5.1. PCSR 08-24-2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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District Specific Issues The Plaris future land use map identifies the preferred land uses in the City and illustrates how the community envi- sions development transitioning in the coming decades. Although the future land use map is not regulatory like the 101 ♦ zoning map,it should be used as a guide for the City when considering development proposals or rezoning requests. O To ensure that new development and redevelopment is consistent with the future land use map and vision and s goals of this Plan,the City should proactively rezone key `r areas to implement this plans recommendations. v The highest priority area for rezoning is the current FAST j0 District.The FAST District was established to realize transit m oriented development surrounding the Northstar Station, but since its adoption portions of the area have shifted to highway commercial uses.More appropriate zoning district designations for the various portions of the FAST District are detailed in the corresponding map.The future land use designations of the majority of the parcels in the 10 FAST District could be realized through zoning districts the City currently has established including the BP Busi- ness Park District,C-3 Highway Commercial District,R-4 Potential FAST District Rezoning Multifamily District,and R-3 Townhome District.However, the Neighborhood Commercial future land use designation RR Disiric� does not currently have a corresponding zoning district. C-1 District(Repurposed) As discussed in detail in the Economic Development Plan C-3 District portion of this document,the City should consider repur- ■ R-3 District posing its C-1 Central Business District to better align with the goals of the Neighborhood Commercial future land use R-4 District designation. FAST District Decision-Making Processes The development approval process is often as much a Although Elk River already has a process for the Board of factor in attracting local investment as the actual develop- Adjustment to approve variances from standards,the City ment regulations.It is recommended that the City perform should consider establishing an administrative process a thorough review of current procedures to identify that allows staff to approve small amounts of relief from barriers that create time delay or unpredictability in the the zoning requirements,such as a 10%adjustment to a process. setback,without a public hearing or consideration by a public body. In addition to clarifying the zoning ordinance's existing permit procedures,the City should consider establishing new processes within the ordinance.When a City grows larger,as Elk River is expected to,the number of requests from property owners for minor exceptions from the zoning standards,such as building setbacks,also typically increases. Elk River Comprehensive Plan•Implementation Plan 1�9 DRAFT FOR REVIEW ONLY