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Chapter 3: Using the Plan / 15 <br />Elk River Comprehensive Plan <br /> ·Economic Development. Elk River’s economy is tied to the regional <br />economy to some extent. In fact, most of Elk River’s labor force <br />commutes to a job in another community outside of the City. <br />Consequently, Elk River should coordinate with other jurisdictions to <br />ensure that the regional economy is healthy. <br /> ·Transportation. The transportation system involves many <br />jurisdictions – some of which have goals, objectives and resources <br />that differ from those of the City, but nonetheless transportation <br />must work as a cohesive system. It is critical that Elk River and <br />pertinent neighboring and overlapping jurisdictions coordinate <br />on transportation issues. Key areas where intergovernmental <br />collaboration is necessary include: <br /> ·Highway 10 corridor improvements and enhancements; <br /> ·Highway 169 corridor improvements and enhancements; <br /> ·Pedestrian and bicycling crossings; <br /> ·Truck traffi c issues associated with aggregate and sand <br />mining areas, plants and the landfi ll; <br /> ·Railroad at-grade crossing areas; <br /> ·Continued future planning with the Northstar Commuter Rail; <br /> ·Potential road turn-back candidates; and <br /> ·Public transit. <br /> ·Utilities. Elk River and its neighboring communities have <br />coordinated and should continue to coordinate on water supply, <br />sanitary sewer, and electrical supply issues. In particular, Elk River <br />and pertinent neighboring communities should continue to review <br />and adjust joint powers agreements relating to shared services. <br />Elk River and neighboring communities should also coordinate on Elk <br />River’s plans to extend utilities to the outer boundaries of the City. <br /> ·Surface Water Management. Surface water is not constrained by <br />political boundaries. The way Elk River handles its surface water <br />affects the surface water in neighboring communities. Likewise, <br />Elk River’s surface water is affected by neighboring communities. <br />Consequently, it is important that all jurisdictions have a shared <br />vision and approach to handling surface water management. Elk <br />River and neighboring communities should continue to coordinate <br />with Sherburne County, the Minnesota Department of Natural <br />Resources, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and others. <br />Small Area Studies <br />As the mining activities cease and municipal utilities get extended <br />beyond the current utility boundary limits, further study and analysis <br />will be necessary. In particular, the area surrounding the Highway <br />169 corridor north to the City limits, and the area at the intersection <br />of Highway 169 and County Road 33 will be of particular interest. A <br />study on land use and needed public improvements will be necessary. <br />While planning for these areas may be several years away, further <br />analysis and study of these corridors is vital to the success of the area <br />long term.