16 <br /> <br />(d) Permit medium-density housing (10 to 20 dwelling units/acre) in proximity to existing <br />or planned urban facilities. Access to commercial development, transit, and alternative <br />modes of transportation, schools and parks, and open space should be considered. <br />Medium-density residential development will be considered for the north Santa Clara area <br />consistent with the above criteria. (Policy 5) <br />(e) Design residential development which is adjacent to the Greenway, parks, and other <br />identified natural features in a manner that ensures its compatibility with those features. <br />(Policy 6) <br />(3) Commercial and Industrial Land Use. <br />(a) Maintain and enhance the compatibility of adjacent land uses through the use of <br />appropriate buffering mechanisms, such as landscaping standards. (Policy 1) <br />(b) Require site plan reviews for all new commercial and industrial development. (Policy 2) <br />(c) Prohibit the linear expansion of existing strip commercial areas fronting on River Road. <br />Existing strip commercial development may expand by infilling, redevelopment, or <br />expansion onto contiguous property that does not front on River Road.(Policy 3) <br />(d) Provide for buffering and traffic control for existing development that fronts River <br />Road (to minimize conflicts with surrounding residential development). (Policy 4) <br />(e) Minimize impacts of new commercial development intended to consolidate and <br />improve existing strip commercial uses along River Road by requiring development <br />standards. (Policy 5) <br />(f) New neighborhood commercial uses shall be located away from River Road in locations <br />that facilitate the provision of commercial facilities scaled to a residential area and that <br />allow for dispersal of commercial uses throughout River Road-Santa Clara. (Policy 6) <br />(g) Ensure compatibility between neighborhood commercial developments and the <br />surrounding residential area by identifying and applying siting and development standards. <br />(Policy 7) <br />(4) River Road/Railroad Avenue Subarea. <br />(a) Designate and zone existing medium-density development. <br />(b) Limit River Road access to existing commercial development. <br />(c) Maintain existing land use patterns until completion of the Chambers Connector. The <br />effects of the Chamber Connector and related road improvements on the immediate area <br />should be examined upon completion of final design and right-of-way acquisition and any <br />appropriate changes adopted. <br />(d) The area south of Fir Lane and east of River Road is appropriate for commercial and <br />low density residential uses. <br />(e) Medium density residential development along the east side of River Road north of Fir <br />Lane is appropriate, and requires a minimum development area of 2/3 of an acre. <br />(f) Rezone the apartments on the west end of Briarcliff Drive from industrial to medium <br />density residential use. <br />(g) Delay for six months rezoning of the vacant parcels south of Briarcliff and adjacent to <br />the Northwest Expressway from industrial to low density residential use. <br />(h) Designate the two parcels north of Holeman Avenue and west of River Road for <br />commercial use. <br />(5) River Road/Knoop Subarea Recommendations.