Agenda - 02-25-1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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t r , B. OTHER LAND USE RECOMMENDATIONS Many of the specific action strategies recommended in part A of this section relate to land use issues. However, there are additional far-reaching recommendations that must be made to augment and implement these concepts. Perhaps the most far-reaching of these strategies is one of the primary issues that runs throughout this report - that of balancing needed growth in some economic sectors with maintaining the community character of Efland. These often contradictory goals are both necessary components of Efland's future. As mentioned in the Community Character section of this document, the recommendations contained herein utilize an approach which is directly reflective of "neotraditional" community planning that is being used in many villages and towns across the nation where these two goals are in conflict. Neotraditional planning attempts to return communities to traditional design: a town square surrounded by a relatively-high density area - containing a mix of shopping, services, and residential units located in such proximity that they are within walking distance of many residents. This type of compact community must be linked by a transportation system that is both motorized, self-propelled vehicular, and pedestrian oriented. Thus, the existing roadway system that serves the area adequately is only part of future community needs if this return to a traditional town plan is to be utilized. Walking paths should be encouraged within the Community Focus areas (see Proposed Land Use Plan) . Bike traffic can likewise be accommodated in the short run by the roadway system, but ultimately bikepaths and bikeways should be developed. Fortunately for Efland, the pre-1960 development pattern of the community could lend itself well to this type of plan. The three strategic intersections of Efland--Cedar Grove Road/US 70, Mount Willing Road/Forrest Drive, and to a lesser degree Mount Willing Road/I-85/40, all serve as focal points for Efland's future growth and development into a well-rounded community. For the community of Efland, these three strategic intersections represent the focus of future community planning. As such, each of these Community Foci are the areas within which efforts should be coordinated on providing pedestrian-scale mixed uses to augment and foster the future of Efland as a viable community. In order to facilitate this approach, an upzoning in these Community Foci will be needed. Higher density residential development is not often well-received for fear of perceived affects on property values. However, proper design standards and 33