01-17-1998 PC MIN - SPECIAL
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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17,1998
The Annual Meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission was held Saturday. January 17.
1998, at 8:30 a.m. at Elk River City Hall.
Present:
Judy Thompson. Jon Anderson, Tom Mesich. Lester Morris. Doran Cote and
City Planner, Steve Ach.
Absent:
Louise Kuester
The meeting was called to order by Chair Anderson and the agenda was reviewed.
COMMISSIONER COTE MOVED TO APPROVED THE AGENDA, SECONDED BY MESICH. THE
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
COMMISSIONER THOMPSON AND SECONDED BY ANDERSON TO ELECT THE 1998 OFFICERS
AS FOLLOWS: CHAIR - TOM MESICH; VICE CHAIR - DORAN COTE. THE MOTION CARRIED
5-0.
The Planning Commission reviewed the rules and procedures and found no changes that
need to be made. Commissioner Cote made a comment about Section 8.2. - Protocol,
No.8. regarding written testimony received at the public hearing. It was suggested that
staff look into making available 3"x5" cards for those in the audience not wishing to
speak but would prefer to write their comments down and make them part of the public
record.
The Planning Commission reviewed Section 214 of the City Code regarding the Planning
Commission. There were no changes made to this section of the ordinance.
The goals and objectives for 1997 were discussed and reviewed. The following is a review
of the 1997 goals:
1. This goal was achieved.
2. The Planning Commission scheduled a meeting with the Park and Recreation
Commission; however, only a couple of Park and Recreation Commissioners were
in attendance. Therefore. the meeting did not take place. A meeting with the
City Council was held early in the year.
3. This goal was achieved.
4. This goal was achieved.
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Planning Commission Annual Meeting
January 17. 1998
Page 2
5.
This goal was discussed with the City Council briefly. however. the item was not
accomplished in 1997.
6. Individually. the Planning Commission reviewed sites in addition to a mobile
workshop that was held during the middle of the year.
1997 Workshops
1. The Planning Commission had two mobile tours to visit sites within Elk River as well
as outside of the community.
2. &3. The Police Chief and Fire Chief. along with the city attorney. met with the
Planning Commission at one workshop to discuss a variety of issues.
4.
Two chapters of the Comprehensive Plan were reviewed.
5.
The Planning Commission did meet with the City Council at a joint meeting and
formulated a list of topics for discussion throughout the year.
6.
Some of the Commission members attended a seminar at the City of Otsego to
discuss urban sprawl.
7.
The Commission continued to discuss issues at various workshops throughout the
year.
Commissioner Anderson indicated that he made several attempts at contacting
Dave Schwarting. Sherburne County Highway Engineer. to receive information on
the transportation plan and to invite Mr. Schwarting to a Planning Commission
workshop to discuss the transportation plan. Mr. Schwarting never returned his
calls. therefore. a meeting was never held with Sherburne County Highway
Department.
It was also noted that a resolution supporting community values was prepared by
the City Attorney and adopted in 1997.
The Planning Commission discussed goals for 1998. The 1998 goals and objectives were
as follows:
1. Meet with the City Council in a joint session to discuss one general topic of growth
in Elk River and particularly. in East Elk River.
2. Schedule a joint meeting with the Park & Recreation Commission to discuss
common topics among the two commissions.
3. Participate in the 1998 State and National Planning Conferences.
4. Continue to promote for new commission members. training through the
government training service.
5. Inspect completed or ongoing development projects that were reviewed by the
Planning Commission the previous year.
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Planning Commission Annual Meeting
January 17. 1998
Page 3
The Planning Commission discussed the Holiday Gas Station site at School Street
and Highway 169 and how the lighting on the canopy and building is much more
intense than they had thought. This is one example of the benefits of reviewing
sites after they are constructed to help the Commission in their review process of
upcoming projects. Commissioner Anderson asked if the Planning Commission
could write a letter to Holiday stating their disappointment with the amount of
lighting that has been developed on this site. Chair Mesich volunteered to
prepare a letter to be sent off to Holiday
The following is a list of 1998 workshop topics:
1. Have three mobile workshops.
2. Meet once again with the Fire Chief and Police Chief.
3. Dedicate 4-5 workshops to discuss general planning issues, as well as upcoming
projects.
4. Invite former Planning Commission member Minton to a workshop to discuss the
Comprehensive Plan.
The Commission indicated they would like to meet with the City Council as early
as possible and identified March 2nd as a date for staff to discuss with the City
Council.
A ttendance to the National Planning Conference in Boston was discussed.
Commissioner Anderson and Chair Mesich indicated they would probably be able to
attend this year.
Meeting adjourned at 11 :30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted.
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City Planner