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2335 Highway 36 W <br />St. Paul, MN 55113 <br />Tel 65136-0600 <br />Fax 6511>36-1311 <br />www.lbnestroo.com <br />September 13, 2007 <br />Mayor Stephanie Klinzing and City Council Members <br />City of Elk River <br />C!0 Jeremy Barnhart, City Planner <br />13065 Orono Parkway <br />Elk River, Minnesota 55330-5600 <br />Re: Request for Attendance at the October 8 City Council Work Session <br />Dear Mayor Klinzing and Council Members: <br />,~ Bonestroo <br />I am writing on behalf of my client, Gemstone Inc, to request an opportunity to meet with you during your <br />work session meeting on October 8. Gemstone has optioned a parcel of land that is located along the east <br />side of Highway 169, at the northern border of Elk River. A portion of the property extends north into Livonia <br />Township. It is immediately opposite the land fill on the west side of Highway 169 for another point of <br />reference. <br />The western portion of subject property contains marketable deposits of aggregate and the eastern portion <br />does not. The western portion, abutting Highway 169, is guided "Commercial Reserve" on your <br />comprehensive plan. Mining is allowed as a conditional use in Livonia Township and the property abuts the <br />Mineral Excavation Overlay Zone on its southern border. <br />We would like to explore with the city council the prospects for mining the western portion of the property, <br />and planning for a high valued end use, consistent with your comprehensive plan. Our firm has extensive <br />experience with all aspects of gravel mining planning, with special emphasis on successful planning for <br />productive use following the completion of mining activities. We were extensively involved in planning the <br />Gravel Mining Area in Maple Grove and the Arbor Lakes development that continues to expand as one of <br />the highest valued mixed use developments in the Twin Cities region. We played a similar role in Apple <br />Valley. Gemstone also has an established track record as a corporate citizen in Elk River. <br />In a recent meeting Community Development Director Scott Clark and City Planner, Jeremy Barnhart <br />suggested that the best way to start this conversation would be to meet with you during a work session. We <br />look forward to meeting with you and to exploring a mutually beneficial approach to guiding the future of this <br />property. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request. <br />Sincerely, <br />BONESTROO <br />John W. Shardlow, AICP <br />Principal <br />