01/29/1992 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e ning when the area becomes urbanized. Public facilities issues have not been readily addressed previously because the area is outside the city limits. The neighborhood residents appreciate the rural quality of life, the open space, natural drainage ways, and other natural assets. The refinement plan was challenged to retain the natural character of the area, while providing for the means to urbanize lands that were designated as such in the Metro Plan. In reference to the community and economic development element of the plan, Ms. Smith said that the Gateway area has been the focus of economic develop- ment, and is desirable because of its natural features. The plan attempts to balance the need to retain the quality of life for the residents in the area with the need to increase of the quality of community development that will occur. Regarding the residential element, Ms. Smith said that a majority of the area is residentially oriented and predominantly developed as single-family and medium-density neighborhoods. There are approximately 180 acres in the northeastern section of the plan area that have a Metro Plan designation of medium-density residential. Those acres constitute the remaining undeveloped residentially designated area. In addition, plans for future infrastructure and facilities do not exist for the area. The refinement plan suggests a conceptual development plan for the area, similar to that recommended for a special-light industrial site which shares similar characteristics. The refinement plan recommends that a conceptual development plan be prepared by the City so that the infrastructure and facility needs can be planned specif- ically for that area. The conceptual development plan tool enables the City to work with the unique characteristics of the area in planning infrastruc- ture and facilities, and allows flexibility. She emphasized that street lines drawn on the proposed maps are strictly conceptual. Ms. Smith stated that the PAC recommends redesignation of approximately 62 acres of the 180 acres of residential land. Staff does not recommend this redesignation because the preliminary findings of a draft residential lands study indicate that the amount of medium-density residential land is at best "barely adequate" and worst "in very short supply." In addition, a redesignation of 62 acres would be considered a major Metro Plan amendment. Therefore, it could not be included in the approval of the refinement plan, but would require its own approval process. Regarding the commercial element of the refinement plan, Ms. Smith said that there is virtually no undeveloped commercial land in the area because of the development of the Gateway Mall. Some undeveloped commercial property exists along the Gateway corridor and along Harlow Road. She said that no major changes were proposed for commercial lands. The PAC recommended that an area along Harlow Road to the south be redesignated from commercial to medium- density residential. Due to existing traffic conditions and the suitability of the area accommodating increased traffic, staff does not agree with this recommendation. Based on public testimony, the Springfield Planning Commis- sion also recommended that the commercial designation be retained. MINUTES--Joint Elected Officials January 29, 1992 Page 4