1997 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - Laserfiche WebLink

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43.I Density of Residential Development Consistent with the -goat :of maintaining a "small town" environment in a natural setting, the City of Gem Lake. will seek to maintain a low; - density residential development pattern (approximately. 0.3 .to 1.0 dwelling units per net. acre). This commitment responds to substantial pressure from developers who seek -to -construct higher density developments. It is the position of Gem Lake that the community's existing natural_ resource base, its existing -land use, its limited ability .to provide a wide range ol= urban services, combined with the planned allowance of higher development densities within other eohimuriities: within a reasonable. radius.of Gem -Lake; all substantiate the. City's position. Furthermore, the residents of'Gem Lake have expressed the. desire to maintain a low density community. Cluster development may.he.. a option -to consider in that -it preserves niore.open.space and Carl lead to a.inore. efficient provision of utilities. 4.3.1 Limited Commercial Expansion While Gem Lake -has provided some additional space for commercial expansion within its corporate limitsjt is recognized.thaf there will, be increased pressures for commercial expansion loth along U.S, Highway 61 and along County 'Road E at the south corporate limits. (Tlii$ is a.mr jor,conflict between the Gem Lake. and Vadnais Heights.plans.) While these pressures are recognized, it is the City's intention to maintain a stance: of commercial containment in accordance with the plan on the grounds. that. (a) there. is veurrently .a higher ratio of commercial development. -to residential, development than the average (measured both in terms bf acres. of Iand and employees), (b) at ultimate development there will. be a normal ratio Of commercial to residential development, (c) additional commercial expansion would undermine the low-density-chakacter desired. in the City, and A ample.land.for commercial development is available in other communities in'the vicinity. 4.3.3 Quality of New Construction and Maintenance of the Existing Man -Made Environment Consistent with the goal:of*ltaving a high quality and aesthetic man- made. environment, the City of Gem Lake intends to vigorously ensure that all new development. within the. community is of high standards based on various implementation controls and procedures. The City further intends to ensure high quality maiaterance of exit man-made structures (e.g., facades; signage, etc.) based on vigorous qn orcement of regulatory controls. These controls include', but arenot limited to, subdivision regulations; zoning regulations,. housing and building code regulations, sign regulations, landscape regulations and tree preservation regulations. It is anticipated that these measures may be resisted by some:land-developers, community Comprehensive Plan Gem Lake, Minnesota Page 18