11.1 SR 05-06-2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Bruce A. Smith Jr. 19685 Carson Cir NW Elk River, MN 55330 April 29, 2024 Mayor John J. Dietz and Council Members Elk River City Hall 13065 Orono Parkway Elk River, MN 55330 RE: May 6th, 2024, City Council Work Session Reuter Walton Apartment Concept Review Dear Mr. Mayor and members of the council, I am writing this letter as a concerned citizen of Elk River to express my opposition to Reuter Walton’s proposed apartment concept plan at 19645 Evans Street NW. At the recent April 23rd planning commission work session several concerns were voiced by the citizens most closely affected by this proposed project. Amongst them we heard concerns about storm water control, grade disturbance, trash management, snow removal, traffic impact, increased crime, line of site, emergency vehicle access… etc. All these items are especially important; however, Reuter Walton will have an explanation for each if they take this project to the next stage of planning and design. It is my hope Reuter Walton will not pursue this project any further if they do not receive your support at the May 6th City Council work session. In the sections to follow I will lay out how this concept conflicts with our city’s comprehensive plan; as well as explain each ordinance variance requiring city approval if Reuter Walton pursues this project as conceptualized. It is my opinion that these variances should be all the information needed to show this project is conceptually unsound, does not fit our city’s comprehensive plan, and should not receive your support at the May 6th City Council work session. City of Elk River, Minnesota Code of Ordinance Section 30-1006 Principal Structure: (Exhibit A to this packet) 1. Set Back Variance: Section 30-1006 outlines perimeter setback requirements. Specifically in situations immediately adjacent to major collector or arterial streets, the ordinance states setbacks for these roadways should be thirty feet with an additional twenty feet to provide a landscape buffer. The northwest corner of the proposed site is at the intersection of 197th Ave. and Evans Ave.; these roadways are considered major collectors and arterial streets. The current concept plan shows only a 30-foot set back at the closest point to Evans, and even less at the closest point to 197th. The only way to modify the proposed concept to fit within the ordinance setback requirement is to reduce the size of the building; subsequently, reducing the number of units. At the April 23rd planning commission work session Reuter Walton confirmed they would be requesting variance approval for this, saying that reducing the number of units would not be financially feasible. Page 217 of 254