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From: Lorrie J. Louder <br />To: Rerq_Jeffrey J. JQNR) <br />Subject: Saint Paul Port Authority Comments on Critical Area Rulemaking <br />Date: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 5:28:22 PM <br />Good Afternoon, Jeffrey --- <br />Thanks very much for the work you are doing in this Rulemaking process. We had a good meeting <br />last week in Lilydale. <br />The purpose of this email is to respond to your request for comments, as you indicated in your <br />email of June 11, 2010. <br />Regarding the DNR Boundary map, we support the Downtown boundary. It appears to be a good <br />idea. Additionally, the protection of both river -related and land-based industrial land uses are very <br />important, and documents provided during this Rulemaking process should reflect the continuation <br />of these uses. It is critically important that the economic benefits to the City and its residents of <br />industrial land uses in this area be recognized. This pertains particularly to business growth, job <br />retention, job creation, and the substantial economic benefit provided by the business tax base <br />and supplier networks to the entire State of Minnesota. <br />Jeffrey, I will first provide some overall land use policy context, and this will relate to additional <br />specific comments and recommendations. <br />Context: <br />The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) Comprehensive <br />Management Plan, Approved by the Federal Secretary of the Interior, indicates the <br />following (all are direct quotes from text): <br />----The working river is important to the economy of the metropolitan area and the <br />entire upper Midwest. This Plan promotes the benefits of both the natural river <br />system and the working river. (p. 15) <br />This Plan respects the right of private property owners to determine <br />appropriate uses of their land subject to community land use regulations. It is also <br />understood that much of the corridor is developed and will not be restored to a <br />natural state. (p. 15) <br />----Except in commercial and industrial areas, downtowns, and historic districts, <br />currently undeveloped land areas in the corridor will continue to appear open from <br />the river and its shoreline areas (as observed from the opposite bank), although <br />there may be intensive development away from the shoreline. This open <br />appearance does not mean that all undeveloped land must remain undeveloped. In <br />most cases this general policy could be achieved thought the setback, height limit, <br />and vegetation screening policies and design guidelines while allowing for extensive <br />