8.2. SR 11-07-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Comprehensive plan also addresses Natural Resources. The plan includes a guideline to continue to allow gravel mining in the designated mining areas to make full use of these natural resources. The Natural Resources Plan indicates that the Site is not located in an area with biodiversity significance. The City of Elk River completed a Gravel Mining Area Land Use, Transportation and Utility Plan in 20152 (Gravel Mine Area Study). The Gravel Mine Area includes the Project Area. The purpose of the plan was to develop a vision for future land use, transportation and utility plans for the gravel mining area to be relied upon as mining operations draw to a close and transition into final development. The study is intended to be utilized in conjunction with the City of Elk River's Comprehensive Plan. The Project is compatible with the goals of the Gravel Mine Area Study. This study describes the preferred land use scenario as rural industrial, which includes industrial uses that are not necessarily dependent upon urban services. The study included the timing of availability of urban services and divides the Gravel Mine Area into two Urban Services Areas: 20 Years, and Beyond 20 Years. The Project Area is located in the Beyond 20 Years designation which is consistent with the anticipated 30 year life of the Project. Planned transportation improvements include long term plans of converting US 169 to a freeway system. This includes the construction of interchanges, including one at 221" Street, and a network of frontage and backage roads to connect to freeway access points. The plan includes a new alignment for a frontage/backage road through the Project Area to be constructed beyond 2040. The Reclamation Plan for the Project has been developed to accommodate the future roadway alignment. iii. Zoning, including special districts or overlays such as shoreland, floodplain, wild and scenic rivers, critical area, agricultural preserves, etc. The Site is zoned Commercial Reserve Transitional according to the Elk River Zoning Map. The Project will require a zoning change to include a Mineral Excavation Overlay District over the Site. Mining is a conditional use within the Mineral Excavation Overlay District. The Site is not located in or near a shoreland district, floodplain, wild and scenic river, critical area, or agricultural preserve. b. Discuss the project's compatibility with nearby land uses, zoning, and plans listed in Item 9a above, concentrating on implications for environmental effects. The Project is compatible with current nearby land uses and the Project is consistent with planned future land use but will require a mineral excavation overlay. The Site is surrounded by existing sand and gravel mining operations and the U.S. 169 highway corridor. 2 City of Elk River,April 6,2015. Gravel Mining Area Land Use,Transportation,and Utility Plan retrieved on line at http://elkrivermn.gov/index.aspx?nid=1239. Environmental Assessment Worksheet Page 8 Elk River Sand and Gravel Mines:Tiller Corporation and Max Steininger, Inc.