Laserfiche WebLink
Elk River City Council Meeting <br />May 13, 1996 <br /> <br />Page 4 <br /> <br />6. Joint Planninq Commission/City Council Meetin,q <br /> <br />Planning Commission Chair Tom Dillon indicated that there were several items <br />which the Planning Commission wished to discuss with the City Council. <br /> <br />Master Plan for Downtown - Chair Dillon indicated that the Planning Commission <br />is anxious to begin discussing issues relating to the downtown area. Mayor <br />Duitsman suggested that the City Council consider using the services of Jim <br />Brimeyer to facilitate discussions as to what is needed in the downtown area. <br />Mayor Duitsman further indicated that it was the consensus of the City Council to <br />not begin any plans on the downtown area until the city's economic <br />development director is hired. <br /> <br />Discussion was held regarding the importance of architecture and landscaping in <br />the downtown area. It was the consensus of the Planning Commission that the <br />landscaping and architecture of the downtown area are very important and <br />should be incorporated into the Master Plan. Councilmember Scheel indicated <br />that she is afraid that the downtown area will lose its aesthetic value if it is <br />landscaped similar to other communities. <br /> <br />Discussion was held regarding the concern of parking spaces available in the <br />downtown area and historic preservation. Discussion was held regarding the <br />creation of a Master Plan for the downtown area and the fact that the city is <br />anxious to begin construction in a portion of the downtown area by 1997. <br /> <br />Mayor Duitsman authorized staff to contact Jim Brimeyer and request his <br />company to submit a proposal for the downtown area and that the proposal <br />coincide with the hiring of the economic development director. <br /> <br />Update of Performance Standards for Hiqhway Commercial - Chair Dillon <br />indicated that the Planning Commission is concerned regarding the highway <br />commercial standards along east Highway 10 and other commercial areas within <br />the city. He indicated the Planning Commission has voiced its interest in <br />increasing the performance and landscaping standards along the highway. <br /> <br />Discussion was held by the Council regarding whether or not the standards were <br />stringent enough in Elk River and whether increasing the standards would put an <br />extra burden on the developers. Discussion was also held regarding ways in <br />which the city could avoid situations similar to those that have arisen along east <br />Highway 10. <br /> <br />Mayor Duitsman indicated he supported the Planning Commission reviewing <br />methods to control the type of uses that may present long term problems for the <br />city. <br /> <br />Cable TV Reception - Chair Dillon indicated that the Planning Commission is <br />concerned with the poor Cable TV reception of Planning Commission and City <br />Council meetings. The city clerk indicated that Jones Intercable is presently <br />looking into this situation. <br /> <br /> <br />