06-28-1995 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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NA Northwest Associated Consultants, Inc. C U R B A N P L A N N I N G • D E S I G N • M A R K E T R E S E A R C H MEMORANDUM TO: Little Canada Planning Commission FROM: Stephen Grimm DATE: 11 May 1995 RE: Little Canada - Rice Street Planning and Zoning FILE NO: 758.10 As you are aware, the City has been studying development issues in the Rice Street corridor for several months, including the Comprehensive Plan process, the consideration of the Venetian shopping center proposal, and the Ehlers' Redevelopment Plan process. As of June, the moratorium on the B -3 District development will expire, and new projects in the Rice Street corridor outside of the Little Canada Road area may be considered by the City. One of the primary recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan for the Rice Street area is a better segregation of commercial uses. The current Zoning Ordinance language permits the carryover of B -2 Uses into the B -3 District. As a result, while the City has envisioned a general commercial district developing along Rice Street, a strip type of pattern has developed through the proliferation of auto related commercial uses. As a first step toward implementing a better definition of the district's identity, we would recommend that the Zoning Ordinance be amended to preclude the carryover of B -2 Uses to the B -3 District. The Proposed Land Use Plan suggests that certain areas of the Rice Street corridor accommodate auto related commercial services, while other areas be reserved for "Regional Commercial" uses. Eventually, the City may choose to rezone certain areas along Rice Street to B -2 in accord with the Land Use Plan. It may be prudent at this point, however, to reserve large scale zoning activity until the completion of the Redevelopment Plan later this summer. 5775 Wayzata Blvd. • Suite 555 • St. Louis Park MN titiv 16 • (612) 595- 9636•Fax. 595 -9837 Page 5