August 17, 1995 Steering Committee Minutes (2)MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER STEERING COMMITTEE
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1995
Members Present: Chairman Minton, Committee Members Mary Eberley, Dave
Anderson, Dick Hinkle, Mark Lucas, Arne Engstrom, Keith Holme
and Pat Dwyer
Members Absent: Committee Members Marly Glines, Bill Birrenkott, Chris Kreger,
Hank Duitsman, Lloyd Barthel, Mary McDevitt and Merry Sipe
Staff Present: Steve Ach, City Planner; Bill Rubin, Economic Development
Coordinator; Debbie Kleckner, Recording Secretary
1. Call Meeting To Order
The August 17, 1995 meeting of the Elk River Comprehensive Plan Steering
Committee meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Chair Minton.
2. Consider August 17 1995 Steering Committee Agenda
PAT DWYER MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 17, 1995 STEERING COMMITTEE
AGENDA. ARNE ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
3. Consider July 27, 1995 Steering Committee Minutes
Pat Dwyer was added to the "Members Absent".
MARY EBERLEY MOVED TO APPROVE THE JULY 27, 1995 STEERING COMMITTEE
MINUTES AS AMENDED. DAVE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 7-0.
4. Presentation on Downtown from Chamber Task Force
Dennis Chuba and Jackie Schuelein, representing the Elk River Area Chamber of
Commerce, reviewed the city -related items in the chamber's CBD Task Force
Report to the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. These topics included:
• Creating a Master Plan for the Downtown
• Commit Public Funds
• Provide Access to the River
• Establish Off -Street Parking Standards/Evaluate Building Code Restrictions in
the CBD
• Work Together
• Expand the Service Base
• Capitalize on What's Downtown
Steering Committee Minutes
August 17, 1995
Page 2
MARY EBERLEY MOVED TO INCLUDE THE CBD TASK FORCE REPORT IN THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE. PAT DWYER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
ARNE ENGSTROM MOVED THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDER EMPHASIZING AND ENCOURAGING AN EARLY 1900'S ARCHITECTURAL
THEME FOR BUILDING EXTERIORS OF EXISTING, NEW AND RENOVATED BUILDINGS IN
THE DOWNTOWN CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT. PAT DWYER SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
ARNE ENGSTROM MOVED THAT THE STEERING COMMITTEE RECOMMEND THE
MASTER PLAN FOR THE DOWNTOWN INCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF INCORPORATING
COMPATIBLE RESIDENTIAL USES WITH THE PRINCIPAL USE OF OFFICE/RETAIL IN THE
DOWNTOWN CBD. PAT DWYER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 8-
0.
PAT DWYER MOVED THAT THE STEERING COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO THE CITY
COUNCIL, WHEN IT ADDRESSES PARKING ISSUES IN THE C-1 ZONING DISTRICT, IT
TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE ERA IN WHICH SOME OF THE BUILDINGS WERE
CONSTRUCTED, AND, THAT IT RECOGNIZE THAT IT MAY NOT BE ECONOMICALLY
FEASIBLE FOR POTENTIAL NEW BUSINESSES IN THOSE BUILDINGS TO PROVIDE THE
SAME REQUIRED NUMBER OFF STREET PARKING SPACES AS REQUIRED FOR NEW
CONSTRUCTION. MARY EBERLEY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 8-0.
5. Residential Development
East Residential
Chair Minton reviewed recommendations made by the Steering Committee
regarding the eastern residential area.
Dave Anderson expressed his desire to maintain the rural flavor of this area. He
was in favor of the recommended expanded urban service boundary because
it had the least impact on residential.
Arne Engstrom stated he felt it was important to manage residential growth to
protect the quality of life for the people living in Elk River now. He stressed
concern that if residential growth is not controlled, the city may not be able to
keep up with the demand for services.
Chair Minton summarized that no changes are proposed in the previous
recommendations for the eastern residential area.
6. Review Recommendations
The following additions/changes to the Steering Committee recommendations
were discussed:
Industrial Development
• Much of the existing and proposed industrial zoned property is not
readily available for development, since it is currently being used for
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August 17, 1995
Page 3
other purposes (forming operations, gravel mining, Cargill Research,
etc.)
There is a need to stay current with development needs for industrial -
zoned property served by city water and sewer.
A mix of light and medium industrial, and business park opportunities
should be provided in areas zoned for those uses throughout the
community.
2. Commercial Development
The Hohlen property immediately west of Highway 169 and south of
the C3-zoned property south of Main Street, be rezoned from R3
(Multi -family) to C3 (Highway Commercial).
3. Residential Development
• Use the words "conservation easement" rather than "conservation
district', under conditions for clustering in the A-1 zoning district.
• In the R1 a zoning district, lot size shall be a minimum of 2-1/2 acres;
however, if a "cluster development' is utilized, a minimum lot size of 1
acre may be allowed. Under this concept, the following conditions
must apply:
No increase in the overall density
2. 50% of the land is forever utilized as permanent open
space through the use of a land trust, conservation
easement, or other mechanism.
4. Transportation
No changes in recommendations.
S. Parks and Recreation
No changes in recommendations.
6. Expansion of Urban Service Area
Dave Anderson requested that the Mississippi Heights area be excluded
from the area proposed for expansion of urban services, since that area
was excluded in the original motion made on the issue.
Land Use and Zoning Changes
Steve Ach reviewed Exhibits A through M, highlighting various land use
and zone change recommendations previously made by the Steering
Committee.
Tentative Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
No changes.
Steering Committee Minutes
August 17, 1995
9. Future Meeting
Page 4
The next meeting of the Steering Committee will be Thursday, September 21,
1995, at 7 p.m.
10. Adjournment
There being no further business, DICK HINKLE MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
ARNE ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 8.0.
The meeting of the Elk River Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee adjourned at 8:30
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Kleckner
Recording Secretary