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 The plan also calls for a redevelopment study of some of the lands along the Highway 10 Corridor to reevaluate the commercial use. The goals and policies of the future land use plan should be adhered to within the Critical Area Corridor. 4. Develop Educational Programs: Working with MNRRA agencies, incorporate river protection education elements into events such as recycling drop off days and other community wide events. Encourage and participate in regional programs that help educate property owners within the corridor on river quality issues and how their own individual practices can help clean up the river (i.e., Best Management Practices). S. Pursue Grants and Funding Sources for Acquisition of Sensitive Lands: Some land areas have been identified as significant environmental features that should be protected and managed as permanent open space. These areas are designated as Site 1, Site 2 and the continuous trail corridor on the MNRRA opportunity map illustrated in Figure 11-6. Site 1 features significant woodlands that provide natural habitat. This area is adjacent to residential properties on the south and agriculture property on the north, which will likely succumb to urban development in the distant future. This site should be preserved through private sector actions. This could be done through such means as transfer of development rights where density is transferred to the more developable property to the north and east, purchase of development rights, or conservation easement purchase. Acquisition by the public should be a last priority for protection of Site 1. Site 2 features some lands that are protected by the floodplain ordinance, some lands protected through wetlands regulations and some lands that are not protected at all. Site 2 is a more significant piece of land because of its river frontage. Public Acquisition would appear to be the priority for protection of this site because floodplain ordinances may still permit certain development activity. A study should be completed to establish a detailed acquisition boundary of significant lands and a management plan should be put in place that focuses on low cost passive uses possibly restoring lands that have been disturbed back to native vegetation or a small scenic overlook site. National Park Service Funds could be used in tandem with funding from the City, DNR, Metropolitan Council, non-profit groups or other entity interested in riverfront protection. Continuous Trail Corridor represents a general location for a trail corridor that would be part of the MNRRA continuos trial corridor. Strong public opposition is not unique to Ramsey. Many communities face similar opposition. Like it has done in other instances, the City of Ramsey should seek to learn from other community's experiences. A general description of a trial corridor can be found in an ordinance dating back to 1989: however, many residents were not aware of this. This corridor should not necessarily be abandoned but should be reevaluated using a public participatory process to determine how lands are reserved for the site, whether they should be public or private, how they should be used, maintained and what exact alignment should be used. It should also be clear to residents that a trail corridor is a desired element by the greater community and that the City is ensuring involvement to meet the needs of the concerned property owners. The Greenway Corridor represents an area that may contain a significant natural City of Ramsey 2030 Comprehensive Plan Page 11-22