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Steering Committee Minutes <br />August 25, 1994 <br />1'✓E1f � �r �� ; <br />to u j <br />Page 7 V U J <br />force a farmer to stop farming, and the only reason he may be pressured to sell is <br />if the price of land becomes so high he feels he cannot not afford not to sell it. <br />At this time, Steve Ach used a map to outline the urban service area. He stated <br />that the City Council is currently studying the possibility of extending services to <br />the East Highway 10 corridor, west towards the Courthouse, and ultimately, to the <br />western border. Steve stated that he did not expect any plans for extending <br />sewer and water into the northern area to be included in this update of the <br />Comprehensive Plan. <br />Mike Fox questioned why Outlot A is in the urban service district and the rest of <br />Brentwood is not. Steve Ach explained that Outlot A could be easily serviced <br />with City water and sewer at this time and Brentwood could not. <br />Marlon Glines expressed his opinion that farmers should not be penalized for <br />maintaining their land as farmland, but that others should be able to develop <br />their land into two and one-half acre lots if they desired. <br />Discussion followed regarding the surface water management fee. Chair Minton <br />stated that issue would need to be discussed with the City Council. <br />Mr. Froehich expressed his frustration that property owners cannot do what they <br />want with their own land. <br />An unidentified resident asked the Committee whether or not the Council could <br />rezone the north area to two and one-half acre lots, and leave the farming areas <br />as they are, without charging them additional taxes for the development around <br />them. Chair Minton stated that could be a possibility. <br />Hank Duitsman explained that residents need to consider that approximately 20 <br />percent of taxes are from the City, 60 percent from the School District, and <br />another 20 percent from the County. He stated that if the lot size change is <br />made and more children enter the school system, that 60 percent school district <br />tax may go up for everyone. Mr. Duitsman added that the City is trying to attract <br />more industrial development. <br />Committee Member Mary Eberly asked if there was any data available regarding <br />the impact on demand for services for lot sizes such as 2'/z acre lots versus 10 acre <br />lots. Steve Ach stated that there studies, however, he did not have them <br />available at this time. <br />A resident stated that he feels that the best way to preserve the rural flavor is by <br />changing the 10 acre lots size minimum to two and one-half acres. He stated <br />that he felt that would prevent parcels from being split up into 10,000 square foot <br />lots. <br />Pat Dwyer expressed his concern that land uses be planned in such a manner so <br />that incompatible uses are not located next to each other. <br />Gertie Toth stated that the City needs to attract more business and industry to Elk <br />River so that people that live here can also work here. She added that land <br />