INTRODUCTION Oak Grove s Comprehensive Plan identifies a future Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA). The Metropolitan Council does not anticipate extending utilities to this area prior to 2030. The City may, however, pursue the introduction of regional utilities to Oak Grove at an earlier date through a Comprehensive Plan amendment. The 2030 Comprehensive Plan outlines the interim development strategy for the designated MUSA. The Post 2030 Land Use Plan attempts to lay out the City s long range land use goals that may be facilitated through the introduction of utilities within the MUSA. This plan will be updated and adjusted when the date of implementation comes due. This Post 2030 Land Use Plan is intended to define generalized long range land use patterns that will prevent interim development from becoming an obstacle to future development. POST 2030 GENERAL LAND USE GOALS AND POLICIES Goal 1: Plan for the introduction of regional utilities in Oak Grove on a schedule that is determined by the City and in a manner that is fiscally responsible. Policies: A. Define the geographic boundaries of the future MUSA to insure a land area that makes the extension of utilities financially practical. B. The City shall pursue the introduction of regional utilities into Oak Grove through a Comprehensive Plan amendment. C. Prior to the extension of regional utilities, the City shall undertake comprehensive utility, stormwater management, and transportation studies for the MUSA to identify infrastructure patterns and investment that will be required to support urban densities and development patterns. D. Land use development shall be related to and reflect transportation needs, desired development, and community priorities. E. Require infrastructure improvements associated with new development to be financed by the developer. Goal 2: Promote urban development of high architectural quality in order to enhance the City s image, promote building durability, and expand local tax base. Policies: A. Update the City s development regulations to define the level of quality design expected in new urban subdivisions. 143
B. Establish building and site performance standards for medium density residential, high density residential, commercial and industrial sites to insure durable long lasting quality sites and neighborhood developments. C. Establish sufficient setback requirements for new development along major streets to establish attractive street corridors, buffer yards and screening of adjacent land uses, natural noise barriers and safe street intersections. D. Ensure that intensification of land use activity and development is accompanied by sufficient corresponding increases in related supportive and service facilities such as parks, off-street parking, fire and police protection. Residential Goal 1: community. Build attractive new neighborhoods that are integrated with the balance of the Policies: A. Avoid an over-allocation or concentration of medium and high density residential land use types within the community or planning district. B. Update Oak Grove s development regulations to define the design standards for new urban subdivisions. C. Diversify the City s residential zoning districts to provide a greater choice of housing styles and densities within the future MUSA. D. Require new urban subdivisions to be interconnected with existing neighborhoods with local streets, trails, parks, etc. E. Integrate urban subdivision design with the natural features of the property. F. All new housing shall adhere to the highest community design, planning and construction standards. G. Property values shall be protected through the harmonious relationship of land uses, streets, and natural features. H. Transitions between distinctly differing types of land uses shall be accomplished in an orderly fashion which does not create a negative (economic, social or physical) impact on adjoining developments. I. Whenever possible, the impact of physical barriers shall be reduced to increase relationships between segregated areas and reinforce continuity and a sense of community. 144
Goal 2: Provide a variety of housing types, styles and choices to meet the needs of Oak Grove s changing demographics within the future MUSA. Policies: A. Maintain a high quality life cycle residential environment throughout the community which emphasizes physically coordinated neighborhoods which incorporate all types, sizes and styles of dwellings. B. Maintain a balance in the types and quantities of housing units available throughout the City, emphasizing single family units, multiple family, and elderly housing developments to balance with existing residential development. C. Utilize multiple family housing alternatives as an attractive life cycle housing option. D. To the extent possible, provide a variety of dwelling unit types and balanced housing stock to satisfy the needs, desires, and income levels of all people. E. Provide sufficient housing options to meet the needs of all segments of the population, including the handicapped and elderly through life cycle housing. F. Provide medium and high density residential development with reasonable access to major thoroughfares. G. Establish multiple family housing performance standards that define the City s vision for quality construction, building durability, and site amenities