05-24-1982 PC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission Minutes ~~y 24, 1982 Page Four regular preliminary plat (in this case it requires information on building size, building use, and the phasing of the buildings) and 2) a conditional use permit. In the City's ordinance, there are 5 findings which the Planning Commission and the City Council must deal with in issuing a conditional use permit. The City Administrator further indicated that one of the findings of the C.U.P. was that the PUD or plat would not endanger or injure or detrimentally affect the use of other property within the vicinity. The City Administrator further indicated that over a period of years, there have been studies done that indicate that this site in question is an ideal site for a shopping center. The City Administrator indicated that in 1982 a market study was submitted by the HRA in which the average need for the City of Elk River ranges from 70,000 - 81,000 square feet. The average of 75,100 square feet is the need demonstrated or projected for retail space for the entire City of Elk River by 1985. 41,000- 47,000 square feet of the 70,000 to 81,000 square feet is projected in furniture, appliance and variety stores. The City Administrator also explained the distribu- tion of growth for commercial retail space. For 1982-1985, 55% of all projected growth is to happen in this PUD, 30% in the downto\vu and 15% in other sites within the City. The City Administrator indicated that if the 55% that is projected to be compatible for growth out in the PUD area is applied to the total amount of space which is projected to be necessary or that the City can absorb by 1985, that total number of square feet that is optimally available at the PUD is 41,500. The center that is proposed is to have 95,000 square feet of total retail space. 59,00 square feet would be new retail space, 36,000 square feet would be relocated retail space (from the City of Elk River or from other parts of the retail trade area). Within that 36,000 square feet, about 27,000 square feet would be relocated from the City of Elk River. This number (27,000) is significant because in creating this structure and relocating these spaces, vacancies are created. The PUD exceeds the total demand for space in the entire City of Elk River by about 11,000 square feet through 1985. The City Administrator further indicated that there is an imbalance and overbuilding- too much space and not enough demand or' not enough market to fill that space. The City Administrator indicated that presently there is 108,000 square feet of retail space existing in the downtown area of Elk River. What is being proposed is 110,000 square feet of gross space; doubling what we have now. The City Administrator in- dicated that this was overbuilding. The City Administrator further indicated that what staff would like to see is this PUD scaled do\Vll to fit the available de- mand or need. The City Administrator indicated that a study done by the HRA expressed a desire to have a vital and active downto\vu. That same study indicates that growth should be compatible with other areas of the City. In summation, the City Administrator indicated that the figure that Barthel Construc- tion has presented is overbuilding. The figures presented by Barthel Construction don't indicate what will happen to the do\vuto\vu. The City Administrator also indi- cated that this size of center could not be supported economically. Mr. Zack Johnson asked Barthel where the 59,000 square feet of new retail will come from.