12-12-2019 Planning Commission Packet

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City of Little Canada 2-20 Land Use Plan District 2: Northwest District 2 is a commercial and industrial area in the northwest corner of the City bounded by Rice Street, I-694, I-35E plus the transition line between industrial and residential areas south of Owasso Boulevard. The soil types in the area bounded by the streets named Spruce, Ryan, Owasso and Country are predominately Seelyville muck and udorthents, neither of which is conducive to buildings or urban development. Land Use Plan In the far northwestern corner of the district, commercial and high-density housing are planned near the interchange of Rice Street and I-694. Northwest: In the northwest, the City supports the eventual development and redevelopment of business properties, particularly where Rice Street traffic problems have been reduced by improved access to Country Drive. Commercial development may include office and retail businesses. South: The southern half of this district is occupied by a variety of industrial businesses, most with lower-value buildings and large areas of outdoor storage. While the City’s zoning regulations allow these uses, it is the goal of the City that the owners will continually improve building quality, site planning, landscaping, signs and streets. The zoning code should be reviewed to ensure that its standards support such evolution. However, the amount of existing development and the poor soil conditions present financial impediments. Therefore, the City is willingness to assist financially in projects that would resolve the many issues related to current site and building conditions. Northeast: The northern and eastern portions of District 2 have some of the same soil problems mentioned above, but because of its extensive exposure to the 694 / 35-E interchange area it has seen a higher level of development. The City’s hopes to continue this redevelopment pattern with land uses including large commercial buildings such as offices, office-showroom, and office-warehouse buildings. Retail businesses may be appropriate as long as access is properly designed. Rice Street: Districts 2, 3 and 4 would benefit from traffic and appearance improvements along the length of Rice Street, County Highway 49, including the adjacent private properties. Thus, a cooperative corridor plan should be prepared and followed involving Ramsey County and the City of Roseville. The plan should address both public and private actions, including traffic flow, parcel access, walking, bicycling, landscaping, lighting, signs and site design. Please refer to the plans for Focus Areas 1, 2 and 3 (below) for guidance on land use and urban design. Rice Street is the major bus transit route for Little Canada, although just a local bus route on the regional system. Consequently, in this corridor the City intends to maximize employment, shopping, hospitality and housing along with walking and bicycling access. Rail Corridor: This district area includes part of the Minnesota Commercial Railway alignment, which is an active freight line. The Metropolitan Council has studied that alignment from downtown Minneapolis to White Bear Lake as a potential corridor for light rail transit. Little Canada and neighboring communities support that concept.