5.3. & 5.4. PCSR 06-09-2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The SDA is guided "Mining" in the land use plan and already labeled "Elk River Landfill". The Plan • states that the "Mining land use designation functions similar to the Urban Reserve. The primary objective of this land use category is to allow the current mining use of the land and address future land use when development becomes imminent" (pg. 5-13). The Mining land use designation is consistent with this request as mining will continue to occur within the SDA. According to the Plan, the City anticipated that it could achieve its growth projections between 2025 and 2032. The Plan did not attribute any job or population growth to the Mining land use areas (pg. 4-9). This suggests that development of the SDA is not imminent until after 2025- 2032, which is compatible with the anticipated development schedule for the SDA (see Table 1 in Section 1.2 of this application). The Plan states that the discussions at the Comprehensive Plan Task Force meetings and public meetings has been to guide the future development of the Mining area toward a combination of Commercial and Industrial uses close to existing and proposed roadway infrastructure (pg. 5-13). The SDA is consistent with these discussions as it provides for Industrial uses associated with mining and landfilling and provides the opportunity for Commercial end uses adjacent to major roadway infrastructure. The Draft EIS found that "the proposed project is compatible with the existing and future land uses in the project area" (pg. 4, see Exhibit 2). The SDA is guided for mining, which is an industrial use, and landfilling is, per the Draft EIS, an industrial use. The Solid Waste Facility Overlay district is compatible with the underlying Agricultural Conservation zoning district since the existing landfill is zoned Agricultural Conservation and Solid Waste Facility Overlay district. • • How compatib/e is it with surrounding properties? Adjacent land uses include TH 169, landfill, mining, the City's Railroad Hiking Trail, and rural residential uses. The Draft EIS found that "the proposed Landfill expansion is compatible with the existing land uses in the project area which are primarily undeveloped or industrial (i.e., mining, landfill) in nature" (pg. 80, see Exhibit 2). The ERL intends to enhance the existing screening plans to effectively screen views of the landfill from TH 169, 221St Avenue and the City's Railroad Hiking Trail. The purpose of the proposed buffers and screening plan is to minimize potential impacts on less intensive land uses, including residential properties located near the SDA. The purpose of the 200-foot wooded buffer between the City's Railroad Hiking Trail and the grading limits of the landfill is to buffer and screen the landfill from trail users and residents located west of the SDA. The existing berm along TH 169 will be enhanced to form a triple row of evergreens and deciduous trees to screen the landfill from the residence located across TH 169 from the landfill. The proposed end use options planned for the site would be compatible with any adjacent future residential development to the west, and can provide an amenity for future residents. The end use concepts provide for public access of the spectacular view of the Rice Lake wetland complex to the west of the site that would otherwise not be visible from any other vantage point. The open space and recreational uses will be integrated into the planned trail system, which includes the potential for a trail connecting the existing neighborhoods to the west to the site and the City's Railroad Hiking Trail. • Elk River Landfill SDA ~ # Bonestroo -~Wend< Section 3-2 Land Use Application ,~R„~,~ ..o , 4