Agenda - Council - 01/22/1980 - Laserfiche WebLink

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- 2 - SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CRITICAL AREA PLAN.AND REGULATIONS The river corridor ±n Ramsey is designated as urban developed and rural open space. See Map 1. The purpose of the urban developed district is to provide for or maintain residential development. The purpose of the rural open space district is to preserve the open, scenic and natural characteristics of the land and water. The river corridor in Ramsey is generally open in character with agricultural uses cIose to Anoka and a few scattered residential subdivisions, some commercial strips along U.S. 10, an undeveloped county park, and highway rest area with river access. The Ramsey plan proposes the development of a diversity of land uses within the rural open space and urban developed districts including commercial development, parks, and low density residential. See Map 2. An industrial area is proposed within the rural open space district and outside the designated metropolitan urban service area (MUSA). The commercial and industrial land use districts are reduced from what is presently allowed by the city's policies and regula- tions. Urban residential lots (less than 2.5 acres) industrial and urban-oriented commercial development would be allowed only in the area to be served by'urban services which is not defined in the plan. The minimum lot size in unsewered areas would be 2.5 acres except in areas to be served by urban services within 5 years where the lot size could be reduced to 1 acre. The plan reflects existing public open space and recreation areas and recommends the acquisition of the undeveloped river islands. The regional trail would be routed along the river where possible and link the park areas. Environmental policies and regulations provide protec'Sion~'for natural watercourses, slopes, riverbanks, floodplains, and woodlands. CONSISTENCY WITH STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR CRITICAL AREA PLANS AND REGULATIONS A. Plan Elements Environmental element' The pla:~ contains an adequate inventory of woodlands, floodplain slopes and erosion problem areas. The Ramsey Critical Area Plan contains adequate policies for the protection and conservation of f-loodplains, wetlands and natural drainage routes. The policies in some instances need clarification to provide better guidance to local decision-makers and to be consistent with Critical Area requirements. The policies for the protection of s~teep slopes do not distinguish between slopes of 12 to 18 percent and 18 -percent or greater. Policies refer to slopes subject to severe and moderate erosion but these are not defined. The construction of "facilities" on slopes greater than-12 percent would be subject to a permit, but facilities are not defined. It is not clear whether the slope policies are to be applied to riverbanks. If not, then specific policies should be directed to riverbank erosion control.