09-25-1985 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Little Canada Planning Commission 10 September 1985 Page Three Land Use Compatibility Surrounding land use is comprised of a number of different categories of use. To the west is the strip commercial development along Rice Street. To the north is more commercial development along Little Canada Road. To the east is Round Lake which is developed on its opposite shoreline with single family and mid- density development. South of the subject property are two long, narrow lots, each with a single family home on Rice Street. This area is zoned R -1. Further south is the Iona Lane development, also zoned R -1. The proposed plan is a combination of two low rise office buildings in the north and west portions of the site, with two multiple family structures along Round Lake and the south boundary. The concept plan appears to address Comprehensive Plan issues in several respects. The general layout places the commercial uses toward the existing commercial district and Little Canada Road. The residential uses abut the existing residential districts, while serving as a transition between high intensity and low intensity uses. The plan also shows potential positive use of the shoreline and a retention of green space. Design Details The proposal includes a number of design features which the City can require under the PUD process. Partial underground parking in the residential portion reduces the amount of impervious surface. Also included are berms which screen the residential from the commercial portions of the development. The plan also indicates a potential shared driveway to Rice Street through the Venetian Inn parking lot, Such an arrangement should have to be further investigated. It may be more desirable to access all traffic onto Little Canada Road. RECOMMENDATION From a planning perspective, this proposal presents a number of positive develop- ment possibilities for this area. Although zoned B -3, the southern portion of the property presents limited value as commercial property. In addition, the proposal provides an attractive development of the Round Lake shoreline and institutes a transition of land uses to the south. The issue of rezoning commercial property is, however, a policy direction to be handled by the City officials. Additionally, it is felt that the City needs to address the use of the PUD process, whether by conditional use or rezoning. cc: Joseph Chlebeck Thomas Sweeney Don Carley Lowell Nagovsky Sherman Rutzick 19