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Gem Lake News Page 5 of 8 <br /> <br />Continued from page 4 <br />PLACETYPES <br />A placetype represents a holistic vision for a place that incorporates a desired mix of land uses, design, identity, and <br />density. The description is a combination of actual and aspirational characteristics. <br />ACTUAL includes description & Land Use, Key intersections, Existing Conditions and Strengths, Weaknesses, <br />Opportunities, and Threats (S.W.O.T.). <br />ASPIRATIONAL includes Pedestrian Amenities, Wayfinding, Catalyst Projects, and Inspiration <br />There are currently 5 identified placetypes along County Road E. (below) as demonstrated on the following graphics: <br />Regional Center, Auto Gateway, Community Center, Suburban Residential Corridor, and Neighborhood Center. <br /> <br />Regional <br />Center <br />Auto-oriented use <br />includes gas <br />stations, strip <br />centers, big box <br />stores, medical <br />and professional <br />offices, hospitality <br />use, and <br />pharmacy and <br />convenience <br />stores. <br />Auto-Gateway <br />Auto-centric <br />intersection that will <br />always be car <br />dominated and <br />therefore primarily <br />serves as a gateway <br />to individuals <br />arriving via car. <br />Large car <br />dealerships, big <br />setbacks, high traffic <br />volume, long <br />pedestrian <br />crossings. <br />Community Center <br />Mix of commercial and <br />residential that contains <br />retail or service uses <br />servicing the local market <br />area extending across the <br />three cities. While most <br />buildings are currently <br />single-story in an auto <br />oriented recent development <br />includes multistory <br />apartment buildings allowing <br />for the highest density place <br />type along the corridor with <br />true mixed use. <br />Suburban <br />Residential Corridor <br />Primarily single-family <br />homes with a scattering of <br />duplexes on medium sized <br />lots with large front yard <br />setbacks. This area also <br />includes institutional and <br />civic uses such as schools, <br />fire stations and churches. <br />Some single-family homes <br />have been converted to <br />commercial but are still in <br />single family home <br />structures setback with front <br />yards. <br />Neighborhood Center <br />They contain lower intensity <br />neighborhood serving <br />commercial uses and are <br />positioned along the edges of <br />surrounding neighborhoods. <br />These should have human scale <br />pedestrian amenities to allow <br />walking and biking from <br />surrounding neighborhood to <br />the commercial spaces. Most <br />sites include single story <br />buildings with vehicle parking <br />positioned between it and <br />County Road E currently serving <br />as a barrier to pedestrians and <br />bicycle access. <br />On April 30, 2025, County Road E Branding/Marketing/Placemaking committee members and representatives from <br />the cities of White Bear Lake, Gem Lake and Vadnais Heights offered final approval to CivicBrand’s County Road E <br />branding and marketing proposal. ‘Movement E’ was developed based off of feedback from citizens, stakeholders <br />and community members, and focused on five principles: <br />• Build off ‘Eʼ versus introducing a new name <br />• Intentional daily destination - the place where East Metro gets everything done <br />• Gateway to diverse experiences, activities and services <br />• Look to the future but feel realistic today <br />• Shared ownership across city boundaries <br />This is an exciting project. Stay tuned for more information as we continue through the E Movement. <br />