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L�•..u. u.. uuii ii6n�lnuf 1. �„ �,._ �..ffl KIRBV DOG PARK IIIII I n Il�llwnuwrnnup€€�annurHll IlnlnnllRl ATFoPTS90 1 azAElAu AazAad' &A,6z, E 11 111 � _ f T, n '. I VR77`,� •r'4 1 _i wo 1 00 MflTr"�7i t ■ ENS WWI e.-- ..GREEN F-MOUTIAM di II � ',. Before & After: Ralph David Abernathy Jr. Blvd. BEFORE AFTER OPP- oA q" NOSNDvf l0 l� 0 u l4oftagok-9 *--I A V. rA9 LJ74 I v bA cz cz a 4 L We i. .i an 1 ? /1. !i ■ w Q a 4 Z O z a I' F. E ouo,q Gjq 2 r 1 rj ip ■ \ ;'� •; cif � ♦..� ;4 k i • ' LJJ W i z ' / W 1 00 N to i �\ II 227ST AVE NW 221 ST AVE N,W �« 169 727 2 . O �Pq J - O 209TH AVE=NW i 33 33 32 .. R'W 3 M o • _ o� �r r 1 `' ` IN� 44j 35 ---792N0"AVEyVW--- _�� �Q •' �� - �. �� 40 0 WSSISSIPPI RD Economic Development �',11 Character Areas Commercial and industrial areas in Elk River vary in terms of market service area, character, and relationship to other development and transportation systems. Given this variety within the city, each of these areas is approached with unique policies and recommendations in the Economic Development Character Areas Plan which build upon the overall strategies that apply to all commercial and industrial areas. The Plan serves to further strengthen and leverage economic opportunities in Elk River and support the enhanced delivery of goods, products, and jobs in the city. Character Areas ■ Downtown , GRE Plant Reuse ■ Northstar Commercial ■ Uptown Highway 10 Commercial ■ Neighborhood Commercial ■ Business Park ■ Highway 169 Commercial P Highway 10/169 Commercial ERX Commercial ■ Industrial ❑ FAST District Elk River Comprehensive Plan • Economic Development Plan 165TH AVE NW 59 Neighborhood Commercial Neighborhoods in the far northeast and northwest of the city should have greater access to goods and services. New neighborhood commercial development should be strategically located at major intersections in primarily residential areas that would benefit from having additional commercial options nearby. Neighborhood commercial uses should include local -serving commercial that provide surrounding residents with daily goods and services like specialty food stores, daycares, or cafes. Neighborhood commercial should also be designed to knit into the fabric of the neighborhood with connections to local sidewalks and trails, "360-degree" architecture that is attractive from all sides, and buildings and parking located in a manner that minimizes impacts to adjacent homes. While still auto -oriented, neighborhood commercial development should also be easily accessed by pedestrians and have a smaller scale as compared to commercial development along the Highway 169 or Highway 10 corridors. Update Land Development Regulations The character of neighborhood commercial development should be very different than highway business uses. The desired type of development in neighborhood commer- cial areas fits neatly within the city's C-1 Central Business District zoning category in that it should be contextual to the character of surrounding developments. However, neighborhood commercial should not be limited to only the historic central business district, core area of the city. Rather, neighborhood commercial should be permitted in all areas of the city. Since the C-1 Central Business District is potentially redundant with the DD Downtown District, the city should consider repositioning the C-1 Central Business District to include language about integrating commercial into residential neighborhoods. Another approach to accommodate neighborhood commercial uses is to create a new zoning district that applies exclusively to this type of development. Create Design Standards for Neighborhood Commercial The city should establish design standards to direct the scale, appearance, orientation, and overall character of new neighborhood commercial areas. The design stan- dards should discourage cookie -cutter design and require architecture that is contextual to the surrounding residen- tial neighborhood. Contextual architecture should take into consideration the bulk and massing of adjacent buildings and improve facades with articulation and design details like cornices, transoms, window hoods, bulk heads, and masonry piers. These standards should support creating pedestrian -oriented developments that provide side- walk and trail connections to neighboring subdivisions. The design standards should be easy to understand and provide direction on how to enhance Elk River's image and identity. Example: Neighborhood commercial context sensitive Dunkin Donuts 6o Economic Development Plan • Elk River Comprehensive Plan Downtown Mixed Use Downtown should be enhanced with a compact mix of uses that create an active and vibrant district. Redevelopment and infill development of parking lots and undeveloped sites should be a priority on Main Street in the downtown area followed by strategic expansion of the district. The city should encourage higher density uses with a primary focus on mixed use which includes buildings that provide ground level/first floor commercial uses and residential or office uses above. Mixed use creates opportunities for both new housing and businesses and can be scaled to transi- tion between the intense commercial uses in the core to the mixed residential uses at the periphery of downtown. Mixed use should be applied in the downtown core where appropriate. Promote Reinvestment Today, the downtown primarily consists of a mix of older, one- to two-story commercial structures some of which were constructed as far back as the 1900s. To help estab- lished businesses and property owners downtown main- tain and improve their properties, the city should work with the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to expand the Downtown Revitalization Financing Loan program. Currently, the program offers downtown businesses and property owners loans of up to $74,999 for secondary financing. The city and EDA should consider expanding this loan program to provide primary financing of smaller scale facade improvement projects. Example: Older buildings in the downtown that may benefit from reinvestment 64 Economic Development Plan • Elk River Comprehensive Plan Expand Downtown The downtown is sandwiched between the Mississippi River to the south and Highway 