7.14. SR 05-16-1994
e
rl; ~\
( II
Ili(v River
AGENDA ITEM 7.14
MEMORANDUM
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
STEVEN B. ACH, CITY PLANNER ~?L-
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
MAY 16, 1994
SUBJECT: UPDATE OF THE STEERING
COMMITTEE'S MEETINGS FOR
UPDATING THE COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN
On April 27, 1994, the Steering Committee held its first meeting of a series of
meetings, to collect information by way of public input and committee
discussions to formulate a draft Comprehensive Plan that will be presented
to the Planning Commission and eventually to the City Council. The
Steering Committee has decided to hold six public meetings over the next
months to discuss issues relative to industrial, commercial, and residential
development. From this point forward, I plan on keeping the City Council
abreast of these upcoming meetings as well as providing minutes from
previous meetings. If any of the City Council members have specific
questions regarding the process or information that has been distributed,
please feel free to contact Chairman Bob Minton or myself.
The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for May 25, 7 p.m., at
City Hall. As mentioned, this will be the first public meeting in a series of
six. The first meeting will focus on the goals and policies for industrial
development. All industrial business owners, as well as owners of vacant
industrial property within the community will be contacted by letter
regarding the upcoming meeting. Subsequent meetings will include meeting
with the commercial businesses, and four meetings with the residents of the
community.
e
steering. council
P.O. Box 490 · 13065 Orono Parkway · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
e
STEERING COMMITTEE
---
Chairman
Bob Minton - (Planning Commission)
Hank Duitsman - (City Council)
Pat Dwyer - (Economic Development Authority)
Dick Hinkle - (Housing & Redevelopment Authority)
Chris Kreger - (Planning Commission)
Dave Anderson - (Park & Recreation Commission)
Mark Lucas - (Representative - Ward 1)
e
Merry Sipe - (Representative - Ward 2)
Marly Glines - (Representative - Ward 3)
Mary Eberley - (Representative - Ward 4)
Mary Mc Devitt - (School District)
V~h(, ['
J 1__8OR - (Chamer of Commerce-Retail)
Lloyd Barthel- (Chamer of Commerce-Industrial)
Arne Engstrom - (County Commissioner)
Bill Birrenkott - (Elk River Municipal Utilities)
1<.
e
e
O/i~ F.,.
MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER STEERING COMMITTEE
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27,1994
Members Present:
Chairman Minton, Committee Members: Hank Duitsman, Pat
Dwyer, Dick Hinkle, Dave Anderson, Dana Anderson, Mark Lucas,
Merry Sipe, Marly Glines, Mary Eberley, Mary McDevitt, Lloyd
Barthel, Arnie Engstrom, and Bill Birrenkott
Members Absent:
Committee Members Chris Kreger and Steve Johnson
Staff Present:
Steve Ach, City Planner, Terry Maurer, City Engineer
1. Call Meetina To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof. the meeting of the Elk River Steering
Committee was called to order at 7 p.m. by Chairman Minton.
2.
Consider Steerina Committee Aaenda
e
The agenda was accepted with no additions or subtractions.
3.
Introduction
Chairman Minton briefly introduced the topic of updating the Comprehensive
Plan and highlighted the role of the Steering Committee for this process.
Hank Duitsman provided further overview emphasizing, the importance of the
Comprehensive Plan update, and described how the culmination of this plan will
guide future development of Elk River. Mr. Duitsman indicated with the amount
of growth that is occurring in the City at this time, the update of this plan will be
very important.
Chairman Minton described the Steering Committee's role and how it fits into the
City's structure. The Steering Committee will conduct various public hearings to
obtain information and comments from the public in order to prepare a draft
Comprehensive Plan. The plan will then be forwarded to the Planning
Commission for recommendation on to the City Council. Ultimately, the City
Council will have the final decision in adopting this Comprehensive Plan.
4.
Overview of the Process of Uodatina the Comorehensive Plan
e
Chairman Minton highlighted a previous joint meeting between the Planning
Commission and City Council and pointed out the framework for which this
process would be conducted. The process will be kept as simple as possible and
consist of changes to the current plan, not a complete revision. The process is to
e
Db It 1-,.
involve as many people as possible to provide input into the outcome of this plan. 1(" r t
Lastly, the process should be geared towards the public in a participatory
manner, which will result in a Comprehensive Plan that will reflect the City's vision
for the future of Elk River.
Chairman Minton also explained that the process will consist of approximately six
public hearing meetings. Those meetings will be broken down into one meeting
with the industrial businesses, one meeting with the commercial businesses, and
four residential meetings. These meetings will be an opportunity to obtain
information, which can then be compiled into the Comprehensive Plan.
Following these public hearing meetings, the information will then be summarized
and included in the draft of the Comprehensive Plan and brought back at future
public hearings before being sent on to the Planning Commission and City
Council.
5. Introduction of Key Issues Involved in Updatina the Comprehensive Plan
A. Limits of urbanization/utility extension
Terry Maurer gave a brief overview of the City's current capabilities to extend
sanitary sewer given the condition of the treatment facility. Mr. Maurer also
elaborated on future extension possibilities and that a feasibility report is
currently in the process of being prepared and should be ready for Council
review in 40 to 60 days.
e
It was concluded that this will be one of the key issues in this process as the
City begins planning for future growth towards the eastern area of the City.
