Second Tab - Commercialver TO:
MEMORANDUM
Bill Rubin, Economic
Development Coordinator
FROM: Stephen Rohlf, Building and
Zoning Administrator
DATE: June 29, 1995 sR
SUBJECT: Downtown Elk River
Upon request of council member Farber, I checked with the City of Stillwater
regarding ordinances and/or codes that allow flexibility from building code in
the historic area of downtown Stillwater. My contact person in Stillwater
was Al Zepper, building official for the city (439-6121).
Mr. Zepper indicated that the City of Stillwater had adopted the Uniform
Code for Building Conservation. I am currently unfamiliar with this code,
but according to Mr. Zepper it allowed some leeway to certain building code
issues. This code applies to buildings that are on the state or federal register
of historic places. In particular, they have used this code to avoid elevators
in some of the historic buildings in their downtown area. This code does not
alleviate ADA standards, but as Mr. Zepper indicated, it is not the city's
responsibility to enforce ADA codes. He further indicated that the key to
using this code was to make sure the same facilities are provided on each
floor of the building. This code allows for flexibility in other areas also.
It is my understanding that the only building in Elk River that was on the
state register of historic places was the original county courthouse. However,
it may be possible to do what Stillwater did and declare the downtown area a
historic district. I recommend that Kurt Kragness (261-4433) from the
Sherburne County Historical Society is contacted regarding proper
procedure, if this line is pursued.
Declaring the downtown area a historic district may be a two edged sword. I
recommend thorough research prior to embarking on this course. It may be
that remodeling and/or demolition of buildings in the future are hindered if
placed in a historic district.
I thought that I would share this will you, Bill, and if appropriate, feel free to
pass this information on to the Chamber of Commerce Downtown Task Force
rub6-29/bz/stever
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425
or the Downtown Development Corporation. Mr. Zepper indicated that he
would research any specific city ordinances that Stillwater might have and
copy them to me.
cc: Larry Farber
1_ 'Lai El a 1 I t_ MIDI t
Total Commercial Property in Elk River
38,043,750 square feet
873.36 acres
C-1 Central Commercial
2,407,500 square feet
55.27 acres
C-2 Office District
2,455,000 square feet
56.36 acres
C-3 Highway Commercial
27,106,250 square feet
622.27 acres
PUD Commercial Districts
6,075,000 square feet
139.46 acres
Undeveloped Commercial Property
17,611,250 square feet
404.30 acres
Developed Commercial Property
20,432,500 square feet
469.06 acres
Total Restricted Areas for Commercial Development
1,176,250 square feet
27.00 acres
Total Commercial Area Within Urban Service Area
16,330,510 square feet
374.90 acres
Total Commercial Area Outside Urban Service Area
21,719,250 square feet
498.60 acres
Developed Commercial Areas Within Urban Service Area
9,897,510 square feet
227.22 acres
neveloped Commercial Areas Within Urban Service Area
6,433,000 square feet
147.68 acres
Developed Commercial Areas Outside Urban Service Area
11,178,250 square feet
256.62 acres
Undeveloped Commercial Areas Outside Urban Service Area
10,535,000 square feet
241.85 acres
Restricted Commercial Areas Within Urban Service Area
420,000 square feet
9.64 acres
Restricted Commercial Areas Outside Urban Service Area
756,250 square feet
17.36 acres
TOTAL ACREAGE OF ZONING DISTRICTS
C-1 CENTRAL COMMERCIAL
Downtown 2,407,500 square feet
C-1 Total 2,407,500 square feet (55.27 acres)
PUD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
Jackson Avenue 2,300,000 square feet
Highway 169 3,170,000 square feet
North 193rd Avenue 585,000 square feet
Downtown 20,000 square feet
PUT) Total 6,075.000 square feet (139.46 acres)
C-2 OFFICE DISTRICT
Courthouse
977,500 square feet
Jackson Avenue
397,500 square feet
Irving Avenue
100,000 square feet
Main Street
820,000 square feet
Lowell Avenue
160,000 square feet
C-2 Total
2,455.000 square feet (56,36 acres)
C-3 HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL
W. Hwy. 10
455,000 square feet
Hudson Street
