7A, Draft Guiding Plan for B2 District

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land Use and Public Improvements Plan Illustrative Guiding Plan Several of the principles conveyed in this land use plan and the district design guidelines have been expressed in the Illustrative Guiding Plan, Figure 11, on the next page. That sketch is meant to illustrate one possible way in which this plan might be realized but is certainly not the only development pattern. The market may propose a wide variety of additional building patterns that are just as desirable (if not more so) and which are also consistent with this plan and the City's zoning regulations. The major ideas illustrated by the Illustrative Guiding Plan are: · Mixture of Land Uses: There should be a mixture of land uses along County Road E including retail and service businesses that serve the local market, high-density housing (general market or seniors, rental or owned), and corporate or professional offices. Some of these activities may be combined on the same site or in the same building. Overall, land would be intensively used. I · Redevelopment Opportunities: There are several major redevelopment opportunities available over the next 25 years: the former Holiday Inn site, Arden Plaza and the adjacent ~'TCF Bank" site, the Pot 0' Gold Bingo property, and the several industrial and commercial properties in the middle of the corridor. · Building Relationship to the Street: Buildings should be located along County Road E with parking to the rear. There should be no parking between future buildings and any public street. · Parking: Parking may be accommodated in well-landscaped surface lots and/or in attractive structures. · Improvements to County Road E: County Road E should be reconstructed to include a landscaped median, boulevard trees, protected left-turn lanes, bicycling lanes and continuous concrete sidewalks. · Traffic Signal: A new traffic signal should be installed between Lexington Avenue and Pine Tree Drive to serve the former Holiday Inn property and the enlarged and redeveloped Arden Plaza site. Shared access between the Arden Plaza site and the adjacent office park to the new traffic signal should be reviewed. · Private Site Landscaping: Each new development should be attractively landscaped. · Entry Feature: There should be entry feature landscaping, lighting and public art at the eastern and western ends of the corridor. · Bicyclist and Pedestrian Connection: A bicyclist and pedestrian bridge should be built over Minnesota Highway 51 or accommodations should be made for non- motorized traffic when the auto bridge is rebuilt. · Civic Focal Point: A public or private green should be created north of County Road E. 4-10 Guiding Plan for the 82 District 20 October