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Chapter 5: Land Use / 43 <br />Elk River Comprehensive Plan <br />Implementation <br />The following objectives are aimed to use land in a manner that promotes a strong economy, <br />respects the natural environment, and ensures a high quality of life for all residents. <br /> ·Actively seek opportunities to encourage <br />redevelopment of substandard and <br />underutilized sites within the urban <br />services area. <br /> ·Encourage development and <br />redevelopment that enhances the existing <br />character of the neighborhood, protects <br />natural resources and strengthens the <br />vitality of the neighborhood. <br /> ·Promote the expansion of industrial uses <br />in those areas identifi ed in the Land <br />Use Plan. Ensure that the expansion <br />complements existing uses, protects the <br />natural environment, and respects the <br />surrounding neighborhoods. <br /> ·Support the renovation and reuse <br />of existing buildings where feasible. <br />Encourage measures to increase energy <br />effi ciency where appropriate. <br /> ·Continue to work with adjacent <br />communities and overlapping jurisdictions <br />to address issues of mutual interest <br />that, if not addressed, may constrain <br />future economic development in Elk <br />River and/or the adjacent communities or <br />overlapping jurisdictions. <br /> ·Ensure the protection of the City parks <br />and open spaces are protected where <br />feasible. <br /> ·Where appropriate, coordinate with <br />landowners and others to encourage the <br />preservation of existing privately owned <br />natural areas. <br /> ·Focus development and redevelopment in <br />areas that are already urbanized. Minimize <br />further encroachments into natural areas <br />where feasible. <br /> ·Understand and recognize the signifi cance <br />that Elk River’s natural resources had/have <br />in the development of the City. Continue to <br />use ordinances and other tools to ensure that <br />reasonable protection and enhancement of <br />natural resources. <br /> ·Based on market and demand, continue <br />to work with property owners and the <br />development community on redevelopment <br />proposals to ensure consistency with the Plan <br />and the overall community vision. <br /> ·Where appropriate, encourage the continued <br />use or adaptive reuse of existing buildings <br />with historic value, rather than the demolition <br />of the buildings. <br /> ·Continually seek and secure opportunities to <br />expand funding sources. <br /> ·Work with the City Council and City Boards <br />and Commissions on continuous review and <br />modifi cations to the Plan, as needed. <br />The City must also update its Zoning Ordinance to address inconsistencies and confl icts <br />that may exist. Updating the Zoning Ordinance may be a large undertaking that will <br />require signifi cant input from the Planning Commission and others. It may also require <br />that the City simultaneously conduct additional studies that provide information needed <br />for the Zoning Ordinance update. This process should start shortly after the adoption of <br />the Comprehensive Plan. <br />The City must also revise the Zoning Map to be consistent with the Comprehensive <br />Plan. Although most of the Zoning Map will remain unchanged, there are some areas <br />that will need to be rezoned. The process of updating the Zoning Map should start <br />shortly after the adoption of this Comprehensive Plan.