Agenda 10-27-1994 • CITY OF ELK RIVER
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
STEERING COMMITTEE
AGENDA
Thursday, October 27, 1994
7:00 p.m.
City Hall-Council Chambers
ITEM NUMBER
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
• 2. CONSIDER 10/27/94 AGENDA
3. CONSIDER 9/22/94 MINUTES
4. LETTERS FROM RESIDENTS
5. ROLE OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE
6. INTRODUCTION OF SOUTHWEST PLANNING AREA
6.1 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
6.2 INVENTORY OF LAND USES
6.3 SEWER EXTENSIONS
6.4 LAND USE ISSUES
7. DISCUSSION OF GOALS AND POLICIES FOR RESIDENTIAL
8. OTHER BUSINESS
9. FUTURE MEETING
• 10. ADJOURNMENT
0*1
MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER STEERING COMMITTEE
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1994
Members Present: Chairman Minton, Committee Members: Hank Duitsman, Pat
Dwyer, Dick Hinkle, Lloyd Barthel, Keith Holme, Chris Kreger, Mark
Lucas, Marly Glines, Merry Sipe and Bill Birrenkott.
Members Absent: Committee Members Dana Anderson, Mary McDevitt, Arne
Engstrom, Dave Anderson and Mary Eberley
Staff Present: Steve Ach, City Planner; Debbie Kleckner, Recording Secretary
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 7:00 p.m. by Chair Minton.
2. Consider Steering Committee Agenda
HANK DUITSMAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 22, 1994 STEERING
S COMMITTEE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. DICK HINKLE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 11-0.
3. Consider September 22, 1994 Steering Committee Minutes
Pat Dwyer stated that he was absent from the September 22, 1994 Steering
Committee Meeting and was listed in the minutes as present.
Chair Minton noted that on page 3, Item 5., under Wastewater Treatment, the
word "gallons" should be inserted after 650-700,000.
DICK HINKLE MOVED TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 22, 1994 STEERING COMMITTEE
MINUTES AS AMENDED. HANK DUITSMAN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 11-0.
4. Letters from Residents
Chair Minton requested that the letters from Mary Lu Rankin, 21 105 York Street, Elk
River, and the letter from Dan Steffens, 13813 196th Avenue N.W., Elk River, be
entered into the official record of the Steering Committee. He further requested
that staff contact Mr. Steffens and clarify some of the issues addressed in the
letter.
5. Role of the Steering Committee
• Chair Minton stated that the information contained in Steve Ach's memo
regarding the role cf the Steering Committee will be used as a guide for the
Steering Committee.
Steering Committee Minutes Page 2
October 27, 1994
III6. Introduction of Southwest Planning Area
6.1. General Characteristics
6.2. Inventory of Land Uses
6.3. Sewer Extensions
6.4. Land Uses Issues
Steve Ach explained the boundaries and general characteristics of the Southwest
planning area. He provided maps of the existing zoning, developed, vacant, and
restricted property (shoreline, wetland and floodplain), and existing and
proposed sewer line extensions. Mr. Ach also explained the inventory of property
in this area, broken down by zoning districts. He noted that approximately 75% of
the property in this area is devoted to residential, while the balance consists of a
few scattered commercial sites and the industrial/business park along Highway
10.
David Raymond, 13686 Riverview Drive, questioned what areas are set aside for
parks and playgrounds. Steve Ach stated that the Park and Recreation
Commission reviews all new developments to determine if land should be set
aside within the development for parks or trails, or whether a cash contribution
will be made.
Chair Minton asked that a fourth area be addressed in this discussion.
• Area #1
Currently zoned R3 (townhouse/multi-family) with existing single family homes in
the area. Possibly industrial or commercial zoning/land use could be considered.
Also may be candidate for future redevelopment, along with realigning the
frontage road for better access to Proctor Avenue.
Barb Miracle, 1234 6th Street, stated that she owns property on 6th Street (the
frontage road) by LeFebve's Trucks. She questioned what would happen to her
property if the frontage road were realigned and when the change is proposed
to take place. Chair Minton stated that he estimated it would be close to one
year before the Steering Committee made their final rezoning recommendations
to the City Council. Hank Duitsman explained that if the property owners in the
area were interested in rezoning the area now, they could initiate a request to
the City on their own. Chair Minton suggested that Mrs. Miracle contact the
County Assessor with questions on property taxes.
Pat Dwyer and Hank Duitsman agreed that zoning for this area is likely to be
changed as a result of the Steering Committee's study.
Area #3
This area is currently zoned residential. There is a mixture of land uses ranging from
existing homes, auto repair/junk yard facility, and a recreation campground.
Some of the vacant property owners have indicated that they are preparing
• preliminary plans for residential development. Steve Ach explained the area has
an amenity in the river, however, the close proximity to Highway 10 will require the
Steering Committee Minutes Page 3
October 27, 1994
need for buffering. He pointed out that there is flood plain area which will need
to be considered with development proposals.
Discussion followed regarding the extension of Waco to intersect with Highway
10. Hank Duitsman stated that Mn/DOT has recommended a floodable bridge to
cross the Elk River.
Tom Hartman, 18675 Macon Street, suggested that the Committee consider
commercial development only one tier deep for the area north of Highway 10
(across from the Courthouse) with the balance used for residential development.
Sarah Hartman, 18675 Macon Street, questioned what the standard depth would
be for commercial development. Hank Duitsman stated that the Committee
must evaluate the depth of commercial if it occurs along Highway 10.
