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Agenda 03-09-1995 . CITY OF ELK RIVER REGULAR MEETING OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE AGENDA Thursday, March 9, 1995 7:00 p.m. City Hall - Council Chambers ITEM NUMBER 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER • 2. CONSIDER 3/9/95 AGENDA 3. CONSIDER 2/9/95 MINUTES 4. PRESENTATION OF URBAN SERVICE AREA -Existing Boundary -Possible Changes to Existing Boundary *Additional information will be handed out Thursday night for discussion 5. STEERING COMMITTEE OPINION LINE 6. LETTERS FROM PROPERTY OWNERS/NEIGHBORING COMMUNITY 7. TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR UPCOMING MEETINGS 8. OTHER BUSINESS 9. FUTURE MEETING • 10. ADJOURNMENT AppolayE6--:i • MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER STEERING COMMITTEE HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1995 Members Present: Robert Minton, Chair; Committee Members Dick Hinkle, Dave Anderson, Mark Lucas, Merry Sipe, Mary Eberley, Hank Duitsman and Pat Dwyer. Chris Kreger arrived at 7:12 p.m. Members Absent: Lloyd Barthel, Arne Engstrom, Keith Holme, Bill Birrenkott, Mary McDevitt and Marly Glines Staff Present: Steve Ach, City Planner; Jason Chen, representing MSA Consulting Engineers; Debbie Kleckner, Recording Secretary Also Present: 42 Residents/Property owners 1. Call Meeting To Order The March 9, 1995 meeting of the Elk River Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Minton. 2. Consider Steering Committee Agenda • MERRY SIPE MOVED APPROVAL OF THE 3/9/95 STEERING COMMITTEE AGENDA AS AMENDED. PAT DWYER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 8-0. 3. Consider Steering Committee Minutes It was noted that Mary Eberley's name should be added to those listed as present at the March 9, 1995 meeting. MARY EBERLEY MOVED APPROVAL OF THE 2/9/95 STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES AS AMENDED. DICK HINKLE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 8-0. 4. Presentation of Urban Service Area City Planner Steve Ach provided maps detailing the following information: Exhibit A - Existing urban service area, Phases 1 and 2 proposed expansion of service area from 1988 Comprehensive Plan. Steve explained if the current service district were fully developed, it would exceed the wastewater treatment facility capacity by 15%. The present facility treats 1.2 million gallons per day. He noted there are developed areas within the urban service area that are not served by sewer and water and are not foreseen to need it at this time. • Steering Committee Minutes Page 2 March 9, 1995 Exhibit B- Location of Oliver Kelly Farm and Cargill property. These properties may • create a natural boundary where sewer and water would not extend any further east. Exhibit C - Possible expanded urban service area. This area could be served with City water and sewer with the wastewater treatment plant expansion to 2.2 million gallons per day. Steve Ach displayed a map which identified the wetland areas which are undevelopable. Next Steve reviewed five options for extending the urban service district. Steve concluded that the future service area identified by the revised comprehensive plan will determine the long term growth area for the community. He explained that wherever the boundary is, the 2-1/2 acre subdivision will limit extending the urban service areas in the future. He added that the service area may be phased over several years. Chris Kreger introduced an additional option, identified as Option 6, which identified a larger area for extending the urban service district, and included a phasing plan. Steve Ach explained that there are design issues that need to be considered. The size of the trunk lines will be determined by how far the urban service area will • extend in the future. Discussion followed regarding costs for sewer and water and population projections. Jason Chen of MSA stated that the population is projected to be 40,000 when the City is fully developed. A resident questioned who will pay the costs for updating the wastewater facility. Hank Duitsman explained that it will be paid for by those people using the system and also by developers. Jason Chen noted that the costs will be somewhat higher than in other areas, due to the large amount of unassessable property in the proposed district (i.e., Oliver Kelly Farm). Hank Duitsman also explained that only the area served by the trunk line would be assessed, and also, that properties would have 2 years to hook up to the system. Dwight Kirkeide, 11230 173rd Avenue NW, expressed his concern that development causes hardship for homeowners. He does not want to see land taken up by commercial and industrial development that may be needed for other purposes such as schools, in the future. Chair Minton asked that Steve Ach explain the benefits of extending sewer and water. Steve noted the following: -sewer and water is a prerequisite for commercial and industrial development -city water necessary for fire protection systems for commercial and industrial -commercial and industrial provides the majority of the tax base to support 41111 residential; brings in tax dollars. Steering Committee Minutes Page 3 March 9, 1995 • -balance overall land uses Steve Ach pointed out there is a large residential area to the north that will likely remain excluded from the urban service district. This residential development must be balanced with industrial and commercial development to support services its residential population will demand, including schools, road maintenance, police and fire protection. Dwight Kirkeide questioned why the industrial and commercial development can't be done without destroying the lives of the residential population in the area. Discussion following regarding assessment procedures. Hank Duitsman explained the green acres deferment. He also explained he feels it is unfair to exclude a specific area from assessments and then later, those properties end up hooking up to