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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />AUGUST 15, 1995 <br />would be viewed as the most appropriate location. <br />Fahey asked the reason for the initial conclusion that <br />a motel would not be the best use in the Rice <br />Street/Little Canada Road area. <br />Bujold replied that accessibility and visibility tend <br />to be the key issues for a motel. Bujold pointed out <br />that the Rice Street/Little Canada Road location are <br />tucked into the middle of the community rather than in <br />an area where there is visibility from a highway. The <br />advantages for development of a motel in Little Canada <br />is that there the City is surrounded by major <br />thoroughfares and highways. There are also accessory <br />uses, such as a restaurant in the area. The motel <br />could be avail itself to larger corporate users. <br />Michael Schroeder, Hoisington Koegler Group, reported <br />that he would discuss the physical forces and <br />opportunities which will shape the project. Physical <br />forces include the following: <br />*The area is bounded on three sides by major highways. <br />*There are transportation routes through the area. <br />Transportation is geared toward automobiles, but there <br />is the opportunity to provide for pedestrian traffic. <br />*There is little unity to the Rice Street/Little Canada <br />Road area - no strong focus. <br />*Oversized parking lots exist which separate people <br />from front doors of buildings. <br />*There are a wide variety of uses in the area. <br />Existing buildings do not relate well to the area. <br />Development has been market driven rather than <br />creating a sense of identity. <br />*Commercial zoning exists from one end of Rice Street <br />to the other. <br />*Topography of the area is a natural barrier. <br />*Views. <br />*There is an isolated quality to Round Lake. <br />*Ponding opportunities. <br />*The ecological system. <br />*The Water Works easement is under-utilized as a trail <br />corridor. <br />Schroeder reported that as a result of the workshops <br />which were held a set of guiding principles and a <br />vision were developed. These recognize that once the <br />development guide is drafted, redevelopment may not be <br />completed for 15 to 20 years. Redevelopment will <br />require imagination. Current conditions and community <br />trends must be considered so that there is a shared <br />understanding of what is being done. At times there <br />