7.1. SR 05-05-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Elk River car or--Fens e Fly The utility system represents significant public investment and as such, continued coordination between community development and utilities is essential to make the best use of financial resources. The City must determine the appropriate timing for any public financing of new service extensions and improvement, considering the land use policies set in place and community development goals of the Plan. Encourage development and growth in areas contiguous to existing development and areas currently served by infrastructure will maximize the efficiency of City services. The City of Elk River has a land area of approximately 28,000 acres within the city limits. The City has delineated this area into rural areas (no municipal water and /or sewer services provided) or urban service areas (municipal water and /or sewer services provided). The City provides water and sewer services to residents within the urban service area as shown in Figure 8-1: Urban Service Area. It is the City's belief that over the next 20 years the urban service area will be fully developed and that additional land areas will be added as shown in Figure 8.2: Future Development Within the Urban Service Area and Figure 8.3: Future Development Outside the Urban Service Area. Although many of Elk River's growth areas, as designated in Chapter 5, presently include adequate infrastructure, other growth areas will require extension and improvements. As these areas develop /redevelop, the City should invest in new infrastructure with care; consideration must be given to the total public and private costs of new services. Public dollars must be spent wisely in providing these services. The boundary should only be expanded if the City believes that sufficient sewer and water treatment capacity will be available to serve property within the urban service area and the development (and redevelopment) within the expansion area. The implications on treatment capacity should also be considered with redevelopment projects and changes in land use that will alter demands on the utility system. The Elk River Municipal Utilities provides electric and water services to Elk River and surrounding areas and is responsible for the construction, operation and maintenance of these systems. The Utilities Commission serves as the governing body for the Municipal Utilities. Wastewater treatment and storm water management are the responsibility of the City Council and City staff. The goal of this Chapter is not to present a "plan" for the expansion and operation of the municipal utility system, rather to provide citizens, designers, City staff and potential developers with the knowledge to make more informed choices. 86 / Chapter 8: Utilities