11-24-1997 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Elk River City Council Minutes November 24, 1997 Page 2 fence on the top of the hill adjacent to the parking area. Steve Ach noted that the parking area that serves the subject property is also a joint parking area with the property immediately to the west. Vice Mayor Diefz opened the public headng. Ralph Donais, 906 Lookout Place, distributed pictures of the area for Council review. He indicated that during the winter season there was virtually no screening of the property. He further indicated that he has a concern regarding how the traffic and off street parking will affect the elderly who live and walk in the area. He indicated that all of the elderly that he spoke with are opposed to the rezoning. He requested the Council to deny the zone change. John Anderson, 208 Lowell, indicated his concern with the additional traffic that would be generated by a C1 business. Wayne Eull, 928 Lookout Place, indicated his concern with additional traffic in the area and parking on Lowell Avenue. Jew/Smith, properly owner, stated that most of the concerns have been addressed except for the traffic. He indicated that he did not feel there will be more traffic than what was generated with the previous real estate business. There being no further comments, Vice Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing. Vice Mayor Dietz indicated that he did not feel a zone change would affect the traffic in the area due to the limited parking space available. Councilmember Thompsan concurred with Vice Mayor Dietz. Discussion was held regarding the possibility of limiting parking on both sides of Lowell Avenue so as to improve the traffic site lines. Councilmember Farber indicated that the most important issue is that the C2 zoning is a buffer for the residential area. Councilmember Holmgren indicated that the increase in traffic is due to the growth of the community. He further indicated that vacant property lends itself to deterioration and feels that it would be best to have the property rezoned. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO TABLE THE ISSUE UNTIL THE DECEMBER 1, 1997, CITY COUNCIL MEETING SO AS TO REVIEW THE ISSUES OF TRAFFIC AND PARKING ON LOWELL AVENUE. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 5.2. Consider Initiatin,q Ordinance Amendments Reaardin.q Boulevard Trees and Chan,qeable Si,qns City Planner Steve Ach indicated that the Planning Commission has requested the City Council to initiate ordinance amendments to establish guidelines for planting boulevard trees in new plats and to establish a timeframe for changeable copy signs.