7.1 PCSR 04-24-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CONCEPT REVIEW NARRATIVE – 21591 US HWY 169 NW Background ERX was launched in the winter of 2008 and is recognized today as one of the fastest -growing motorsports facilities in the Midwest. With a focus on family -friendly events and grassroots motorsports activities, ERX has been quickly embraced by motorsports enthusiasts of all kinds. ERX was created by Todd Plaisted and Chris Carlson, two Elk River businessmen who are long- time powersports enthusiasts. Plaisted and Carlson both enjoy participatin g in powersports activities with their families. They saw an opportunity to create a facility which would address their love for racing as well as provide value for the Elk River community. Their original intent was to provide a facility for snocross racing and training. Today, ERX is a year-round complex hosting both snowmobile events in the winter and off-road truck, car, and ATV racing in the summer months. ERX hosts events for local and regional organizations and non-profits such as Day of the Dozers (Children’s Hospital fundraiser) and the Cow Pie Festival (benefiting the Elk River and surrounding area school districts). Future uses of the facility may include concerts, festivals, product demonstrations, and endurance events such as “Tough Mudders” or “Running with the Bulls.” In June of 2008, ERX received an IUP to operate, and in July of 2015, to accommodate our long- term vision, the city approved a new zoning district titled XCR extreme commercial recreation. In November 2017, ERX staff met with Elk River Planning staff to discuss ERX; during this meeting, staff asked us to submit a CUP amendment and ordinance amendment for this site to continue operations at our current location, 21591 US Hwy 169 (PID: 75-110-2405). In July of 2016, City Council approved a CUP for the original 13.29 acre parcel with conditions. In July of 2016, ERX platted another area to house our “Power Shops.” In November of 2016, ERX finalized the purchase of an additional 80 acres. (PID:) Looking ahead, we’d like to include the new 80 acres (PID: 75-110-4400 ) to the south of the off-road track (PID: 75-825-0010 ) to be used for pits and spectator viewing for our off-road truck racing events. There is also access to this property from Highway 169. We would use this access as another area for ingress and egress of racer vehicles and trailers, which was supported by MnDOT and the DPS. In September of 2016, ERX, City staff, and Anderson Engineering proposed a plan that would combine the 13.29 acre parcel (PID: 75-110-2405), the go-kart track (portion of PID: 75-825- 0040), and the new off-road truck track (portion of PID: 75-825-0010) onto the same plat and