10 to the north, meaning future growth will need to utilize strategic infill and redevelopment and expand primarily east -west. In the beginning phases of downtown expansion, the city should encourage the conversion of residential properties to commercial uses. (See the Downtown Waterfront graphic on the following page for examples of these expansion opportunity sites.) As the expanded downtown becomes established and ripe for further investment, the city should promote site assembly and comprehensive redevelopment of underutilized properties to more intense commercial and mixed -use developments. To support downtown expansion, the city should promote creative uses of fees or other funding mechanisms to encourage the construction of structured parking. Struc- tured parking in the downtown would not only replace surface parking lost to development but also provide additional spaces to support programming and events in the district. Develop a Downtown Master Plan Downtown Elk River is a beloved community asset that the city's stakeholders take pride in and are highly invested in its growth and evolution. As a nearly built out district with limited room for expansion, each opportunity for new development and redevelopment has the potential to influence the historic character of the area. Community dialogue around recent development proposals under- score the need for a unified vision for the downtown. While this comprehensive plan addresses economic develop- ment in the downtown, it does so at a high level. The city should develop a Downtown Master Plan that provides the clear policy direction needed to encourage and accommodate appropriate change and improvement while preserving the essential aspects of what makes downtown Elk River the heart of the community. A Down- town Master Plan should provide the detailed analysis and site -specific recommendations needed to promote down- town expansion. Through a robust and downtown -specific public outreach process the Master Plan should: • Address design approaches to expanding pedestrian activity areas, access to the waterfront, pedestrian access over Highway 10, and connections to surrounding neigh- borhoods. • Include site -specific recommendations that address development capacity and the unique design consider- ation inherent to downtown development. • Evaluate operations of the existing downtown street network and assess opportunities to "optimize" the network for operations improvements. • Assess the feasibility of one-way operations and eval- uate impacts of potential conversion from two-way to one-way operations. • Qualitatively evaluate pedestrian/multi-modal needs and opportunities in the downtown environment as part of the context for traffic operations goals. Elk River Comprehensive Plan • Economic Development Plan 65 Expand Rivers Edge Commons Park Rivers Edge Commons Park is an important asset to down town. The city should leverage this resource and expand the park to the parking lot to the west and incorporate plans for the community driven "Port of Elk River" project for the installation of an ADA accessible seasonal docking system. The city should also consider including additional amenities such as public restrooms or changing rooms as part of this expansion. Expansion of Rivers Edge Commons Park should also provide waterfront trail connections to the Mississippi River Trail network and the city's other waterfront parks including Babcock Memorial Park and Bailey Point Nature Preserve. ter -Vow--- Infill Opportunity Sites W Expansion Opportunity '"79 Sites Connections to T Nearby Pa and Open Space° ' Ak Rivers Edge Commons Park i 4MIL a� - 2+ oi• 66 Economic Development Plan • Elk River Comprehensive Plan Activate Public Right -of -Ways In 2021, Rivers Edge Commons Park and the parking lot behind Elk River Meats provide the majority of outdoor event space downtown. If the Elk River Meats parking lot were to be developed in the future, events like the city's Farmers Market could be greatly impacted. To create more space for future events, the city should evaluate strategies for activating public right-of-ways such as Jackson Avenue between Highway 10 and Main Street as a part of the recommended development of a Downtown Master Plan. Strategies that could be explored as a part of the Downtown Master Plan planning process could include converting that section of roadway to a shared road using remov- able bollards or transforming on -street parking spaces to parklets or outdoor dining areas. By activating public right-of-ways, downtown events like the Riverfront Concert Series that attract residents and visitors downtown and promote spending at nearby restaurants, bars, and shops, can be expanded. Expanding downtown events to offer more diverse programming will boost foot traffic on weeknights and weekends and would solidify the district as a regional destination. The city should consider placing a focus on multicultural events that celebrate the different communities that call the city home, such as a Lunar New Year or Holi celebration. In addition, Elk River should take inspiration for events from other waterfront communities that have leveraged their connection to the water to create programs like "Dog Days at Drexel", hosted by the City of Oak Creek. Dog Days at Drexel is a canine friendly event which features dock diving competitions for dogs and dog -related vendors. il 2019 Elk River Fest Elk River Comprehensive Plan • Economic Development Plan 67 RR / ////�3 // / % / g /i/ /�i 32 &/j� Ed 227ST AVE NW 221 ST AVE NW 169�,i / i v/j' vc C�� f P o/ O /-209TH=i9VENW 33 77" 33 / 35 T92 /AVE'lN 44 o 21 / A�%/' ICHOOLSTNN oS,HIGHWAv=torvw �, 169 10 q� / r 77iJJ MISSISSIP-P-I=RD=NW� / / �181ST=AVE-NW 12 / I1uI / �/ 175THA EE NWJ' Housing101 Character Areas While the policies and strategies described in the City wide Housing Policies section apply to all neighborhoods in Elk River, the variety and unique character of residential areas throughout the city requires a more i targeted approach to planning. This section identifies the city's distinct neighborhoods by desired development and character, and provides �\ , specific policies to preserve community image, increase density, or sir"AVENw expand housing options in these portions of Elk River. / /// A. Character Areas