Agenda - Council Work Session - 01/11/2011

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Furtheiniore, the City has reviewed the comments provided following the August 12 Working Group meeting in an email from Jeffrey Berg dated August 16, 2010. We continue to be concerned with being classified as rural. We agree that certain portions of Ramsey are of rural character and support that character. However, as our Future Land Use Map in the 2020 and 2030 Comprehensive Plans indicate, the area within the MRCCA is not this character, yet low density residential classified as three (3) units per acre and minimum lot size of 10,800 square feet. A minimum lot size of two (2) acres is inconsistent with our approved plans. It is our belief that the DNR had the ability to comment on this land use designation during development of the Comprehensive Plan, and as far as we can tell, did not prevent the City from implementing this future land use map. We have contacted our Sector Representative from the Metropolitan Council. The City is of the belief that we have expended great resources on these plans and received the appropriate approvals and shall not be negatively impacted by these proposed rules as it relates to conformance to the Metropolitan Council's Regional Framework. The City is already required to adhere to MN Stat. 473.175 as it relates to local comprehensive plans and ensure compliance with regional planning Lastly, the City encourages the DNR to provide all affected communities with recent case law as it relates to variances (namely the definition of `reasonable use') as well as non - conforming statutes. The City is especially concerned with comments that the proposed rules include provisions for amortization, which is in direct conflict with current statutes. The City understands the importance of this critical natural and cultural resource and it is an extremely important piece of our community. The City wishes to provide adequate protections that balance private property rights. Cities have come a long way in managing urban growth since the Executive Order was established. We continue to pride ourselves of our blend of urban and rural character and pride ourselves on a high quality of storm water management. The City has received numerous positive comments on our approved surface water management plan, especially during review of our comprehensive plan. We understand the need for consistency across jurisdictions, but want to ensure that the state rules are indeed the minimum standards necessary in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our region and the Mississippi River. The City of Ramsey feels that there is still a need for room for local units of government to manage their land use and zoning appropriately, as we are those that are most familiar with the local needs of the area. Please feel free to contact Tim Gladhill, Associate Planner and MRCCA Working Group member with additional questions or clarification. Sincerely, CITY OF RAMSEY Bob Ramsey Mayor Kurt Ulrich City Administrator CC: NW Working Group Members Susan Hoyt, Metropolitan Council Sector Representative Mark Holsten, DNR. Commissioner Tim Gladhill Associate Planner/MRCCA Working Group Member