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Planning Commission Minutes May 22, 2001 Page 11 . PEDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6- O. 5.5. Request by City of Elk River for Ordinance Amendment to Add Definition of Animal Nutrition and Agricultural Research. and Establish an AR (Agricultural Research) District. Public Hearing - Case No. OA 00-8 5.3. Request by City of Elk River for Land Use Amendment for a Portion of Cargill Property form LR (Low Density Residential) and LI (Light Industrial) to A (Agricultural). Public Hearing - Case No. LU 00-6 5.4. Request by City of Elk River for Rezoning of a Portion of Cargill Property to AR (Agricultural Research) District. Public Hearing - Case No. ZC 00-7 . Staff report by Scott Harlicker. The City of Elk River and Cargill have requested amending the Zoning Code to create a definition for Agricultural Research and establish an AR (Agricultural Research) District, an amendment to the land use plan to change the land use designation of certain property from LR (Low Density Residential) and LI (Light Industrial) to A (Agricultural), and to change the zoning of the same property from R1a (Single Family Residential) and L1 (Light Industrial) to AR (Agricultural Research). The proposed land use plan amendment also includes adjusting the urban service boundary so that the new AR zoning district is not included in the Urban Service Area. Staff recommends approval of the amendments and rezoning based on the findings listed in the staff report. City Attorney Peter Beck reviewed the history of the Cargill operation which began in the 1950's. He stated that Cargill has had very little, if any, impact on the city itself or the adjacent properties. Mr. Beck explained that in the past, the City has been unable to fit Cargill's use into the zoning ordinance, and this request is an attempt to create a zoning district unique to them. Cargill was assessed for the extension of utilities into the eastern area and appealed the assessment, stating that they did not want or need them. After more than two years of negotiations, the City and Cargill have agreed to a settlement which includes processing the necessary ordinance and land use amendments to accommodate Cargill's use of their property. Mr. Beck explained the other terms of the settlement, including relocating of the land trust property into the eastern area, and a land donation by Cargill. Commissioner Franz asked if there were any other operations in the City that would fit into this zoning district. Mr. Beck stated that there were not. He -noted that Cargill is a unique operation which is internationally renown for agricultural research. Mr~ Harlicker stated that the City has never had a clear definition for Cargill and he felt the proposed definition fits what is actually on their site. He reviewed the definition at this time. .