y�G Rural Residential Station Area Residential Riverfront Residential �cy� moo. Established Neighborhoods Ranch Road Corridor Wetlands and Floodplains Downtown/Uptown Twin Lakes Road Corridor ❑ Future Urban Service Area Downtown Neighborhood Gravel Mining Area Riverfront Tiail Public Easement 40 Housing Plan • Elk River Comprehensive Plan Downtown Neighborhoods Downtown neighborhoods, as highlighted on the Housing Character Areas map, include the residential neighbor- hoods surrounding the downtown. Downtown neighbor- hoods feature some of the oldest homes in the city with construction of some dating back to the turn of the 20th century. Promote Accessory Dwelling Units Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) sometimes called "granny flats", can provide for greater density in existing single-family neighborhoods without altering established community character. ADUs also provide opportunities for multi -generational housing, supporting parents or grand- parents who downsize. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Accessory dwelling units can be designed and permitted through a variety of configurations. This diagram represents three of the most common configurations. ADU design should fit within the context of the existing residential neighborhood. External ADU The city should consider updating its land development regulations to allow ADUs in all mixed residential and single-family neighborhoods, especially those surrounding the downtown. The update should include design stan- dards that ensure ADUs are contextual and do not alter the overall character of neighborhoods, whether the ADU is internal or attached to the primary residence or external of the primary residence and above or in the place of a garage. Design standards could control the location of ADU entrances to minimize visibility from the street, control bulk and massing to ensure the design of the structure reflects the design of the primary residence, and more. Attached ADU e �' Attic Internal ADU Basement Internal ADU Elk River Comprehensive Plan • Housing Plan 43 Reinvest in Existing Housing Investing in the oldest homes built in Elk River not only improves the appearance and overall attractiveness of historic neighborhoods and the vibrancy of the down- town, but also helps support the largest source of naturally occurring affordable housing in the community. Studies completed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have found that older houses typically maintain lower rents and sales prices than newer housing and as such make up the majority of affordable non -gov- ernment subsidized housing across the United States. The city should work alongside the Housing and Rede- velopment Authority (HRA) to encourage and enforce the continued maintenance and reinvestment in these critical neighborhoods to ensure a healthy, diverse, and affordable housing stock is available to residents of Elk River. Waive License and Permit Fees Associated with Maintenance Reinvestment into the exterior of a home can be expensive and time consuming. Although most costs are associated with materials and labor, other costs may stem from the fee to place a dumpster or receive a license or permit. The city should consider working with a contracted partner for trash collection to waive these fees for a limited time period every year to encourage homeowners to reinvest in their properties. For example, the city could allow dump - sters to be placed on the street for groups of five or more neighbors looking to improve their homes. Encourage Expansions of Existing Single -Family Detached Homes Many homes in the downtown neighborhoods have considerable yard space before they would be restricted by rear setback requirements. However, the maximum lot coverage for these parcels is a major restriction to any expansion of these homes. Making it easy to expand existing single-family detached homes can help diver- sify the overall housing stock in the city and also allow homeowners to meet the needs of their growing family, modernize their homes, and make them more marketable in the long run, while still fitting within the existing neigh- borhood character. The city should encourage expansions by reducing barriers to design, permitting, and construc- tion through a variety of means such as: • Assessing and amending residential district bulk and dimensional standards to allow for higher lot coverage; • Waiving or reducing permitting fees on certain project types; • Providing community information sessions on how to complete permit applications for homeowners completing their own work; • Providing assistance to homeowners on how to find a licensed contractor in the city; • Providing information sessions/guidance on how to schedule inspections once work is complete; and • Expanding inspection times to include weekends and/or hours after the standard workday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. In addition, the city should also advertise the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) as a key resource for low and moderate income homeowners looking to complete home expansions in Elk River. The HRA is a public corpora- tion empowered to undertake certain types of housing and redevelopment projects in the city. The HRA has resources and funds available for homeowners to make improve- ments to their properties located within the Urban Service Area. 44 Housing Plan • Elk River Comprehensive Plan Downtown/Uptown The downtown/uptown area consists of a mix of uses including commercial, multi -family, and mixed use developments with residential units or offices above ground floor commercial space. The building stock in the downtown/uptown area features some of the most historic structures in the city. Although this is a great asset, it also presents unique challenges related to maintenance, adap- tive reuse, and the ability to meet current market demand. In addition, the built -out nature of the historic downtown provides limited opportunities for infill which makes rede- velopment a key aspect of supporting housing in the area. Leverage the Waterfront The Mississippi River is a fantastic amenity that provides recreation, leisure, and waterfront views that are extremely attractive to residential developers. The city should leverage this asset