6.3.- 6.6. SR 02-09-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ELK RIDGE CENTER I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The project consists of development of an 18.89+ acre property at US Highway 169 and 197th Street, NW into seven commercial parcels. Development will require construction of a public street and public utilities. II. DESIGN CHARACTER A. Site The site layout of Elk Ridge Center is designed to minimize auto movement once a vehicle is parked by offering easy, safe pedestrian movement between buildings. Vehicle access is concentrated on the eastern side of the property to reduce traffic impacts on Irving Street. Parking islands and other unpaved areas will be planted with species of grass, shrubbery and trees native to the Midwest area - establishing a "North-Woods" theme. Most of the buildings are spaced closely together on the widest portion of the site, concentrating density and creating a close, more urban space. This urban feeting is enhanced by wide sidewalks with generous planting beds, pedestrian scale lighting and other site amenities including benches, bike racks and textured, tinted paving. Larger site amenities and building enhancements include timber pergolas and arbors, awnings, sunshades and a timber and steel clock tower at the visitor's plaza. This plaza will be a public gathering area to relax while shopping or enjoy a meal outdoors with stone-faced retaining walls and a naturally planted pond for a backdrop. The plaza and other portions of the site are connected to the neighborhood by several walkways, encouraging non-motorized access to the development. Signage will follow city standards with a common theme throughout the development. No pylon signs will be used. All site lighting will be of full-cutoff design to minimize light pollution off site, especially adjacent to residential areas. B. Buildings The buildings of Elk Ridge Center will continue the "North-Woods" theme with construction materials having muted natural colors such as slate, sand, charcoal, evergreen and cedar. Walls of brick or concrete block will be highlighted with accents of contrasting color and or rough texture. Building entry areas will be enhanced with canopies, timber pergolas and cultured stone wainscot. Increased transparency along public walkways will be encouraged. Storefront frame color and glass, like all other building materials, will come from a palette common to the development. All exterior mechanical devices will be screened with architecturally 1 U:\MDC\MDC0301\DocumentationbA - Architects~A1 Architects File (incl. Arch. notes, etc)\EIk Ridge Center- narrative112403.doc