Agenda - Council Work Session - 02/17/2004

Home

Agricultural Areas Caruel' ('~ollnty: E~ellloll Township. Camden Townshilx Ch~k~ Township, Dahlsreo Township (urbm~ reserve), Hancock Township, Hollywood Township. Sm~ Francisco Township. Waconb Townstfip, W~tertmvn Towuship (urbm~ reserve). Young America Township (urban reserve) Dakota County: Cm~tlc Rock Township. Dough~s Township. Eureka Township. Gmenvale Township. Hampton Township. Marshan Township. Nininger Township. Randolph Township (Diversified Rural). Sciota Township. Vermillion Township. Waterlbrd Township Scott County: Belle Plaine Township (urban reserve. Diversified Rural). Blakeley Township (urban reserve. Diversified ~ural) Table 7: Comprehensive Planning Strategies for the Agricultural Areas Policy 1: Work with communities to accommodate gr. owth in a flexible, connected and efficient manner. Council Role · Support local efforts to preserve prime agricultural soils and land uses by supporting township and county activities that maintain agricultural land uses through at least 2030. Should post-2030 growth forecasts indicate a need to develop some agricultural lands at urban densities, agricultnral land uses will enable the efficient expansion of regional urban infrastructure. Wastewater services to these areas will be reviewed' on.3a case:by- case basis to determine feasibility. · Promote agricultural practices that protect the integrity of the region's water supply. Commnnity Rote · Maintain agricultural land uses through at least 2030 to preserve prime a~icultura! lands and to preserve land for efficient expansion of post-2030 regional urban infrastructure, limit residential development. · Promote best management practices for agricultural activities in order to protect the integrity of the:region:s water supply. · Adopt zoning ordinances and/or other official controls to maintain densities of no more than I housing unit per 40 acres in areas designated for agricultural use. · Develop and implement strategies for protecting farmlands, such as exclusive agricultural zoning, agricultural security districts, and lower densities such as 1 housing unit per 80 acres. · Minimize confli.cts between agricultural an~l non-fa(m land uses through local ordinances and official controls. Policy 2: Plan and invest in multi-modal transportation choices based on the full range of costs and benefits, to slow the growth of congestion and serve the region's economic needs. Council Role · Dian regional transpm~tation infrastructure consistent with market access .a. nd the..a.gribusiness ne.eds of the area. Community Role · ?lan for and construct local transport~ttion infrastructure sufficient to serve local and agricultural needs. Policy 3: Encourage expanded choices in housing location and types, and improved access to jobs and opportunities. See Table I. Policy 4: Work with local and regional partners to conserve, protect and enhance the region's vital natural resources. Council Role · Promote agricultural practices that protect the quality of the region's water resources. · Partner with state agencies, counties and communities to conserve, maintain and restore natural resources identified in regional and local natural resource inventories. Integrate natural resource conserq, ation strategies into plans for infrastructure improvements and development. · Provide information to communities about how to incorporate environmentally sensitive development techniques into farm-related construction. Community Role · Promote best management practices for agricultural activities in order to protect tile quality of the local and regional water resources. · Conserve, maintain and restore natt,ral resources identified in regional and local natural resource inventories. Integrate natural resource conservation strategies into developmeat plans. · Encourage the use of environmentally sensitive development techniques in farm-related construction, snch as surface water management that includes using natural systems to drain, filter and retain stormwater. 29