Agenda - Council - 04/26/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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April 27, 2016 Chuck Darnell, Associate Planner/Code Enforcement Technician City of Anoka 2015 First Avenue North Anoka, MN 55303-2270 RE: Riverplace Counseling Center Land Use Applications Chuck: Thank you for the opportunity to work through the proposed relocation of Riverplace Counseling Center to 6058 Highway 10 NW on the border with the City of Ramsey. We appreciate the extra effort you have done to answer questions from our team and residents. Ramsey desires to forward three (3) topics for Anoka's consideration. We acknowledge that these are advisory comments, as Anoka has jurisdiction over the Application. Ramsey simply wants to be good stewards of our public comment process and provide Anoka with advisory information to assist with their final decision -making process. 1. Bluff Setback. The Executive Order for the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) establishes a minimum setback to bluff lines of 40 feet through 'interim development regulations' for the 'Urban Diversified' district of the Overlay. It is Staffs understanding that this provision would remain the same under the proposed rule changes for the Critical Area. However, this provision is not found in Anoka's existing ordinance. The proposed Bluff Setback is only 30 feet, which is Anoka's current standard (voluntary). It appears that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has recommended that this setback be amended to 40 feet to comply with existing MRCCA rules and proposed amendments to MRCCA rules. Additionally, Anoka is choosing to employ the use of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) for this dimensional standard, which is a commonly employed tool. Staff simply requests that Anoka verify that this approach is acceptable under the Critical Area standards. 2. Water Setback. The Executive Order for the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) establishes a minimum setback to the 'Ordinary High Water' mark (OHW) of 100 feet through 'interim development regulations' for the 'Urban Diversified' district of the Overlay. However, this provision is not found in Anoka's Ordinance. Several of the proposed structures appear deficient in this setback. Additionally, Anoka has indicated that this is not a riparian lot, and is not subject to the OHW Setback, as the City of Anoka will retain a small strip of property along the shoreline. The DNR has not commented on this issue. Ramsey simply requests that Anoka verify that this is an acceptable approach within the Critical Area Overlay. 3. Pedestrian Connectivity. The proposed site plan lacks any immediate pedestrian connectivity to existing facilities. Given the fact that residents generally do not have vehicles at this facility, there are lack of options to arrive at area destinations outside of structured events. There are