03-24-2009 Council Work Session Packet

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Views were also categorized as positive and negative in the study. Because the purpose was to identify components of rural character, rural and historical uses were given a positive connotation. This is summarized as follows: Positive views: Views of natural areas, water bodies, established parks, wetlands, rural land uses. Negative views: Views of structures, particularly residential, institutional, and commercial and industrial uses. Case Study #I: County Road 6 West- Open Enclosure Corridor County Road 6 West (CR6), between Brown Road and Highway 12, was chosen as a study corridor with predominantly open enclosure (See CPA Figure 1, Corridor B). The graphic and images on CPA Figure 2 show both the character of the corridor and the consultants' assessment of its attributes. The corridor analysis of CR6 revealed that because open enclosure provides long views beyond the right-of-way, the rural feel of an open enclosure is tied to views of natural landscapes and amenities. Examples of these types of views along CR6 include views of Baker Park Natural Area and a hilly pasture, both along the north side of the road. From the analysis of the CR6 corridor and other corridors in the Corridor Study, it can be concluded that threats to this type of rural character along corridors with open enclosure include views of"non-rural" land uses such as new residential and industrial structures. Examples of these threats in the CR6 corridor include views of unscreened residential areas south of the road, between Old Crystal Bay Road . and Brown Road North. Another threat to rural character in open enclosure corridors is the degradation of natural viewsheds. As development occurs, views of natural areas can be obstructed or altered, as can the quality of the natural area itsel£ Considering this threat, one area of concern in the CR6 corridor would be the views and quality of Lake Classen, across CR6 from Baker Park. While analyzing open enclosure corridors for the Corridor Study, it was determined that threats to rural character in the face of development can be remedied by specific ecological and development measures. One measure is the screening of non-rural uses to avoid negative views, which can be done with berming, landscaping, and planting techniques. Zoning standards can be implemented to ensure the use of these techniques in new development, as well as promoting development patterns that are complimentary to the maintenance of desired corridor character. The preservation and enhancement of natural viewsheds can also be implemented to mitigate the degradation of viewsheds such as Lake Classen. Case Study #2: Watertown Road-Edged Enclosure Corridor Between Willow Drive and the city's western boundary, Watertown Road is an example of an edged enclosure (See CPA Figure 1, Corridor E). The graphic and images on CPA Figure 3 show both the character of the corridor and the consultants' assessment of its attributes. City of Orono DSU, Inc Draft CPA 9 August, 2005