11.1 SR 09-03-2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Elk River Vision A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity Request for Action To City Council Item Number 11.1 Meeting Date September 3, 2024 Prepared By Zack Carlton, Community Development Director Item Description Concept Review: Holzem Properties - Kent Roessler Reviewed by Zack Carlton Cal Portner Tina Allard Action Requested Provide staff and the applicant with informal, non-binding, feedback regarding their proposed residential project. Background/Discussion The applicant requests initial feedback regarding a proposed residential subdivision near Twin Lakes Elementary School and along the city’s border with Nowthen. The submitted plan proposes a 98-lot single- family subdivision consistent with the R-1b non-sewered zoning standards – 1-acre lots with 160 feet of frontage. The Comprehensive Plan guides the property for Mixed Residential use with city utilities and was included in the utility expansion study completed in early 2023. The study included cost estimates and contemplated funding options for the trunk utilities. Direction from the City Council and Elk River Municipal Utilities have been to work with the developer to install the new infrastructure. The estimated trunk extension costs for the subject site are $36,351/gross acre or $7,161,147. Based on density guidance in the Comprehensive Plan, the developer could expect to construct between 450 and 500 homes, for a trunk utility cost of $15,000 per home. The developer has stated this cost is unaffordable and that his project would not be competitive with other developers currently working within the community. City staff reviewed their concerns and would like direction from the City Council regarding the long-term vision for this area of the city. If the project site were removed from the urban service district and developed as proposed, the remainder of the northeast urban service area would likely no longer be economical, and the Comprehensive Plan should be amended to support larger lots with private wells and septic. Alternatively, if the Council envisions this area as the next phase of urban development and expansion for the community, the current urban service area and feasibility study could be amended to take a closer look at the development potential within the current urban service area. The findings and recommendations in the Page 174 of 197