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REQUEST TO: The Elk River Chamber of Commerce Committee on the downtown area FROM: The Elk River Steering Committee To Update The Comprehensive Plan DATE: June 15, 1995 The Steering Committee requests of the Chamber committee some recommendations pertaining to the down town area as soon as possible, for inclusion in the City's comprehensive plan. Specifically, the Steering Committee requests your reactions to some of the ideas expressed in the as yet unpublished letter from Bill Rubin and Jackie Schuelein on "Ter Ideas to Keep Elk River's Down Town a Focal Point" and ideas that arose in the Steeri Committee meeting of this date, and which are briefly summarized below. Since the Steering Committee wants to complete its work soon, the request is that these recommendations be formed in one month, and that the emphasis be on a master action plan for the area. Ideas brought up at the Steering Committee meeting are as follows There was practically universal agreement in the.Committee that parking requirements be either greatly relaxed for a certain part of the down town area, or that the City participate in providing the necessary parking areas. 2. That ordinances and codes relating to down town buildings be relaxed to the extent that this is possible and to the extent that safety is not compromised. That a distinction be possibly made between the central business district and a smaller old town area, and that within the old town area, a design theme be implemented, such as any remodeling or new construction would be from the era of 1890 to 1920. 4. That provision be made for residential as well as commercial development in the area, so that there would be a mixture of new businesses and residences in the zone, sometimes referred to as neo-traditionalism. That more attention be given to all buildings with historic significance (more than 50 years old), and that an historic commission be established. One of their first functions could be to conduct an inventory of historically significant buildings, and at the same time, an estimate could be made of the soundness of these buildings. 6. That the City help jump start some development or redevelopment opportunities with financial incentives.