to require developers in the downtown to create new public connections to the waterfront and for properties along the water's edge to provide a public ease- ment for the future Mississippi River Trail extension. See the Economic Development Plan chapter for more details on how the waterfront can be utilized to leverage desired development and connections. Downtown Mixed Use Rivers Edge Commons Park Elk River Comprehensive Plan • Housing Plan 45 Consider Complete Streets Policies or Approaches Complete Streets is an urban planning concept dedicated to promoting the safe and accessible use of transportation infrastructure for all users. The policy seeks to incorpo- rate pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit facilities, when appropriate, into the design of a traditional street right- of-way (ROW). Common implementation practices include utilizing traffic calming infrastructure, ADA accessible sidewalks, and/or dedicated bicycle lanes. Enacting a Complete Streets policy or approach offers Elk River's elected officials a chance to better review capital improvements in the context of future planning. For instance, the design (or redesign) of any minor arterial or collector street could trigger an evaluation for recreational path opportunities. Adopted planning documents (e.g. the Trails Master Plan) should offer guidance in the deci- sion -making process. Elk River has several thoroughfares that would benefit by enhancing their respective pedestrian and bicycling amenities. Jackson Avenue is an important north -south route that facilitates travel to destination points including schools, Lion John Weicht Park, and downtown from resi- dential neighborhoods to the north. As a former MnDOT roadway added to the city's jurisdiction under the state's Turnback Program, Jackson Avenue features an expan- sive ROW, especially between School Street and Railroad Drive. Replacing the current parking striping with on -street bicycle lanes would encourage use of alternative modes of transportation to ease congestion constraints. Main Street Main Street is another candidate worthy for consideration of Complete Streets approaches. The "169 Redefine" project is expected to dramatically change the driver experience on Main Street; congestion levels should noticeably drop. At the same time, Main Street is presented with some redevelopment opportunities for more dense land uses. Future investments should focus on pedestrian safety moving west towards downtown. The segment is currently challenged along the northern portion of the roadway by a lack of sidewalks, which can force individuals to walk, unprotected, along the street. A combination of pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle -oriented functions could be served through this corridor. Complete Street Design An example of how a typical collector street could be reconfigured for complete streets principles is shown below. Typical Collector Street Complete Street Improvements Complete Streets � Potential Complete Streets 90 Transportation & Mobility Plan • Elk River Comprehensive Plan City Council Goals April 2022 Kiver Short-term (2022-23) ■ Commercial Development o HRA Main/Gates Project o Market EDA Fox Haven TH10 Property ■ Budget and sinking fund for building repair. o Transition PW Facility bond to general levy o Move GRE Fund Balance to Building Fund ■ Zoning & Acquisition of "challenged" properties policy discussion. ■ Complete Lion John Weicht Park (playground, disc golf, trail, lighting) ■ Complete athletic field needs analysis ■ Youth Athletic Complex and Oak Knoll Master Plans ■ Improve Broadband Connectivity Mid-term (2027) ■ Budget Plan — Post Waste Management ■ Acquire business park land. o Assist developers with private acquisition as needed. ■ Commercial development HRA Main/Gates Project o Ebert Joplin/Business Ave Project o Market EDA TH10 Property ■ (Short or mid) understand obligations for landfill once it is capped. ■ Bubble over football practice field ■ Oak Knoll/Hale's Field improvement - collaboration with ISD #728 ■ Parks and Rec app — directions, ads, amenities, park features ■ (Short or mid) Update our branding/colors more toward red and black to match ERHS ■ Improve Broadband Connectivity ■ Communitywide Strategic Planning Long-term (2032) ■ Urban Service Area expansion ■ C/I development ■ Analysis of what to do with garbage once ERL closes in 2028. ■ Development of Specht property in eastern Elk River ■ Trail connections ■ Pedestrian Trail Connection downtown over the railroad and TH10. ■ More retail development in western Elk River ■ What does redevelopment look like if Hwy 10 becomes a freeway? ■ Riverwalk from Orono Park to City of Ramsey 13065 Orono Parkway Elk River, MN 55330 Phone: 763.635.1000 P0WIRE0 0r NAWREJ www.ElkRiverMN.gov ■ Feasibility of moving train station to downtown ■ Outdoor swimming pool ■ Transportation development funding 2024 Budget 2024 Budget Considerations Cost of Living - 4% Insurance - 5% Inflation Rate - 5% Potential Personnel Requests (2023 below) Health Insurance current experience 145% (85% is target for zero increase) Three union contracts expire 12/31/23 (Sergeants, Captains, 49ers) Northbound Liquor Store Projected Revenue Decrease (30%) $53 million new construction value ($575,000 approximate Net Tax Capacity) Legislated potential increase in LGA (we use in Equipment Reserve Fund) Legislated Parental and Sick Leave mandate (estimated $80,000 from LMC info) Legislated potential PERA increase (police and fire) 2023 BUDGET PERSONNEL REQUESTS Human Community Building Police - Energy GENERAL Multi -Purpose Department: Resources Development Safety Support Svcs Fire Streets Streets City FUND Facility Planning Permit Tech/ Records Sign Street Position: HR Assistant Intern Plan Review Clerk Fire Officer Shop Tech Maintenance Intern TOTAL Office Asst. Regular Pay 30,450 - 5,950 53,950 49,300 - 38,600 - 178,250 - Part -Time Pay - 20,800 - - 24,550 - 20,800 45,350 26,250 PERA 2,300 - 450 4,050 8,700 1,850 2,900 - 20,250 2,000 FICA 1,900 1,300 400 3,350 - 1,500 2,400 1,300 10,850 1,600 Medicare 450 300 100 800 700 350 550 300 3,250 400 Insurance 17,050 - - 17,050 13,650 13,650 11,400 - 72,800 - Workers Camp 150 250 2,850 100 2,150 5,500 100 Total Personal Services 52,300 22,400 6,900 79,450 75,200 42,000 