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City of Gem Lake Comprehensive Plan GEMLK 140643 Page 58 6.3 Transportation Policies The following policies have been established by the municipal government of Gem Lake to enhance the quality of transportation for citizens of the community: • The need to establish arterial and collector routes serving the northeastern metropolitan area is recognized and supported by the City. As identified in previous studies and plans, the relocation of Otter Lake Road to connect directly to County Road F and the connection of Labore Road and White Bear Parkway can further this goal. • Gem Lake’s desire to maintain a rustic, natural environment will inform any impact that an increase in traffic may have on the City’s road system and residential neighborhoods. • Gem Lake encourages the incorporation of parkway design criteria and the use of natural landscape barriers in any reconstruction of arterial and connector routes. (e.g., potential future Labore Road/White Bear Parkway connection.) • Consistent with the City’s desire to maintain a low profile government, further development of private roads serving more than one property will be encouraged.. However, the City should strictly oversee the development of any private roads to ensure that City construction and design standards and specifications are met. • The basic arterial and collector road system of Gem Lake has been established. Therefore, future streets should be designed to channel local traffic onto County Road E, Labore Road and Goose Lake Road. Accommodating through traffic on new streets will be discouraged. • Because Gem Lake has no natural outlet, all future streets should be designed to prevent additional surface water runoff into Gem Lake and its attendant wetlands. • The City of Gem Lake has limited need for public transit service due to planned low density development. However, it will cooperate with adjacent communities to secure improved bus service as needed along its Minor Arterial street system, and with a future Rush Line BRT service as identified in the Met Council’s Increase Revenue Scenario. Bus service in other areas of the City will be discouraged consistent with its planned low density and desired rustic environment. • Gem Lake officially recognizes that any development affecting navigational air space within the community is subject to Minnesota Department of Transportation, Aeronautics Division, and Regulations. The community will routinely consider such regulations as part of the development review process. • The operation of private airports, including heliports and seaplane bases, is prohibited in Gem Lake. • Gem Lake encourages the future development of hiking/biking trails on the Burlington Northern right-of-way along the eastern boundary of the City, and on the Canadian National Railroad right-of-way along the northern boundary. The City will work with adjacent communities and provide access and pedestrian/bike connections to trails.