5.1. EDSR 12-09-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

November 21 Task Force Meeting • November 14,2002 Page 3 Control Agency Individual Sewage Treatment Standards(6 MCAR, Sec. 4.8040 et seq.) together with its appendices for on site sewage disposal. For simplicity, these Standards are referred to in the remainder of the Growth Management Plan as WPC-40 regulations. The much of the discussion about development in north Elk River focuses on the current zoning. It is important to remember that zoning exists to implement the land use plan. The Task Force must first consider the development pattern that is sought for these areas. The zoning ordinance will be designed to achieve these results. The purpose of the Comprehensive Plan is to guide the development pattern of the community. The designations in the Land Use Plan should reflect the real land use management needs and desires. The current A and LR categories seem too broad to fit the needs of Elk River. As an alternative,we offer three new categories: • Rural. While portions of Elk River are still actively farmed, "agricultural" does not seem to be an accurate long-term land use designation. A better category for Elk River would be "rural". These areas would be specifically designed to limit development. This area could be used to protect actual agricultural areas and areas not suited to more dense development. The Rural use designation could also serve as a development reserve, forcing the infill of existing areas before opening new areas for development. • Rural PUD. The Rural PUD concept follows the current approach. Smaller lot sizes can only 41/ occur in cluster subdivisions that provide for shared septic systems and permanent open space conservation easements. • Rural Residential. A general Rural Residential use sets the development pattern and options for areas that will not be served with municipal sewer and water. Both cluster and large lot(2-1/2 acre minimum) subdivisions would be allowed. As you consider future development in north Elk River, the Task Force should consider: (1) Are these the correct land use designations? (2) If not, how should be uses be described? (3) Where should the land use designations be applied? Street System Improvements The nature of the street system will influence the form of development in north Elk River. Transportation planning for the region strongly suggests the need for an east/west corridor through north Elk River. The basic rationale for this corridor is to provide an alternative route to Highway 10 for more locally oriented traffic. The initial focus will be on County Road 33. Construction of an interchange at 169 will begin next year. This roadway provides the easiest connection with Big Lake on the west and Viking Boulevard on the east. The alternative route would be an extension of County Road 21 to the west connecting with 221st Avenue at an interchange on 169. MNDOT plans for the 169 Corridor involves moving towards a freeway design for 169 in Elk River. Local access points would be removed. If a controlled access freeway design is built, access in north Elk River would be limited to interchanges at County Road 33 and 22151 Avenue. • The Comprehensive Plan can approach the street system improvement in several ways: