4.1. SR 08-21-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Brief Description of the Impact of the potential environmental effects which we the petitioners believe will result from the proposed project- The project does not meet the City of Elk River's Comprehensive Land Use Plan: The city's plan states under VI Industrial Plan, Goal 2, to "Preserve, maintain and/or strengthen the physical and visual qualities unique to the community. Under this goal it also calls for establishment of controls for the size and placement of signage, screening, noise and other visual concerns for industrial operations within the City limits. The proposed project far exceeds the norm for building height of surrounding homes. The facility which is proposed at 33' in height and 24 hour lighting is not being satisfactorily mitigated for in the proposed plans. To adequately mitigate for noise and visual impacts screening would have to be much taller than a 7 foot berm. The Comprehensive Plan under VI Industrial Plan, Goal 2 states" Encourage well designed buildings that are visually consistent with the surrounding area". The proposed design which includes tall silos and a stainless steel facade is not compatible with the surrounding neighborhood..- The project does not meet the City of Elk River's zoning ordinance: Under the city's zoning ordinance, the Business Park zoning ( page 9.40) allows for "certain industrial, office, and commercial uses which are compatible with, and compliment each other as well as the surrounding land uses." This proposal neither compliments the surrounding residential or the surrounding existing or future commercial needed on the western end of Elk River. The Business park zoning allows for "light industrial". It goes on to say "It is the intent of this ordinance that development reflect common themes using compatible architectural design and consistency in signage, landscaping and lighting". This proposal will have 24 hour a day lighting and 24 hour a day heavy activity with truck traffic. This is not compatible directly adjacent to the residential neighborhood. We would argue that 50 trips + per day of large semi-trailer trucks is not consistent with the implied definition of light industrial. The zoning ordinance goes on to state (page 9.43) "Architectural techniques should be employed to reduce visual impacts from adjacent properties and roadways". A three story facility does not meet that effort to have buildings designed to reduce visual impacts.