120,000 square feet
Lake Orono
895,000 square feet
Downtown
1,495,000 square feet
SE Hwy. 10
5,030,000 square feet
River Hwy. 10
16,686,250 square feet
Dodge Avenue
100,000 square feet
193rd Avenue
480,000 square feet
Carson Street
1,325,000 square feet
School Area
520,000 square feet
C-3 Total
27,106.250 square feet (622.27 acres)
DOWNTOWN DISTRICT
C-1 Total 2,407,500 square feet
C-2 (minus Courthouse area)
1,477,500 square feet
Downtown Total 3.885.000 square feet (89.19 acres)
TOTAL RESTRICTED AREAS
River Hwy. 10
W. Hwy. 10
Lake Orono
756,250 square feet
120,000 square feet
300,000 square feet
Total Restricted Area 1,176,250 square feet (27.00 acres)
Outside Service Area 756,250 square feet (17.36 acres)
Within Service Area 420,000 square feet (9.64 acres)
UNDEVELOPED
DEVELOPED
W. Hwy. 10
455,000 square feet
Hudson Street
120,000 square feet
Courthouse
488,750 square feet
Courthouse
488,750 square feet
Lake Orono
300,000 square feet
Lake Orono
595,000 square feet
E. Hwy. 10
2,475,000 square feet
E. Hwy. 10
2,555,000 square feet
Hwy. 10 River
8,703,250 square feet
Hwy. 10 River
7,980,000 square feet
Total
12,422,000 square feet
Total
11.738,750 square feet
UNDEVELOPED
DEVELOPED
Jackson Avenue
420,000 square feet
Jackson Avenue
1,879,500 square feet
193rd Avenue
430,000 square feet
193rd Avenue
50,000 square feet
N. 193rd Ave.
292,500 square feet
N. 193rd Ave.
292,500 square feet
Hwy. 169 Plaza
420,000 square feet
Hwy. 169 Plaza
2,750,000 square feet
Total
1.562,500 square feet
Total
4,972,000 square feet
Running
total 13,984,500
Running total
16,710,750
UNDEVELOPED
DEVELOPED
School Area
320,000 square feet
School Area
200,000 square feet
Mobile Home Pk.
520,000 square feet
Liquor Store
50,000 square feet
Downtown
Downtown
south of railroad
305,000 square feet
south of railroad
801,250 square feet
between Hwy. 169
between Hwy. 169
and railroad
1,295,000 square feet
and railroad
1,483,750 square feet
Total
2,440,000 square feet
Total
2,535,000 square feet
Grand total
16,424,500 square feet
Grand total
19,245,750 square feet
REQUEST
TO: The Elk River Chamber of Commerce Committee on the downtown area
FROM: The Elk River Steering Committee To Update The Comprehensive Plan
DATE: June 15, 1995
The Steering Committee requests of the Chamber committee some recommendations
pertaining to the down town area as soon as possible, for inclusion in the City's
comprehensive plan.
Specifically, the Steering Committee requests your reactions to some of the ideas
expressed in the as yet unpublished letter from Bill Rubin and Jackie Schuelein on "Ter
Ideas to Keep Elk River's Down Town a Focal Point" and ideas that arose in the Steeri
Committee meeting of this date, and which are briefly summarized below.
Since the Steering Committee wants to complete its work soon, the request is that these
recommendations be formed in one month, and that the emphasis be on a master action
plan for the area.
Ideas brought up at the Steering Committee meeting are as follows
There was practically universal agreement in the.Committee that parking requirements
be either greatly relaxed for a certain part of the down town area, or that the City
participate in providing the necessary parking areas.
2. That ordinances and codes relating to down town buildings be relaxed to the extent that
this is possible and to the extent that safety is not compromised.
That a distinction be possibly made between the central business district and a smaller
old town area, and that within the old town area, a design theme be implemented, such
as any remodeling or new construction would be from the era of 1890 to 1920.
4. That provision be made for residential as well as commercial development in the area,
so that there would be a mixture of new businesses and residences in the zone,
sometimes referred to as neo-traditionalism.
That more attention be given to all buildings with historic significance (more than 50
years old), and that an historic commission be established. One of their first functions
could be to conduct an inventory of historically significant buildings, and at the same
time, an estimate could be made of the soundness of these buildings.
6. That the City help jump start some development or redevelopment opportunities with
financial incentives.