58,000 22,400 336,250 30,350 Additional Costs: Background/Psych Eval. 6,000 6,000 Un iform Allowance 250 650 900 Supplies - 300 300 - Training/License 400 11000 11000 2,400 Total Additional Costs 650 6,000 1,000 1,950 9,600 Total Position Requests 52,300 22,400 6,900 80,100 81,200 43,000 59,950 22,400 345,850 30,350 PoSltlOn PTto FT New reclass Start Date: 1/2023 4/23 - 10123 1/2023 2023 Budget Considerations New New I Addl hours I New I New 112023 612023 1/2023 5/2023 4/23 - 10123 24 hrs/week In 2022, we used nearly $1 million in one-time payments to decrease the tax levy and bring the property tax rate below 40% (39.7%). $422,830 Debt Payment from Building Reserve • $250,000 Additional Liquor Fund Transfer (nearly all projected 2022 net profits) $300,000 ARPA Transfer No staff additions PT Receptionist staff decrease (added time to payroll and HR Tech) Staff decrease in Recreation/Finance GENERAL FUND BUDGET 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Personal Services 9,735,650 10,313,400 10,575,550 11,148,200 11,773,450 12,525,400 13,239,750 13,503,000 14,595,450 15,662,350 Supplies 1,103,950 1,064,300 1,040,700 1,048,050 1,153,950 1,094,850 1,146,550 1,151,650 1,224,950 1,426,100 Service Charges 1,970,800 1,935,100 2,048,100 2,398,150 2,529,150 2,600,950 2,633,300 2,824,850 3,093,250 3,401,550 Capital 53,000 Transfer Out 60,100 12,870,500 13,312,800 13,664,350 14,594,400 15,456,550 16,221,200 17,019,600 17,532,500 18,913,650 20,490,000 % increase 0.3% 3.4% 2.6% 6.8% 5.9% 4.9% 4.9% 3.0% 7.9% 8.3% Average 4.8% General Fund Budget History $25,000,000 $20,000,000 $15,000,000 $10,000,000 $5,000,000 S- 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 ■ Personal Services ■ Supplies ■ Service Charges ■ Capital ■ Transfer Out General Fund Budget Tax Levy Tax Capacity Tax Rate 2014 $ 12,870,500 $ 9,853,835 $ 20,298,760 48.544 2015 $ 13,312,800 $ 10,017,357 $ 21,227,938 47.190 2016 $ 13,884,800 $ 10,171,733 $ 22,031,258 46.170 2017 $ 14,594,400 $ 10,563,770 $ 22,868,717 46.193 2018 $ 15,456,550 $ 11,063,830 $ 24,046,382 46.011 2019 $ 16,221,200 $ 11,938,765 $ 26,006,616 45.907 2020 $ 17,019,600 $ 12,865,770 $ 27,823,086 46.241 2021 $ 17,532,500 $ 13,103,820 $ 29,409,713 44.556 2022 $ 18,913,650 $ 13,885,700 $ 31,581,676 43.967 2023 $ 20,490,000 $ 15,094,956 $ 38,022,099 39.700 $40,000,000 Tax Rate 49.00 $35,000,000 47.00 $30,000,000 OP 45.00 $25,000,000 $20,000,000 43.00 $15,000,000 41.00 $10,000,000 39.00 $5,000,000 37.00 $- 35.00 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 General Fund Budget � Tax Levy Tax Capacity --*—Tax Rate ARPA Funds Discussion Elk River was awarded $2,755,333 million in federal funds. They must be used by December 31, 2024. Latest guidance exempts the first $10 million from the original use limitations Broadband Expansion Phase I ($301,305) Broadband Expansion Phase II ($41,950) FT Center ($655,000) 2023 General Fund ($300,000) Approximately $1.4 million remaining Parks and Recreation • Security Cameras and Prox Card access for parks and FT Center • Zamboni balance ($180,000) • Pave YAC parking lot ($600,000) • Pave Hillside Park parking lot ($130,000) • Lion John Weicht Park Restroom Tempering Improvements ($75,000) • Deerfield Park Wheelchair Platform Swing ($55,000) some private donations committed. • AEDs for Athletic Complexes and Signature Parks — 4-6 units ($28,000). Some will be heated with a security system included. Finance Implement Laserfiche paperless AP workflow — with the pandemic more vendors are emailing invoices rather than sending print copies, which we print to enter into the AP module then scan back into Laserfiche. Cost unknown Information Technology • Fiber loop to connect Fire Station 3 and eastern part of city ($500,000 - $700,000) • Security camera servers/camera, city facilities - not parks. ($60,000 - $90,000) • Update fire panels on city facilities from analog to digital phone lines ($200,000) Community Development/Public Works • Facade Grant Program ($150,000 - $250,000) • WWTP Lift Station Grinders ($350,000) Public Safety (Police and Fire) • Training facility that provides a live burn building for fire and training for police. ($700,000 - $1,000,000) T. 3 "" - F F 9Aa NOS DVf a Ja —1 a !.� u V) F F 9Aa NOS DVf a Ja —1 a !.� u V) an M 0 w Cli 'N I 00 0 91 2 7 221ST AVE n7W 3 z W Z �NnNRDNly Q l� 33 I 32 I •• F _ 44 1921V1DAVr'VW..' _ Ii ti • �!� r , �i Hoc' 1[�►� � c 16 N �4-�k H �. 221STAVENW ui =2091W.-AVE 33 _ t � Rk'1 Economic Development -101 Character Areas Commercial and industrial areas in Elk Rivervary in terms of market area, character, and relationship to other development and transportation systems. Given this variety within the city, each of these areas is approached with unique policies and recommendations in the Economic Development Character Areas Plan which build upon the overall strategies that apply to all commercial and industrial areas. Me Plan serves to further strengthe!. and leverage economic opportunities in Elk River and support the enhanced delivery of goods, products, and jobs in the city. Character Areas Downtown GRE Plant Reuse Northstar Commercial Uptown Highway 10 Commercial Neighborhood Commercial Business Park Highway 169 Commercial Highway 10/ 169 Commercial ERX Commercial Industrial FAST District M 765NAVE NW Elk River Comprehensive Plan • Economic Development Plan 59 Neighborhood Commercial Neighborhoods in the far northeast and northwest of the city should have greater access to goods and services. New neighborhood commercial development should be strategically located at major intersections in primarily residential areas that would benefit from having additional commercial options nearby. Neighborhood commercial uses should include local -serving commercial that provide surrounding residents with daily goods and services like specialty food stores, daycares, or cafes. Neighborhood commercial should also be designed to knit into the fabric of the neighborhood with connections to local sidewalks and trails, "360-degree" architecture that is attractive from all sides, and buildings and parking located in a manner that minimizes impacts to adjacent homes. While still auto -oriented, neighborhood commercial development should also be easily accessed by pedestrians and have a smaller scale as compared to commercial