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character and arrangement reinforces the <br />higher standard of development proposed <br />and improves the overall legibility of the <br />system from what exists today. The <br />following paragraphs provide the intended <br />transformation of the downtown area's <br />roadway system from a set of narrow <br />roadways that lack a unique sense of <br />character to an understandable system of <br />roads with high quality pedestrian space <br />and an image that reflects the higher <br />standard of development desired for <br />downtown. <br />Existing Conditions on CSAH 14 at County <br />County State Aid Highway 14 <br />Improvements <br />One of the primary objectives of the plan is <br />to improve the overall understandability and <br />perceived quality of the transportation <br />system. Characteristics and access <br />associated with County State Aid Highway <br />(CSAH) 14 are critical components to <br />achieving this objective. Anoka County is <br />currently planning on constructing <br />improvements to County Road 14 in 2007. <br />The road will be widened from a 50 foot <br />right-of-way (ROW) to 100 feet. Many <br />buildings and properties on the north side of <br />CSAH 14 will be taken by the County. <br />Utility improvements will also be made. <br />This project can become a catalyst for <br />downtown change. <br />The Development Guidelines recommend <br />pedestrian scale improvements by <br />relocating the proposed trail system on the <br />south side of CSAH 14 to Heritage Street <br />Downtown Centerville <br />Master Plan & Development Guidelines <br />and by eliminating mid -block access to <br />parking areas. Instead, the parking areas <br />would gain access from Sorel Street or <br />Progress Road. This allows for increased <br />on -street parking and a safer pedestrian <br />environment. Additional amenities like <br />decorative street lighting, shade trees, <br />benches, planters and hanging baskets will <br />begin to create a unique sense of place <br />downtown. With these recommended <br />enhancements, CSAH 14 will become a <br />quality first impression to downtown <br />Centerville, will accommodate future traffic <br />needs and become an amenity for business <br />owners within the downtown area. <br />County Road 21 Improvements <br />Although the County has no current plans <br />for CSAH 21 (Centerville Road) aside from <br />improvements to the block south of CSAH <br />14) the Development Guidelines <br />recommend a desired street section for <br />Centerville Road that improves the <br />pedestrian environment, introduces on - <br />street parking and continues the pedestrian <br />amenities recommended for CSAH 14. <br />The first section on page 13 depicts Anoka <br />County's proposed configuration of CSAH <br />21. The section below that illustrates the <br />Development Guidelines recommended <br />design for CSAH 21. It is important to note <br />that increasing the ROW width on <br />Centerville Road will have a significant <br />impact on existing property owners on the <br />west side of Centerville Road. The existing <br />parcel sizes have a depth of 150 feet. <br />Reducing this depth by 15 feet will make <br />these parcels difficult to redevelop given <br />parking requirements for retail and <br />commercial. The Master Plan illustrates a <br />shared parking situation with St. <br />Genevieve's that would provide additional <br />parking for the church and businesses along <br />Centerville Road. It is important that this <br />arrangement be resolved prior to any <br />expansion of the Centerville Road ROW. <br />January 4, 2006 Page 11 of 34 <br />