02-04-2002 CC MIN - SPECIAL-JOINTJOINT MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
AND PLANNING COMMISSION
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2002
Council Members Present:
Council Members Absent:
Planning Commissioners
Present:
Staff Present:
Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Dietz, Kuester, and Motin
Councilmember Tveite
Mark Pederson, Howard Ropp, Doug Franz, Tom Mesich, Michael
Baker, Dana Anderson and Michael Jenson
City Administrator Pat ICJaers, Director of Planning Michele
McPherson, Senior Planner Scott Harlicker, Planner/Park Planner
Chris Leeseberg, City Engineer Terry Maurer, City Attorney Peter
Beck, and City Clerk Sandra Peine
Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called
to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor ICJinzing.
Mayor I4Jinzing welcomed the Planning Commission members and introductions were
made.
Worksession - Discussion on Comprehensive Plan Update
Michele McPherson, Director of Planning, noted that the purpose of the joint meeting is to
identify the common issues that are the catalyst for the review of the City's Comprehensive
Plan. She noted that the plan was last updated in 1995. Michele noted that it is important to
hear the Council's goals, issues, and concerns so that the Planning Commission knows what
direction to follow in order to achieve those goals. Michele further noted that staff is
requesting and the Council has briefly discussed the use of a consultant to assist in the
update of the comprehensive plan.
Mayor ICJinzing asked the Council and Planning Commissioners to answer the following
question:
"What is going on in the City that you don't like and which you that you think the
Comprehensive Plan would help change or correct?"
The Council Members and Planning Commissioners each commented on the question.
Councilmember Tveite - Comments submitted in writing, as he was absent from the
meeting.
· Do not need a total rewrite of the plan
· Focus on sections that need revisions due to changes in the city
· Need to revisit the land use plan
Joint City Council/Planning Commission
Meeting Minutes
Februa~ 4, 2002
Page 2
· Concern with process - public input
· Scope - include other plans and needs of the city such as park plan, traffic plan,
pavement rehabilitation plan and strategic industrial marketing plan
· Determine objectives such as affordable housing, density standards and tree
preservation
Mayor Klinzing · Some of the growth management techniques used in the existing plan are outdated
· Highest and best use of property must be identified and considered
· Protect existing natural resources
· Consider target population to retain the rural community mix and feel
· How can the city maintain the ruralness of the community as we continue to
urbanize
· 10 acre minimum is an outdated growth control method and a waste of land
· The need to look at a variety of housing options
· Plan for strategic growth orA-1 areas
· Downtown redevelopment
· Mineral extraction areas should be considered
· Interregional corridors (Highways 10 and 169) and how they will affect the
downtown area and existing businesses
Councilmember Kuester · Provisions for affordable housing
· Density - should be a variety
· Guidelines for development and preserving trees
· Traffic levels
· The need to balance park plans (neighborhood parks, regional parks and trails) with
a possible regional type of land use planning
· Downtown area - zero setbacks for multiple use buildings, underground parking,
arts center
Councilmember Motin · Need to tweak certain sections of the plan, some more than others
· Affordable housing issue will be a concern
· Need to target a maximum population level in order to control it
· Transportation
· Tree preservation and tree reforestation
· Density - encourage growth from core village out
Councilmember Dietz · The plan has worked up to now and the city has followed the plan
· No need to completely rewrite the plan, just review and make minor adjustments in
certain areas
· City should grow from the inside out to the city boundaries
Joint City Council/Planning Commission
Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2002
Page 3
Chair Mark Pederson · No need for a full revision of the plan
· Transportation (how will commuter rail affect transportation and land development
around the depot site)
· Growth - how much can our current utility system handle
· Density levels - where should they be and at what level should they be at
· Affordable housing - Elk River is lacking - Can people work and live in the city
Commissioner Michael Baker · Does existing plan work
· What is the process to change the plan
· Review of the plan should be done on a systematic basis
Commissioner Howard Ropp · Building from the inside out
· Target population
· Need an overall view prior to getting into specifics
· Density
· Tree preservation
Commissioner Tom Mesich · Location of townhomes
· Railroad station and area development
· Need more apartments; determine best location
· Consider how population affects schools
· Increase industrial tax base
· Visual impact of development along the 10/169 corridor
Commissioner Doug Franz · Growth challenges of existing plan
· Minor corrections should be made on an annual basis
· Create an inventory of parks, open space, housing, and undeveloped land with trees
· Keep issues to actionable items
Director of Planning Michele McPherson reviewed the primary issues that were discussed.
The City Administrator introduced Rusty Fifield and Mark Koegler of Hoisington Koegler
Planning Firm. Both Rusty and Mark briefly commented on the issues that were discussed.
Pat Iadaers indicated that Rusty Fifield would submit a proposal for services to assist in the
public input process and redesign of the comprehensive plan.
Mayor I~inzing thanked everyone for his or her input.
3. Adjournment
Joint City Council/Planning Commission
Meeting Minutes
Februa~ 4, 2002
Page 4
There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
City Council at 8:15 p.m.
Sandra Peine
City Clerk