Comp Plan Rev. March 1978 - Laserfiche WebLink

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i I I I I I ! I ! i i I I area could develop in shopping center form. The free standing growth center of Anoka is in need of additional modern retailing facilities. However, downtown Anoka has all the problems of redevelopment that affect other older small towns which have resulted in the development of shopping centers on their outskirts. The same outcome can be predicted here. While downtown Anoka will continue to provide a sub- stantial portion of the needs normally provided in a major diversified center, it is reasonable to expect and plan for major retail outlets to be located outside the downtown area where their parking and service needs are more economically met. While other sites on the periphery of the Anoka Freestanding Growth Center may well meet the needs of the retailer, none present the opportunity to meet them so well and in a form consistent with community goals as at this site. Such facilities will provide employment of a type needed; they will provide shopping convenience and eliminate the need to drive long distances to shop. They will also serve regional and national goals by reducing energy consumption and will reduce the hazard for existing residents by reducing local traffic use of MTH #10. While it may be many years before a major shopping area emerges at this location, it cannot happen at all unless enough land is reserved for that purpose. There does exist a desire for that land use in the study area as is evidenced by recent rezoning requests by three different major landowners. Two of - 25-