Agenda - Council - 08/24/2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 10 PRINCIPLE 6. Industrial land uses should not be codified semi -permanently in Critical Area districts. We do not see any reason to grant industrial land uses any special recognition within the Critical Area Districts. Certainly, existing industrial uses can continue to exist, and new ones can be implemented in appropriate areas RECOMMENDATION 6.1. All land in Draft Districts G and H should be reclassified as District F in urbanized areas, and B in rural areas. We think the standards of District F can provide for new industrial uses away from the riverfront; and allow for new industrial uses on the riverfront as long as they require a riverfront location. We also believe industrial uses in the more rural parts of the corridor can continue to be accommodated within District B. As such, we don't believe that Districts G and H are needed, and support folding them into District F and District B. Among the major industrial sites in the southern, rural part of the corridor, Aggregate Industries is identified as B, while Flint Hills Resources is identified as G. We suggest that both of these areas shoud be zoned in B or a similar rural district to ensure the high quality natural features and habitat of these sites are protected and do not get overdeveloped in the future PRINCIPLE 7. Respond appropriately to protect the resources and uniquely diverse conditions found in the Combined District F/G/H. Again, here, it is impossible to look at districts without getting somewhat into standards. And developing a common height standard to apply to all of these areas seems fraught with challenges. For example, in the West Side Flats area, the City of St. Paul has established 60 feet as a key threshold in helping protect the viewscape around the massive river basin that defines the city's core area. But a 60 - foot height limit throughout the Ford Motor Company site would likely produce buildings that are highly visible from landmark locations such as the viewing platform at Fort Snelling, Wabun Park, and Minnehaha Park. This is at odds with the mandate the DNR was given in crafting rules. Many, and probably most of the areas in District F are those that require special attention to protect their scenic qualities. Such areas include: • Ford Motor Company Site in St. Paul's Highland Park Neighborhood • St. Paul's Victoria Park neighborhood along West Seventh Street • St. Paul's West Side Flats area • Stockyards area in South St. Paul Thus, in order to adequately protect the scenic amenities of the corridor, there is a lot of variation in standards that will be required. As we move forward, particularly through the process of developing standards, we hope the DNR and other stakeholders maintain an open mind about how to best accomplish our aims. There are a couple of approaches to this area, and we think one or more of these approaches should be integrated into the rules; they are not necessarily mutually exclusive.