08/31/2005 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • Village of Hardwood Creek attL ref- LANDFORM MINNEAPOLIS• PHOENIX August 15, 2005 INTRODUCTION Village at Hardwood Creek is a master - planned, mixed -use development offering an approach to life - cycle housing and destination retail that is unique in this community. The project is planned as a conservation development to preserve the existing resources of the site. The property is located east of County Road 21 (20th Avenue), north of County Road 14 and west of I -35E. Our proposal would allow development of a unique community on 362 -acres '.hat will allow convenient pedestrian access from the new homes to the retail center, which is planned to include several restaurants and other service retail. The retail element of the plan would provide destination retail that is still convenient and walkable for neighborhood residents. The mixed -use development would include residential near the commercial so that residents could easily walk to pick up the paper and a morning cup of coffee or enjoy a leisurely stroll to dinner at one of the many restaurants. The City is currently completing the Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) for approximately 4,500 acres in the northeast portion of the City of Lino Lakes. The project site is included in the AUAR area. We have reviewed the AUAR and believe the proposed project is well within the limits of the AUAR scope. The City is expected to approve the AUAR later this month. PUD GENERAL DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT The City Planned Unit Development (PUD) ordinances require that mixed -use developments such as this be rezoned to PUD. Therefore, we plan to request approval of a rezoning to PUD, PUD Development Plan and Preliminary Plan following approval of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment and review of the PUD Concept Plan. The PUD would allow a mix of retail and residential uses. The Zoning Ordinance states that the purpose of the PUD is to provide "for development as an integrated, coordinated unit as opposed to traditional .. . piecemeal ... development ". The development team has held open houses and neighborhood meetings to engage the residents in the planning process. We have gotten good feedback that we intend to integrate into the plan, such as: a desire to reflect the community's agricultural heritage through the landscape and architectural design of the project; a desire to provide pedestrian connections with trails and sidewalks; a desire to preserve natural areas within the site; etc. As we continue to refine the site plan, we intend to incorporate these elements to create a unique development. Page 1