5.2. SR 01-12-2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Redevelopment Framework Task Force Minutes August 13, 2007 Page 4 Mr. Maurer responded that even prior to the 35W bridge collapse; MnDOT was not planning to fund any improvements to Highway 10 through downtown Elk River for at least thirty years. With the collapse, Mr. Maurer is assuming that bridge improvement projects will take precedence in the foreseeable future. Therefore, he would still recommend that the City fund a geometric design study. The Task Force discussed the land north of Highway 10 and how they didn't think it was appropriate to leave the area "as is" with no opportunity to redevelop due to the threat of blight if a design configuration for Highway 10 continues to go undetermined for 20-30 years. Member Niziolek added that he came up with a Highway 10 option that would leave it "at grade" but would reconfigure its current alignment by going under the railroad tracks and following the realigned Main Street concept in the Draft Plan, crossing over Jackson Avenue and begin elevating and curving up and over the railroad tracks and Highway 10 (near the grain elevator) and terminating at Main Street between Lowell and Morton. Ms. Mehelich responded that the City Council has made it very clear that they will not accept the "at grade" option whatsoever. Member Dana Anderson stated that the City Council compromised the integrity of the redevelopment planning process when they dismissed the Task Force's recommendation for Highway 10 a few months ago. The Task Force continued to discuss the issue, including the disruption that elevating or depressing Highway 10 would cause for the community. Member Keith Holme added from a downtown business owner's perspective that if Highway 10 is elevated or depressed "you might as well remove all commercial business from downtown" due to the lack of visibility and direct access. MOVED BY MEMBER LOUISE KUESTER AND SECONDED BY MEMBER DAN TVEITE, APPROVING THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION REGARDING HIGHWAY 10 WITHIN THE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN: 1) THE ILLUSTRATIVE MASTER PLAN SHOULD SHOW JACKSON AVE. AND MAIN STREET BEING AT GRADE (THIS WOULD REPRESENT THE IDEA THAT IT IS A PLACEHOLDER, ALBEIT THE TEXT OF THE PLAN WILL STRONGLY ARGUE FOR A GEOMETRIC STUDY). 2) THE TEXT OF THE PLAN WILL CONTAIN PLAN ILLUSTRATIONS THAT REPRESENT THE VARIOUS OPTIONS THAT HAD BEEN CONSIDERED. 3) THE MATRIX FOUND ON THE ORIGINAL DRAFT (PAGE 31) WILL BE MODIFIED AS SHOWN ON THE "ROADWAY DESIGN OPTION" ATTACHMENT. 4) THE PLAN'S HIGHWAY 10 CONCLUSION IS THAT A GEOMETRIC STUDY (TO INCLUDE SOIL BOILINGS) IS CRITICAL TO AVOID ANY NEW REDEVELOPMENT EFFORTS CAUSING CONFLICT WITH FUTURE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 12-1. MEMBER DANA ANDERSON OPPOSED. Member John Anderson added that while he appreciates the effort that staff put into the