6. EDSR 10-13-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City of Elk. .~ REQUEST FOR ACTION River To Economic Develo ment Authori Item Number 6. Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by October 13, 2008 Jeff Gongoll, Community Develo ment Director Item Description Reviewed by Discuss 1715[ Avenue Focused Area Study Action Requested Engage the Cuningham Group to perform and complete the work related to the Request For Proposals at a fee of $33,500, focused on the Gateway Business Park and properties adjacent to and along 17151 Avenue; and, confirm the overall process with the involvement from Community Development staff to provide compatible and reproducible land use patterns and standards to the overall study area. Background/Discussion The EDA and City Council has indicated its desire to conduct a study that establishes a strategy to complement and maximize the benefits of the Northstar Commuter Rail operation on 1715` Avenue and Twin Lakes Road. At the September 8, 2008, meeting the EDA established the study boundaries and approved the proposed Scope of Work to perform the FAST. The FAST is intended to provide short and long range guidelines for new development, including retail, professional and light industrial, and possible redevelopment opportunities within the boundaries of the study. The FAST will also help establish expectations for land uses and design guidelines in and around the Northstar Rail station. Following additional review, the Community Development staff suggests that the study area be broken into two parts: Gateway Business Park and the immediate surrounding developable parcels, and the balance of the study area. Please refer to the attached aerial layout. This two part process is suggested in order to address the strong concerns raised by the EDA in terms of study length (e.g., time), as well as to allow for the level of detail necessary to establish reproducible characteristics. While recognizing that this is a departure from earlier EDA direction, staff feels this is beneficial to accomplish the EDA's long term goals for the area. This direction will focus resources on Gateway and the adjacent parcels since it is a land use "anchor" for the area and will serve as the catalyst for the neighborhood. Additionally, there are two distinctive development "problems" to be addressed. Gateway is generally a greenfield development opportunity, while properties north of 173 will be redevelopment possibilities. To complete one study to address both divergent issues would be inconsistent with the EDA concerns of time and money. Consequently, staff developed the attached Request For Proposals and issued it to four planning consulting firms that have developed a reputation working with communities to prepare plans consistent with what staff believes would address the EDA's short and long term goals.