Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Atta~hment H <br /> <br />Motion carried. <br /> <br />C~tSC #6: <br /> <br />Adopt Wetland Buffer Ordinance; Case of City of Ramsey <br /> <br />Mayor (jamec stated the Wetland Buffer Ordinance has been discussed atlength by the Council <br />and was introduced by the Council at the September 27,2005 Council meeting. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Strommen, seconded by Councilmember Elvig, to adopt Ordinance <br />1105-27 to amend City Code with the addition of Section 9.26 (Wetland Protection). <br /> <br />Further' discussion: Councilmember Jeffrey thanked the Environmental Policy Board for their <br />work on this ordinance.. Mayor Gamec stated the residents should understand there is a variance <br />procedure in place for unique situations. Councilmember Strommen indicated the intent of the <br />Environmental Policy Board is that this ordinance be reviewed after it has been implemented for <br />a period of time. She noted the wetland map will be completed at approximately the same time <br />this ordinance goes into effect. Councilmember Pearson stated he is in favor of property rights, <br />and to him this ordinance infringes on the property rights of the landowner. The same effect <br />could be obtaincd by educating the public without taking the rights away from the landowner... <br />r Ie stated be sees land in the City that is now under water that was dry land years ago, and has <br />also seen the opposite; wetlands change. Councilmember Olson concurred. She stated there are <br />a lot of things the City could be doing in regards to education that would accomplish what they <br />are trying to accomplish with this ordinance. Wetlands come and wetlands go, but property <br />rights remain. Mayor Gamec commented he has wavered both ways on this ordinance, and it <br />may take the ordinance going into effect to see how it will operate. He suggested they may want <br />to ,",vait tC) adopt the ordinance uptil the wetland map is completed. Councilrnember Strommen <br />stated the wetland map will be a scientific inventory of the wetlands in the City, and there is not <br />much they can do to change the map that will affect this ordinance. Councilmember Cook stated <br />he agrees a large part of this could be handled by education, but the ordinance can bring that <br />education to light. People often do not want to be educated until there is a reason for them to be <br />educated. This ordinance is a step in the right direction. Councilmember Elvig noted there is an <br />appeal process included in the ordinance if the mapping is felt to be unjust. The concern is to <br />protect the wetlands as they grow as a City. His concern is regarding the people that sell to <br />developers that will squeeze in development down to the waters edge, and the ordinance should <br />bt: in place to protect against the pressures coming to the City. <br /> <br />Mayor Oamec directed staff to schedule a review of this ordinance after it has been in effect for <br />approximately six months. <br /> <br />^ roll call vote was performed by the Recording Secretary: <br /> <br />lVlayor ( iamec: aye <br />('ouneilmember Cook: aye <br />Couneilmcmber Elvig: aye <br />Councilmcmbcr Jeffrey: aye <br />COLll1cilmember Olson: aye <br />C'oul1cilmcmbcr Pearson: nay <br /> <br />City Council! October 11, 2005 <br />Page 9 of 17 <br /> <br />58 <br />