HomeMy WebLinkAbout10F - Report on Downtown Redeve
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MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
AGENDA ITEM:
DISCUSSION:
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
January 6, 2003 ~
10F
Frank Boyles, City Manage~
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A REPORT REGARDING THE DOWNTOWN.
History: last year, the 2020 Vision and Strategic Plan was prepared by a 65-
member Long-Range Planning committee representing many segments of the
Prior lake community. The long-Range Planning committee felt strongly that the
Downtown area should be connected to the lake via CSAH 21, However, no
action has been taken since the adoption of the Strategic Plan to implement this
objective. This agenda item is intended to solict Council feedback regarding the
most appropriate steps to take to bring the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning
Ordinance into agreement with the 2020 Vision and Strategic Plan with respect to
the Downtown area.
Current Circumstances: The City's Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance
do not identify the Downtown area as extending westerly to the lake at the Wagon
Bridge. While it is obvious that this objective will not be achieved in the near
future, it is important that the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance
accurately reflect the community's long-term desires. Such action adds clarity to
the City's long-term desires and helps existing and prospective property owners
in the affected area to plan for the future.
To change the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance requires a number of
steps. At minimum, the Planning Commission would conduct public hearings if the
City Council decided that the City should initiate this effort, Other steps are
desirable as well. It is likely that residents who would be affected by this action
have the opportunity to become familiar with the 2020 Vision and Strategic Plan
through one or more public meetings. At the meeting, input could be solicited from
the public about Downtown redevelopment. This input could be valuable in
defining the specific long-term boundaries of the Downtown on either side of
CSAH 21.
To assure that all relevant variables receive consideration, the Council could
initiate a study to determine the appropriate Comprehensive Plan and Zoning
Ordinance classification of the Downtown area, To preclude the possibility that
developmental actions are taken which are inconsistent with long-term plans, the
Council could consider establishing a moratorium prohibiting development in the
area until the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance amendments are
completed.
16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E.. Prior Lake. Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (952) 447-4230 / Fax (952) 447-4245
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Conclusion: If the Downtown is to extend to the lake, then reVISions to the
Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance are necessary. The Council should
determine how it wishes to proceed in this regard.
ISSUES:
The staff concurs that one or more public meetings would be appropriate to help
property owners have effective input in the process. By proposing that a study be
conducted, objective information can be prepared which supports the ultimate
configuration of the Downtown area based upon market and traffic considerations.
The initiation of a moratorium will be innocuous since only one 5-acre property in
this area would be affected. All other parcels are occupied with structures.
ALTERNATIVES: (1) Direct the staff to prepare an interim ordinance to initiate a Downtown area
study and moratorium including public meetings.
(2) Take no action,
(3) Direct the preparation of additional information prior to taking any action.
RECOMMENDED
MOTION:
Alternative (1), We believe that meetings with the public are needed early on so
they can be informed and heard.
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