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r <br />.Tit ^0H • <br />Rural Center Concept <br />The "Rural-center” is not a new concept in view of the fact <br />that it is one that is readily identifiable in nearly every ^ <br />agriculturally oriented comnunity in the United States. As a <br />matter of fact, many elements of this concept have existed or <br />currently exist in a modified form in the Lyndale area of <br />Independence and the City of Maple Plain. <br />What is new or at least experimental about the concept is <br />not only introducing it, but sustaining it in an urban fringe <br />community that will roost certainly in the future be subjected <br />to metropolitan development pressure. <br />The "Rural-center" principle provides a focal point for <br />distribution of goods and services on an area-wide basis. <br />Agricultural areas have historically oriented toward small or <br />medium sized towns which can provide utilitarian services, <br />(doctor, dentist, veternarian, lawyer, bank, post office, <br />church, school, etc.), commodities (groceries, drugs, clothing, <br />implement dealers, etc.) and also a market place (grain elevat­ <br />or, rail or transportation head) for farm product distribution. <br />Subsequently, because of the demand for the aforementioned <br />elements an urban setting which provides urban services is <br />created to respond to the needs of a large (geographically) <br />rural clientele. <br />In the case of Independence there is a very strong desire <br />on the part of City residents to maintain the economic viability <br />of agriculture, encourage the development of semi-rural hobby <br />farms. <br />If these aforementioned factors have been correctly inter­ <br />preted, the "Rural-center" concept provides a planning solution <br />that is not usually achieved because of the inability of planners <br />and city”orficials to implement long range planning policies <br />that will accommodate and allow to co-exist both urban and non- <br />urban lifestyles. <br />The key to this concept is that Independence City officials <br />and residents must recognize that large acre low density develop­ <br />ment (agricultural and hobby farm land uses) must be coBq>leroented <br />with urban land uses (higher density housing, commercial services, <br />industrial development) in order to provide f- range or variation <br />in housing opportunities, lifestyles, and scs*.ices that can be <br />economically affordable by s>any income leVeii^. <br />-29 -