Laserfiche WebLink
The Elk River Vision <br />A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community <br />engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity <br /> <br /> <br />Request for Action <br /> <br />To <br />City Council <br />Item Number <br />7.3 <br /> <br />Meeting Date <br />July 15, 2024 <br />Prepared By <br />Chris Leeseberg, Senior Planner <br /> <br />Item Description <br />Zone Change: C-3 (Highway Commercial) to R-3 <br />(Townhome/Multi-Family Residential), 75-00128- <br />3101 - City of Elk River Ordinance 24-17 <br />Reviewed by <br />Zack Carlton <br />Cal Portner <br />Tina Allard <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />Adopt, by motion, Ordinance 24-17 to rezone certain property from Highway Commercial (C3) to <br />Townhouse/Multiple Family Residential (R3) as the rezoning is consistent with the City of Elk River Land Use <br />Plan adopted as part of the City of Elk River Comprehensive Plan. <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br />The Comprehensive Plan, adopted by the City Council in October 2021, includes an updated Land Use Map, <br />guiding the long-term planning of the community. The subject property, currently zoned as Highway <br />Commercial (C3), is guided for Mixed Residential by the Land Use Plan. The mixed residential category <br />consists of neighborhoods with multiple housing types, including single-family detached, townhomes, duplexes, <br />and small-scale multifamily buildings. <br /> <br />To align the zoning with the approved land use, the property should be rezoned. The R3 district is the most <br />suitable option due to the site's numerous wetlands, making it impractical for apartment development. <br /> <br />Planning Commission <br />During the public hearing, several residents spoke against the property being developed, citing increased <br />traffic and safety concerns at the County Road 1 intersection, impacts on the existing trail, and concerns <br />about wetlands/water management. Overall, the neighbors would prefer it not to be developed at all to <br />maintain the natural buffer the property creates. The city cannot prohibit a property from being developed in <br />accordance with state and local codes. <br /> <br />Staff noted that wetlands are protected, the trail is in an easement, and the county has no concerns with the <br />request. <br /> <br />The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of rezoning the parcel from Highway <br />Commercial (C3) to Townhouse/Multiple Family Residential (R3). <br /> <br />Financial Impact <br />None <br />Page 339 of 389