That an ordinance stipulate that certain kinds of businesses be restricted to the down
town area, and not be allowed in other parts of the city, or that certain businesses not
be allowed as home occupations to compete with downtown businesses.
The Steering Committee will certainly look forward to your recommendations.
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2 / L River Star News / Wednesday, April 6, 1994
Elk River News Briefs
Be wary of people selling
home repairs door-to-door
Elk River Police ChiefTom Zerwas is warning senior citizens
to be wary of people going door-to-door offering to do home
repairs.
"If anyone comes door-to-door trying to sell home repairs, I
wouldn't have anything to do with it," he said.
The scam typically works like this: Someone comes to the
home of a senior citizen and says the roof needs repair or the
driveway needs to be sealcoated. A crew will then do some
work, which is often not properly done, and charge an outra-
geous fee.
Zerwas said there have been problems of that sort reported
recently in Austin and Waseca. Similar activity was reported
in Elk River several years ago.
He advised people to contact the Building and Zoning De-
partment or the Police Department if they are contacted by
someone selling home repairs door-to-door.
Oak trees will be discussed
at special meeting tonight
The Park and Recreation Commission will meet at 7 p.m.
tonight (Wednesday, April 6) to discuss a proposal to turn an
oak grove in western Elk River into a park.
Park and Recreation Commission Chairman Dave Anderson
had asked the City Council last month to try to save a grove
of old oak trees which would be impacted by the development
of 97 homes on 40 acres between County Road 30 and the
Sherburne County Fairgrounds.
Developers are now proposing to dedicate 7.5 acres of the
woods as park land as away of fulfilling their parkdedication
..., ,iramnntR for 120 acres of residan+.-] 1-- ' _
Retail sales
in city drop
some from
1990 high
by Joni Astrup
Associate editor
Gross retail sales in Elk River
have shown a downward trend
over the last three years, ac-
cording to a recent report pre-
sented to the Elk River Eco-
nomic Development Authority
(EDA).
Consumers are still spending
millions of dollars in Elk River
each year — $92.5 million in
1992 to be exact — but those
figures are down from a five-
yearhigh of$116 million in 1990.
Elk River Economic Develop-
ment Coordinator Bill Rubin,
who puttogether the report, said
part of the decline maybe due to
a sluggish economy. "The other
thing that is tough to draw a
conclusion on is how many dol-
lars are lost to regional malls,"
he added.
Retail sales in Elk River are
divided into seven categories in
the report, which is based on
1992 Elk River Retail Sales
Eating & Drinking
Establishments 8 % 1 2 Food
Lumber, Stores 39 °i°
Hardware,
etc. 8 %
Misc.
Retail
13%
Auto Dealers,
Service Stations
°
° 1: Furniture/Home Furnishings 1 %
2: Apparel, Accessory Stores 1 %
figures from the Minnesota De-
partment of Revenue.
Food stores led gross sales in
the city, with $36 million or 39
percent of sales in 1992, the
latest year for which figures are
available. While the figure is
substantial, it's actually down
$3; 34 million or 8.5 percent from
1991.
One of the areas showing the
greatest decline is auto dealers
and service stations, which are
lumped into one category.
That group accounted for $39
million in sales in 1990, but had
slipped to $28 million in 1992.
Retail Sales in Elk River and
Sherburne County,1988-1992
150
100
0
50
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992
Sherburne County 0 Elk River
"Maybe people are keeping
their cars longer," suggested Ted
Saxon of Saxon Motors in Elk
River.
Other highlights of the report
include:
*Gross retail sales in
Sherburne County in 1992 were
estimated at $175 million. That
means Elk River accounts for
more than half (about 53 per-
cent) of the county's sales.
• 1992 retail sales were gener-
ated by 222 businesses in Elk
River.
*Elk River's 1992 gross retail
sales were down 5 percent from
an estimated $96 million in
1991.
*Food stores lead gross sales
in Elk River at $36 million. Auto
dealers and service stations
make up the next largest group
of retailers in terms of sales,
accounting for $28 million or 30
percent of sales in the city. That
group is followed by miscella-
neous retail at $12 million; lum-
ber, hardware, etc. at $7 million
and eating and drinking estab-
lishments at $7 million.