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

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Case File: CU 09-12 ERL CUP Page 5 City of Elk Rivex Several general land use policies must be considered when determining if the project is consistent with the overall vision of the Plan or vision of the City. Some of the policies that should be considered for this proposal are: • Provide a balanced land use pattern that supports a sustainable mix of jobs and housing. • Guide the scale of development to be consistent with surrounding land uses and general character • Guide commercial land use to areas that can utilize an appropriately designed transportation system without infringing upon residential neighborhoods. • Allow commercial areas to develop where they can be designed to be compatible with surrounding land uses. • Include adequate buffering of commercial and industrial development when adjacent to non- compatible land uses. • Require adequate transition and buffers between differing, non-compatible land uses, making use of natural land characteristics, whenever possible. • Require development proposals to consider the impacts on transportation and natural systems beyond the boundaries of their individual projects. The Land Use Element goal is to guide the use of land in order to realize the vision for the future of Elk River. Land use patterns help define community identity and the organization of residential, business, and public uses. They influence how people choose to live, work and play in the community. The land use element in the Comprehensive Plan promotes strong residential neighborhoods, a flourishing industrial base, a vibrant downtown core, focused commercial areas and numerous recreational opportunities. This element considers broad community patterns and questions such as: • How much growth should be anticipated and accommodated? • Where should growth occur? • How do land uses relate to the natural environment and to one another? The Land Use Plan provides the framework for the growth and development of Elk River. The Plan is built on the existing community patterns and attempts to achieve the desired vision for the future of Elk River. The Plan designates the existing landfill as "Landfill" and the expansion axea as "Mining." The land to the east of the existing and proposed SDA is zoned Commercial Reserve. This land use is reserved for future commercial development such as highway business uses. The proposed SDA is currently classified "mining." The Plan provides that the gravel mining area be guided for future development of commercial and industrial uses. The proposed SDA is located adjacent to a future intersection which has great potential for locating commercial-industrial property. Throughout the Comprehensive Plan, there is emphasis on having available commercial-industrial property to attract commercial-industrial development. This is important to the City as this type of development builds a community's tax base and creates more job opportunities. Another fundamental element mentioned throughout the Comprehensive Plan is the need to establish and maintain a positive community image, by maintaining the edges and buffers that define and protect S:\PLANNING MAIN\Case Files\CUP\CU 09-12 Elk River Landfill Inc\Staff report to PC-CU 09-12.doc