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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION <br />Topic Report: Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) Rulemaking Process <br />By: Tim Gladhill, Associate Planner <br />Background: <br />The 2009 Minnesota Legislature directed the DNR to establish rules for (Laws 2009, Chapter 172, Article <br />2, Section 5(e) and Section 27 for the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA). The <br />Legislation revised portions of Chapter I I6G, and specified that rulemaking must commence by January <br />15, 2010 and include 30 day advance notification to local government units (counties, cities, townships, <br />etc.) within the MRCCA. Minnesota Statutes Section I I6G.15 requires the DNR to: <br />• Establish, by rule, districts within the MRCCA including: <br />o determining the appropriate number of districts within each municipality, <br />o taking into account municipal plans and policies, and existing ordinances and conditions, <br />and <br />o considering protection of key, identified resources and features. <br />• Establish, by rule, minimum guidelines and standards for the districts, which shall include: <br />o the intent of each district and <br />o key resources and features to be protected or enhanced. <br />• And must take into account: <br />o municipal plans and policies, and <br />o existing ordinances and conditions. <br />• The guidelines and standards must protect or enhance (specified) key resources and features. <br />• Establish a map to define bluffs and bluff -related features within the Mississippi River corridor <br />critical area, including: <br />o a preliminary bluff map at the outset of the rulemaking process, <br />o refining it as part of the process, and <br />o adopt a final bluff map at the end of the process. <br />Observations: <br />The Rulemaking process has produced a list of draft land use districts that will determine the regulations that <br />will affect the City and other communities within the MRCCA. It appears that portions of the City will be <br />included in the following land use districts of the MRCCA: <br />1. LU District `B' <br />a. Riverfront lands should remain at or near present densities, with low structure height and <br />strong vegetative management provisions. Stormwater management and visual impact <br />