Agenda - Council Work Session - 12/01/2009

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The Context: Planning for Growth near the River It is the Mississippi River that unites Dayton, Elk River, Otsego and Ramsey. Residents of each city go to the river to relax, to fish, to hike, and to boat. The River holds tremendous natural, social and economic opportunity for these cities. But in each case, constrained access and limited riverfront open space also prevent the public from fully realizing the benefits of the River. The coming years will be pivotal in determining what lasting connections cities will cultivate with the great Mississippi River. A significant portion of the growth of the Twin Cities is expected to take place in a lO-mile-wide growth corridor straddling the Mississippi River between Anoka and St. Cloud. Current and planned investments in US Highway 10, Interstate 94, the Northstar rail corridor, and expansions of sanitary sewer are expected to make the area an increasingly important focus of population growth. The US 10 Wayside Rest in Ramsey Yet today, the Mississippi River through the northwest portion of the Twin Cities region still remains substantially surrounded by farmland and open space. The immediate river corridor in Dayton, Elk River, Otsego and Ramsey is home to scattered development, and large tracts of farmland and open space still abut the river corridor. Unlike the river communities to the south, land use patterns in these four cities have not been set in place by existing development. There is a tremendous opportunity right now to capture the scenic, ecological, recreational and economic benefits of the river corridor. Today is the time to prepare and plan for the anticipated growth of tomorrow. Large tracts of unprotected open space remain, some with important ecological value. The comprehensive plans of the four cities offer a preliminary understanding of where it makes the most sense to focus intense development, and where it is best to tread more lightly on the landscape. By working together, decisions about how to facilitate connections to and along the River can be better clarified. Ramsey, Dayton, Elk River and Otsego have a major opportunity to shape the form of land, development, and open space protection in the river corridor. In so doing, each city can further define and realize their long-term relationship to the river. Collectively, an affirmative vision of future of each of these four cities has the potential to cultivate the Mississippi as a key asset for recreation, wildlife, scenic beauty, and tourism. With careful planning, smart development, and a consistent vision, northwest communities can realize the river as a healthy, enduring, and significant community legacy for future generations.