development along the Highway 169 or Highway 10 corridors. Update Land Development Regulations The character of neighborhood commercial development should be very different than highway business uses. The desired type of development in neighborhood commer- cial areas fits neatly within the city's C-1 Central Business District zoning category in that it should be contextual to the character of surrounding developments. However, neighborhood commercial should not be limited to only the historic central business district, core area of the city. Rather, neighborhood commercial should be permitted in all areas of the city. Since the C-1 Central Business District is potentially redundant with the DD Downtown District, the city should consider repositioning the C-1 Central Business District to include language about integrating commercial into residential neighborhoods. Another approach to accommodate neighborhood commercial uses is to create a new zoning district that applies exclusively to this type of development. Create Design Standards for Neighborhood Commercial The city should establish design standards to direct the scale, appearance, orientation, and overall character of new neighborhood commercial areas. The design stan- dards should discourage cookie -cutter design and require architecture that is contextual to the surrounding residen- tial neighborhood. Contextual architecture should take into consideration the bulk and massing of adjacent buildings and improve facades with articulation and design details like cornices, transoms, window hoods, bulk heads, and masonry piers. These standards should support creating pedestrian -oriented developments that provide side- walk and trail connections to neighboring subdivisions. The design standards should be easy to understand and provide direction on how to enhance Elk River's image and identity. Ow - Mew- - _iceia=;_M Example: Neighborhood commercial context sensitive Dunkin Donuts 6o Economic Development Plan • Elk River Comprehensive Plan 1 4W. Downtown Mixed Use Downtown should be enhanced with a compact mix of uses that create an active and vibrant district. Redevelopment and infill development of parking lots and undeveloped sites should be a priority on Main Street in the downtown area followed by strategic expansion of the district. The city should encourage higher density uses with a primary focus on mixed use which includes buildings that provide ground level/first floor commercial uses and residential or office uses above. Mixed use creates opportunities for both new housing and businesses and can be scaled to transi- tion between the intense commercial uses in the core to the mixed residential uses at the periphery of downtown. Mixed use should be applied in the downtown core where appropriate. Promote Reinvestment Today, the downtown primarily consists of a mix of older, one- to two-story commercial structures some of which were constructed as far back as the 1900s. To help estab- lished businesses and property owners downtown main- tain and improve their properties, the city should work with the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to expand the Downtown Revitalization Financing Loan program. Currently, the program offers downtown businesses and property owners loans of up to $74,999 for secondary financing. The city and EDA should consider expanding this loan program to provide primary financing of smaller scale facade improvement projects. Example: Older buildings in the downtown that may benefit firom reinvestment 64 Economic Development Plan • Elk River Comprehensive Plan Expand Downtown The downtown is sandwiched between the Mississippi River to the south and Highway 10 to the north, meaning future growth will need to utilize strategic infill and redevelopment and expand primarily east -west. In the beginning phases of downtown expansion, the city should encourage the conversion of residential properties to commercial uses. (See the Downtown Waterfront graphic on the following page for examples of these expansion opportunity sites.) As the expanded downtown becomes established and ripe for further investment, the city should promote site assembly and comprehensive redevelopment of underutilized properties to more intense commercial and mixed -use developments. To support downtown expansion, the city should promote creative uses of fees or other funding mechanisms to encourage the construction of structured parking. Struc- tured parking in the downtown would not only replace surface parking lost to development but also provide additional spaces to support programming and events in the district. Develop a Downtown Master Plan Downtown Elk River is a beloved community asset that the city's stakeholders take pride in and are highly invested in its growth and evolution. As a nearly built out district with limited room for expansion, each opportunity for new development and redevelopment has the potential to influence the historic character of the area. Community dialogue around recent development proposals under- score the need for a unified vision for the downtown. While this comprehensive plan addresses economic develop- ment in the downtown, it does so at a high level. The city should develop a Downtown Master Plan that provides the clear policy direction needed to encourage and accommodate appropriate change and improvement while preserving the essential aspects of what makes downtown Elk River the heart of the community. A Down- town Master Plan should provide the detailed analysis and site -specific recommendations needed to promote down- town expansion. Through a robust and downtown -specific public outreach process the Master Plan should: Address design approaches to expanding pedestrian activity areas, access to the waterfront, pedestrian access over Highway 10, and connections to surrounding neigh- borhoods. • Include site -specific recommendations that address development capacity and the unique design consider- ation inherent to downtown development. • Evaluate operations of the existing downtown street network and assess opportunities to "optimize" the network for operations improvements. • Assess the feasibility of one-way operations and eval- uate impacts of potential conversion from two-way to one-way operations. • Qualitatively