Agenda - Council Work Session - 10/29/2013

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ensure that local communities have the flexibility to meet the needs of their community, its existing development pattern, and future land use plans (Comprehensive Plans). A change to the draft rules that correct issues identified specific to Ramsey should not create the outcome of creating a negative effect to another community. We believe there should be a threshold of variation allowed to permit local communities to best match the needs of their residents, while still protecting the key resources identified in the Statute and Executive Order. Strict application of corridor -wide standards may not be the best approach to meet the needs of the diverse development patterns within the corridor. 3. Flexibility in vegetation management A number of Ramsey residents expressed concern of limitations on vegetation management. Understanding the DNR's assumption that natural vegetation has a benefit to bluff stabilization, water quality, and scenic qualities of the corridor, Ramsey Staff would like the DNR to clarify our role in determining proper vegetation management and what activities a homeowner can complete without approval from the City (i.e. pruning). We have a finite amount of resources to provide to administering these rules; any additional duties, if any are proposed, above what is being provided under the existing rules comes at an additional cost to the City. Ramsey would like to explore alternatives such as a focus on continuous canopy coverage, etc. 4. Support Draft Standards by providing technical analysis for need A number of Ramsey residents expressed a desire to have access to technical resources to support the methodology utilized to develop specific draft standards. Ramsey's Comprehensive Plan notes [paraphrased] that our land use decisions should be supported by peer -reviewed science. Ramsey recommends the creation of a Resource Library to help in our decision -making process by providing important details on how these draft standards protect the resources identified in existing rules as well as why these resources need to be protected through corridor -wide rules. This will assist us in formulating our final, detailed response. 5. Provide examples of current issues The Ramsey Staff understands there may be examples of river bank failures that have come close to having an impact to existing structures, or have directly impacted existing structures. It would be helpful for us to see those examples and see how those circumstances apply to the built -environment in Ramsey. 6. Discuss relationship and separation between the Mississippi National River & Recreation Area (MNRRA) and Mississippi River Trail (MRT) The Ramsey Staff understands that the Critical Area, MNRRA, and MRT are separate components. However, it appears that the relationship and separation are still unclear to many of our stakeholders. This is especially true as it relates to the Critical Area and MNRRA, as they share the same boundary. In addition, the MRT traverses within the boundary of the Critical Area. A resource explaining what the MNRRA is and what it means to private property owners would be helpful in our analysis. 7. Tiered Land Use Approach The City of Ramsey supports the tiered land -use district approach, as it better matches existing development patterns within the corridor and our Comprehensive Plan goals and implementation strategies. As the entire corridor within Ramsey is within the urban service area designation, the City asks that any area currently shown as CA-2 be shown as CA-3. DRAFT Statement of Policy — Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (10/29/13)