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February 9, 1995 Steering Committee MinutesMembers Present: Chairman Minton, Committee Members:, Dick Hinkle, Lloyd Barthel, Arne Engstrom, Keith Holme, Chris Kreger, Dave Anderson, Mark Lucas, Merry Sipe, Mary Eberley and Bill Birrenkott. Members Absent: Hank Duitsman, Mary McDevitt, Marly Glines and Pat Dwyer Staff Present: Steve Ach, City Planner; Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator; Phil Hals, Streets/Parks Superintendent; Debbie Kleckner, Recording Secretary Call Meeting To Order The February 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 Item 6.1. - Update on Steering Committee phone hotline, was added to the February 9th agenda. MARY EBERLEY MOVED TO APPROVE THE 2/9/95 STEERING COMMITTEE AGENDA AS AMENDED. DICK HINKLE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 11-0. 3. Consider Steering Committee Minutes It was noted that Keith Holme's name appeared both as present and absent in the January 12, 1995 Steering Committee Minutes, and should be listed as absent. DICK HINKLE MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 12, 1995 STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES AS CORRECTED. ARNE ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 11-0. 4. Presentation of Park Plan Presentation by Dave Anderson - Park and Recreation Commission Chair, and Dana Anderson - Vice Chair. Dave explained that the Park and Rec Commission is in the process of updating the 1991 Master Park Plan, which will be incorporated in the City's Comprehensive Plan. He noted that they are unable to complete the Master Plan until a revised Land Use Plan is completed; specifically, until the urban service area is defined. Steering Committee Minutes February 9, 1995 Page 2 Existing City Parks Non -City Facilities Dave provided an overview of 18 existing parks in the City (Exhibit A), and 6 non - city facilities (Exhibit B). Detail was provided using the following maps: -Map 1 - Existing City Parks -Map 2 - Non -City Facilities -Map 3 - Park Service Areas (neighborhood parks) -Map 4 - Trails -Map 5 - Draft Revised Park Plan (indicates neighborhood parks, golf course, and trails) Dave stated that the Park and Rec Commission will be submitting an application for a LAWCON Grant which will be used for paving trails in Woodland Trails Park. The City will match the amount of the grant with labor and materials. Community Athletics Dana Anderson reviewed the current and projected needs for community athletics. He stated that the Park and Rec Commission recommends the City acquire 114.5 acres of land for future community athletics. Dana stressed the need to identify and secure the property as soon as possible before it becomes too expensive. Steve Rohlf explained that the 1 14.5 acres total is the City's share of property needed and does not include the contributions needed from neighboring communities in the school district. Mary Eberley questioned what would happen to these athletic fields as the population matures and there is less demand for them. Steve Rohlf stated that athletic fields can be easily developed into something else. He also stated that a community goes through cycles and would once again become a younger population. Trails Dave Anderson noted that the Park and Recreation Commission will apply for an $288,000 ISTEA Grant for trail construction. Dave Anderson explained the proposed trail system in the Park and Rec's draft revised park plan (Map 4). The trail system will be a combination of sidewalks, detached trails, and widened street/highway shoulders. The system will be built as needed, when funds and land become available. Outlying developments are proposed to be linked to area/neighborhood parks by the trail system. Dave concluded by acknowledging present and previous Mayors and Councilmembers for their progressive support of city park needs. He also expressed his appreciation to staff for their involvement and assistance. East-West Corridor Dave expressed his concern that the proposed corridor not bisect the Woodland Trails, golf course, Shiely property and St. Louis Park Gun Club areas. Mike Nizeolek noted that the DNR is very interested in acquiring the gun club property at some point in the future for a natural scientific study area. He stated that this area contains threatened species. Dave explained that the Commission Steering Committee Minutes February 9, 1995 Page 3 hopes that the east -west corridor will be routed around this whole area so that it can be preserved intact. He commented that other communities have made a decision to remove roadways that run through park land because it creates a barrier and interferes with usage of the park. Steve Ach provided background information on the proposed east -west corridor to provide a link with Anoka County from Viking Boulevard, through Elk River to Big Lake Township. He stated that Sherburne County is leading the proposal and that the City will participate in the process. Steve noted that it would be most desirable to use existing roads as much as possible, reducing the need for acquiring right-of-way, and that consideration be given to the Park and Rec Commission's concerns. He concluded by saying that no decisions have been made for the corridor at this time and it is still in the planning stage. At this time Dave Anderson displayed two slides which he felt demonstrated the need for park land and preservation of trees in land development. Pictures were taken before and after development of property located east of Highway 169, north of Elk Hills Drive. Barb Miracle, resident, questioned the safety of trails on the shoulders of the county roads. Dave Anderson explained that widened shoulders are the least desirable form of trail, but are better than no trail at all. He stated that a detached, improved trails along a rural roadway is very expensive to put in. Mike O'Brien, Park and Rec Commissioner, commented that he is aware of studies indicating that off -road bicycling trails are more dangerous than shoulder bicycling, because of the fact that automobile traffic does not recognize trail crossings as an intersection. Discussion followed regarding planning for park land property. Dave Anderson stated that 10 - 20 acres are needed for a smaller park complex and approximately 40 acres for a large one. Mary Eberley stated that she felt that special use parks should be named "preserve", so that the intention is clear. Dave stated that a special use park would be used for fishing or other unique uses. Discussion followed regarding the Shiely property. Chair Minton stated that the Steering Committee will be making a recommendation as part of this review process, regarding zoning of the property for future use when the mining is completed. Mike Nizeolik offered the following