such as open space, recreational facilities, garages, guest parking, etc. H. Housing styles and development techniques which conserve land and increase efficiency are to be encouraged, provided desired densities can be maintained. I. New housing construction is to reflect modern and emerging construction techniques and styles. J. High density housing is not to be utilized specifically as a buffer or viewed as being capable of absorbing negative impacts. K. Promote higher density residential development around areas targeted for business and industrial development to provide ancillary and market support. Commercial / Mixed Use Goal 1: Create a cohesive and unified density for Oak Grove s commercial needs. Policies: A. Require commercial development in Oak Grove to meet architectural performance standards which assure the creation of attractive, functional and durable structures. Different standards may be established for different areas. B. Promote a full and broad range of office, service, retailing, dining, and entertainment uses within the commercial areas of Oak Grove that address the needs of the residents. 145
C. Attract new businesses to Oak Grove that are complementary to existing businesses, and will contribute to the customer attraction and business interchange of the local commercial areas. D. Design commercial areas to promote safe and convenient pedestrian movement, including access for people with disabilities. E. Develop commercial and service centers as cohesive, highly interrelated units with adequate off-street parking. F. Ensure that all service and commercial uses are adequately screened or buffered from any adjacent residential development. Goal 2: Establish a commuter rail transit hub in the Cedar neighborhood of Oak Grove. Policies: A. Support the Cambridge Corridor as a second priority for a State rail commuter route after the Northstar Corridor. B. Lobby the State for a rail transit hub in Oak Grove s Cedar neighborhood. C. With the introduction of utilities, plan for a mixed use transit oriented development around the Cedar transit hub that includes: 1. A transit station as the center focal point to the mixed use area with related transit support uses (i.e., park and ride lots). 2. Mixed use, commercial, residential, and public land use shall be planned around the transit station to provide user support for the transit facility. 3. Neighborhood design shall provide pedestrian, bicycle and automobile connection to the transit station. Goal 3: Coordinate commercial land uses within the future MUSA with City and County transportation improvements. Policies: A. Require future subdivisions to dedicate the needed right-of-way for designated collector and arterial streets. B. Plan commercial access points consistent with Anoka County Highway spacing guidelines. C. Plan for future local frontage roads, backage roads to provide direct lot access to commercial sites and to channel commercial traffic to control intersections entering the City s collector and arterial street system. D. Plan for the extension of Flamingo Street (CSAH 78) north to Cedar Drive (CSAH 13). 146
POST 2030 LAND USE PLAN Residential In accordance with the Metropolitan Council Regional Development Framework, urban growth areas must maintain a residential density of three units per acre. With the future introduction of utilities, Oak Grove will accomplish this regional density benchmark through diversity of residential housing types. Low Density Residential (Zero to Three Units Per Acre) Low density residential land use consisting of single family neighborhoods will be the predominant land use in the post 2030 MUSA. Development densities will vary within this land use category depending on the diversity of lot sizes through City zoning. Oak Grove will require new Urban Residential subdivisions to be sensitive to natural resources within the defined growth area. The following strategies will be implemented to integrate future Urban Residential subdivisions within environmentally sensitive areas: 1. The City will require subdivision applications for new residential subdivisions to include information on existing environmental conditions including wetland delineation, tree cover and natural vegetation, slope areas, and hydric soils to allow an accurate evaluation of subdivision design relating to existing conditions. 2. The City will continue to implement its current development regulations relating to buildable lot size, wetlands, floodplain, shoreland protection, tree preservation, and slope reduction. 3. Promote greenway corridors that will serve to protect environmentally sensitive areas from the encroachment of development. In areas of environmental significance around Swan Lake or along the Cedar Creek Greenway Corridor, larger urban estate lots are recommended to reduce the disruption of these natural areas. Residential neighborhoods shall be designed to protect the functional classification of the City s collectors and arterials: 1. Subdivision entrances shall meet the County spacing guidelines. 2. No direct lot access shall be given to City collector or arterial streets. 3. New subdivisions shall provide required right-of-way for City and County collector and arterial corridors. 147
