05-27-2003 PC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . Planning Commission Minutes May 27, 2003 Page 8 Mr. Sanford stated that Big Lake Township requested that he bring in a design to connect the plat with the street in the township, and after review by the Road Committee, directed him to connect the streets. Tom Warner, 14189 145th Street, stated that the residents will meet with the Township Board at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. He felt that the traffic issue is critical and that the City of Elk River should be liable for upgrading the township road. Mr. Sanford that the single-family homes will be in the $250,000 range. He explained that the townhomes would be done in phases. He stated that a portion of the property south of the wetlands is high enough to allow basements. Pricing of the townhomes will range from $200,000 - $250,000. He noted that the units closer to Highway 10 would be priced somewhat lower. Mr. Sanford stated that if the State Transportation Plan moves forward, the service road along Highway 10 would be extended. He felt that a majority of the traffic would use the service road and not the road within the plat leading Royal Oaks Estates. Commissioner Ropp stated that based on conversations with the City and the Township, knock-down barricades can create maintenance issues. There being no further public comment, Chair Pederson closed the public hearing. Commissioner Franz asked where the frontage road would go if it was extended west. Mr. Harlicker stated that eventually the frontage road would connect with County Road 14 in Big Lake Township. Chair Pederson asked how many single family homes could be constructed on this property if it were not rezoned. Mr. Sanford stated that approximately 75 - 85 homes could be constructed. Commissioner Offerman stated that he was concerned about the impact on Big Lake Township residents. Mr. Harlicker stated that the City has a letter on file from Big Lake Township requesting that the roads be connected. Chair Pederson stated that he does not feel the area is rural residential any longer, given the Commercial area to the north, the Business and Commercial to the east, and the potential for further Commercial/Business Park development along the Highway 10 corridor. He stated that he feels the frontage road will eventually be extended. Chair Pederson stated that 85 single family homes if the current zoning were to remain in place is a significant amount. He stated that he felt the proposed project is a significant improvement over the first proposal. He stated that design standards are in place to regulate the townhomes. He noted that the townhome association will monitor the wetlands, and no monitoring would be done if the property were developed as traditional single family. He stated that the property value of the adjacent properties would actually go up, not down. Commissioner Ropp stated that he had concerns regarding the affect on adjacent land uses. He felt that the residents were not concerned about property values and rather, that they were concerned with maintaining the integrity of the neighborhood. Commissioner Lemke stated that he would need further information regarding whether or not the project would adversely impact the surrounding land uses. He asked if Mr. Sanford felt the future residents of the plat would use 183rd Avenue as a cut-through to Big Lake.