08-13-2007 DTMIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Redevelopment Framework Task Force Minutes Page 3 August 13, 2007 ------------------------------------------ Member Larry Toth asked if the river trail could begin on the southwest end of the Draft Plan area ending at Babcock Point. At this point, audience member John Houlton asked to speak since his family owns a significant amount of property in the area mentioned by Member Toth. Chair Urista invited Mr. Houlton to speak. Mr. Houlton mentioned that he has environmental concerns about the proposed river trail, especially because the area is a floodway (not just a flood plain). In addition, he spoke of the economic encumbrance that the proposed trail puts on his and other people’s property along the river. MOVED BY MEMBER DAN TVEITE AND SECONDED BY MEMBER JEAN LIESER, THE TASK FORCE ELIMINATES THE ENTIRE FUTURE RIVER TRAIL IN ITS ENTIRETY FROM THE DRAFT PLAN, ILLUSTRATIONS AND NARRATIVE. THE MOTION FAILED 7-6. MEMBERS MARK URISTA, STEWART WILSON, LOUISE KUESTER, MOLLY NADEAU, DANA ANDERSON, LARRY TOTH AND MIKE NIZIOLEK OPPOSED. MOVED BY MEMBER STEWART WILSON AND SECONDED BY MEMBER MOLLY NADEAU, THE TASK FORCE REFINES THE DRAFT PLAN, ILLUSTRAIONS AND NARRATIVE TO INCLUDE A RIVER TRAIL BEGINNING AT RIVERS EDGE COMMONS PARK (HEADING EAST) AND ENDING AT BABCOCK PARK. THE MOTION CARRIED 10-3. MEMBERS LOUISE KUESTER, DANA ANDERSON AND MIKE NIZIOLEK OPPOSED. 6. Highway 10 Discussion Prior to the Highway 10 discussion, Chair Urista stated that he hopes that the Task Force upholds the integrity of the redevelopment planning process from this point forward and that all members remain stewards of the Plan. He does not want to see the Task Force’s year-long planning efforts go to waste. Planner Chris Leeseberg provided a PowerPoint presentation to illustrate Community Development Director Scott Clark’s staff report regarding Highway 10. City Engineer Terry Maurer stated that he has recommended that the City Council fund a geometric design study to be completed for Highway 10 through downtown Elk River as part of the City’s Capital Improvements Program budget for 2008. Member Larry Toth asked why the Task Force was talking about the different Highway 10 options since the City Council either wants the highway to be elevated or depressed. Mr. Maurer responded that even prior to the 35W bridge collapse; MnDOT was not planning to fund any improvements to Highway 10 through downtown Elk River for at least thirty years. With the collapse, Mr. Maurer is assuming that bridge improvement projects will take precedence in the foreseeable future. Therefore, he would still recommend that the City fund a geometric design study. The Task Force discussed the land north of Highway 10 and how they didn’t think it was appropriate to leave the area “as is” with no opportunity to redevelop due to the threat of blight if a design configuration for Highway 10 continues to go undetermined for 20-30 years. Member Niziolek added that he came up with a Highway 10 option that would leave it “at grade” but would reconfigure its current alignment by going under the railroad tracks and following the