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• IV. RESIDENTIAL PLAN <br />A. INTRODUCTION <br />As the metropolitan area continues to grow, Elk River will be faced with a demand for residential <br />development. The City recognizes these development pressures and is poised to provide a <br />variety of residential housing opportunities. Most importantly, orderly development will enhance <br />the opportunity for cost effective extensions of municipal services. <br />B. GOALS AND POLICIES <br />The following is a summary of the City's goals and objectives as they relate to residential <br />development. <br />1. GOAL: Encourage the development of a quality residential community which retains a <br />semi -rural atmosphere while accommodating growing housing needs. <br />POLICIES: <br />• Guide the type and location of development to achieve an orderly development <br />pattern consistent with the semi -rural character of the community. <br />• Continue the low- density residential development pattern through the use of open <br />space areas and the designation of buffer areas between non - compatible land <br />• uses. <br />• Encourage a mix in housing opportunities in terms of costs and size while <br />encouraging a high degree of architectural and site planning integrity. <br />• Provide for, in appropriate circumstances, a Planned Unit Development (PUD) <br />approach which, through the use of varying site design standards, allows for creative <br />residential development balancing the desires of the city and development <br />community. <br />• Encourage "cluster developments" in residential areas particularly in the A -1 and R la <br />zoning districts. <br />• Develop a policy where townhomes are an appropriate land use. <br />• Residential Housing standards should be reviewed regularly to ensure neighborhoods <br />maintain integrity and avoid deteriorating market value. <br />2. GOAL: Ensure that residential developments provide adequate facilities to maintain an <br />efficient level of service. <br />POLICIES: <br />• Adhere to an assessment policy for the extension of water and sewer lines to <br />accommodate new development. The policy shall provide for equitable assessment <br />of the improvement costs while protecting the City's taxpayers and financial <br />• commitment. <br />K9 <br />