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City of Little Canada 2-26 Land Use Plan <br /> <br />Focus Areas <br />The City has identified four locations where it seems possible that the private market may make <br />new investments in the foreseeable future. <br />The text and illustrations below highlight those areas and recommend policies to guide their <br />evolution. The “sketch plans” show one way – out of many – that the sites could be designed <br />and convey the size and capacity of each property. These drawings are illustrations only and <br />do not mandate that particular pattern of development. <br /> <br />Focus Area 1: North of Little Canada Road west of Rice Street <br />This Focus Area is in Planning District 3. <br />The City has been engaged for a number of <br />years in promoting redevelopment and <br />enhancement of the area near Rice Street and <br />Little Canada Road, including improvements <br />to public space and renovation of private <br />property. <br />The land uses here have been dominated by <br />retail, hospitality and professional office <br />buildings, most of which have existed since <br />the 1950s or 1960s. <br />Seniors’ housing flanks the commercial <br />buildings on the east edge of the district. The <br />largest building in the district, the 100,000 <br />square foot Marketplace, has undergone a <br />variety of renovations but suffers from poor <br />visibility. The original shopping center has <br />been divided to accommodate developments <br />on underutilized land or excess parking. <br />The center of the district is dominated by <br />commercial buildings, including professional <br />office space and entertainment. Most of <br />these have little presentation to major <br />streets. The City has added trees, decorative streetlights and monuments along Little Canada <br />Road between Rice Street roadway and Round Lake. <br />It is hoped that private improvements along Little Canada Road will continue the pattern <br />established by The Villages buildings near Rice Street. That is, the buildings ought to be <br />located close to Little Canada Road with parking to the rear, two to four stories in height, have <br />doors and windows along the sidewalk, and use attractive materials. <br />This area could accommodate additional housing, particularly senior s’ housing, which has <br />already established a presence nearby. City officials have hope for small plazas in this district, <br />providing amenities and space that benefiting the private properties and the community. <br />Figure 2-5: Sketch of potential redevelopment north of Little <br />Canada Road near Rice Street