02-27-1988 PC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . .. JOINT MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION/CITY COUNCIL SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 27. 1988 HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM Councilmembers Present: Mayor Schuldt; Gunkel. Counciloembers Councilmember Tral1e Holmgren. arrived at Dobel. 9:15 a.m. Planning Commission Members Present: Chairman Kropuenske. Commissioners Kimball. Barrett. Fuchs. Morton and Johnson Planning Commission Members Absent: Commissioner Olson Staff Present: Steve Rohlf. Building and Zoning Administrator; Pat K1aers. City Administrator Mayor Gunkel called the meeting to order at 8:45 a.m. Mayor Gunkel indicated that it had been approximately one year since the City Council and Planning Commission had gotten together for a joint meeting on issues of mutual concern. She indicated that no formal agenda was put together for this meeting as it was planned that an open discussion between members would take place on any issue or concern that was relevant to City business and activities. The first topic discussed was the City's "junk" ordinance. pole barns and different uses for structures in the agricultural zone. Concern was expressed about enforcement of the junk vehicle ordinance inside the core village area or urban district and how the definition of what is "junk" differs from the urban area and the rural areas. Members of both groups expressed concern over the profliferation of uses of pole barns in the agricultural zone. The general consensus was that these pole barns should be used for an agricultural purpose and that home occupations or commercial activities (i.e. storage facilities) should not be allowed. The Building and Zoning Administrator indicated that this was one of the many issues he was planning to discuss with the City Attorney in the next few weeks. The second topic discussed by tbe group related to apartments in general and subsidized apartments in particular. Mayor Gunkel indicated that the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) is starting to receive more requests for comments on proposals where part of an apartment complex is dedicated to low and moderate income individuals or where the entire complex is for these income groups. Discussion related to the appropriate locations for apartments within Elk River and the need for any apartment complex to be hooked up to the municipal utilities systems. It was the consensus of the group that the City has an obligation to provide such housing opportunity in Elk River. but that the location of these housing opportunities should be disbursed throughout the community. The City Administrator indicated that through approval of the Growth Management Plan. that both the City Council and the Planning Commission would have a great deal of input on the location of apartments through revisions and changes in the zoning map and land use map.