Agenda - Planning Commission - 04/02/2009

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Recommendation: The intent of the state's Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) is to achieve no net loss of existing wetlands, which is accomplished through a descending hierarchy of sequential steps as follows: avoiding impacts to a wetland; if avoidance is not possible, minimizing the impacts to a wetland; fmally, mitigating those impacts to a wetland by restoring and/or replacing the impacted wetland area with equal or greater public value. Ramsey's Wetland Protection ordinance focuses on the areas/uses directly adjacent to a wetland rather than the wetland itself. It is more of a systems approach to managing this natural resource, as these upland areas are critical for inaintaining the functionality of wetlands, especially after development occurs. Should the Wetland Protection ordinance be repealed, any I future development proposal would still be subject to the WCA rules and, if the disturbed area of a development is greater than one (1) acre, it would also still be subject to review by the Lower Rum River Water Management Organization. Funding Source: The costs associated with drafting and implementing ordinances and amendments are covered under existing City personnel. Commission Action: Based on discussion. Review Checklist: Copies to: Community Development Director Associate Planner City Attorney PC: 4.2.09 Attachments: A. City Code Section 9.26 (Wetland Protection) B. City Attorney legal opinion memorandum C. Planning Commission meeting minutes dated May 5, 2005 D. Planning Commission meeting minutes dated July 7, 2005 E. City Council meeting minutes dated July 26, 2005 F. City Council work session minutes dated September 20,2005 G. City Council meeting minutes dated September 27,2005 H. City Council meeting minutes dated October 11,2005 I. City Council meeting minutes dated February 24, 2009 J. Proposed ordinance to repeal Section 9.26 (Wetland Protection) 28