10-28-2003 PC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. . . Planning Commission Minutes October 28, 2003 Page 3 O>tnmissioner Offerman stated that he felt the City needs to move the process for identifying interchange areas along before further development occurs. Ms. McPherson stated that the City Council has directed staff to meet with MnDOT and that a preliminary meeting has taken place. She noted that second meeting with higher-level officials of MnDOT has been delayed due to a death of one of their representatives. Ms. McPherson stated that MnDOT will need to complete the environmental assessment process before proceeding with plans for the interchanges and the assessments could take up to three years. She explained that the City does have the option of taking the lead in preserving properties for the highway interchanges, but that the City would then be in the position of denying applications because of interchange issues. Commissioner Offerman stated that he would like to see MnDOT's plan for Elk River. Commissioner Lemke stated that he concurred with Commissioner Offerman's concerns and felt that the City needs to do something to preserve the properties from development, which will be affected by future interchanges. Chair Pederson stated that he concurred with Ms. McPherson's comments. He stated that property owners have rights and that he did not feel the City can tell property owners that they cannot develop their property. Chair Pederson stated that he was in favor of changing the land use of the Elk River Business Park to commercial. He also stated he supported the 2 ~ acre minimum lot size north of County Road 33. Commissioner Anderson stated that he felt the change to high density for the property along Twin Lakes Road was in the best interest of the future of the City. He agreed that the City and County need to work quickly with MnDOT to resolve the transportation issues. Commissioner Anderson stated that the success of the downtown revitalization hinges on the residential stimulus. He stated that he was not opposed to the language changes suggested by Mr. Lundberg regarding the Old Town district. Commissioner Anderson stated that the majority of the landowners north of County Road 33 are in favor of the 2-~ acre minimum lot size. Chair Pederson stated that he felt the area proposed for High Density residential should remain rural residential. Mr. Fifield stated that the Commission could consider placing this property IS reserve. Commissioner Franz stated that he felt the proposed Plan addresses the concerns that have been expressed by property owners. He stated that he felt the City needs to move forward to implement the plan as quickly as possible. He stated that he supported Mr. Lundberg's comments. Mr. Fifield stated that he felt it was appropriate to include the change to High Density Residential for the property along Twin Lakes Road as proposed. He stated that the property cannot develop until it is known whether or not the sewer system has the capacity. Chair Pederson stated that he was uncomfortable changing the land use for this property when it is still unknown whether or not the commuter rail will be implemented. Ms. McPherson stated that the property will not be rezoned at this time; only the land use designation will be changed. Chair Pederson asked if the property taxes for this property would be impacted. Ms. McPherson stated that the County Assessor's office would need to answer that question.