8.1 SR 10-18-2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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AW € Highway 10/ 169 Commercial The Highway 10/169 Commercial Area includes the 930 acres of land centered around 171st Avenue and the Northstar Commuter Rail Station. In 2010, the city envi- sioned this area as a transit -oriented district with a mix of housing, retail, office, and industrial space. Since the adop- tion of the plan and the associated zoning amendments, the area has developed with primarily industrial and heavy commercial uses with a focus on auto -dealerships, distri- bution, and trucking. Due to the shift in development prior- ities, the city should leverage the existing auto -dealerships to attract additional dealerships and complementary uses to create a cluster in this area. Rezone Parcels in the FAST District To facilitate the shift from transit -oriented district to auto - dealer cluster, the city should consider streamlining the FAST District zoning designations by rezoning parcels to fit with the realigned vision for the area. The rezoning should be informed by the Economic Development Plan which leverages existing uses to create opportunities for more contextual auto -oriented commercial. To better under- stand where existing zoning district classifications are deficient in achieving the desired development outcome in this area, a zoning alignment analysis is included in the Implementation Plan chapter. It is recommended that the city proactively rezone the parcels identified in the zoning alignment analysis. S .1 0 Enhance Development Standards Currently, much of the Highway 10/169 Commercial area includes outdoor storage and outdoor displays of merchandise that detract from the appearance of the corridor. Although these uses are desirable in the area, they should not be as visually obtrusive moving forward. To improve the look and appeal of this area over time, the city should strengthen the standards applicable to development. Use specific standards for outdoor storage should be established that require the use to be located on hard paved surfaces and be screened from right-of-ways by fences, walls, and/or landscape. Similarly, use specific standards for outdoor displays of merchandise should be established that focus on interior parking lot and display areas, landscape that softens large expanses of paved areas, and improves on -site stormwater management. In addition, sites surrounding the Northstar Station have the opportunity to attract reverse commuters along the line for destination and experience based shopping, dining, and entertainment. Development standards for this area should support attractive architecture acces- sible pedestrian connection, and provide public gathering spaces that create third places. Elk River Comprehensive Plan • Economic Development Plan 07[L\arr0]ASMA1�VWVKO1ilk1W1 71