evaluate pedestrian/multi-modal needs and opportunities in the downtown environment as part of the context for traffic operations goals. Elk River Comprehensive Plan • Economic Development Plan 65 Expand Rivers Edge Commons Park Rivers Edge Commons Park is an important asset to down- town. The city should leverage this resource and expand the park to the parking lot to the west and incorporate plans for, the community driven "Port of Elk River" project for the installation of an ADA accessible seasonal docking system. The city should also consider including additional amenities such as public restrooms or changing rooms as part of this expansion. Expansion of Rivers Edge Commons Park should also provide waterfront trail connections to the Mississippi River Trail network and the city's other waterfront parks including Babcock Memorial Park and Bailey Point Nature Preserve. Rivers Edge Commons Park Infill Opportunity Sites Connections Nearby Pai and Open 5pq 66 Economic Development Plan • Elk River Comprehensive Plan Activate Public Right -of -Ways In 2021, Rivers Edge Commons Park and the parking lot behind Elk River Meats provide the majority of outdoor event space downtown. If the Elk River Meats parking lot were to be developed in the future, events like the city's Farmers Market could be greatly impacted. To create more space for future events, the city should evaluate strategies for activating public right-of-ways such as Jackson Avenue between Highway 10 and Main Street as a part of the recommended development of a Downtown Master Plan. Strategies that could be explored as a part of the Downtown Master Plan planning process could include converting that section of roadway to a shared road using remov- able bollards or transforming on -street parking spaces to parklets or outdoor dining areas. By activating public right-of-ways, downtown events like the Riverfront Concert Series that attract residents and visitors downtown and promote spending at nearby restaurants, bars, and shops, can be expanded. Expanding downtown events to offer more diverse programming will boost foot traffic on weeknights and weekends and would solidify the district as a regional destination. The city should consider placing a focus on multicultural events that celebrate the different communities that call the city home, such as a Lunar New Year or Holi celebration. In addition, Elk River should take inspiration for events from other waterfront communities that have leveraged their connection to the water to create programs like "Dog Days at Drexel", hosted by the City of Oak Creek. Dog Days at Drexel is a canine friendly event which features dock diving competitions for dogs and dog -related vendors. 2019 Elk River Fest Elk River Comprehensive Plan • Economic Development Plan 67 r d �4 �. 1 HWRY TO Nw 101 Housing Character Areas Vv pile the policies and strategies described in the City wid Housing Policies section apply to all neighborhoods in Elk River. the variety- and ' unique character of residential areas throughout the city requires a more targeted approach to planning. This section identifies the city's distinct neighborhoods by desired development and character, and provides -•�may: t...il. P`fIi density, '65��•AVf NW or •' .iii!::i }�-:' :: i[:i; s�j}1 �::�- in these ;:nI•t n:::: •71 F. River. �10 Character Areas;yc Riverfront9h, Py _ . 11. . -1 Ranch Road Corridor Twin I.af es Road Corridor Area Igo':?llQL^ n I�eigi.bc clLaod Gra,el Mining Area 40 1: i -; :i . , _. Pub i :. \ 40 Housing Plan • Elk River Comprehensive Plan Downtown Neighborhoods Downtown neighborhoods, as highlighted on the Housing Character Areas map, include the residential neighbor- hoods surrounding the downtown. Downtown neighbor- hoods feature some of the oldest homes in the city with construction of some dating back to the turn of the 20th century. Promote Accessory Dwelling Units Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) sometimes called "granny flats', can provide for greater density in existing single-family neighborhoods without altering established community character. ADUs also provide opportunities for multi -generational housing, supporting parents or grand- parents who downsize. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Accessory dwelling units can be designed and permitted through a variety of configurations. This diagram represents three of the most common configurations. ADU design should fit within the context of the existing residential neighborhood. 4r External ADU The city should consider updating its land development regulations to allow ADUs in all mixed residential and single-family neighborhoods, especially those surrounding the downtown. The update should include design stan- dards that ensure ADUs are contextual and do not alter the overall character of neighborhoods, whether the ADU is internal or attached to the primary residence or external of the primary residence and above or in the place of a garage. Design standards could control the location of ADU entrances to minimize visibility from the street, control bulk and massing to ensure the design of the structure reflects the design of the primary residence, and more. Attached ADU r R�r r .. Attic Internal ADU Basement Internal ADU Elk River Comprehensive Plan • Housing Plan 43 Reinvest in Existing Housing Investing in the oldest homes built in Elk River not only improves the appearance and overall attractiveness of historic neighborhoods and the vibrancy of the down- town, but also helps support the largest source of naturally occurring affordable housing in the community. Studies completed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have found that older houses typically maintain lower rents and sales prices than newer housing and as such make up the majority of affordable non -gov- ernment subsidized housing across the United States. The city should work alongside the Housing and Rede- velopment Authority (HRA) to encourage and enforce the continued maintenance and reinvestment in these critical neighborhoods to ensure a healthy, diverse, and affordable housing stock is available to residents of Elk River. Waive License and Permit Fees Associated with Maintenance Reinvestment into the exterior of a home can be expensive and time consuming. Although most