Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 04/10/2014

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City of Ramsey 2030 Comprehensive Plan Update Chapter 11: The Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area C. The Critical Area Plan 1. Future Land Use This section is intended to supplement the land use plan described in Chapter V of the Comprehensive Plan. a) Future Residential Land Use Future residential development within the Critical Area/MNRRA Corridor is guided primarily as "Low density residential"; however, a small portion of the area is located within a "Mixed Use" area. Low Density Residential must have urban services before development can take place. These areas will average 3 units per acre and contain single family, detached dwellings. Where Low Density Residential is directly adjacent to areas guided Rural Developing that contain 2.5 acre lots, strategies for density transitioning will be employed. This means that while an area of Low Density Residential may average 3 units per acre, those lots directly adjacent to 2.5 acre lots will be closer in size to 2.5 acres in order to provide an effective transition that maintains the existing character of the neighborhood. Screening methods, such as landscaping must also be employed to transition between very low density areas and urban lots. Due to regulations placed on the area to achieve Critical Area Tier 1 and Tier 2 and Wild and Scenic objectives, it is unlikely that a 3 unit per acre average density will be achieved within the Critical Area. However, given regional growth strategy to encourage higher density within MUSA, the opportunity to create a plan with higher densities that is acceptable to the public, and meets approval of local and state regulatory agencies should still be provided. Both the Critical Area and Wild and Scenic Rivers designations in Ramsey permit residential development. The Critical Area guidelines for the "rural open space district" call for development that preserves "...their open, scenic and natural characteristics and ecological and economic functions...." and does not specify a density limit The Wild and Scenic River designation contains similar language; however, it goes on to require 2+ acre lot sizes except when developed through a Planned Cluster Development. The intent of the planned cluster development is to strategically group housing together in order to preserve large open space areas, natural features and scenic views. However, the DNR has proposed rule revisions to provide more flexibility for local governments to manage development within Wild and Scenic Areas. The proposed amendment states that portions of Ramsey within the Wild and Scenic area shall be subject to adopted local land use and lot requirements approved by the Metropolitan Council and the DNR. It is the intent of this plan to encourage a development pattern that seeks to minimize density within the Critical Area Corridor while maintaining the ability to achieve higher density development consistent with urban development standards and policies. This intent can be achieved by transferring density from within the corridor to adjacent residential land use areas through the PUD process and through creative zoning strategies. City of Ramsey 2030 Comprehensive Plan Page 11-14