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25City of Lake eLmo - Design guiDeLines & stanDarDs - REVISED 2-2-22 <br />Mixed-Use Development5 <br />The standards of the mixed-use districts place <br />a high emphasis on walkability, streetscapes, <br />and the overall pedestrian environment. For <br />these district to be successful, site design <br />must be conducive to pedestrian circulation and <br />safety. It is critical to establish consistent and <br />high quality architectural standards that ensure <br />creativity and an attractive aesthetic in the <br />mixed-use districts. In addition, the development <br />that occurs in the mixed-use districts will <br />serve as an important function as a unique <br />gathering place in the community, particularly <br />in the Village Mixed-Use District. The <br />downtown area of Lake Elmo represents the <br />quintessential small-town charm. It is the City's <br />goal to build off this old small-town character to <br />the best extent possible. <br />A.Site Design <br />Building Placement <br />Goal: To promote compact development that <br />is consistent with Lake Elmo's vision for pedestrian- <br />oriented downtown. <br />a.Buildings in the mixed-use districts may meet a <br />zero lot line setback, but may not be setback <br />further than 20 25 feet from the public right <br />of way, unless allowed by the zoning district. <br />b.If buildings do not meet a zero lot line orienta- <br />tion, plazas, patios, outdoor dining areas and <br />landscaped entries are encouraged in the set- <br />back area. <br />c.Buildings must be oriented either perpendicu- <br />lar or parallel to the street they front, with the <br />primary facade being parallel to the sidewalk. <br />d.Gaps and openings between buildings should <br />be minimized in order to preserve a compact <br />pedestrian environment. <br />e. <br />f. <br />Off-street parking areas should be located to <br />the rear or side of buildings in the mixed-use <br />districts and accessed from secondary streets or <br />parking alleys. On-street parking may be avail- <br />able on public streets in the front of buildings. <br />Ground floor uses of structures in the mixed-use <br />districts should encourage pedestrian activity. <br />Streetscape <br />Goal: To provide a pleasing pedestrian environ- <br />ment that promotes a vibrant and walkable down- <br />town area. <br />a.Sidewalks are required parallel to public streets <br />in the mixed-use districts. Larger sidewalks <br />are encouraged to support the amount of <br />pedestrian activity that is conducive to <br />downtown areas. The minimum sidewalk <br />width in the mixed-use districts is 6 feet. <br />b.Sidewalk materials should be attractive, du- <br />rable and low-maintenance, such as concrete <br />and pavers. Special paving materials are en- <br />couraged to add visual interest and promote a <br />unique identity. <br />c.Pedestrian space may be maximized through <br />the use of perme- <br />able pavers or tree <br />grates at the base of <br />street trees. <br />d.Street or boulevard <br />trees should be <br />planted at regular <br />intervals. Species of <br />street trees should <br />be selected accord- <br />ing to root zone and <br />salt tolerance. <br />It is the goal of the mixed use development area to build off <br />of the existing charm of Downtown Lake Elmo. <br />Tree gates help maximize <br />pedestrian space in areas of <br />high pedestrian activity. <br />Applicable Zoning Districts: <br />•Village Mixed-Use <br />•Mixed-Use Commercial <br />•Mixed-Use Business Park