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Memo/Planning Commission/ZC 98-1 <br />February 24, 1998 <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />General Land Use Pattern <br /> <br />As mentioned above there were several constraints which need to be <br />considered in designing the new road corridor's alignment. One of the goals <br />staff wanted to achieve with this new road corridor is to draw a strong <br />distinction between land use patterns as they would develop along this <br />corridor. Therefore, as the road meandered around the various physical <br />boundaries and natural features, there appeared to be a logical land use <br />pattern occurring. Because of the existing trees and varying topography, the <br />residential zoning on the east and proposed commercial and industrial <br />development west of the new road corridor achieved the goal of creating <br />consistent land use pattern. Anytime a roadway can be used as a means of <br />land use transition it provides opportunity to aesthetically separate two land <br />uses with various landscaping treatments and also add in the physical <br />distance between land uses. <br /> <br />Criteria Considered for Rezonings <br /> <br />One of the Economic Development Strategic Plan components was to identify <br />possible industrial opportunities within the City. The criteria to locate these <br />opportunities included the following: <br /> <br />Located within the urban service district <br />Proximity to city utilities <br />Transportation (including rail access) <br />Topography <br />Property owners <br />Natural features/wetlands <br />Adjacent land uses <br />Highway visibility <br /> <br />Considering these criteria, the east Elk River project seemed like a natural <br />fit to adjust the land use and rezoning to allow industrial and commercial on <br />the west side of the road. The east side would remain residential because of <br />its strong natural characteristics and planned residential further to the east. <br />Below is a list of criteria and an explanation how the criteria apply to the <br />arras proposed for rezoning: <br /> <br />Transportation - One criteria used to support the rezoning related to the <br />areas was ability to gain access to the new roadway and ultimately, to the <br />existing highway system. Not only did the area allow for convenient <br />truck/vehicle access, but also provided an opportunity if a company <br />demanded rail access from the Burlington Northern Railroad. <br /> <br />f:\shrdoc\planning\pc\zc98-1.doc <br /> <br /> <br />