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02-15-1996 PC MIN - SPECIAL &~wt(l~~ . SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1996 Members Present: Chair Dillon, Commissioners Anderson, Minton, Sullivan and Thompson. Commissioner Kuester arrived at 9:00 p.m. Members Absent: Commissioner T acheny Staff Present: Steven B. Ach, City Planner; Terry Maurer, City Engineer, Stephen Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator, Debbie Kleckner, Recording Secretary Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Special Meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission was called to order at 7 p.m. by Chair Dillon. . Presentation by Terry Maurer, City Engineer. The Transportation Plan is a long range plan, which will be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan, to handle future growth in the city. The purpose of the study is identify corridors which should be preserved for future roadways. The City of Elk River is working with Mn/Dot Sherburne County, and surrounding county, cities and townships. The City's is actively working on a corridor study with Mn/DOT for Trunk Highway 10 and Trunk Highway 169 through the City of Elk River. Issues under consideration include: which intersections should be closed, where new intersections should be opened, where accesses to the highway should be consolidated, and where signalization is needed at intersections. Terry Humbert, District 3 Planning Engineer, has expressed Mn/DOT's full support of the City's work on the transportation plan. The City has been an active participant in Sherburne County's transportation plan. Terry Maurer submitted a letter from Dave Schwarting, Sherburne County Highway Engineer to be included in the official minutes of this meeting. In formulating the Transportation Plan, staff has given their best efforts to balance the issues of residential property, larger agricultural tracts, environmentally sensitive areas and city park land in trying to choose a corridor. A two lane road is being proposed, with some widening at intersections for possible turn lanes. One exception would be roadway II E" located in the central part of the City, which is the realignment of County Road 13. This area is expected to have fairly high traffic counts and may require additional lanes. Terry explained that staff feels all of the roadway connections shown on the map, with a few exceptions, belong on the County roadway system. Following completion of the County's transportation plan, a long range plan will be considered for the County and the City to look at building these roads, as necessary, and then for the City to take back some of the County roads that are currently existing and will no longer function as a County road. . Minutes of Special Planning Commission Minutes February 15,1996 Page 2 . An example is Meadowvale Road which in the future should be under the City's jurisdiction. Terry Maurer reviewed the roads on Figure 6 in the draft transportation plan. Chair Dillon acknowledged the Planning Commission has been contact by the following individuals: Dave Anderson, Tom Wiley, Dick Hinkle, and Claire Olson. Chair Dillon asked that a letter was received by Barb Northway to be added to the official minutes of this public hearing. Chair Dillon opened the public hearing at this time. Ron Niziolek, 12275 Rush Circle, read a letter from himself and Mike Niziolek, asking the Planning Commission to pay special attention to the park system in their consideration of the transportation plan. Denise Henricks, 11337 205th Avenue, felt that if the traffic lights on Highways 10 and 169 were timed as they are in Anoka, , there would not be a transportation problem in Elk River. . Claire Olson, 10476 205th Avenue, stated he felt the recommendations of the Steering Committee to meet jointly with other entities on this issue were not followed. Mr. Olson referred to comments published in the Star News made by Mayor Duitsman which proposed a 4-lane east-west roadway. Mr. Olson expressed his objection to the proposed road connection which would bisect the golf course and city park. He asked who would pay for the road and who would benefit from it. He felt only developers, mining companies, truckers and outsiders passing through Elk River would benefit. Scott Brobeck, 13822 211th Avenue, reviewed information regarding proposed average daily traffic volumes found in the transportation study. Mr. Brobeck challenged the need for the proposed road improvements and felt the study did not support a need for an east/west corridor. Chris Kreger, 11661 225th Avenue, expressed his support for the transportation plan. He stated a plan is a place to begin and that the plan must be flexible to meet the changing needs of the city. Greg Harriet, 196th Avenue, asked how much the improvements will cost. who will pay, who will benefit. how much they will benefit, and if the improvements are not made, who suffers. . Michael Sulvey, 15810 228th Avenue, Big Lake Township, stated he felt the east- west corridor clearly