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June 15, 1995 Steering Committee MinutesMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER STEERING COMMITTEE HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1995 Members Present: Chair Minton, Committee Members Dick Hinkle, Dave Anderson, Marly Glines, Mary Eberley, Pat Dwyer, Keith Holme, Chris Kreger, Hank Duitsman, Bill Birrenkott, Arne Engstrom, Lloyd Barthel and Mary McDevitt Members Absent: Merry Sipe and Mark Lucas Staff Present: Steve Ach, City Planner; Bill Rubin, EDA Executive Director; Debbie Kleckner, Recording Secretary 1. Call Meetina To Order The June 15, 1995 meeting of the Elk River Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee was called to order at 7 p.m. by Chair Minton. 2. Consider June 15, 1995 Steering Committee Agenda Item 10.1 - Fairgrounds Rezoning & Land Use - was added to the June 15, 1995 Steering Committee agenda. ARNE ENGSTROM MOVED TO APPROVE THE JUNE 15, 1995 STEERING COMMITTEE AGENDA AS AMENDED. DAVE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 11.0. 3. Consider Steering Committee Minutes The following corrections to the May 23, 1995 Steering Committee Minutes were noted: Page 2 - Paragraph 7, line 9, should read, "taxed for the house at 1 percent..." Page 6 - Item 6. - Should read "July 6 - Residential Land Use Plan/Zoning Map" and "July 27 - Parks and Recreation" PAT DWYER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MAY 23, 1995 STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES AS AMENDED. MARLY GLINES SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 12-0. 4. Letter from Resident Chair Minton asked that a letter from Janice Olson be entered into the official record. Steve Ach indicated that he has spoken to Ms. Olson and explained the options available to her at this time. Steering Committee Minutes June 15, 1995 5. Review of Committee's Decisions on Commercial Development Fairgrounds - Exhibits A and B Page 2 Steve Ach described the boundaries of the fairgrounds property owned by Sherburne County which the Steering Committee recommended a zoning change to Business Park at a previous meeting. Dave Anderson expressed concern the land use change would affect the portion of the property used for parking by the softball leagues and during community events. He suggested establishing an alternative land use for the parking areas. It was the consensus of the Committee that the Business Park zoning would not affect the parking use and that if the Fair Board ever decides to sell the property, the Park and Recreation Commission will need to find a way to secure the necessary parking area. City orogerty located on Highway 10 between the Cenex Station and the new water tower Dave Anderson suggested the possibility of rezoning the property from its currently R I c designation to C3 (Highway Commercial). Steve Ach questioned whether or not some of this property would be needed for parking as Orono Park is further developed. Chair Minton suggested that Steve Ach provide a recommendation of this parcel at a future meeting. Dave Anderson stated that the Park and Recreation Commission will also have a recommendation for this property. Steve Ach reviewed the following changes in land use and zoning recommended by the Steering Committee at their last meeting: Exhibits C & D Property at Northwest Corner of Proctor and Highway 10 - Rezoning from R3 to R I c and amend land use to HB Exhibit E Rezone Morrell property from R4 to C-2; rezone east side of Jackson from C-1 to R2 Exhibit F Morrell property - amend land use to CB Exhibit City -owned property at Highway 169 and 193rd Avenue - amend land use to HB Exhibit H Southeast corner of Highway 169 and Main Street (Earl Hohlen property) - rezone to PUD Exhibit I Earl Hohlen property currently with a land use of HR - amend land use to HB ExhibitsJ & K Steering Committee Minutes June 15, 1995 Page 3 Southwest corner of Highway 169 and Main Street (Earl Hohlen property) - rezone to C3; amend land use to HB Exhibit L East Highway 10 frontage - Specht property - presently zone R 1 a - rezone to I-1 I CHRIS KREGER MOVED THAT THE STEERING COMMITTEE RECOMMEND AMENDING THE LAND USE FOR THE PARCELS OUTLINED ON EXHIBIT "M"BY CHANGING IT TO t LIGHT INDUSTRIAL. ON EACH END AND HIGHWAY BUSINESS IN THE CENTER, CITING THAT THE 165TH AVENUE INTERSECTION MAY BE SIGNALIZED IN THE FUTURE AND IT WOULD BE LOGICAL TO LOCATE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY CLOSEST TO THE INTERSECTION; AND, THAT THE ENTIRE AREA BE REZONED TO BUSINESS PARK. MARY EBERLEY SECONDED THE MOTION. 6scussion followed regarding preservation of open land next to the Kelley Farm and not allow development right next to the entrance. MARLY GLINES MOVED THAT THE MOTION BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE A MINIMUM OF 300' OF' OPEN SPACE ADJACENT TO THE KELLEY FARM ENTRANCE. DAVE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION TO AMEND. THE MOTION CARRIED 11.1. CHRIS KREGER OPPOSED. THE MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED 12-0. 