6.1. SR 12-15-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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promote the maintenance of the single-family neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are an important part of Elk River's heritage and identity and offer affordable housing options. The majority of the e,'dsting high density housing is located in the Old Town area. The Old Town designation reflects the need and opportunity, for prese~wation, rehabilitation,revitalization, renovation and redevelopment. Rcdc'ccl<3pmcnt which should be oriented to housing, commercial uses and public spaces that support the existing character of the area. The Old Toxvn area contains a variety of civic features. The School campus forms the north edge of this area. Lion's Park Center, Elk River Library and Handke School are all important civic elements of this area. These facilities provide character and attract people into this area. These facilities build connections with the community and provide market opportunity for local businesses. Parks and natural features play an essential role in the plan for Old Town. This area provides the greatest opportunity for hnproved access and connection with the Mississippi River. Lake Orono creates the ~vestern boundary for this area. Linkages from Old To~vn into the western neighborhoods and civic institutions of western Elk River are important. Community Commercial The Community Commercial land use focuses on community retail develo, These uses are often service and convenience oriented. Development is Vertical mixed use (housin~l over retail and office) A master p/an the integrates a mix of land uses. A pedestrian friendly environment is a characteristic of the Old Town designation. An historic "mainstreet" character should be preserved in downtown. 5 l0 Building the Future - A Corn for Elk River Land Use smaller in size and oriented more to~vards Examples of Community Commercial uses include hardware store, and coffee shop often arranged in a "strip mall" Developments under the community commercial designation tend to con of less than 100,000 square feet of retail and professional services, developing under the Highway Business designation are often in exces,' square feet. The current plan makes use of the Cormnunity Commercial designation. These areas appear as s pockets of retail development along the highway corridors. The the Highway Business and Old Town land uses replace some ex, istmg Commercial areas. In the land use plan, the Community Commercial focuses on neighborhood oriented retail areas with no direct connection high~vay corridors. The Plan for the creation of neighborhood commercial "nodes". These nodes are small of corm~2ercial uses integrated with residential neighborhoods. Specific loc: for these areas of Community Commercial do not appear on the Land U~e Map. The location of these uses will be determined through the development