4. Lots backing up to collector and arterial streets shall provide additional lot depth and a landscaped buffer yard paralleling the street. 5. Neighborhoods shall provide interconnected local street systems. Medium and High Density Residential Medium density residential (three to eight units per acre) and high density residential (eight or more units per acre) land use categories will provide alternative housing types from the low density single family homes. The Post 2030 Land Use Plan will provide a variety of housing opportunities that are sensitive to income levels and lifestyles of all the people who are interested in living in Oak Grove. Through the provision of a diverse housing stock, the City will retain population by providing housing alternatives that are attractive to young persons as well as the community s elderly population. The City recognizes the need for some medium and high density housing options to insure diversified housing stock for both homeowners and renters. In accommodation with the future introduction of regional utilities, the City must strive to avoid the problems generally associated with higher density residential development. The General Land Use Plan illustrates locations for future medium density residential (three to eight units per acre) and high density residential (eight plus units per acre) land uses. These locations are identified to expand the variety of housing types in Oak Grove and to take advantage of the following characteristics: 1. The medium and high density residential land uses are intended to provide a compatible land use transition between low density residential neighborhoods and more intense commercial, transit-oriented, mixed use, or industrial land uses. 2. High density residential development is located at the periphery of single family neighborhoods along major streets and near future regional transit to provide easy access without intruding on the lower density areas. 3. Medium to high density residential uses are proposed to be located in close proximity to the commercial areas and transit-oriented development to take full advantage of the services provided in these areas. In addition, high density housing developments help provide the needed customer base for community commercial land uses. Regardless of housing type and density, the City of Oak Grove will pursue only the highest quality residential development. In this regard, the City will also establish development performance standards focusing on the long range maintenance, appearance, and conditions of the medium and high density residential areas. Specific attention will be given to the following: 148
2030 Comprehensive Plan Norris Lake Post 2030 Proposed Land Use Mud Lake MUSA Extension Rural Residential Lake George Low Density Residential Grass Lake Medium Density Residential High Density Residential Ru m Commercial R iv er Business Park Industrial Public/Semi Public Mixed Use Closed Landfill Golf Course Parks Agricultural Preserves Hickey Lake Lakes & Streams Wetlands Swan Lake Floodplain Rum River District City Limits 0 Rogers Lake 0.25 0.5 Mile 1 Sources: City of Oak Grove; LOGIS; Anoka County; MN DNR; Northwest Associated Consultants, Inc. Note: This map is for planning purposes only.
2030 Comprehensive Plan Post 2030 Proposed Land Use Future MUSA Swan Lake MUSA Extension Rural Residential Low Density Residential Medium Density Residential High Density Residential Commercial Industrial Mixed Use Public/Semi Public Business Park Parks Lakes & Streams Wetlands Floodplain [ City Limits 0 0.125 0.25 Miles 0.5 Sources: City of Oak Grove; LOGIS; Anoka County; MN DNR; Northwest Associated Consultants, Inc. Note: This map is for planning purposes only.
1. The City will require that medium and high density residential structures have high quality, durable and low maintenance exterior wall treatments to insure long term attractive housing units. 2. The City will require a homeowner association to be established within all owneroccupied medium density and high density residential developments as a means for insuring site maintenance. The City will require that a homeowners association be established with sufficient rules and financial standards to insure long term maintenance of the development and enforcement of its bylaws. 3. The City will promote through its development performance standards and site plan review process, quality site design and amenities within medium and high density residential areas including, but not limited to, open space, recreational facilities, pedestrian ways, guest parking, garages, and landscaping. Mixed Use The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad runs north-south through the eastern portion of Oak Grove from Duluth/Superior into and through the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area. This rail line is referred to by numerous titles including the Cambridge Corridor, Cambridge Isanti Line, Bethel Line, or Twin Cities to Twin Ports and is being considered as a potential commuter rail facility. Anoka County is working to develop this corridor through its rail authority and promoting it as a second commuter rail priority after the Northstar Corridor. This Cambridge Corridor could provide commuter rail, linking Minneapolis communities north to Hinckley and potentially as far north as Duluth. The Cambridge Corridor also has the potential to link with the Northstar Corridor in Coon Rapids. This corridor will be included for analysis as