suggestions for the Steering Committee to consider in updating the Comprehensive Plan: 1. Take advantage of new local grant program entitled, Natural and Scenic Area Grant Program by planning a land acquisition of additional Dry Subtype Oak Forest on the Shiely property or a significant Mississippi River trail corridor. The deadline for all grant applications is May 1, 1995. Mr. Nizeolek is presently preparing this application. The grant involves a 50-50 match of funds by the City for up to $200,000. Steering Committee Minutes February 9, 1995 Page 4 2. Make great efforts to work with ISD #728 to develop an Environmental Education Center in Woodland Trails City Park. 3. Develop a comprehensive road plan which does not impact Woodland Trails City Park and naturally significant areas within the City. 4. When developing the comprehensive plan, protect naturally significant areas within the Elk River city limits, such as the Shiely oak woods and Tamarack swamp. Mr. Nizeolek stated that he is aware the DNR has identified the St. Louis Park Gun Club as a very significant natural scientific area that they would like to acquire at some point in the future. Mike Nizeolek stated that the owners of the Tamarack swamp, the Thompson's, are not interested in selling the property at this time. He added that he is confident they will take good care of the property. Dave Anderson stated that the Park and Recreation Commission will not be able to finalize their park plan until some decisions are made in the Comp Plan review process. 4.5. Update on Comment Line Steve Ach reported that most comments being taken are of a positive nature. Staff will be transcribing the comments and distributing them to the Committee at a later date. 5. Presentation of Residential/Housing Element Steve Ach highlighted information on the following issues using Exhibits 1 through 7 in the Steering Committee's 2/9/95 packet- -Inventory of housing units and mix -Consumption rate for residential development -Housing issues -Goals and policies Steve summarized that based on the last 6 years consumption rate, it will take approximately 22 years to develop all the available residential property. Steve reported that in 1994, there were 1,060 multi -family housing units, 86 twin home, 3,560 single family, and 49 mobile home units in the City for a total of 4,054 total housing units. He stated that 4 percent of the property in the urban service area is zoned multi -family. Multi -family housing units comprise approximately 22% of the total, with single family at 75%, twin homes approximately 27o, and mobile homes less than 1 %. Steve explained that if the City chooses to put a cap on the multi -family zoned property now, the percentage of multi -family units will continue to decrease. Mary Eberley questioned whether or not the City must provide a replacement for the mobile home park, if the existing park is phased out. Steve explained that the City needs to provide a variety of housing, such as apartments, starter homes, Steering Committee Minutes February 9, 1995 Page 5 move -up housing, executive housing, etc. Based on the City's current percentage of apartments, the trailer park would not have to be replaced. Mary Eberley questioned at what point the City needs to consider rehab housing. Steve stated that discussion on rehab will be part of the executive summary issues. Discussion followed regarding land values and affordable housing. Dick Hinkle stated that the average home value rose approximately $5,000 last year. He noted that increased demand influences the rising home values. Arne Engstrom stated that from the County's perspective, this has a positive impact on the tax burden for rising expenses. He explained that a younger population creates a heavy tax burden for the County's residents. There is more demand for services such as schools and law enforcement. Barb Miracle, resident, expressed her concern that there is a lack of affordable housing for younger senior citizens in the community. She suggested that there could be more one -level, semi -private twinhome or townhome type housing, with an adjacent yard, and maintenance -free as for as repairs, snow removal and mowing are concerned. Steve Ach outlined vacancy rate statistics for Elk River and surrounding communities as shown in Exhibit 5. He noted that the multi -family vacancy rate is only 2 percent. He also referred the Committee to the Lakeville study which describes the fiscal impact of multi -family housing on a community. He summarized that multi -family puts more of strain on a city's operating budget because of the demand for services, and there is less of a return. Steve noted the report specifies the need to focus on crime prevention and property maintenance. Steve indicated that many of the current goals and policies still apply, but some may need to be changed. Chair Minton stated that he felt the multi -family housing issue should be addressed at the next meeting. Mary Eberley suggested that information be obtained regarding the range of property values in the City. Discussion followed regarding development standards for insuring a variety of housing options. A resident in the audience expressed her concern that the City not dictate the size house she must build on a particular piece of property. Mary Eberley stated that she was referring to the responsibility the City has to provide a variety of housing throughout the City. Tom Jenior, resident, expressed his concern that the 10 acre minimum lot size is too restrictive. Dick Hinkle stated that he feels the time has come to lower the minimum lot size in the Agricultural zoning district. Steering Committee Minutes February 9, 1995 Page 6 Steve Ach stated that that he feels the discussion should center around densities and not strictly lot sizes. He stated that cluster housing is a concept to consider in the rural areas of the City. 6. Other Business Chair Minton asked the letter from Joe Barsody and the letter from the City of Ramsey be entered into the official record. Future Meeting The next meeting of the Elk River Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee will be Thursday, March 9, 1995, at 7:00 p.m. at the Elk River City Hall Council Chambers. It was the consensus to discuss these issues in the following order: l . Extension of Urban Service District (March 9) 2. Total Land Use Mix 3. Residential/Housing Also, the Committee agreed to meet twice a month, beginning in March. The second March meeting will be determined at a later date. There being no further business, MARY EBERLEY MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. CHRIS KREGER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 11-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Respectfully , submitted, /�Q�/r/� e /zz t Debbie Kleckner Recording Secretary