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The plan designates two alternative locations for the visitor center. The first is between Interstate 90 and Highway 906 near Exit 52. This site has the advantage of being in the center of summit activities, where visitors could easily walk to other facilities nearby. However, available land may be too small to accommodate a well designed center and the required parking. The second suggested site is east of Interstate 90, near Exit 52. This site's advantages include a forest setting and ample available land; however, the site is much less convenient and access would be more difficult. Subarea C also includes some established residential areas on both sides of Interstate 90. Conifer Estates, located between the two activity nodes at the Summit and Ski Acres, which would appear to be an ideal location for commercial lodging uses. However, the number of long- standing private residences in the development warrants the continuation of residential use. The Yellowstone Road area, though near the summit, is somewhat removed from the activities along Highway 906 and is a good location for private residences. New residential development in this area should be planned in clusters in order to preserve natural vegetation and protect streams and wetland areas. 3.7.6 Subarea D Land Use Plan The Gold Creek Valley will likely experience the greatest change of all areas of the Pass. Currently, the valley is relatively undeveloped . However, preliminary plans have been developed for all of the private land holdings in the area. These plans include single family and multiple family residential, restaurants, hotels and motels, conference facilities and recreation. During the planning process, the idea of "community" became a common thread among the various committees . As future growth in the number of permanent residents was envisioned, the need for common community services, including commercial and personal services, became evident. The Summit is presently the hub of Pass activity; however, it may not have enough land for all future uses the community wants to see there . The north side of Exit 54 is viewed as another possible location for some of this development, due to its freeway access. The commercially designated property is crossed by Coal Creek in a northwest to southeast direction. A Forest Service road crosses the property perpendicular to the creek. Mardee Lake and its associated wetlands are located in the northeast corner of the property. The plan shows that the property could be developed in four commercial pods using the creek and the road as dividing lines. The two pods south of Coal Creek should be developed with highway commercial uses such as service stations, restaurants and motels . The development should be designed to take advantage of the site's visibility while respecting and protecting the alpine character and scenic beauty of the Pass. The two pods north ofthe creek could contain a broad mix of uses, including uses commonly found in a community shopping district such as food markets, drug and hardware stores and other retail. The development should be designed in a manner, which would use the existing road route as a "main street" rather than a through road . Pedestrian access and mobility should Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan December 2016