5.4 PCSR 04-08-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Thoughts on the 2014 Comprehensive Plan Update The Plan represents significant work and input from many groups and individuals.All involved are to be commended for their efforts. Citizens of Elk River can resonate with the 2014 Comprehensive Plan Vision Statement: Abounding in natural beauty, Elk River is a vibrant, historic rivertown that promotes an active lifestyle in an innovative and involved community offering unlimited opportunities. Elk River does have a distinct identity. We enjoy a historic downtown area, a core area of older and historic homes,and an abundance of natural assets. Our leaders have used vision and political will to preserve many natural areas and to create parks as the city has grown. Every aspect of the 2014 Comprehensive Plan Update has great value in moving our city forward-all the themes are important complementary to one another. For example:As city leaders work in the area of business development, expansion,and retention the issues of community safety,adequate infrastructure and amenities such as parks,trails and open spaces provide important underpinnings in expanding local employment opportunities. Healthy growth is also reliant on housing:is there an adequate stock of housing options in safe and attractive neighborhoods to satisfy the needs of incoming residents?How does Elk River present itself in terms of the older neighborhoods that form its historic core? The Plan... MAINTAINING NEIGHBORHOODS(Chapter 7: Housing, page 82) As a 40 year resident of an older Elk River neighborhood, I find the first two paragraphs of this section particularly relevant. I value the history and mix of housing types in my neighborhood;each home is unique and many tell silent stories of Elk River's past.Witnessing the decline in many of these homes is distressing on two levels:deteriorating homes bring down the value of all homes in the neighborhood,and each home that falls into disrepair represents a loss of a piece of our shared history.Whether the home is a grand structure or the smaller home of a working family, as a home slides into decline,we lose another bit of the"character and heritage of Elk River." MARKET GAPS(Same chapter and page as above) The third paragraph sums it up. "...the physical deterioration of structures often creates a barrier to private investment. Rather than fix the problem,the market avoids the unit. If unchecked, blight may spread to adjacent properties." I've seen the spread of blight until it has become almost a new normal in some cases.The market will avoid,and the diligent homeowners will lose heart and move on. It is already happening, as it has in so many other cities. Elk River does not have to lose its historic core;there's time to invest in rehabilitation of distressed properties and preserve these homes.