PCSR AGENDA 04-12-2005
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Elk River Planning Commission
Workshop Meeting
Tuesday, Apri/12, 2005 - 6:30 p.m.
Elk River City Hall - Upper Town Conference Room
1. Call to Order
2. Continue 2005 - 2008 Goals Discussions
3. Discuss Old Towne Land Use and Zoning Requirements
. Discuss objectives for Zoning Requirements
. Discuss Form-based Zoning Alternative
4. Review Schedule for 17Sth Avenue Focus Area Study
S. Discuss Building Material & Design standards for Commercial & Industrial Districts
6. Review End of Month Tour Route
7. Other Business
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8.
Adjourn
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MEMORANDUM
TO:
Planning Commission
Michele MCPherso~ctor of Planning
FROM:
DATE:
April 12, 2005
SUBJECT:
Workshop Meeting Agenda
Continue 2005 - 2008 Goals Discussion
At the March workshop the Commission started a discussion regarding its 2005 - 2008
goals. The following goals were identified in no priority order:
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Move the Northstar Corridor stop to downtown north of the tracks between
Proctor and Jackson;
Redevelop the Arrow Building/Napa/Eagles Site;
Implement the natural resource inventory recommendations to prevent any more
"Woodland Hills" projects;
Begin transportation planning for the east/west corridors and Highway 169
interchanges.
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It has been requested to continue this goals discussion at the meeting, so hopefully the first
30 minutes or so can be spent brainstorming and prioritizing goals for the Commission.
Discuss Old Town Land Use and Zoning Requirements
Bring the form-based zoning itiformation from the February workshop. If you cannot find this information,
please contact stciff as soon as possible so that we mqy have coPies available for you.
Staff would like to discuss the objectives to be met by the zoning requirements for the Old
Town Land Use District. The Commission will recall that a new land use designation was
created as part of the Comprehensive Plan. The description of the purpose of the new
designation from the Plan is:
The Old Town land use category reflects the unique land use mixture in and
around the Downtown. This area is based on the Central Business District
Planning Department Mission: the orderly development of a livable and sustainable Elk River community.
Memo to the Planning Commission
April Workshop
April 12. 2005
Page 2
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area in the 1995 plan and is expanded to include areas around the Downtown
with related development issues. These areas include:
· Residential areas between Jackson and Highway 169.
· Mixture of uses between the school campus and Downtown.
· Original Elk River residential neighborhoods surrounding
Downtown
The City's revitalization objectives for the current Central Business District
will be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. A variety of uses fit into the
Old Town designation: community-scale retail, professional services,
publici civic uses, park, offices, dining and entertainment, banking, lodging,
and housing. Uses need to be compatible with the character and scale of the
Downtown area.
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Old Town is the home for a wide range of housing. The Plan seeks to
protect and promote the maintenance of the single-family neighborhoods.
These neighborhoods are an important part of Elk River's heritage and
identity and offer affordable housing options. The majority of the existing
high density housing is located in the Old Town area.
The Old Town designation reflects the need and opportunity for
preservation, revitalization, renovation and redevelopment. Redevelopment
should be oriented to housing, commercial uses and public spaces that
support the existing character of the area.
The Old Town area contains a variety of civic features. The School campus
forms the north edge of this area. Lion's Park Center, Elk River Library and
Handke School are all important civic elements of this area. These facilities
provide character and attract people into this area. These facilities build
connections with the community and provide market opportunity for local
businesses.
Parks and natural features play an essential role in the plan for Old Town.
This area provides the greatest opportunity for improved access and
connection with the Mississippi River. Lake Orono creates the western
boundary for this area. Linkages from Old Town into the western
neighborhoods and civic institutions of western Elk River are important.
Staff would like to discuss the concept of formed-based zoning and identify if this would be
an alternative the Commission is interested in for this part of the City.
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Review Schedule for I 75th Avenue Focus Area Study
Please review the attached memo from Senior Planner, Scott Harlicker, regarding the work
plan and schedule for reviewing with the neighbors zoning and land use for the 175th
Avenue area.
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Memo to the Planning Commission
April Workshop
April 12. 2005
Page 3
Discuss Buildinz Material and Desizn Standards for Commercial and
Industrial Districts
As the Commission is aware, there needs to be some housekeeping amendments related to
the building material and design standards for commercial and industrial districts. The
Commission requested that the Commission table this item for further discussion. Please
bring your thoughts and comments to the workshop meeting so that we can discuss any
changes you are interested in. A copy of the proposed housekeeping changes is attached.
Review End-of-Month Tour Route
Attached please find information related to the end-of-month tour which is scheduled for
Saturday, April 30. There are additional web sites for the Commission to do preliminary
research on the areas that we are going to visit. We look forward to an exciting and
educational tour.
S:\PLANNING\Michele McPherson\MEMOS\4 1205 Wkshp Agenda.doc