2011 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Gem Lake Gateway and Village Center Special Planning District (Mixed Use) This area is located at and near to the intersection of County Road E and U.S. Highway 61 where major transportation nodes and high sewer capacity are available. Roughly 13 percent of the total land in the City is found in this District. It will be guided for mixed use development, at an approximate 50/50 mix of residential and commercial/business uses. The actual percentages may vary dependent upon the project. Subsequent development that is planned for "Mixed Use" under the Figure 2 - Future Land Use Map will be developed in a tiered fashion, to minimize the visual feel of the existing single family neighborhoods and preserve the value of existing homes. The minimum density in this area is three units per acre and the maximum is six units per acre (assumes this density will be necessary for providing an adequate amount of affordable housing). The Gem Lake "Gateway and Village Centers Vision Corridor Master Plan" document provides more specific details on how this could be accomplished. The Master Plan graphics are found on upcoming pages. Open Space The City has a small amount of land that could potentially be classified as future "Open Space." This area consists of less than 1 percent of the total acreage of the City. It is located adjacent to U.S. Highway 61 and consists of passive open space. The land is comprised mainly of wetlands and other small water features that could support a hiking or biking trail along U.S. Highway 61. The City of Gem Lake projects that it will acquire the property through direct purchase or by developer dedication during this planning period. Recreational Open Space Approximately 60 acres of residentially zoned land is identified as recreational open space within the City of Gem Lake. This area is currently used as a private golf course and is located in the northern portion of the City. The course is abutted by "Single Family Estate," "Single Family Executive" and "Single Family Residential" land uses. By all accounts, the course is economically viable and is not projected to develop as a different use during this planning period. The City of Gem Lake desires that this golf course /recreational space use continue in the future. Based on past zoning practices, the owner's wishes, and the City's likely inability to purchase the golf course property at any point in this planning period, the golf course will continue as a conditional use within residential zones, likely a mix of "Single Family Executive" and "Single Family Residential," based on its location in the City. Public/Institutional Open Space The White Bear Montessori School is located at the southwestern corner of the City and comprises the only public land use at this time. No expansion of this area is expected. SE H 5.0 land goals and policies I page 19