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<br />City of Gem Lake Comprehensive Plan GEMLK 140643 <br />Page 37 <br />• Cohesive signage design will be required as part of the initial site plan. All signs <br />in this planning area should be similar in design and consistent in appearance. <br />• Adequate “green areas” need to be provided in this planning area to increase the <br />pedestrian-friendly nature of the Gateway area. <br />• An engineered storm water system needs to be designed to gather storm water <br />from each of these planning areas. Adjacent areas may need to work together to <br />provide a conveyance system. <br />• Realignment of Daniels Farm Road and International Drive (located in Vadnais <br />Heights) to provide access to the east mixed use parcel. <br />• The existing “border trees” along County Road E, and also along the railroad <br />tracks on the eastern City limits should remain in place, if possible, or be <br />replaced with new trees and berms. This would insulate each planning area from <br />the noise and traffic coming from County Road E and adjacent industrial areas in <br />Vadnais Heights. <br />• The overall planned density of residential use in the Gateway district should <br />average at least one residence per ½ acre. If senior housing can be staged in <br />these areas, much higher densities may be possible. Multi-family housing may <br />also achieve this goal. <br />Figure 5-6 - Gem Lake Example Concept Site Plans shows how structures might be <br />placed in the areas in the Gateway district mixed use area. <br />The subzones identified in Figure 5-5 - Future Gateway Zone Sub-Zones Map are <br />defined as follows: <br />5.10.2.1 Neighborhood Edge <br />This subzone is intended primarily for lower density residential development, and to act <br />as a transition between new construction and existing single-family detached structures <br />on adjacent lands. This subzone will accommodate single-family dwellings on one acre <br />lots or other appropriate buffers, such as open space. <br />A portion of this subdistrict has already been dedicated as open space. <br />5.10.2.2 Neighborhood General <br />This subzone is intended to accommodate single family structures on compact lots or <br />multi-family structures that look like individual large homes. Garages will be served from <br />an alley, or if from the street, to a turned garage mass. Attached row houses, providing <br />common side walls and vehicular access from an alley or rear parking area, are also <br />suggested. <br />This subdistrict is anticipated to develop at a minimum of 3 units per acre with a <br />maximum of 5 units per acre. <br />5.10.2.3 Neighborhood Mixed-Use <br />This subzone is intended to establish a neighborhood focus that is distinguished by civic <br />buildings, small-scale commercial/business/office and mixed use buildings, together with <br />other residential buildings at higher densities (to support the inclusion of affordable <br />housing) than exist in the “Neighborhood General” zone. This subzone will <br />accommodate a variety of activities and services within easy walking distance from <br />homes, supporting daily convenience shopping and personal service needs, and also <br />providing opportunities for public gathering and social contact.