part of the Metropolitan Council 2030 Transitway Master Plan. The City of Oak Grove supports the Cambridge Corridor as a commuter rail line. As part of the City s Post 2030 Land Use Plan, the City hopes to secure a rail transit stop in the Cedar neighborhood of Oak Grove. The Post 2030 Land Use Plan illustrates a mixed land use designation in the Cedar neighborhood area. This mixed land use is intended to accommodate a transit oriented design with the commuter rail transit stop being the focal point. This transit oriented mixed land use will include residential, commercial and public land uses designed to maximize access to the public transportation facility. Given the opportunity of a commuter rail stop and the availability of regional utilities, the transit oriented mixed uses are envisioned to include the following: 1. The commuter rail transit station will be the center focal point of this area. Support facilities, park and ride lots, and pedestrian access to the transit station will be provided. 153
2. Mixed use residential, commercial and public land uses that benefit due to proximity to the transit station will be planned for the area. 3. Higher residential densities will surround the transit station with progressively lower densities being developed as development moves outward away from the transit station. 4. Neighborhoods will be designed with pedestrian and bicycle connections to the transit station and commercial areas. Commercial The Post 2030 Land Use Plan identifies commercial land uses along County Road 22 and Flamingo Street to take advantage of the site s proximity to two of the City s major transportation routes. With the extension of utilities into Oak Grove and related urban residential densities, the City is establishing a commercial area to address the needs of both existing residents and its new urban population. In planning for this commercial area, the following design components will be emphasized: 1. The Land Use Plan must be coordinated with the area s transportation elements. In this regard, the City will require: a. Adequate right-of-way dedication for both County Road 22 and Flamingo Street to address the future improvement needs. b. Flamingo Street is proposed to be extended north as a minor arterial street. Future extension of this street must be sited and constructed in a manner that is least disruptive to the Cedar Creek Greenway Corridor. c. Local street planning and individual site access must meet the Anoka County access spacing guidelines. Full intersection alignments should be provided at Tamarack Street to provide safe, controlled access to both the industrial area north of County Road 22 and commercial areas south of County Road 22. 2. The commercial and transit oriented mixed land use area will be integrated through the following elements: a. Local street connections. b. Pedestrian and bicycle sidewalks and trails. c. Attractive architecture and streetscape treatments. d. Street lighting and landscaping. 154
3. Commercial land use in this area must provide a compatible land use transition with adjoining residential neighborhoods through the following elements: Industrial a. Proper site planning that addresses building orientation, parking lot location, proper setbacks, screening, and landscaping. b. Control of the locations and screening of outdoor commercial activities. c. Control of commercial lighting to avoid nuisance glare into residential neighborhoods. d. Provide land use transition between high intensity commercial uses and adjoining residential neighborhoods. The Post 2030 Land Use Plan shows industrial land uses along the north side of County Road 22. This land use pattern builds on existing industrial land uses in this area of the City. The City will promote continued industrial growth in these areas. Where industrial land uses abut guided residential areas, subdivision and site design must provide some buffer between uses through setbacks, landscaping, and screening of the industrial land uses. POST 2030 LAND USE SUMMARIES The Post 2030 Land Use Plan anticipates the delivery of regional sanitary sewer to Oak Grove s designated MUSA. The Post 2030 Land Use Map illustrates and quantifies the urban land use patterns proposed to occur with the availability of municipal utilities. The first table illustrates the land use quantities just within the designated MUSA and the second table shows these new urban land uses within the context of the entire City. Proposed Land Use (Acreage) MUSA Extension Area City of Oak Grove 2007 Metropolitan Council Land Use Acres Percent of Total Commercial (COM) 152 5.7 Industrial (IND) 230 8.6 Public/Semi-Public (INS) 160 6.0 Park and Recreation (PR) 21 0.8 Single Family Residential (SRES) 1,847 68.9 Multi-Family Residential (MRES) 43 1.6 Mixed Use (MU) 39 1.5 Other* 189 7.1 TOTAL 2,680 100.0 * Right-of-Way, Lakes and Rivers Source: City of Oak Grove, NAC 155
Post 2030 Proposed Land Use (Acreage) City of Oak Grove 2007 Metropolitan Council Land Use Acres Percent of Total Business Park 213 1.0 Commercial (COM) 347 1.5 Industrial (IND) 521 2.3 Public/Semi-Public (INS) 458 2.0 Park and Recreation (PR) 1,398 6.2 Rural Residential (R) 15,169 67.3 Single Family Residential (SRES) 1,964 8.7 Multi-Family Residential (MRES) 50 0.2 Mixed Use (MU) 39 0.2 Other 2,363 10.5 TOTAL 22,552 100.0 Source: City of Oak Grove, NAC 156