6. Consider the Central Business District (Downtown) Chair Minton commented on the Letter to the Editor written by Bill Rubin and Jackie Schuelein, which listed ten ideas to keep Elk River's downtown as a focal point. The following is a summary of comments made by members of the Steering Committee and the public: Arne Engstrom - suggested a specific area be designated as the "downtown", possibly a 3 - 4 square block area. - Buildings be remodeled or restored to reflect an era of history such as the 1890's to 1920's. - City's parking requirements be relaxed in downtown Pat Dwyer - suggested the possibility of easing off the building code requirements in older buildings. Chair Minton - downtown is a valuable asset to community that could be lost if steps are not taken to preserve it. Bill Birrenkott - requiring businesses to incorporate a theme may be an encumbrance. Mary Eberley Steering Committee Minutes June 15, 1995 Page 4 - Red Wing has been successful using a theme and preserving historic buildings. - some grants and revolving loan fund helped to finance revitalization of downtown. Keith Holme - with taxes and businesses costs, the profit margins are becoming smaller - many businesses in areas such as Red Wing and Excelsior last a year or two and then move out - cost prohibitive to renovate; expensive to put in elevators and sprinkler systems Pat Dwyer - no longer tax benefits for historic districts Arne Engstrom - old courthouse built better than buildings today -was demolished because it was to costly to renovate; requirements for sprinklers, elevators, windows, insulation too restrictive Robin Tuttle - Compared Elk River to Stillwater where they have taken advantage of their riverfront with walkways, specialty shops, restaurants, etc. - Enhancing the downtown would bring people to the downtown Marly Glines - signage restrictions hinder the downtown businesses in drawing people off the highway Chris Kreger - possibly an "architectural style" could be incorporated in downtown theme -not in favor of giving up safety to safety to the public to save old buildings -supports residential use in upper levels of businesses Barb Maricle -questioned if rents are too high in downtown; why are businesses leaving? Bud Houlton - downtown rent is less than other areas which are $5.00 - $5.50 per square foot plus taxes - rent is immaterial if retailers can get the draw of people through the door Jeff Gonaoll - Discussed softening restrictions in the downtown such as parking, signage, etc. at EDA workshop. EDA is considering options to offer direct financial assistance for changes in downtown. Chris Kreger - Possible language changes to ordinance to allow more signage and reduce parking requirements. Bud Houlton - Rules too strict for remodeling; more common sense issues Steering Committee Minutes June 15, 1995 Page -Cited example of old clinic building at King and Main. Restaurant proposal was dropped because of the parking restrictions and City was unwilling to participate in providing parking. Marls Glines Offered the following comments: - establish theme for downtown - felt it would be expensive to renovate Johnson's building - 3 floors to be utilized, possibly 3 users. Suggested putting old style windows back in, restoring front and adding awnings. - Was in favor of bringing community festival back downtown, utilize proposed riverwalk. - Need to activate downtown groups to come up with plan. Need to have strong group of downtown merchants. - Suggested crazy days for June or July. - Riverwalk should be tied into the sidewalk along Main Street. - Build replica of gazebo downtown, possibly near riverwalk Chair Minton summarized recommendations made during the discussion as follows: 1) Softening restrictions on parking and on building requirements 2) Establishing a theme for the downtown - 1890's - 1920's era 3) Residential combined with commercial in the downtown (neo- traditionalism) 4) Study to determine "soundness" and historic value of buildings in the downtown 5) Financial incentives to encourage redevelopment downtown 6) Restricting certain businesses to the downtown 7) Not allowing certain home occupations that would be better suited to a downtown location 8) More community events held in the downtown 9) Activate downtown committees Mary Eberley suggested that the Downtown Task Force be given the recommendations made by the Steering Committee and request that they respond. Discussion followed regarding the proposal for a restaurant in the old clinic building at King and Main. Bill Rubin explained that a request for proposals was advertised and only one proposal was received. He explained the proposal for a restaurant and issues related to parking. MARLY GLINES MOVED THAT THE DOWNTOWN TASK FORCE BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MORE DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RIVERWALK COMMITTEE, THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION, AND THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, AND, THAT THIS TASK FORCE BE REQUESTED TO PROVIDE A PLAN OF ACTION TO THE STEERING COMMITTEE IN ONE MONTH. DICK HINKLE SECONDED THE MOTION. Chris Kreger requested that the list of recommendations from this meeting be passed onto the Downtown Task Force for their review. He stated that it may be Steering Committee Minutes June 15, 1995 Page 7 necessary to obtain a legal opinion regarding loosening the building code restrictions. THE MOTION CARRIED 12-0. 8, Tentative Schedule of Upcoming Meetings July 6 - Housing (Mix of housing/land use, housing maintenance, 10 acre minimum lot size July 27 - Parks & Recreation August 17 - Report from Downtown Task Force (Land use plan/zoning map, review goals and policies of comprehensive plan) September 12 - Planning Commission Public Hearing October 2 - City Council Public Hearing 12. Adiournment CHRIS KREGER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. BILL BIRRENKOTT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 12-0. Respectfully submitted, Debbie Kleckner Recording Secretary