costs are associated with materials and labor, other costs may stem from the fee to place a dumpster or receive a license or permit. The city should consider working with a contracted partner for trash collection to waive these fees for a limited time period every year to encourage homeowners to reinvest in their properties. For example, the city could allow dump - sters to be placed on the street for groups of five or more neighbors looking to improve their homes. Encourage Expansions of Existing Single -Family Detached Homes Many homes in the downtown neighborhoods have considerable yard space before they would be restricted by rear setback requirements. However, the maximum lot coverage for these parcels is a major restriction to any expansion of these homes. Making it easy to expand existing single-family detached homes can help diver- sify the overall housing stock in the city and also allow homeowners to meet the needs of their growing family, modernize their homes, and make them more marketable in the long run, while still fitting within the existing neigh- borhood character. The city should encourage expansions by reducing barriers to design, permitting, and construc- tion through a variety of means such as: • Assessing and amending residential district bulk and dimensional standards to allow for higher lot coverage; • Waiving or reducing permitting fees on certain project types; Providing community information sessions on how to complete permit applications for homeowners completing their own work; • Providing assistance to homeowners on how to find a licensed contractor in the city; • Providing information sessions/guidance on how to schedule inspections once work is complete; and Expanding inspection times to include weekends and/or hours after the standard workday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. In addition, the city should also advertise the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) as a key resource for low and moderate income homeowners looking to complete home expansions in Elk River. The HRA is a public corpora- tion empowered to undertake certain types of housing and redevelopment projects in the city. The HRA has resources and funds available for homeowners to make improve- ments to their properties located within the Urban Service Area. 44 Housing Plan • Elk River Comprehensive Plan Downtown/Uptown The downtown/uptown area consists of a mix of uses including commercial, multi -family, and mixed use developments with residential units or offices above ground floor commercial space. The building stock in the downtown/uptown area features some of the most historic structures in the city. Although this is a great asset, it also presents unique challenges related to maintenance, adap- tive reuse, and the ability to meet current market demand. In addition, the built -out nature of the historic downtown provides limited opportunities for infill which makes rede- velopment a key aspect of supporting housing in the area. Leverage the Waterfront The Mississippi River is a fantastic amenity that provides recreation, leisure, and waterfront views that are extremely attractive to residential developers. The city should leverage this asset to require developers in the downtown to create new public connections to the waterfront and for properties along the water's edge to provide a public ease- ment for the future Mississippi River Trail extension. See the Economic Development Plan chapter for more details on how the waterfront can be utilized to leverage desired development and connections. Downtown Mixed Use Rivers Edge Commons Park Elk River Comprehensive Plan • Housing Plan 45 Consider Complete Streets Policies or Approaches Complete Streets is an urban planning concept dedicated to promoting the safe and accessible use of transportation infrastructure for all users. The policy seeks to incorpo- rate pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit facilities, when appropriate, into the design of a traditional street right- of-way (ROW). Common implementation practices include utilizing traffic calming infrastructure, ADA accessible sidewalks, and/or dedicated bicycle lanes. Enacting a Complete Streets policy or approach offers Elk River's elected officials a chance to better review capital improvements in the context of future planning. For instance, the design (or redesign) of any minor arterial or collector street could trigger an evaluation for recreational path opportunities. Adopted planning documents (e.g. the Trails Master Plan) should offer guidance in the deci- sion -making process. Elk River has several thoroughfares that would benefit by enhancing their respective pedestrian and bicycling amenities. Jackson Avenue is an important north -south route that facilitates travel to destination points including schools, Lion John Weicht Park, and downtown from resi- dential neighborhoods to the north. As a former MnDOT roadway added to the city's jurisdiction under the state's Turnback Program, Jackson Avenue features an expan- sive ROW, especially between School Street and Railroad Drive. Replacing the current parking striping with on -street bicycle lanes would encourage use of alternative modes of transportation to ease congestion constraints. Main Street Main Street is another candidate worthy for consideration of Complete Streets approaches. The "169 Redefine" project is expected to dramatically change the driver experience on Main Street; congestion levels should noticeably drop. At the same time, Main Street is presented with some redevelopment opportunities for more dense land uses. Future investments should focus on pedestrian safety moving west towards downtown. The segment is currently challenged along the northern portion of the roadway by a lack of sidewalks, which can force individuals to walk, unprotected, along the street. A combination of pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle -oriented functions could be served through this corridor. Complete Street Design An example of how a typical collector street could be reconfigured for complete streets principles is shown below. Typical Collector Street Complete Street Improvements Complete Streets -ae Potential Complete Streets 90 Transportation & Mobility Plan - Elk River Comprehensive Plan