begins planning for future growth towards the eastern area of the City. IllB. Land Use Mix Steve Ach described the importance of planning for a balanced mix of residential, commercial, and industrial land use within the City. It was further mentioned that in order to achieve this proper land use mix, rezoning of certain properties may need to occur in the future to accomplish these goals. C. Transportation Terry Maurer discussed the Transportation Plan as it is currently drafted. The City is working with the County to coordinate consistency between the City and County plan. Mr. Maurer also indicated that the transportation plan is nearly completed, however, it has been put on "hold" until the Comprehensive Plan has an opportunity to catch up. At this time, the two plans will then be coordinated and approved. Hank Duitsman stated that the City is currently discussing possible east-west corridors to improve traffic movements within the City. It was indicated that this is a major undertaking, however, this corridor is very important as the City continues to grow. Arnie Engstrom concurred with Mr. Duitsman and indicated that this particular issue has been discussed for the past 10 years and will need to be resolved as part of this plan update. IIID. Economic Development/Redevelopment Steering Committee Minutes Page 3 April 27, 1994 APP/911VEN It was further indicated that, although the City is growing rapidly with a lot of new construction, over the next 10-15 years there will be the need to look back and evaluate potential areas for redevelopment. E. Downtown Steve Ach informed the Steering Committee of a meeting that he attended that morning with the Downtown Development Association to discuss some ideas and plans that the Downtown Development Association would like to accomplish. The Downtown Group is anxious to begin formulating ideas for the long range plans for the downtown area and will more than likely be taking an active role in this process. It was further discussed that issues such as preserving the historical character, rediscovering the river front, design/ other improvements may be reviewed to formulate a plan for the downtown area. F. Environmental Steve Ach mentioned that this item will probably involve identifying natural features throughout the community that can be included into the planning process. For example, significant stands of trees, wetlands, historical areas, and other features can be identified and incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan. Based on the environmental goals and policies • adopted as part of this Comprehensive Plan, appropriate zoning ordinance amendments can take place in the future to ensure these goals and policies are achieved. G. Maintenance of Structures and Infrastructure Steve Ach indicated that although the City is growing and a lot of new construction is taking place, there remains the need to look back and pay attention to the older areas of the community. Items such as housing maintenance codes for residential areas as well as performance standards for commercial and industrial may be possibilities to help preserve the integrity and viability of these older areas. Terry Maurer indicated the importance of looking at the City's sewer and water systems as well as roads to ensure that they are in good working condition. H. Highway 169 and Highway 10 Corridors Chairman Minton indicated the importance of this issue to the Planning Commission. These two major thoroughfares carry the majority of the traffic and should be developed to present a positive image for the City of Elk River. Dick Hinkle concurred with Chairman Minton and indicated that this is a very important issue. Mr. Hinkle feels that the Highway 10 entrance from the west is • currently the best entrance to the community and additional work needs to be done to improve the entrances from the north and east. Steering Committee Minutes Page 4 April 27, 1994 • 4IPIPATaft9;c 6. Future Meetings Chairman Minton indicated that the next meeting will be a public hearing to discuss the issues relative to industrial development in the community. It was the consensus of the committee to meet on May 25, 1994, at 7 p.m. at a location that will be determined at a later date. Chairman Minton indicated that letters to all industrial businesses will be sent out as well as notification in the local paper. The committee discussed some issues that will be brought up at this meeting including goals and policies, industrial development, tax base of industrial (percent of land use within the City that is currently industrial), absorption rate for industrial development, and an update on the Economic Development Authority and Business Park Task Force efforts and involvement in industrial development to this point. 7. Other Business Hank Duitsman indicated that there may be the need to distribute additional information, such as the feasibility report for the treatment facility expansion once it is completed by Terry Maurer. In addition, Mr. Duitsman indicated the City is taking over the County Ditch System and additional planning will need to be conducted to incorporate this system into our storm drainage plans. Therefore, it may be beneficial to provide the committee members with a storm drainage plan also. • Terry Maurer suggested a copy of the Transportation Plan be provided to all committee members, which will be an important element for discussion throughout this process. The Committee agreed that the upcoming public hearing meetings are a good opportunity to obtain information from the public, however, a time needs to be established to end the meetings. Mr. Hinkle suggested it would be a good idea to make it clear at the beginning of each meeting that the public hearing meetings will end at 10 p.m. The Committee agreed and established a 10 p.m. deadline for all public hearing meetings. Chairman Minton asked Pat Dwyer for his assistance in outlining information that may be presented at the next meeting regarding industrial development. It was indicated that the Economic Development Coordinator Bill Rubin should attend the next meeting to participate in the discussion of industrial development within the community. 8. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting of the Elk River Steering Committee adjourned at approximately 8 p.m. Respectfully submitted, en B. Ach, i y Planner