5.1. EDSR 12-09-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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November 21 Task Force Meeting November 14,2002 • Page 8 The issue goes beyond the differences between development patterns on this site. The westward extension of the utility system raises two other planning issues: • Should planning anticipate the potential future need for eliminating septic systems around Lake Orono? • Should planning consider the possibility of expansion of the city limits to the west? One objective of the comprehensive planning process is to look into the future and consider a wide range of issues that may affect Elk River. These are two such issues. Street System Three county roads (County Road 32, CSAH 1, and County Road 77) provide good north-south routes. These roads are designed and function as primary collector/arterial streets. Like the east side, the deficiencies come from the lack of east-west connections. There is no east-west collector street between School Street and County Road 33. The street system funnels traffic onto Highway 10 at Proctor and across School Street to Highway 169. The lack of a designed east-west route encourages traffic to use local streets to reach the 169 commercial district. Future growth may not significantly worsen the conditions south of County Road 33. Most of the vacant and developable land can use County Road 33 and 221st Avenue to access 169. This flow will, however, worsen the use conflicts for the highway. Local traffic is forced to use the highway to reach shopping III areas. A better east-west link would allow residents to use the local street system to reach all primary destinations in Elk River. Downtown The Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Ij' �''_&-_, f Authority has conducted an extensive process of r _� ILICIil!! , i�rf11ir. planning and seeking redevelopment in the core ■� ■ r.(- 0 �:nail 4 area of Downtown. The Comprehensive Plan will _-91.IN�•� l_„.'a.�l ir-� T"V iI'd not duplicate these efforts. Instead our focus will _ - ~44 1 '' be on the larger area surrounding the Downtown. Li:l; 'Orli.- I.47 �: ::,:2,-,--.....;..-« =}•? This area is an essential part of Elk Rivers „�, �, ' r ri1 ■ , _ heritage, character and identity. The importance ;.;� v .I�." i �• of maintainingthese elements has been +. 00 ijVoti* -{i== r`:�;r■ ',: 1 IIPMemphasized at every point in the process. __-n„kal.:-.11•1! : .---. .111.31`.1 I:III, =V ,..j, 'SIi.71 •11ly This area offers the best opportunity for creating ' �;', ,1:1-, ..,: stronger connections between the city and the I M. 1, Mississippi. ; i r:p 1 ',* lk Ick. The area contains a variety of community facilities r ': ��ti 4 including the library, three schools, the ice arena, outdoor recreation facilities and other parks. The Handke School has been discussed as the future location of an arts and family center. These facilities draw many residents into the area every day. s