David Raymond, 13686 Riverview Drive, stated that he did not feel it was a good
idea to have residential along the highway or along a highway frontage road.
He suggested the area be for a "business park" use, with the property along the
river used for some type of public park.
Tom Hartman stated that he felt the best use of the area would be residential
and a buffer from the highway could be constructed.
Marly Glines noted that the only type of commercial that would fit would be
some type of strip center.
• A short discussion followed regarding the value of the land as commercial vs.
residential.
Barb Miracle stated that as a property owner, she would not want to be backed
up to a commercial area.
Steve Ach explained that there is a large right-of-way along Highway 10 which
would create a type of buffer in terms of distance if the property would be
developed as residential, and also, that berming and landscaping could also be
used for buffering. He stated that there are many different types of buffering
that can be instituted to separate residential, commercial and industrial land
uses.
Hank Duitsman questioned the audience whether or not they felt evergreens are
an effective buffer. Tom Hartman stated that he did not feel they are effective.
Mike Boelter, 13325 207th Avenue NW, owner of property north of Highway 10,
stated that his driveway is over 600 feet long and he can easily hear the traffic
from Highway 10.
David Raymond stated that he is aware of studies regarding sound barrier walls
which indicate they are only effective noise abatement for property immediately
adjacent to highways, and the sound is merely deflected to areas farther away.
He stated that berms and plantings are more effective.
Steering Committee Minutes Page 4
October 27, 1994
III Chair Minton requested that staff prepare a map of the area, showing more
detail of the unrestricted and developable property. Steve Ach stated that his
staff could also prepare some concepts for land use in the area.
Steve Ach explained the difference between commercial uses within a business
park and traditional highway commercial land uses. The City's C3 commercial
district offers a wider range of retail-type activity as well as quasi-industrial uses
such as retail sales, auto sales, RV's, truck terminals; much more intense uses. He
stated that the business park has the commercial element which is geared
toward service-retail, convenience, gas stations, small retail shops; uses that
would complement the business park and surrounding residential. He stated that
there is a 20,000 square foot limit for buildings in the business park. Also, he noted
that a sit-down restaurant would be a permitted use in the business park zoning
district.
Mike Boelter expressed his disappointment with the previously-approved zone
change from commercial to residential, which affected his property.
Discussion followed regarding the desirability of various uses in a neighborhood
commercial district.
Sarah Hartman questioned if the new street would be named Joplin when it
crosses Highway 10. She also questioned why their street was named Macon
Street. Steve Ach explained that streets are named based on the street grid
system.
• Joe Bickman, 18707 Highway 10 West, owner of 20 acres, questioned whether or
not the City is planning to build a liquor store in the West Highway 10 area. Hank
Duitsman stated that the Council has discussed the possibility. He added that
they are more concerned that they may lose the access to the present store, and
have authorized the City Administrator to negotiate for property at 193rd Avenue
and Highway 169, to relocate the existing liquor store. Hank noted that if they
were to consider a western store, they would want it to be at a signalized
intersection.
Marly Glines stated that he feels there is a need to have at least one more
commercial zoning designation so there can be more specific uses within a
district. Steve Ach explained that at the present, there are 3 commercial districts,
and that 1 could be added and the other 3 could be adjusted establishing a
better hierarchy of uses.
Mike Heinecke, 18038 Macon Street, questioned whether or not the Council
considers the affect on property values when rezoning property. He stated that
he felt the area north of Highway 10 under discussion is not large enough to
accommodate both commercial and residential.
David Raymond stressed his concern that the river be protected and that it be
made available for public use.
Steve Ach expressed his agreement with Mr. Heinecke's comments; that if the
area is cut up into commercial and residential, it increases the chances for land
IP
use conflicts.
Steering Committee Minutes Page 5
October 27, 1994
• Area #2
This property is currently occupied by the County Fairgrounds and is zoned R3
(townhouse-multi-family).
Discussion followed regarding the possibility of rezoning the property, since there
already is an adequate amount of multi-family property in the City. Options
discussed included business park and low density townhouse type zone.
Mike Heinecke suggested that the Committee consider a separate zone for twin
homes, separate from the multi-family zoning.
Area #4
This property is located in the extreme west Highway 10 area, presently zoned
commercial. Dick Hinkle stated that it was his opinion that the commercial zoning
designation is the best use for the property.
Sheldon Vie, resident of Otsego, stated that he was the owner of the property in
question. He explained that the property is primarily a sand hill, with an elevation
approximately 10 feet higher than Highway 10. He stated that he is in favor of
leaving the property with its present commercial zoning.
Steve Ach suggested that if this area remains commercial the frontage road from
• the east should be coordinated with a frontage road to the west of Waco.
Marly Glines stated that he felt the area where Mary McDivitt's home is located
(south of Highway 10, near the Dairy Queen) would be a prime commercial area.
8. Other Business
Hank Duitsman explained that the City is in the process of obtaining a use permit
from Mn/DOT to place a veteran's memorial on the triangular piece of property
across from the Dairy Queen.
9. Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Steering Committee will be Thursday, December 1, 1994
at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the Central Planning Area.
10. There being no further business, PAT DWYER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
HANK DUITSMAN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 11-0.
The meeting of the Elk River Steering Committee adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Res ectfully submitted,
/(-&-e-A,t-e-4)
• Debbie Kleckner
Recording Secretary