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6.0. SR 03-07-1994 FEB- 2-Ba WED 16:30 scss FAX NO. 6124413466 P, 01 Sherburne County OORDINA TOR e Tb: CD. DATE: January 28, 1994 I TO: Sherburne County Fair Boar FROM: David Loch, County Coordin SUBJECT: Fairgrounds 13880 Highw,'3.Y 10 P. O. Box 311 Elk RIver, MN 55;330 2'J7-2701 :..:; 1-800-~J:J3-5220 f'lI".Jr, 1'2 .J.;.r:~..;. C:;r.:eJ Commissioners Mike Johnson and Arne Engstrom, County Attorney Tom Hayes and yours truly met with Stuart Wilson regarding the disposition of the Wilson property adjacent to the Sherburne County Government Center. The purpose of the meeting was threefold; 1, Explain the recommendation of the Fair Board for the purchase of 80 acres adjacent to the Government Center. 2. e Discuss the City of Elk River's proposal to zone the parcels of land immediately to the east and west of the Government Center as light industrial. (The City of Elk River had earlier informed the County that the light industrial zoning was not meant to accommodate development such as Fairgrounds.) 3. Indicate the County's 'desire to purchase additional property either south or west of the Government Center. Mr. Wilson indicated that he was aware of the City's zoning of the property. He does not envision the use of the property as Fairgrounds because such use may not be considered compatible with development of the remaining property. Expansion of the Government Center is perceived as a suitable use in a light industrial zone. The Wilson family has no timetable for sale of the property and will carefully observe development in the area. He stated that if Sherburne County desires to purchase a portion of the land, the remainder of the parcel must be attractive for developers in accordance with the current zoning. The Committee felt that it was important for the Fair Board to know the results of the discussion with Mr. Wilson as soon as possible. By way of further information, the City of Elk River is requesting a meeting with the Sherburne County Board on March 7th to discuss a number of issues, among them the disposition of the Fairgrounds. At the present time, the County Board has taken no further steps to sell or lease any portion of the . property, nor has it proposed to purchase additional land from the current owner of the lakoduk property. , CJ Ve-r- - . , ,\ n .- ''II ..,' "'....... . .~ - , _....._.. t;:,-_.~-"...:-JJ ,,,nr.!1.lJJl!1 rC!:lQ:f",/Or. .----... -,.. January 28, 1994 Memo to Fair Board Page 2 The City has received a proposal to subdivide the southern portion of the Lakoduk property into residential development and a proposal to develop commercial property directly west of the Fairgrounds. The commercial development would require a change in the zoning of the north portion of the Lakoduk property from Light Industrial to Highway Business. Finally. we have learned that School District 728 has selected the Wilson property as a potential site for the location of a new senior high school, if one is built in the district. , To summarize the situation to date, I would offer the following observations: e . 9. 1. Development near the Fairgrounds and the Government Center is proceeding at a rapid pace. perhaps faster than we had anticipated. 2. 1.3 acres of the Fairgrounds has been sold to the City of Elk River. No further discussion has taken place regarding the remaining 30 plus acres, but the City of Elk River will continue to push for ownership or long term. lease of the parking area west of the ball fields. If the Lakoduk and Gagne property are developed, City utilities will reach into the Government Center property earlier than expected. This will also bring assessments for sewer and water trunk lines to the Wilson property. 3. 4. Owners of the Wilson parcels near the Government Center feel that the use of their property as Fairgrounds is not compatible with and could be detrimental to development of the surrounding area. 5. Mr. Wilson indicated that the family would consider selling a smaller portion to Sherburne County for expansion of the Government Center. 6. The School District also has interest in the southwest corner of the Wilson property. . The City desires that expansion of the Government Center take place to the south of the Government Center rather than to the west. 7. a. All of the above leave in doubt the ability of the County with Fair Board concurrence to purchase sufficient land near the Government Center for relocation of the Fairgrounds. Except for 1.3 acres) the Fairgrounds remains intact.