4 PCSR 09-21-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• cities slowed down, and in many cases they lost population to larger, more dominant cities. Elk River, too, was caught in this trend for a time. Today, however, it has come to share in the growth of the Twin Cities due to changes in the labor mobility, its important location at the intersection of two major U.S. highways and its affordable housing opportunities. The location of major transportation routes has played an important role in the development of Elk River. U.S. Highways 10 and 52 run directly through the City, splitting the town into north and south districts of commercial and residential land use. U.S. Highway 169 cuts through the eastern third of the City and runs north to Minnesota's lake region and resort areas. The continuous upgrading of Highway 101 will enhance accessibility to Interstate 94 providing for residential, commercial, and industrial opportunities. The location of physical features and transportation routes has affected the growth pattern of Elk River. Its geographical location is a positive factor in the continuing importance of Elk River as the county seat for Sherburne County and as a bedroom community for commuters working in the Twin Cities, who prefer to live in a rural setting. Elk River has also been a key farm service center in the past and will be an important service center for the expanded residential areas that will accompany the anticipated population increase. In 1978, the Village of Elk River and Elk River Township consolidated into one unified jurisdiction. The City's land area was increased to 46 square miles. The merger created many new opportunities for the City, as well as responsibilities to provide public services • to a larger area and growing population. Prior to 1988, Elk River struggled to manage the rapid growth it was experiencing. As a result, certain areas of the City have not developed in a very orderly manner. However, since adoption of the 1988 Growth Management Plan development has begun to occur in an orderly fashion based on the principle of growing from the central city outward. Between 1980 and 1994 Elk River experienced population increase from 6,785 to an estimated 12,811, or 88.8 percent growth during this 14 year period. Along with this population increase, significant commercial facilities have developed along the Highway 169 corridor between Main Street and 193rd Avenue. In 1988, the City initiated a public improvement project extending water and sewer into the western area of Elk River. These improvements have been a catalyst for residential and business park development. In 1993, the City also constructed a new city hall facility in this western area along the south side of Lake Orono. D. DEMOGRAPHICS The City of Elk River and Sherburne County have experienced rapid growth in population during the past two decades. The total population for the City grew from 4,000 (Elk River and Elk River Township combined) in 1970 to 11,143 in 1990, and an estimated population of 12,811 in 1994 (Figure 2-C). The Sherburne County population • grew correspondingly from 18,344 in 1970 to an estimated 51,059 in 1994.