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c <br />ver <br />MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Park and Recreation Commission <br />FROM: Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director <br />DATE: November 12, 2008 <br />SUBJECT: Land fill End Use Recommendations <br />Item: <br />End Use Plan Recommendation -Elk River Landfill <br />Background: <br />At the September and October park commission workshops the commission reviewed and <br />discussed end use options for the Elk River Landfill. The end use plan for the currently <br />permitted landfill is primarily a passive use, natural landscape with some scenic overlooks, <br />hiking trails and a potential sliding hill. Waste Management the owner of the Elk River <br />Landfill has indicated their intention to request permits to expand the existing landfill. This <br />expansion is contingent upon City Council approvals and is not subject to review of or <br />comments by the Parks and Recreation Commission. <br />In reviewing the end use options for an expanded landfill, the commission expressed <br />interest in developing options for active recreational use such as soccer or softball fields. In <br />addition the commission reviewed the possibility of phasing in recreational use to allow <br />public use of the land fill areas as they become capped (See Attached). The commission also <br />reviewed a scenario that maintained a passive use of the potentially expanded site and <br />developed, at Waste Management's expense, recreational amenities at an alternative location, <br />to be determined. The Parks and Recreation Commissions role in this process is to <br />recommend to City Council an end use plan for the expansion site if the expansion receives <br />City Council approval. In addition the Park Commission has an advocacy role in exploring <br />potential opportunities for enhancing recreation in Elk River. <br />Staff Recommendation: <br />After reviewing the costs and options for phasing in active recreational use of the <br />landfill staff believes that that based on aesthetic concerns with odor and windblown <br />trash that phased in, active recreational use is an undesirable alternative. Therefore <br />staff recommends that the end use plan for a potential expanded landfill should <br />