B. Land Use Mix
Steve Ach described the importance of planning for a balanced mix of
residential, commercial, and industrial land use within the City. It was further
mentioned that in order to achieve this proper land use mix, rezoning of
certain properties may need to occur in the future to accomplish these goals.
C. Transportation
Terry Maurer discussed the Transportation Plan as it is currently drafted. The
City is working with the County to coordinate consistency between the City
and County plan. Mr. Maurer also indicated that the transportation plan is
nearly completed, however, it has been put on "hold" until the
Comprehensive Plan has an opportunity to catch up. At this time, the two
plans will then be coordinated and approved.
Hank Duitsman stated that the City is currently discussing possible east-west
corridors to improve traffic movements within the City. It was indicated that
this is a major undertaking, however, this corridor is very important as the City
continues to grow.
e
Arnie Engstrom concurred with Mr. Duitsman and indicated that this particular
issue has been discussed for the past 10 years and will need to be resolved as
part of this plan update.
D~-4Fr
.e
D. Economic Development/Redevelopment
It was further indicated that, although the City is growing rapidly with a lot of
new construction, over the next 10-15 years there will be the need to look
back and evaluate potential areas for redevelopment.
E. Downtown
Steve Ach informed the Steering Committee of a meeting that he attended
that morning with the Downtown Development Association to discuss some
ideas and plans that the Downtown Development Association would like to
accomplish. The Downtown Group is anxious to begin formulating ideas for
the long range plans for the downtown area and will more than likely be
taking an active role in this process. It was further discussed that issues such
as preserving the historical character, rediscovering the river front, design/
other improvements may be reviewed to formulate a plan for the downtown
area.
F. Environmental
e
Steve Ach mentioned that this item will probably involve identifying natural
features throughout the community that can be included into the planning
process. For example, significant stands of trees, wetlands, historical areas,
and other features can be identified and incorporated into the
Comprehensive Plan. Based on the environmental goals and policies
adopted as part of this Comprehensive Plan, appropriate zoning ordinance
amendments can take place in the future to ensure these goals and policies
are achieved.
G. Maintenance of Structures and Infrastructure
Steve Ach indicated that although the City is growing and a lot of new
construction is taking place, there remains the need to look back and pay
attention to the older areas of the community. Items such as housing
maintenance codes for residential areas as well as performance standards for
commercial and industrial may be possibilities to help preserve the integrity
and viability of these older areas.
Terry Maurer indicated the importance of looking at the City's sewer and
water systems as well as roads to ensure that they are in good working
condition.
\\.
H. Hiqhwav 169 and Hiahwav 10 Corridors
Chairman Minton indicated the importance of this issue to the Planning
Commission. These two major thoroughfares carry the majority of the traffic
and should be developed to present a positive image for the City of Elk River.
e
Dick Hinkle concurred with Chairman Minton and indicated that this is a very
important issue. Mr. Hinkle feels that the Highway 10 entrance from the west is
Dli4rr
.
currently the best entrance to the community and additional work needs to
be done to improve the entrances from the north and east.
6.
Future Meetinas
Chairman Minton indicated that the next meeting will be a public hearing to
discuss the issues relative to industrial development in the community. It was the
consensus of the committee to meet on May 25, 1994, at 7 p.m. at a location that
will be determined at a later date. Chairman Minton indicated that letters to all
industrial businesses will be sent out as well as notification in the local paper. The
committee discussed some issues that will be brought up at this meeting including
goals and policies, industrial development, tax base of industrial (percent of land
use within the City that is currently industrial), absorption rate for industrial
development, and an update on the Economic Development Authority and
Business Park Task Force efforts and involvement in industrial development to this
point.
7.
Other Business
e
Hank Duitsman indicated that there may be the need to distribute additional
information, such as the feasibility report for the treatment facility expansion once
it is completed by Terry Maurer. In addition, Mr. Duitsman indicated the City is
taking over the County Ditch System and additional planning will need to be
conducted to incorporate this system into our storm drainage plans. Therefore, it
may be beneficial to provide the committee members with a storm drainage
plan also.
Terry Maurer suggested a copy of the Transportation Plan be provided to all
committee members, which will be an important element for discussion
throughout this process.
The Committee agreed that the upcoming public hearing meetings are a good
opportunity to obtain information from the public, however, a time needs to be
established to end the meetings. Mr. Hinkle suggested it would be a good idea
to make it clear at the beginning of each meeting that the public hearing
meetings will end at 10 p.m. The Committee agreed and established a 10 p.m.
deadline for all public hearing meetings.
Chairman Minton asked Pat Dwyer for his assistance in outlining information that
may be presented at the nexf meeting regarding industrial development. It was
indicated that the Economic Development Coordinator Bill Rubin should attend
the next meeting to participate in the discussion of industrial development within
the community. "
8. Adiournment
e
There being no further business, the meeting of the Elk River Steering Committee
adjourned at approximately 8 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
~Zi~