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Planning Commission <br />June 23, 2020 <br />Page 3 <br />Chair Larson -Vito discussed the Land Use Amendment and shared her feelings <br />regarding sticking to the rules and guidelines of the Comprehensive Plan, noting the <br />time and energy spent to guide the city and to change that would have to be <br />compelling. She was not convinced this project meets the requirements of what was <br />planned for this property. <br />Commissioner Johnson stated he really likes the project and felt it was a good project <br />but did not feel it was in the right location. He explained the site currently zoned <br />Highway Business is an opportunity for new commercial development, and especially <br />with the upcoming redesign of Highway 169, noting the city has limited commercial <br />land available for redevelopment. He also felt the upcoming review of the <br />Comprehensive Plan may identify other areas where this project would be a better <br />fit. <br />Commissioner Beise was in support of providing affordable workforce housing but <br />did not feel this was the proper location. He felt the Commission would be short- <br />sighted to amend the land use of this property before the highway redesign and the <br />upcoming review of the Comprehensive Plan. <br />Commissioner Thiel stated he agreed there was a need for affordable workforce <br />housing. His main concern with this proposal was the parking plan and felt it would <br />cause problems in the future if enough parking stalls or covered parking is not <br />addressed now, as well as parking space for snow removal. He stated he would <br />welcome folks coming to Elk River to live in this type of housing and participate in <br />our community and stated he was disappointed and personally offended by the tone <br />and statements made in some of the project opposition letters written to the city and <br />stated some things written were unfounded. <br />Commissioner Feinstein agreed with some of the comments made by the other <br />commissioner this evening including the tone of the letters. He indicated this area is <br />already busy with traffic for people dropping off kids at New Horizon and increasing <br />traffic going through that area is asking for trouble. <br />Commissioner Jordan stated he has seen a lot of these types of housing <br />developments in other cities where he lived and worked. He indicated planning <br />commissioners are made up of the same people as the residents, and do not make <br />decisions to increase the tax base or because "we don't live there" because they do <br />live here. As he read the letters, he understands the frustration. He states he makes <br />decision from his heart and every decision is made in the best interest of everyone. <br />He stated because there was a need in the current Elk River apartment market he <br />wondered if a moratorium on apartment developments should be considered to <br />allow time to do a study. <br />Mr. Leeseberg stated he was not aware of any discussion regarding an apartment <br />development moratorium and noted this project would need to continue due to <br />application deadlines. He stated perhaps it will become part of the comprehensive <br />plan update when discussing uses especially along Highway 169. <br />DAIAIIII I <br />NATE <br />