5. EDSR 06-14-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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BACKGROUND OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES Existing conditions for i7ist Avenue FAST present terrific opportunities, as well as numerous challenges. This master plan looks to capitalize on the inherent opportunities within the study area and address the challenges that exist today. A summary of opportunities and challenges follows: ~; 91~ - 4 ~, c~~;n ~... est~ i. ~.;.. ~~ _.. a. .., Opportunities » Northstar Commuter Rail Station: The Northstar Commuter Rail Station will likely bring additional traffic increasing development interest. In the long term, as the Northstar commuter rail continues to mature by adding trains, extending the line north to St. Cloud and providing more reverse commute trips, the Northstar line will continue to play a key role in the evolution of the study area. » Orientation and access to Highway ~0/~69: A primary transportation corridor in the northwest metro, Highway io/169 has the potential to draw new o f f ice, retail and industrial uses within the FAST area. In the near term, smaller more service oriented uses could develop near the existing signal at ~7ist to help serve the commuter rail station and residents o f southeast Elk River. Longer term with the transition o f the roadway into o f reeway section, larger retail and o f f ice users would likely be attracted to the new interchange location. The visibility provided by Highway ~0/~69 alone is a tremendous asset for the ~7~st Avenue FAST. The volume o f tra f fic moving through the interchange at the Highway poi & ~o/~6g provides high visibility for a potential iconic development in the north, while at the southern end o f the study area the vast acres o f agricultural land provide a threshold for another iconic ,.,. , - € ~ -~ ~-o. Jr :~t ~~ ., bookend development and views deep into the site. The RDF plant may have the potential to reinvent itsel f as an iconic anchor for the area at the southern gateway to Energy City. » Twin Lakes Parkway: Envisioned as the sub-regional collector for east Elk River, Twin Lakes Parkway has the potential to be a strong community corridor. Nearly all businesses and residents o f east Elk River will utilize Twin Lakes Parkway for access to and from the larger regional highway system. Streetscape enhancements, appropriate lighting, landscaping and pedestrian amenities along the corridor will help trans form Twin Lakes Parkway into a complete street section for automobiles, bikes and pedestrians. The physical design and geometry o f the roadway is an important consideration f or establishing the development and transportation patterns and can 70 17131. pV2(llJ@ Focused Area STudy Figure z.5 Opportunities and Challenges Map