03-14-2001 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Rice Street Crossings Redevelopment • Overcome existing barriers created by the transportation network and disjointed land use patterns. • Identify opportunities for mixed -use development including office, commercial, medium- and high- density residential. • Encourage the redevelopment of brown fields and underutilized lands. ■ The use of smart growth techniques in regards to land use and transportation. ■ Promote and preserve the natural features of this area. Site Features... Study Area. The study area includes approximately 65 acres of land. Attachment B shows the proposed project area. The project area is preliminary and could be expanded through the planning process depending upon the delineation of key properties that are identified as integral for development, reuse, or redevelopment. The existing land use pattern in the project area consists of low- intensity commercial, industrial, and office uses that are highway - oriented and in some cases, blighted or deteriorating. Some properties also have a history of contamination. Land uses are connected only through the existing roadway network. Housing in the project area is limited to a small number of single - family residences, although there are a number of residential neighborhoods adjacent to the study area that could be served by the redevelopment. The transportation network includes Interstate 694, Rice Street, other County and local roads as well as two rail lines. The rail lines serve as the west and south boundaries of the project area. Two existing bus lines connect the area to employment centers in St. Paul. An underutilized and unimproved park- and -ride facility is located on the northeast corner of the I- 694/Rice Street interchange. Other suburban employment centers along Lexington Avenue, Interstate 694 and 35E and Maplewood Mall are nearby and accessible via automobile. Natural features within the project area include a small lake basin, wetlands, steep slopes and wooded areas. Area of Influence. The project area influences and is influenced by activities in the vicinity. This region is shown as the area of influence on Attachment B. The area of influence includes a broader mix of land uses, housing types, employment options and transportation choices. Land uses include residential, commercial, industrial and public /semi - public. The residential land uses provide a variety of housing densities, types, ownership /rental options and costs. Housing types include single - family residential, townhomes, apartments and manufactured homes. Employment options and connections to employment centers are similar to that found in the project site. However, an older industrial park located south and east of the project area consists of low - intensity industrial uses — an underutilization of the land. Page 38