the system and pay the same price, even though costs have risen significantly. Further discussion ensued regarding private septic and water systems vs. city sewer and water, and the effects on the environment. Scott Passuello, resident, expressed his opinion that the "per acre" assessment was unfair and felt another method should be used that would assess commercial and industrial property a higher rate. Hank Duitsman stated that there would be additional costs for lateral and • hookups, which would be higher for commercial and industrial. Sue Mordahl, resident of Mississippi Heights, stated that she was not in favor of the assessments and asked that the Mississippi Heights subdivision be excluded from the proposed urban service district, as Sandpiper Estates was excluded. Hank Duitsman explained that the Sandpiper Additions have escaped an assessment at the current time, but that there is the potential for an assessment in the future, at a higher rate, if sewer and water is needed in the future. Jim Langer, resident of Mississippi Heights, expressed his concern that Mississippi Heights not be rezoned commercial, since it is so close to Highway 10. Jeff Hendrickson, resident of Mississippi Heights, stated that he was not interested in connecting to the truck line at$100- $150 per foot. Chris Kreger explained that the Steering Committee will only be making a recommendation for the Comprehensive Plan update, which is a plan for the next 5 - 10 years growth of the City. He stated the areas which will actually be serviced with city sewer and water will be determined piece meal. Chris added that the City needs to provide for the possibility that property owners may need or want sewer and water in the future, and would be able to be serviced by the trunk line. Les Lundquist, business owner on Highway 10 east, stated that sewer and water is • needed to serve properties on Highway 10. He explained that it cost $40,000 to put in a special fire suppression system in the motel because there was no city Steering Committee Minutes Page 4 March 9, 1995 . water available. He added that Houle's needs to have their septic tank pumped 3- 4 times a week and would welcome city services. Mike Vadnais, resident, questioned the cost of assessments. Staff explained that costs for street, curb and gutter, water and sewer for a typical lot of 10,000 - 12,000 square feet is between $9,000 and $11,000 per lot. A question was raised regarding front footage assessment for lateral on a corner lot. Staff explained that the property would be assessed for the long side of the lot only. Dwight Kirkeide, resident, stated that if a septic system fails it is a problem for the homeowner, but if the sewer system fails, the raw sewage goes directly into the river. Pat Dwyer stated that the City must plan for the future needs of the City. Chair Minton stated that the Committee must now prepare to make a recommendation for setting the boundaries for the future urban service district. Dave Anderson stated that he felt the Committee is not fulfilling its purpose if they make a recommendation contrary to what the residents have expressed. Discussion followed regarding the projected growth of the City. Jason Chen suggested that based population projections, the City would reach 18,000 people in 20 years, but added that Elk River is growing at a much faster pace than the average community. IIFurther discussion followed regarding cluster development on 10 acre parcels. The five options for extension of the urban service district were discussed at length,with an Option 6 added as proposed by Chris Kreger. DICK HINKLE MOVED TO RECOMMEND THE PROPOSED URBAN SERVICE DISTRICT FOR THE UPDATED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMBINE OPTIONS 3 & 4, AND ALSO ADD THE AREA NORTH AND EAST OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS AS PROPOSED BY HANK DUITSMAN. Discussion followed regarding Chris Kreger's proposed Option 6 phasing plan. DICK HINKLE WITHDREW HIS MOTION. DICK HINKLE MOVED TO REQUEST STAFF TO PROVIDE DETAIL ON THE FOLLOWING TWO OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE AT THE MARCH 23, 1995 STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING: (1) A COMBINATION OF OPTIONS 3 AND 4, INCLUDING THE AREA EAST AND NORTH OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS IN THE AREA OF HIGHWAY 10 AND 165TH AVENUE NW. (2) OPTION 6 AS PROPOSED BY CHRIS KREGER, ALSO INCLUDING THE AREA EAST AND NORTH OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS IN THE AREA OF HIGHWAY 10 AND 165TH AVENUE NW. illMARY EBERLEY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 9-0. Steering Committee Minutes Page 5 March 9, 1995 • 5. Steering Committee Opinion Line Chair Minton highlighted some of the most frequent comments received on the "hotline", such as development of trails and parks, the desire to preserve the theme "where city and country flow together, and the need to establish and enforce ordinances for property maintenance. Jeff Mastley, resident, stressed the need to enforce the ordinances that are currently in place. 6. Letters from Property Owners/Neighboring Community Chair Minton asked that letters from Rick and Jackie Fredricksen, Shirley Pierce, and Otsego's Planning Consultant, Robert Kirmis, be entered into the official record. 7. Tentative Schedule for Upcoming Meetings Steve Ach reviewed this schedule for the Committee. 9. Future Meeting The next meeting of the Elk River Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee will be March 23, 1995 at 7:00 p.m. Steve Ach requested that all Committee members bring their copy of the • transportation study to this meeting. Steve noted that the County Engineer is planning to attend this meeting. 10. Adiournment There being no further business, CHRIS KREGER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. MARY EBERLEY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 9-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, i)_()Lce. Debbie Kleckner Recording Secretary •