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39 <br /> RURAL ACTIVITY NODE (RAN) <br /> Description <br /> Rural Activity Nodes are key intersections of larger rural roads and state highways that <br /> can or do already serve the surrounding community with commercial retail and service <br /> uses. Nodes are located at strategic crossroads to provide daily commercial and service <br /> needs within a short drive of rural neighborhoods and home sites in the county. Existing <br /> development varies greatly by location but generally includes single-family homes, <br /> neighborhood-scale commercial uses such as service stations and convenience stores, <br /> farms,forestry,and undeveloped parcels. <br /> Character, Pattern, and Land Use Vision <br /> • The intent of Rural Activity Nodes is to provide small-scale rural growth and <br /> non-residential activity centers to provide services and goods for low-density <br /> residential communities.These locations are ideal for the establishment <br /> of restaurants,service stations,convenience stores, or maker spaces,and <br /> recreational activities. <br /> • Non-residential uses such as neighborhood-scale commercial retail and service <br /> operations that require additional infrastructure such as workshops and storage <br /> buildings are encouraged.These developments support both the immediate <br /> community and the region at large, by allowing residents and owners to monetize <br /> and utilize their properties in ways that are not possible in urban or suburban <br /> environments. <br /> • Locations were selected to provide access to underserved and/or under- <br /> resourced communities and the county's growing senior population, minimize <br /> or reduce vehicle miles traveled, and strive to provide an equitable distribution of <br /> goods and services throughout the county. <br /> • The existing development at the White Cross location on Highway 54 provides <br /> an ideal example of what these places may become over time and their potential <br /> to cultivate rural communities that, include entertainment, restaurants,small <br /> grocery stores,service stations and small co-located businesses,all surrounded <br /> by developed homes and easily accessible by the existing roads. <br /> • In addition to the non-residential components of the nodes,the development of <br /> flexible subdivisions (conservation subdivisions)with clustered homes and shared <br /> resources is encouraged here to place more residents within convenient distance <br /> of these amenities and create complete neighborhoods. <br /> • Water and wastewater wells and systems may be located off-site, beyond the <br /> areas they serve and are included within nodes,when site conditions prohibit on- <br /> site location. <br /> 36 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT <br />