5.4. SR 09-14-2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 4 of 7 As previously discussed, commercial or light-industrial development opportunities will be possible along the eastern and southern portions of the SDA property. Located at the northern edge of the City of Elk River, the future development of this area provides an opportunity to welcome new and old visitors with features that emphasize renewable energy and sustainable development and tie into the City's reputation as Energy City, and a regional resource in the energy marketplace. Potential development would be significantly benefited by the ability of these sites to utilize the green energy developed by the Landfill to reduce energy costs. These cost savings may be in the form of reduced heating costs from the use of the excess heat from either of the landfill-gas-to-energy plants or the landfill itself, or from several other available energy related opportunities that may become available as economics make them feasible. Such an Energy or Eco Park when combined with the existing Environmental Learning Center, adjacent natural habitat, trails and wetlands may also foster public interaction and become a destination for educational uses as well as recreational, business and commercial uses. As previously discussed with City Staff and the Parks and Recreation Board, It is anticipated that the end use development could be broken into approximately four phases (Figure 7). Each development phase will coincide with the facility's closure of that area of the Landfill and other on-site development activities. Incoming waste volumes will determine the actual date of development activities. Until final closure of the Landfill, portions of the park/trail system located on the east side of the City's Railroad Trail would only operate during hours the Landfill is in operation. Phase 1 • Development of majority of screening around the perimeter of the property. • Install initial phase of plantings along the berms and buffer property. • Development of a trail system in the northern portion of the MSW Landfill, near the City's border with Livonia Township. • Modify Landfill infrastructure (such as gas extraction wells) with locking mechanisms to prevent damage or harm to trail users. • Development of an initial phase of a wetland trail in Rice Lake wetland complex. • Construction of scenic overlooks, educational pavilion, and environmental interpretive boards along trail system. • Connect Facility's northern trail system and the wetland trail with City trail (note that the Facility's trail system would have to be locked when the Facility was not in operation). • Construct a parking area in the northern portion of the MSW portion of the Facility for use by people utilizing the trail system. • Construction of an additional landfill-gas-to-energy facility. Phase 2 • Development of additional screening around perimeter of property as necessary • Extend trail and overlooks toward the south • Install additional planting as may be necessary Phase 3 • Develop entrance from 221St Avenue and parking in southwest portion of the site for use by users of the. City trail. • Extend trail and overlooks towards the south • Install additional plantings • Install additional parking