benefits one or more companies that run the gravel mining in this area. He expressed concern for increased gravel truck traffic. He stated the people he spoke with from Big Lake Township have not heard anything about the proposed east-west corridor. He felt the mayor has a major conflict of interest since he has a son working for the gravel mining company that would benefit from the east-west roadway. Mr. Sulvey stated there is going to increased demand for gravel mining in Elk River, since other gravel pits in the area have been mined out. He felt the corridor is not needed or wanted. Minutes of Special Planning Commission Minutes February 15, 1996 Page 3 . Ted Kolberg, 19153 Zebulon street, expressed concern for the safety of children biking and preserving the old oak trees. He felt the road is not necessary and that the numbers don't add up to support it. Bill Zacarda, 13446 Ranch Road, read a letter from Mark Martin and asked that it be entered into the official record of the Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Zacarda stated he feels the east-west corridor will indirectly affect the quality of life of all the residents of Elk River. He felt the taxes will increase and there will be more demand for services. . Dick Hinkle, 13432 Meadowvale Road, expressed concern for the City taking over county roads due to cost for taxpayers. He stressed the importance of government and residents showing respect for each other, as well as for property. He felt enforcement of speed limits would help control the problem with gravel trucks. He suggested that there could be an agreement with the gravel companies to only run empty gravel trucks on County Road 32, such as there was for Proctor. Mr. Hinkle stated that in approximately 1970, MnDOT did a study to skirt Elk River which would have cut through the back of his property, where 193rd is now, along the railroad tracks and into to Big Lake. Mn/DOT backed away because of the costs and decided to stick to the present system. Mr. Hinkle also explained that the previous owners of the Woodland Trails Park land sold the property to the City below market value, with the understanding that it would be used as a park. He felt the character of the property would be ruined if a road were put through between the park and golf course. Also, he did not want to see the pond at County Road 1 and 32 destroyed. Mr. Hinkle stressed that in striving for utopia, people must show respect for each other and for the land. Mr. Hinkle concluded by saying he was proud of Elk River, the school system, and most of all, of its people. Robin Tuttle, 13324 Ranch Road, submitted a petition with 391 signatures in opposition of the proposed east-west corridor. Arne Engstrom, 20800 Meadowvale Road, read the letter from Dave Schwarting, Sherburne County Highway Engineer, in its entirety. He asked the Planning Commission to consider the affect of the east-west corridor on the quality of life in Elk River. There being no further comments from the public, Chair Dillon closed the public hearing (8:30 p.m.). Terry Maurer provided the following responses to comments and questions raised during the public hearing: What are the costs for the proposed roads? Since the transportation study is for "future" roads, it is difficult to estimate costs at this time. The roads may not be built for some time and costs could change considerably. . Minutes of Special Planning Commission Minutes February 15, 1996 Page 4 . Who pays? Costs will likely be borne jointly by the City of Elk River and Sherburne County. Roads will be consolidated where possible and grants will be pursued. Who benefits from the proposed roadway system? The entire community benefits, as well as people traveling through and shopping in Elk River. Who suffers if the roads are not built? The people in Elk River will suffer the most, particularly those living on the roads not designed to handle additional traffic. . Letter from County Hiqhway Enqineer In speaking with the County Highway Engineer, Dave Schwarting, and City Administrator, Pat Klaers, it was Terry's understanding that Sherburne County is looking at a connection of County 32 with Highway 169. They do not see a need for continuation of a roadway through Big Lake Township and connecting with Highway 10 at this time. Mr. Schwarting stated that he does not expect the County transportation study to be completed until Fall of 1996. Terry explained that when the County study is completed, the City will review their plan to determine the consistency between the two plans. Terry noted that the County's study will be much more in depth and also the data will be more recent, since the County started their study in 1995. Mr. Schwarting indicated they had hoped to have the study completed in draft form in July, but since a key person had left the firm they were working with, it would likely now be in the fall before a draft was available. Fiqures discussed by Mr. Scott Brobeck Terry stated he was not able to answer Mr. Brobeck's comments about the traffic