7.1. SR 02-21-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Max Steininger, Inc.: Elk River Sand and Gravel Mine 2 | Page Zone Change & Conditional Use Permit Application December 2016 3.2 What has changed to warrant the Zone Change: The property was not part of the original Mineral Extraction Overlay district. It was later purchased by Max Steininger, Inc. after verifying that is contained a high quality deposit of sand and gravel with the intention of mining the property. Therefore, it is an appropriate time to request a zone change to the Mineral Extraction Overlay. 3.3 Consistency with City of Elk River Comprehensive Plan: The planned land use of the Site is designated as Mining/Development Reserve on the Future Land Use Plan of the Elk River Comprehensive Plan. The Elk River Comprehensive Plan serves as a guide for the City to make decisions regarding the type, location, and density of future development within Elk River. It also serves as the foundation for updating the City’s Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map. The primary objective of these land use categories is to allow mining the land and to subsequently address future land use when development becomes appropriate. Figure 2: Future Land Use, illustrates the future land use of the Site and surrounding area as adopted by the Comprehensive Plan. According to the Comprehensive Plan, areas designated Mining are currently being mined or, in the case of the Site, are set aside for future mining. The Elk River Comprehensive Plan indicates that the majority of the mining resources in these areas will be extracted over the next 10 to 40 years. The Project will be active for an estimated 30 years or more based on market demand. Areas designated Development Reserve are outside of the urban service area and will have various development opportunities in the future when mining is complete and services are available. The Project, therefore, is consistent with the goals and guidelines established by the Elk River Comprehensive Plan. 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 20151. (Gravel Mine Area Study) The Gravel Mine Area includes the Site. 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. 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 Site is located in the Beyond 2 0 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 221st Street, and a network 1 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.