04-12-2005 PC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . Planning Commission Meeting Notes April 12, 2005 Page 2 Commissioner Scott stated that he would like to see more focus on redevelopment of the river front in order to focus more attention on it versus the typical development pattern that has historically occurred. The consensus of the Commission was that that the following goals would be ones to focus on over the next three years: 1. Support Highway 169 Corridor Study 2. Support local transportation corridor planning 3. Implement the Natural Resources Inventory- 4. Develop long-range river front planning and development 5. Support redevelopment of the Arrow Building/NAPA/Eagles site 6. Evaluate land use change impacts north of County Road 33 7. Prepare criteria to evaluate Urban Service District expansions Staff will prepare work plans and generate a list of tasks that can be accomplished and measured in order to achieve these goals. 2. Discuss Old Town Land Use and Zoning Requirements The Commission discussed the objectives for the Old Town land use designation. The Old Town land use designation is essentially in the area of the core Village of Elk River. It has unique housing, commercial, institutional, and architectural characteristics. Currently, this area is zoned Planned Unit Development, Multiple Family Residential, Commercial, and Single Family Residential. Commissioner Stevens stated that this area can be divided into three distinct neighborhoods - south of Highway 10, west of Jackson north of Highway 10, and east of Jackson north of Highway 10. He stated that he felt that this the affordable housing area, but that numerous portions of it are blighted and may need to be redeveloped. He stated that he would not like to see" snout houses" and that some type of architectural standards should be established. Commissioner Lemke stated that he would like to see continuation of the existing grid system and to encourage detached garages. Commissioner Offerman stated that he felt that the Downtown District should be extended to the north side of the railroad tracks in the area of the post office and even in the Arrow Building/NAP A/Eagles area. The consensus of the Commission would be to do an inventory- and analysis by block of the general vicinity. They would like to see architectural standards, smaller lots, maintenance of the grid system, encourage detached garage, and if property owners wanted to combine lots and build larger homes, that there would be a need to have more architectural uniqueness as part of the approval process. 3. Review Schedule for 175th Avenue Focus Area Study Senior Planner Harlicker reviewed the proposed schedule for implementation of a land use study for 175th Avenue. The Commission concurred with the work plan. Commissioner Stevens stated that he would like information on where unbuildable areas are located.