5.4. SR 09-14-2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 3 of 7 Figure 4, submitted to Council at the August 17th meeting, is a future view from along 221St Avenue. Figure 4 shows that with the enhanced screening berm and the reduced footprint, the Landfill will effectively be screen from view along 221St Avenue. Figure 5 represents the view from along Highway 169 looking north, with existing views, interim views (immediately following construction of the screening berm) and final views (during the active life of the last cell of the landfill). With the exception of the few modifications described above, all based on comments received by members of the City Council, Elk River Planning Commission or City Staff, the bulk Elk River Landfill's Land Use Application as submitted on March 30th remains the same, especially with regard to the future land use of the 109-acre parcel. Indeed the design modifications relate to issues that are more appropriately dealt with in the CUP process. Rezoning approval do not get into permit conditions. Future Use of the Landfill -End Use In 2001/2002 when the Elk River Landfill began working on the design of the SDA, ERL staff began work with the City on the development of conceptual end use possibilities. Following completion of several meetings and Workshops in 2002, an End Use Masfer Plan was developed. This end use plan reflected a vision for the area to be a passive recreational use with some commercial opportunity along the highway. As the Landfill began preparing to formally submit an application to the City of Elk River for the continued development onto the SDA, the 2002 end use planning materials were reviewed. However, based on discussions with City staff and some Council Members, the Landfill determined that the 2002 documents may need to be updated to better reflect the desires of the City and the vision the City has for the Highway 169 corridor. Thus, the Landfill worked with the City to develop four end use concepts that included a passive use park, an active use park, a park with energy related opportunities, and the development of a park at an off-site location. In the end, City staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission reaffirmed the vision for the area from 2002, recommending the end use for the facility be a combination of passive recreational use with some commercial opportunity at the intersection of Highway 169 and 221St Avenue. As shown conceptually on the attached Figure 6 and 7, a future passive use park would include several trails winding around and through the more level upper part of the site. Overlooks would be located near the upper edges of the site in order to take advantage of views in all directions. Overlooks to the Rice Lake Wetland could also include interpretive boards to explain the significant features of the wetland and the importance of wetlands to environmental health. The trails would connect to the City owned trail system located on the old railroad bed, may also include Rice Lake wetland trails developed on property owned by the ERL, and connect to other trails or parks in the area (Sugarbush in Livonia Township). This extensive trail system would link together a series of scenic overlooks, boardwalks, and landscape ecosystems that would offer additional environmental interpretive opportunities. Parking will be available, but minimized to presence as much open space as possible. The overall landscape of the facility will include prairie, woodland, savanna, and wetland. Areas within the closed landfill will be mostly native grasses and flowers, which by their nature will attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The areas not directly over the closed landfill will consist of transitional savanna and woodland plantings, including upland tree species and grasses. The majority of the land owned by the ERL on the west side of the City trail would be wetlands, with additional area of woodland. This open space will provide critical habitat to the area. Concept plan sketches prepared as part of the end use planning process for the Landfill's end use are included as Figures 8 and 9. The drawings include a series of sketches of the trails and overlooks envisioned for the closed Landfill.