5.8. SR 06-21-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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BACKGROUND • OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES Existing conditions for 171st 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: 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 o f the study area. » Orientation and access to Highway to/tdg: A primary transportation corridor in the northwest metro, Highway to/169 has the potential to draw new of Tice, retail and industrial uses within the FAST area. In the near term, smaller more service oriented uses could develop near the existing signal at 171st to help serve the commuter rail station and residents o f southeast Elk River. Longer term with the transition o f the roadway into a freeway section, larger retail and of fice users would likely be attracted to the new interchange location. The visibility provided by Highway to/t6g alone is a tremendous asset f or the 171st Avenue FAST. The volume o f tra f f is moving through the interchange at the Highway tot & to/169 provides high visibility for a potential iconic development in the north, while at the southern end o f the study area the vast acres of agricultural land provide a threshold f or another iconic { 10 17181. CJV2r1U@ Focused Area STudy ~ •" ~~ t~ :~ ti ~` w". ~ a~ ~. t -. bookend development and views deep into the site. The RDF plant may have the potential to reinvent itsel f as an iconic anchor f or 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 strongcommunity corridor. Nearly all businesses and residents o f east Elk River will utilize Twin Lakes Parkway f or access to and f rom the larger regional highway system. Streetscape enhancements, appropriate lighting, landscapingand 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 for establishing the development and transportation patterns and can Figure z.5 Opportunities and Challenges Map