§ 537.01. M ixed Use Districts (MU).

Subdivision 1. Sub-districts defined. A mixed use district is an area that supports multiple land uses that are complementary to one another and support the ability to live, work, shop and play within a development pattern of horizontally mixed or vertically mixed uses. There are three sub-districts of mixed use as follows:

a)

Mixed Use Regional (MU-R). Regional mixed use supports destination oriented commercial and office uses at a high density/intensity of development. Limited higher density residential uses would be encouraged to support major employment concentrations. Vertical mixing of uses would be encouraged to create building mass along primary arterials.

b)

Mixed Use Community (MU-C). Community mixed use includes shops and services that support the surrounding community. A balanced mix of commercial, office and higher density residential uses would be included in this district. Vertical mixing of uses would be encouraged to create building mass along primary arterials.

c)

Mixed Use Neighborhood (MU-N). Neighborhood mixed use emphasizes residential development with supporting retail and commercial service uses. Commercial services are emphasized at key transportation nodes/corners and are intended to be of a smaller scale and oriented to the neighborhood.

Subd. 2. Purpose and Intent. The purpose and intent of the Mixed Use Districts shall be to:

a)

Guide future development along the I-494 corridor in order to adapt to market and transportation changes;

b)

Encourage vertical mixed-uses clustered at primary (regional) and secondary (community) transportation nodes to build identity within the district;

c)

Provide a mix of residential densities along the corridor;

d)

Provide appropriate transitions between uses;

e)

Promote greater pedestrian and bicycle access and connections throughout the corridor and along the length of the corridor;

f)

Discourage auto oriented uses in favor of pedestrian friendly mixed-use development;

g)

Encourage reductions in impervious surface, well landscaped and attractive public and private spaces with a pedestrian and bicycle friendly character and environment by minimizing surface parking and enhancing pedestrian corridors (sidewalks and trails) through reinforcing build-to lines, getting new buildings to address the street and emphasize enticing street level architecture;

h)

Encourage public open spaces within the corridor by allowing and encouraging taller buildings for high-density uses;

i)

Ensure high quality architectural design and materials;

j)

Promote increased use of transit; and

k)

Encourage redevelopment in a manner that is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and any redevelopment plan(s) that exist for the district.

Subd. 3. Review Criteria. In evaluating development proposals, the Planning Commission and City Council shall consider compliance with the following:

a)

Consistency with the elements and objectives of the City's development guides, including the Comprehensive Plan and any redevelopment plans established for the area;

b)

Consistency with this Subsection;

c)

Creation of a design for structures and site features which promotes the following:

(i)

An internal sense of order among the buildings and uses;

(ii)

The adequacy of vehicular and pedestrian circulation, including walkways, interior drives and parking in terms of location and number of access points to the public streets, width of interior drives and access points, general interior circulation, separation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic and arrangement and amount of parking;

(iii)

Energy conservation through the design of structures and the use of landscape materials and site grading; and

(iv)

The minimization of adverse environmental effects on persons using the development and adjacent properties.