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• A master plan for the downtown should be undertaken and should include the • opportunity for compatible residential uses with the principal use of office/retail. • The City Council address parking issues in the C-1 zoning district and give consideration to the era in which some of the buildings were constructed, and, should recognize that it may not be economically feasible for potential new businesses in those buildings to provide the same required number of off street parking spaces as required for new construction. Issues facing the downtown have been discussed by many groups. The Elk River Area Chamber of Commercial CBD Task Force has formulated an action plan to ensure that the vitality of the Elk River Central Business District is maintained. The task force plan is attached as Appendix II. The City has begun to explore redevelopment options for property along the Mississippi River. This natural resource will need further attention as a key component in formulating a direction for the downtown. 2. Office District The Main Street corridor between U.S. Highways 10 and 169 should continue to redevelop into office, medical and financial uses. Emphasis on locating parking areas to the rear and placing buildings close to Main Street will enhance the visual streetscape and pedestrian scale of this corridor. The office district extending north along Jackson should continue to the School Street • intersection. Since this corridor will have residential on the east side, the type of office/retail use developed on the west side of Jackson will have to respect its residential neighbor. In order for these two office corridors to be successful the City will have to partner with the private sector to facilitate the redevelopment efforts. Furthermore, office development should be "limited" along the U.S. Highways 169 and 10 corridor and should be encouraged along the Main Street and Jackson Avenue corridor. 3. Highway Commercial Highway Commercial has the greatest impact on Elk River because of its size, associated traffic and impact on surrounding land uses. Therefore, future commercial development will have to be reviewed in terms of its appropriate location, design, visual impact to the highway corridor and compatibility with the community. The Steering Committee has recommended limiting highway commercial development along Highway 169 from extending further north than the 194th alignment on the west side of Highway 169 and 197th avenue on the east side of Highway 169. This "line in the sand" is the point where highway commercial will begin to transition into more compatible land uses with the existing natural characteristics and residential homes. With the availability of water and sewer, new commercial development U.S. Highway 169 between U.S. Highway 10 and 194th Avenue will continue to blossom into Elk River's • commercial retail corridor. The planning and development of this corridor will need to 43