6.0. SR 04-08-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Year in Review BUILDING ACTIVITIES Single Family - There were 162 new homes built in Elk River during 2001. This was slighdy down from last year when there were 172 new home starts. The average valuation of the single family homes constructed significantly increased. The average valuation has risen from $128,690 in 1999 to $1S3,917 in 2000 to $18S,760 in 2001. These valuations do not include land prices. Another significant trend is in the rural areas where cluster developments with shared septic systems are becoming common. Multifamily - Seventy-four townhome units and 18 duplex units were constructed. This was a slight decrease from 2000 when 86 townhome units and 26 duplex units were constructed. Staff anticipates a continued strong demand for this type of housing in the foreseeable future. Apartments - No apartment units were built. The last apartment building built in Elk River was in 1998, when Guardian Angels constructed a 60 unit building for senior citizens. The last apartment constructed for the general public was a 68 unit building in 1995. One reason for the lack of new apartments is a lack of land appropriately zoned for them. Although no new units have been built recently, apartments still constitute approximately 18% of Elk River's housing stock. The city has 53 apartments buildings with a total of 1,148 units. The Council may wish to review this issue. The year 2001 was the fifth full year of the city's apartment inspection and licensing program. This program is going well. Commercial/Industrial/Institutional - Another new record for this type of construction was reached at $46,500,000. The previous record was set in 2000, when the valuation of commercial/industrial construction was $31,000,000. School District projects accounted for nearly $32,000,000 of the increased activity. However, even with the School District's projects removed, the level of this type of construction has greatly increased in the past couple of years. In 1998, the valuation for this type of construction was $7,500,000. Permits/Valuation - The Department issued 2,867 permits, which was about a 5% increase over last year. The total valuation of construction in Elk River was $91,200,000, which set another new record. The inventory of existing lots points to continued strong growth. Staff anticipates construction activity in Elk River of all types to remain strong in 2002. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Energy City - Energy City worked on numerous promotions and demonstrations of energy efficiency and renewable energy in 2001. Some notable projects include: GRE's micro- turbine demonstration, Northern Alternative Energy's wind generator open house, a geothermal demonstration at Livonia Township Hall, Energy City members' participation in the "Sustainable Schools Project", Elk River Municipal Utilities' Green Power program, the Elk River Business Expo and Aquaflow demonstration. Also, energy related start-up business Cymbet, moved from the Business Incubator to a permanent location within the city limits in 2001. Energy City received a $3,000 environmental grant from WalMart in 2001. Many more exciting projects are planned for Energy City in 2002, with perhaps the most notable being expanded electricity production from landfill gas; enough electricity for 2,000 homes.