counts, as he did not have those files with him and would need to check on them. Terry noted that the reason for the increase in counts for the County Road 12 would be due to the improved access to Highway 169. Terry explained there is very little that can be done to improve the congestion on School Street and Proctor, and that this will always be one of the busiest areas in the City. Major reductions in traffic counts would be made in the Meadowvale area. The significant increase of 7,000 to 17,000 trips in the County Road 13 area will naturally occur, since it would become a major route to get across Elk River. The Main Street and Highway 169 area will continue to be a bottleneck traffic problem, since it is a major commercial area. 2 Lane Road/4 Lane Road Terry stated the only area in which right-of-way of 100 feet is proposed is in the corridor into the Woodland Trails Park. Terry explained Sherburne County is planning to upgrade County Road 1 from the "Y" area at Proctor, up to the golf course. . Will the City be takinq over County roads? Terry felt he could not answer until the county study was completed. The City will be working with the County to determine if some roads may go under . . . Minutes of Special Planning Commission Minutes February 15, 1996 Page 5 county jurisdiction, while others currently maintained by the County will go to the City. What can be done to mitiaate the split between the aolf course and the city park if a road aoes throuah? Terry explained that if a road is put through, there is no way to get around the fact that it will split the two areas. Design techniques would be considered to minimize the impacts such as a culvert under the road or a pedestrian bridge over it to connect the two areas. Also, a "parkway" road design will be looked at to soften the affects of the road. When will Seament C Iikelv be developed? The construction of this roadway will be development driven. The eastern-most section would likely not be built unless the property became available for sale. Proiected population of 40,000 in 20 vears. Terry explained he felt this figure was unrealistic and that it would take significantly longer than 20 years for Elk River to ever reach this level of development. Chair Dillon expressed his feeling that the comment regarding Highway 10 was MnDOT's problem was ill-served and that the City needs to be concerned about this roadway, as it affects all its residents. Commissioner Sullivan emphasized that the Transportation Plan is a "long range" plan and that it is not the intent the proposed roadways will be built anytime in the near future. She added that the Commissioners are sensitive to the concerns of the citizens that may be affected by the roads. COMMISSIONER SULLIVAN MOVED THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE TRANSPORTATION STUDY, EMPHASIZING THAT THE CITY BE SENSITIVE TO THE WOODLAND TRAILS PARK AREA AND ITS USERS, WHENEVER A ROAD IS CONSTRUCTED TO LINK COUNTY ROAD 32 WITH HIGHWAY 169. COMMISSIONER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Steve Rohlf introduced Dana Anderson, the newly appointed Chair of the Park and Recreation Commission. Dana explained the goal of the Commission is to maintain and enhance the natural characteristics of the City of Elk River and to improve the quality of life for the residents and surrounding area. Dana Anderson reviewed the 4 major components of the Master Park Plan as follows: 1 ) 2) 3) 4) Inventory of existing park areas Proposed parks Trail system Community recreation fields Minutes of Special Planning Commission Minutes February 15, 1996 Page 6 . Dana explained the greatest need at this time is for youth sports fields. He noted that the Cass property recently acquired by the City is proposed to be used for youth fields. Dana felt that the key is using the Master Park Plan as a working plan. He stated that the plan needs to be flexible and will need changing and updating as development comes. Chair Dillon opened the public hearing. Kathy Specht, 16330 Highway 10, asked who owned the property in the circles shown on the map of proposed park land/recreational fields. Steve Rohlf stated that the circle only designates an area the Park and Recreation Commission sees a need for a park or athletic fields and is not a specific site. Steve also explained that the property would not be available unless it were developed or bought by the City. There being no further comments from the public, Chair Dillon closed the public hearing. Commissioner Kuester commented that she felt the Park Plan was very easy to understand and user-friendly. . COMMISSIONER MINTON MOVED THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE MASTER PARK PLAN AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER SULLIVAN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. There being no further business, COMMISSIONER THOMPSON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION 5-0. The meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, {)dh~~ Debbie Kleckner Planning Secretary .