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May 4, 1995 Steering Committee MinutesMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER STEERING COMMITTEE HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1995 Members Present: Chair Minton, Committee Members Keith Holme, Mark Lucas, Pat Dwyer, Lloyd Barthel, Mary Eberley, Dick Hinkle, Dave Anderson, Hank Duitsman, Bill Birrenkott and Ame Engstrom Members Absent: Committee Members Mary McDevitt, Marly Glines, Chris Kreger and Merry Sipe Staff Present: Steve Ach, City Planner; Bill Rubin, EDA Executive Director; Kristy Mansfield, Recording Secretary 1. Call Meeting To Order The May 4, 1995 meeting of the Elk River Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee was called to order at 7 p.m. by Chair Minton. 2. Consider Steering Committee Agenda It was agreed by consensus that commercial development would also be discussed during the meeting, if the industrial development issues were concluded. ARNE ENGSTROM MOVED TO APPROVE THE MAY 4, 1995 STEERING COMMITTEE AGENDA. PAT DWYER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 11-0. 3. Consider Steering Committee Minutes No action taken on the April 20, 1995 Steering Committee minutes. 4. Consider Industrial Development Staff presentation by Steve Ach. Steve referred to information from the American Planning Association regarding proper land use mix and concluded that each individual city needs to determine what the appropriate mix should be, based on its own needs, factors controlling development and business interests. He noted that the cites surveyed had between five and eight percent of their land dedicated for industrial development. Elk River currently has 89% of land designated for residential (large majority is agricultural), 3% commercial and 6% industrial. Although Elk River has an average amount of land designated for industrial, there is a problem of not having immediate availability. Discussion followed regarding industrial development in Brooklyn Park and Fridley. The Committee also discussed the problems associated with too much residential development as experienced in Richfield and Brooklyn Center. Steering Committee Minutes May 4, 1995 Page 2 Issues related to industrial development such as increased tax base and local jobs were discussed. Steve Ach reviewed 6 areas (Areas A through F) as possible locations for industrial development, as referred to in his memo to the Steering Committee dated May 4, 1995. Bill Birrenkott stated that the problem with many of the areas mentioned is the lack of available sewer and water. He questioned if there are restrictions to prevent establishing smaller -sized sewer and water districts to service these areas. Steve Ach explained that Terry Maurer is researching the feasibility of setting up a small water and sewer district in the southeast area of the City. Steve noted that the City of Ramsey has stated their intent to bring water and sewer up to the City's southeastern boundary. Discussion followed regarding purchasing services from Ramsey vs. establishing a small sewer and water district to serve the southeast Highway 10 corridor. Bill Birrenkott stated he felt the Committee should decide where industrial development should occur based on best use of land and accessibility to highways, and that economics will determine how the property is serviced with water and sewer. Pat Dwyer commented that Areas A and B appear to be a natural extension of City water and sewer. He expressed concern with Area C for industrial use because of its close proximity to the river, and felt that should be used for residential. Pat stated that other areas such as E, D and F could be developed With smaller uses without city water and sewer. Mary Eberley suggested that public park land could be set aside in planning an industrial park near the river. Discussion followed regarding competition with neighboring communities for industrial development. Bill Rubin explained that competition is based on the level of incentives cities are willing to provide. Pat Dwyer stated that the areas identified are likely to be long-term prospects and that areas for immediate needs should be considered. Bill Rubin explained developers have indicated there is a real need for industrial property in Elk River. He suggested that area C may be a good option for a highway industrial, multi -tenant, office/warehouse development. Steve Ach stated industrial uses along Highway 10 after the Kelley Farm would create a "softer" entrance to the City, rather than the more intense, highway commercial uses. Mary Eberley stated she supported Areas A and B since these areas are close to city water and sewer. Also, she supported Area C, with a use as suggested by Bill Rubin. Steering Committee Minutes May 4, 1995 Page 3 Lloyd Barthel questioned how many areas are in Areas A and B. Steve Ach estimated a total of 140 acres in the two areas, but wetland would reduce the number of developable acres to approximately 80. He felt that industrial park users should pay for water and sewer and not the residents. He felt that in Area C should be residential and the remaining area along the highway could be