5. EDSR 06-14-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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BACKGROUND • aid in better positioning land in the project area f or development or redevelopment. » Gateway Business Park: The 75 acre city-owned gateway business park land is situated in the south central area o f the FAST. The green field site allows flexibility f or the city in determining transportation improvements and land use decisions for the broader area. » Energy: The excess steam generated at Great River Energy's power plant facility could potentially provide portions of the FASTarea with a district heating/ cooling opportunity. Combining the RDF plant and the Energy City brand for Elk River could spawn economic development with a green energy production and green industry focus for in the FAST area. Natural Systems: The Mississippi River provides the greatest natural amenity opportunity for Gateway area owned by the city residents for recreational use. The large wetland complex o f fers great amenity opportunities f or residential and o f jice development. The sweeping views over wetland and the preservation or enhancement o f the existing natural wetland and woodland vegetation can help emphasize some o f the distinct characteristics o fElk River. Combined with an integrated trail network to connecting these natural amenities with city parks and commercial nodes these broad natural systems can be a tremendous asset to the FAST project area. Challenges » Future transportation and access changes for Highway ~oJ~6g: One o f the biggest challenges for the ~7ist Avenue FAST will be understanding how future transportation shifts will a f fect access & circulation through the study area for existing uses and for any new development prior to Highway to/~69 becoming a limited access freeway. Finding a way to make intelligent investments in the near term without negatively impacting potential future investments will be crucial. » Potential environmental issues: In the near term, the environmental issues will likely surround wetland mitigation strategies in concert with green field development. However in the long term, with the abundance o f automotive and trucking uses in the FAST potential issues with soil contamination may exist with redevelopment. Environmental clean-up o f potentially contaminated sites could become costly endeavors, particularly in ex-urban communities with abundant green field development potential. ~i 1 E _ _ v v a s w 0 0 a T a a v s 0 a » Noise - Highway ~0/~69 and the rail line: Noise levels f rom the f refight trains as well as highway traf fic on Highway ~0/~69 will likely have an impact on residential land uses in the study area. Finding the appropriate location for residential uses and determining the proper uses adjacent ~ ~•°' Y ~ ~-~ to the rail lines must consider noise levels and identi fy potential mitigation techniques. " .~ a~ ~ x o `~,~~ ~ » Major utilities: An existing natural gas line bisects the southern hal f o f the site constraining development potential, as no structures or signi ficant grading can occur within the easement. The location will also have a larger impact on the internal roadway system and overall parcel configuration for the FAST. In addition to the gas line, large transmission lines run through the center of the study area between Great River Energy and the RDF plant. 171St. dV@(1lJ@ Focused Area STudy Elk River Resource Recovery Facility (RDF Plant) Great River Energy Power Plant Facility