12-12-2019 Planning Commission Packet

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City of Little Canada 2-21 Land Use Plan District 3: Rice Street at Little Canada Road At Rice Street and Little Canada Road, the City has taken an active role in reclaiming a series of underutilized properties for new mixed- or multi-use development. This process is ongoing and follows a master plan led by the City. Retail and small office buildings exist along the two arterial roads, with mid- or higher-density housing to the rear. The entire area has been zoned Planned- Unit Development to permit a more extensive City role in regulating building style, site use and land uses. Land Use Plan North: The northern-most portion of this district along Rice Street may benefit from redevelopment as well, and the City has expressed a willingness to permit certain low-impact industrial uses in portions of the district that have little visual exposure to Rice Street or Little Canada Road. Such land uses would need to be limited to those which are compatible with the retail focus along the two major roads. Market Place Center: The Market Place, a linear shopping center that does not face Rice Street, has seen a series of facelifts. It supports retail businesses although its limited visibility has probably hindered its viability. For the near term, no significant changes are foreseen for this portion of the district. However, in the long term a more intensive mixed- or multi-use redevelopment would fit well with the other nearby new investments. Please refer to Focus Area 3, below, for additional guidance. Rice Street: Districts 2, 3 and 4 would benefit from traffic and appearance improvements alon g 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. District 4: Rice Street South The southwest corner of the community is dominated by commercial land uses along Rice Street, including revitalized commercial areas near the interchange of Rice Street and Highway 36. Other major land uses include the Roosevelt Middle School campus, the corporate campus for Abbott, a major medical technology firm, and a protected wetland. District housing includes a manufactured housing community along Rice Street zoned for possible commercial redevelopment and twin-home neighborhood. Land Use Plan Infill and Redevelopment: Opportunities exist for properties to be redeveloped and used more fully along Rice Street and even on the Abbott campus. Please refer to Focus Areas 2 and 3, below, for additional guidance. Rice Street Corridor: As with Districts 2 and 3, improvements to the function and appearance of Rice Street would likely hasten new private investments in abutting and nearby properties.