04-27-2009 CCM SP JTSPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
• AUTHORITY, AND PLANNING COMMISSION
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2009
Members Present: Mayor Klinzing, Councilxnembers Zerwas, Moon, Westgaard, and
Gumphrey, EDA President Dwyer, EDA Commissioner Touchette,
Planning Commissioners Lemke, Scott, Westberg and Anderson
Members Absent: EDA Commissioner Tveite, Planning Commissioners Staul, Austad, and
Ives
Staff Present: City Administrator Lori Johnson, Planning Manager Jeremy Barnhart, Park
Planner Chris Leeseberg, City Attorney Peter Beck, Director of Economic
Development Catherine Mehelich, Economic Development Assistant
Annie Deckert, and Recording Secretary Jennifer Johnson
Also Present: Paul Paige, Bruce Chamberlain, and Bryan Harjes of Hoisington Koegler
Group Inc.
Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the joint meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by
the Council, the Economic Development Authority (EDA), and the Planning Commission.
• 2. 17152 Avenue Focused Area Study
Staff distributed the draft master plan for the Elk River 17152 Avenue Focused Area Study
prior to the meeting. Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc. (HKGi) prepared the 82 page draft,
which is available on the Internet at www.elkriverfast.com and on the City's website.
First, the group was updated on the meeting with City officials and MnDOT on March 25,
2009. Comments from the meeting are located on page 80 of the Master Plan.
Key Messages in the Report
Bruce Chamberlain, HKGi, outlined the key messages in the draft report. They were:
^ The planning process creates the ability to recognize opportunities.
^ The study area will become more development-intensive over time.
^ The development will follow any transportation infrastructure investments.
^ Community leadership and partnership will drive the success of the area.
Key Topic Areas
Mr. Chamberlain continued by outlining the key topic areas. Refer to the Master Plan for
maps (referenced by page number).
1. Future development framework to guide land use decisions. Parks and open space is an
amenity. Total study area of 700 acres. (page 39)
Special CitS~ Council, EDA, and Planning ~Tinutes
April 2?, 2009
Page 2
2. Understanding of lands most likely to develop. Station area itself will be a more
intensive development of mixed use and parking arrangements (page 41). •
3. Development Districts Diagram outlines the three areas that probably won't change:
Kliever Lake, Elk River Station, and Hillside Heights (page 42).
4. The ~riew of the future transportation network (page 54):
^ Potential sidewalks and trails all linking together.
^ Access points highlighted in yellow are important.
^ Suggested three roundabouts along Twin Lakes Parkway, along with a signal, to
provide a safer, smoother, softer flow of traffic due to the amount of traffic,
the cutup street.
^ Rail spur idea for potential commercial and industrial businesses.
^ Overpasses over Highway 10 provide for connectivitST to the other side of the
highway.
^ Additional rail line crossing.
^ The Pinnacle area is a challenge.
5. Understanding green infrastructure development (page 59).
6. Anticipation of development phasing (page 69).
7. Key public investments
^ Highway 10 access changes
^ Extension of Twin Lakes Parkway
^ Maximization of City-owned Gateway business park
Mayor K]inzing left the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Areas of Interest or Concern Expressed by Members of the EDA. Planning Commission
and City Council •
^ The Pinnacle area and the effect of access changes along Highway 10/169
^ Benefits and significance of roundabouts along Twin Lakes Parkway
^ Traffic patterns along Highway 10 and traffic concerns near the RDF plant
^ Interchange and development effect on opposite side of Highway 10
^ Funding and timeline of future interchange locations and its effect on the
short and long term phases implementing the master plan
^ Potential changes to the City ordinance and adoption of plan
HGKi stated the draft master plan would be updated with changes as referenced. The draft
master plan is scheduled for review before the EDA on May 11, the Planning Commission
on May 12, and before the City Council for final approval on May 18. The public is invited
to attend any of these meetings or submit comments via the website or telephone. Property
owners living inside and within 350 feet of the study area received a newsletter in the mail
indicating the upcoming meeting dates.
3. Adjournment
There being no further business, Vice Mayor Zerwas adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
City Council at 7:10 p.m. EDA President Dwyer adjourned the meeting of the Economic
Development Authority. Planning Commissioner Scott adjourned the meeting of the
Planning Commission.
Minutes pared by n ~fer Johnson.
.+° ~ •
Tina Allard, City Clerk
Step pie Klinzing, M