02-09-2004 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes Page 9 February 9, 2004 ............................. Councilmember Tveite asked if the number of trips projected is a reasonable number. Mr. Maurer stated yes. When a traffic study is done they are not looking at the worst times, but at a typical day during week hours. Mayor Kginzing stated that she likes and feels this is a beautiful commercial area for Elk River, a city's dream. She stated that there would be barriers between the neighborhood and the development project; that the landscaping proposed is tremendous; that many amenities and facades have been projected; and that this developer is going beyond what is necessary and that it should turn into a great project. She expressed concerns about the traffic and doesn't know the answer but feels some traffic will be pulled away. She stated that she doesn't feel people will be going through the neighborhoods. She stated that she is in favor of this project. Councilmember Tveite stated that this area would be getting developed eventually as a commercial use. With a PUD, the Council has more ability to control and with this project the City is getting a lot of amenities and density. The developer is planning to preserve trees on the south side and have as much landscaping as possible. Councilmember Kuester stated that when this first came to the Council she was appalled, but changes have come forward. She feels that this is the best design for a commercial district. She stated that because of the PUD she can support this project, but she could not if it was to be zoned Highway Commercial. She feels that this is the best balance that the City could be getting. Councilmember Motin stated that this developer has not addressed his concerns regarding transportation, but the developer has done as good a job as possible with MnDOT talking about overpasses and with no one knowing what MnDOT will be doing in the future. He stated that his concerns are less now and that we will have bigger problems in the future if MnDOT should come with overpasses and a whole different traffic pattern. He stated that this is a ~vell-planned proposal and that we need to work more with MnDOT and the issues that will come in the future. Councilmember Dietz stated that there were also concerns when the Elk Park Center Park ~vas built. He stated that people will find the easiest route to the shopping center and that this neighborhood is a maze and he didn't feel that people would be driving through the neighborhood. He stated that the development is laid out well and that residents should not be concerned about semi-trailers since they will be coming off Highway 169 and be kept out of the neighborhood. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 04-10, A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO CHANGE THE LAND USE FROM MR (MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL) TO HB (HIGHWAY BUSINESS). MOTION CARRIED 5-0. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 04-04, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF ELK RIVER'S ZONING MAP TO REZONE CERTAIN PROPERTIES AS DESCRIBED FROM RIC (SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) TO PUD (PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT). MOTION CARRIED 5-0.