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<br />Planning Commission <br />May 8. 2001 <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />1 also included a market analysis for the downtown. In Phase 2, the vision and <br />future of the downtown is to be developed. She noted that HRA, Planning <br />Commission and River's Edge members all have a stake and an interest in what <br />happens downtown. Ms. Mehelich stated she expects there will be a follow-up <br />workshop to the meeting tonight. The third and final phase will include staff <br />drafting an implementation plan based on the priority redevelopment areas and <br />issues discussed. The final plan will then be presented to the HRA and City <br />Council for adoption of the plan. She noted that the Planning Commission will be <br />a part of the process if there are any ordinance changes. <br /> <br />The agenda for this evening is: <br /> <br />1 . Present information gathered by staff in phase 1, including market analysis. <br /> <br />2. Cliff Skogstad, Chief Building Official will review the criteria which was used for <br />building conditions. <br /> <br />3. Steve Rohlf will discuss the criteria used for determining historical significance. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Jay Thompson of Maxwell Research Group, stated that in their analysis, they <br />looked at the market potential for retail. office and housing in the redevelopment <br />area over the next ten years. He stated that this was done by reviewing recent <br />development trends in the three areas. the current situation in the entire Elk River <br />area, and the demographics and growth potential. The current mix of <br />businesses in the downtown was assessed to determine market interest and <br />percentage of growth of the entire City of Elk River that the downtown could <br />potentially capture. The downtown was divided into three areas based on the <br />existing mix of businesses, building characteristics, and barriers such as Highway <br />10 and the railroad. The Three areas are the Core CBD, Western Transition Area, <br />and Northern Area. The mix of uses. and strengths and weaknesses of each area <br />were reviewed. Mr. Thompson then discussed the conclusions and <br />recommendations for each of the three areas as described in their market <br />analysis. <br /> <br />Mr. Toth asked Mr. Thompson about other communities where they have done <br />market studies. Mr. Thompson stated that cities include Lake City; downtown <br />Anoka; Marshall; Otomwa, Iowa; Fargo and Moorehead. <br /> <br />Cliff Skogstad, Chief Building Official, explained that a walk-by inspection was <br />done of the building exterior. and based on 15 years and newer, or 15 years and <br />older, and beyond. Building code inspection would include Energy Code, <br />Handicap Accessibility Code, the structural aspects of building, and health-safety <br />aspects. A good rating was given to a building 15 years or newer because of the <br />fact that building code issues have likely been addressed. A fair rating would be <br />a building 15 years and older. since limited codes have been met, structure load <br />issues, energy code issues and would require some work to bring the building <br />back into compliance. A poor rating was given to older buildings based on code <br />issues and condition of the building itself. including lack of regular maintenance. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Steve Rohlf, Building & Zoning Administrator, stated that Heritage Preservation <br />Commission spent a Saturday doing a quick review of the downtown buildings. <br />He explained that the Heritage Preservation Commission strongly recommends <br />