7.1. EDSR 09-21-2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Elk River Vision A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity Request for Action To Economic Development Authority Item Number 7.1 Agenda Section General Business Meeting Date August 17, 2020 Prepared by Zack Carlton, Planning Manager Item Description Chamber of Commerce Business Survey: Concerns #1, #7, #8, #9, #10, and #13 Reviewed by Amanda Othoudt, Economic Development Director Reviewed by Cal Portner, City Administrator Action Requested • Receive information, provide feedback. • Agree, by consensus, the action sufficiently meets or exceeds expectations to address concerns / recommendations from the Chamber of Commerce Business Survey. Background/Discussion Citing undocumented concerns regarding the business atmosphere experienced by developers with the city, the EDA commissioned a survey through the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce to identify specific concerns. Two follow-up meetings were held with participants of the survey with Commissioners Westgaard, Wagner and Blesener. The information gathered was shared with the city administrator who developed a workplan to address the concerns. Concern #1: If the city really wants to be known for supporting renewable energy, they should reconsider their incentive programs to support projects that are in line with the stated objectives in the Comprehensive plan: to be more energy efficient, preserve resources, even if it means ordinance or design flexibility. The city is in the process of updating the Comprehensive Plan. The first round of meetings and interviews with community stakeholders took place on August 12 and 13. These meetings laid the groundwork for the Comprehensive Plan update. The process will finish in mid-2021 with adoption of the new Comprehensive Plan and action steps related to amendments and changes to city ordinances. If renewable energy goals are again part of the plan, we will research necessary amendments to policies and ordinances. Concern #7: Use the velvet glove approach when delivering requirements for compliance. Think of the business owners as customers. Staff prepares FAQs for common questions, but these are typically associated with residential uses as business related questions are more nuanced and specific to each user and site. To address some of the common business questions related to site and use, staff created the opening a business in Elk River page to help prospective businesses in their search. https://www.elkrivermn.gov/1602/Opening-a-Business Please review the website and contact us with recommended changes. We want this to be as informative as possible, but not a substitute for conversations with city staff.