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• The SDA is consistent with these discussions as it provides for Industrial uses associated with <br />mining and landfilling and provides the opportunity for Commercial end uses adjacent to major <br />roadway infrastructure. <br />The Draft EIS found that "the proposed project is compatible with the existing and future land <br />uses in the project area" (pg. 4, see Exhibit 2). The SDA is guided for mining, which is an <br />industrial use, and landfilling is, per the Draft EIS, an industrial use. <br />^ How compatible is it with surrounding properties? <br />Adjacent existing land uses include TH 169, landfill, mining, the City's Railroad Hiking Trail, and <br />rural residential uses. The Draft EIS found that "the proposed Landfill expansion is compatible <br />with the existing land uses in the project area which are primarily undeveloped or industrial (i.e., <br />mining, landfill) in nature" (pg. 80, see Exhibit 2). <br />The ERL intends to enhance the existing screening plans to effectively screen views of the landfill <br />from TH 169, 221St Avenue and the City's Railroad Hiking Trail. The purpose of the proposed <br />buffers and screening plan is to minimize potential impacts on less intensive land uses, including <br />residential properties located near the SDA. The purpose of the 200-foot wooded buffer between <br />the City's Railroad Hiking Trail and the grading limits of the landfill is to buffer and screen the <br />landfill from trail users and residents located west of the SDA. The existing berm along TH 169 <br />will be enhanced to form a triple row of evergreens and deciduous trees to screen the landfill <br />from the residence located across TH 169 from the landfill. <br />The proposed End Use of the facility includes passive and/or active recreational facilities, <br />• attractive open space and trail connections, all of which will become an asset to the surrounding <br />area upon closure of the landfill. <br />• What are the benefits to the City? <br />The ERL attended the City Council's January 12, 2009 workshop and presented information via a <br />PowerPoint presentation regarding the benefits to the city, which is provided in Exhibit 12 and <br />summarized below: <br />- Over the past 5 years, the landfill has spent $13.9 million ($2.7 million/year) <br />supporting local businesses. <br />- In 2008, the landfill contributed $50,000 in local charitable donations. <br />- Current landfill generates $145,000 in annual property taxes (2008). <br />- Landfill employs 14 people, providing nearly $1 million in employee wages per year. <br />- SDA will generate approximately $1 million in annual City fees through 2030, which <br />represents nearly 10% of the City's budget. <br />- Elk River Landfill will contribute approximately $2 million annually to Sherburne <br />County. A portion of this goes to the Landfill Legacy Grant, from which the City of Elk <br />River obtained over $1 million dollars in 2008 for the YMCA. <br />- The SDA provides several layers of revenue over time for the City, including property <br />taxes, gravel mining fees, landfill fees, end use of property when landfill is capped, <br />and green power. <br />• <br />Elk River Landfill SDA <br />Land Use Application <br />- -----~_ <br />W Section 5-2 <br />Bonestroo <br />Wencl< <br />