Laserfiche WebLink
!w <br />character and arrangement reinforce 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 Rd. 21 <br />County State Aid Highway 14 <br />Improvements <br />One of the primary objectives of the plan is to <br />improve the overall understandability and <br />perceived quality of the transportation system <br />Characteristics and access associated with <br />County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 14 are <br />critical components to achieving this objective <br />Anoka County is currently planning on <br />constructing improvements to County Road <br />14 in 2007. The road will be widened from a <br />50 foot 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. This <br />project can become a catalyst for downtown <br />change. <br />The Development Guidelines recommend <br />pedestrian scale improvements by relocating <br />the proposed trail system on the south side <br />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 on - <br />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 Although <br />the County has no current plans for CSAH <br />21 (Centerville Road) aside from <br />improvements to the block south of CSAH <br />14) the Development Guidelines recommend <br />a desired street section for Centerville Road <br />that improves the pedestrian environment, <br />introduces on- street parking and continues <br />the pedestrian amenities recommended for <br />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 Centerville <br />Road will have a significant impact on existing <br />property owners on the west side of <br />Centerville Road. The existing parcel sizes <br />have a depth of 150 feet. Reducing this depth <br />by 15 feet will make these parcels difficult to <br />redevelop given parking requirements for <br />retail and commercial. The Master Plan <br />illustrates a 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 30 <br />