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Memo/Planning Commission/ZC 98-1 <br /> February 24, 1998 <br /> Page 3 <br /> 11) General Land Use Pattern <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 /> Criteria Considered for Rezonings <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 /> • 0 Located within the urban service district <br /> 0 Proximity to city utilities <br /> 0 Transportation (including rail access) <br /> 0 Topography <br /> 0 Property owners <br /> 0 Natural features/wetlands <br /> 0 Adjacent land uses <br /> 0 Highway visibility <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 /> areas proposed for rezoning: <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 />