industrial. He stated that it would be necessary to spot zone the area and also, to extend water and sewer to the property. He felt the same could be said for Areas D, E and F, unless the parcels were large enough to develop with some type of on -site water and sewer, as suggested by Bill Birrenkott. Steve Ach suggested a mix of residential and commercial in the southeast area of the City to help pay for extending services. Dave Anderson expressed his concern for residential development in this area. Discussion followed regarding the impact of industrial taxes on residential. Arne Engstrom suggested some type of industrial dedication fees charged to residential developers, such as the current park dedication fees, to provide for future industrial land and/or development. He felt that portions of the Cargill property should be zoned industrial next to the railroad tracks. Discussion followed regarding zoning the property for future use. He stated he was in favor of the Specht property being zoned industrial. Dave Anderson stated he was in favor Mary Eberley's idea for a riverside park. Chair Minton concluded that Areas A and B are preferences for industrial park use and also to extend industrial along the railroad tracks down to Areas F and D. Hank Duitsman stated that he felt the traffic problem would become worse at Highway 169 and Main Street if industrial development were to occur in Areas A and B. Discussion followed regarding traffic issues and also extending water and sewer southeast along Highway 10. Greg Renner, of Renner Well Co., expressed his concern regarding the pig farm, the excess speed of trains in the Jarvis Area. He stated he was in favor of developing the industrial areas from the core city area out. He felt that area F / should be industrial, not residential. He stated that if it is desired to have industrial property in the extreme southeast area of the City, the only way it could be done is with private systems, and it would be 20 to 30 years city water and sewer would be extended. Discussion followed regarding traffic congestion that would be associated with Areas A and B. BILL BIRRENKOTT MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT AREAS A AND B BE REZONED FOR BUSINESS/INDUSTRIAL PARK USE. PAT DWYER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 8-2-1. DAVE ANDERSON AND DICK HINKLE OPPOSED. HANK DUITSMAN ABSTAINED. ARNE ENGSTROM MOVED TO ZONE AREAS G AND F BE REZONED FOR INDUSTRIAL j USE. MARY EBERLEY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 11-0. I6 A �I Steering Committee Minutes May 4, 1995 Page 4 MOTION CARRIED 8-2-1. DAVE ANDERSON AND DICK HINKLE OPPOSED. HANK DUITSMAN ABSTAINED. ARNE ENGSTROM MOVED TO ZONE AREAS G AND F BE REZONED FOR INDUSTRIAL USE. MARY EBERLEY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 11-0. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of a mixed -type use which would include industrial for Area C. Discussion followed regarding parks and trails in Area C. Bill Birrenkott stated he was in favor of zoning everything along Highway 10 either commercial or industrial, not residential Jeff Anderson, resident in Mississippi Heights, suggested that a residential neighborhood be included in Area C. Hank Duitsman stated he was not opposed to the area along the river being zoned residential, but that he felt the rest of the area should be taken out of residential. He suggested that Steve Ach come back with a proposal at a later date. Hank suggested that the location could be used for a school. He stated he did not want to see the same type of commercial that Ramsey has along the highway. MARY EBERLEY MOVED THAT A CONCEPT BE CONSIDERED FOR AREA C WHICH WOULD INCLUDE A REVISED AND IMPROVED COMMERCIAL DISTRICT ALONG THE HIGHWAY IN AREA C, A NATURE CONSERVATION AREA ALONG THE RIVER SUCH AS AN EASEMENT FOR A WALKWAY, A RESIDENTIAL AREA IN THE NORTH, AND THE REMAINING BALANCE FOR INDUSTRIAL USE. DICK HINKLE SECONDED THE MOTION. Further discussion followed regarding the Specht property. Dick Hinkle expressed concern that the Specht's were not being represented in these discussions regarding their property. Dave Anderson suggested that Steve Ach prepare a map outlining the zone change described in Mary Eberley's motion. THE MOTION CARRIED 10-1. DAVE ANDERSON OPPOSED. Steve Ach stated that he would attempt to prepare a map outlining the boundaries of the industrial area. ARNE ENGSTROM MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT AREA D BE REZONED INDUSTRIAL, WITH THE STIPULATION THAT A GREEN SPACE/PARK AREA BE LOCATED NEXT TO THE RIVER. HANK DUITSMAN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 10-1. PAT DWYER OPPOSED. ARNE ENGSTROM MOVED TO REQUEST STAFF TO RESEARCH THE CONCEPT OF CHARGING INDUSTRIAL DEDICATION FEES TO DEVELOPERS. PAT DWYER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 10-1. DAVE ANDERSON ABSTAINED. Steering Committee Minutes May 4, 1995 Adjournment Page 5 LLOYD BARTHEL MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. BILL BIRRENKOTT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 11-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, xI CSC. /(k'c! Debbie Kleckner Recording Secretary