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• Elk River Station will become a regional model for blending main roads with buses and rail transit, with pedestrian-friendly streets and trails. We are, therefore, under a magnifying glass, and on a lot of people's radar screens. This is not just a price-sensitive multifamily development. It will be used to evaluate us,and the very idea of T.O.D. 2. An Array of Homes: We understand that the proposed density of the development is 8 homes per acre. While this is actually a low density for homes surrounding transit stations in other suburban settings such as the prestigious north shore suburbs of Chicago, for the City of Elk River, it seems a high density . Because there is great sensitivity to the potential of unin- teresting sites and buildings, we must be careful. 3. Dollars and Design: We understand that Elk River is a price-sensitive community for suc- cessful home selling. And,we all know that budget constraints can lead to issues of lower cost material choices, ele- vated densities, reduced square footages of homes. This does not, however, lead automatical- ly to compromise in design quality, excessive repetition, unvaried, accented building masses and lack of functional basic amenities. 4. Amenities: Up Front: The broad goal of the site plan is to expose as many home buying . prospects and residents to as much "amenity" as possible, as soon as possible once they enter the new neighborhood of Elk River Station. And, once within the new neighborhood, to repeatedly expose these buyers/residents to as much "attractiveness": (natural areas, parks, greens, large boulevard trees and attractively proportioned and detailed buildings) as many times as possible. This must be done because in the wider area context a site that lies midway along a route thru industrial and commercial uses, bisected with a railroad track. These negatives, are, of course, offset by the beauty of the perimeter wetlands and farm land, mature trees, the land form and the potential conveniences offered by transit...and a wonder- ful neighborhood of attractive buildings, within a land plan of connected parks. 5. Team Effort: It is, therefore, all the more important for each member of the several devel- opment/building teams to understand these conditions and, by their actions, contribute to these broad goals. 6. Park/Greens within an easy walk: The site plan is organized around a series of neighbor- hood greens. Some are small, one is larger, with a water feature that serves multiple functions of being an attractive piece of openspace ("in people's faces"), while helping meet NURP • ponding requirements. It also is a real, operational civic green; a park, giving visual break to density and a place for children of all ages to play outside...sit, talk, people watch, neighbor; a civic space in which to become a bit more..."civic". May 22.2001 page z of 6