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<br />Elk River City Council Meeting <br />October 26, 1993 <br /> <br />Page 10 <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />the School Board would not have sold the land to the developer, the <br />City would not be considering approval of the development at this <br />time. Councilmember Dietz indicated that the School Board also <br />approved the location of the drainage pond. He indicated that the City <br />and School District has been discussing the idea of widening School <br />Street regardless of whether this development was approved. <br />councilmember Dietz had some questions regarding the two left turn <br />lanes off of Highway 169. He indicated he had a problem with the <br />funneling into one lane. He questioned whether Freeport could be made <br />wider so there could be two turn lanes. <br /> <br />Terry Maurer indicated that if the Council approves the conditional use <br />permit, a feasibility study would be prepared and these issues would be <br />addressed in the feasibility study. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Councilmember Dietz further indicated that there would be no intention <br />of assessing the School District for this project. He indicated that <br />he agrees there are traffic concerns. Councilmember Dietz further <br />indicated he does not expect any property owner to be assessed for any <br />part of this project. Councilmember Dietz indicated that he agrees <br />there are traffic problems, however he feels there will be traffic <br />problems in Elk River whether there is a shopping center or not. <br />Councilmember Dietz indicated he disagrees with the crime situation. <br />He also stated that the amount of taxes that this type of project would <br />generate would allow the City to hire extra police officers if needed. <br />He indicated he did not feel it was valid to correlate crime and <br />shopping malls. He indicated that as the suburbs move to the west, and <br />as Elk River's population grows, the City will have more crime, <br />regardless of a shopping mall. Councilmember Dietz stated it was <br />important for Elk River to get commercial and industrial tax base to <br />help pay for the services we all want and need. Councilmember Dietz <br />stated that he believes all the traffic concerns can be worked out. He <br />feels that the developers have met the criteria requested by the City <br />and indicated that he would vote in favor of the conditional use permit. <br /> <br />Mayor Duitsman stated he feels the City is missing a real opportunity <br />to bring shopping and development to Elk River. He stated that the <br />development will pay for the roads, the improvements, etc. He further <br />indicated that this area is zoned for commercial development. He <br />stated he believes the concerns can be addressed from the feasibility <br />study. He indicated he is in favor of the development. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Councilmember Farber stated he is pro-development, however he has many <br />concerns regarding the proposed Elk Park Center. Councilmember Farber <br />voiced many concerns regarding traffic and location of the proposed <br />development. He indicated that Jackson Avenue has been ignored and <br />193rd Avenue has not been addressed and it will be a main entrance to <br />the mall. Councilmember Farber indicated that the project would <br />adversely affect the school children and the neighboring residents. <br />Councilmember Farber further indicated his concern regarding the safety <br />of the children and the amount of pedestrian traffic along School <br />Street. He further indicated that Highland is a residential area which <br />will become a major thoroughfare and would adversely affect the <br />neighborhood. Councilmember Farber also questioned whether the City <br />