Agenda - Planning Commission - 02/02/2017

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Conservation Design and Conventional Subdivision Both conservation design and conventional subdivisions are allowed under the proposed rules. Conservation design is a pattern of subdivision that is characterized by grouping lots within a portion of the parcel to permit the remaining portions of the parcel to be protected as open space. Proposed Minn. R. 6106.0050, subp. 16. Conventional subdivision is a traditional lot and block type of development that was the primary method of development when the MRCCA was designated. Conservation design provides local government with the option of allowing smaller lot sizes within the MRCCA in exchange for increased protection of primary conservation areas within the MRCCA as open space, and replaces the outdated term "clustering" used in Executive Order 79-19 (see Figure 10). Proposed Minn. R. 6106.0050, subp. 17. This term is used the proposed subdivision and land development standards in proposed Minn. R. 6106.0170, subp. 4, which require local governments to provide incentives for alternative design standards such as conservation design in local ordinances. Conventional Subdivision — 49 buildable lots Conservation Subdivision — 54 buildable lots Figure 10. Conventional subdivision compared to conservation design subdivision. Impervious Surface The term impervious surface refers to constructed or hard surfaces that impede the infiltration of water into soils and increase runoff into surface waters. Proposed Minn. R. 6106.0050, subp. 29. This definition is consistent with that used in the Pollution Control Agency's Application for General Stormwater Permit for Construction Activity, and is used in the proposed setback and storm water standards in proposed Minn. R. 6106.0120, subp. 3.B. and 6106.0160. Intensive Vegetation Clearing Intensive vegetation clearing replaces the term "clear cutting" as used in Executive Order 79-19. The term clear cutting is a forest management term. Intensive vegetation clearing expands on the concept of clear cutting to include the type of vegetative clearing that is typically conducted on developed lots including those in the MRCCA. The concept includes activities such as extending lawns, landscaping, or opening views. Proposed Minn. R. 6106.0050, subp. 30. This term is used in the proposed vegetation management standards in proposed Minn. R. 6106.0150. Hard Surface Trail/Natural Surface Trail The terms hard surface trail and natural surface trail are proposed to differentiate between trails that are suitable in sensitive bluff areas (natural surface) and trails that are not (hard surface). Cf. Proposed 31