Agenda - Planning Commission - 02/02/2017

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The broad -brush nature of these districts and the inability to update them to reflect changing conditions identified in local land use plans has been challenging for local governments interested in redevelopment and enhancements to their riverfront districts. As such, the 2009 and 2013 Legislatures directed the DNR to establish new districts within the MRCCA. Minn. Stat. § 116.15, subd. 3 (2015). The DNR is authorized to determine the appropriate number of districts within any one municipality, taking into account municipal plans and policies, existing ordinances, and existing conditions. In establishing the districts the DNR is required to consider: the protection of public recreational and interpretive resources; drinking water supply functions of the Mississippi River; the protection of resources identified in the MNRRA plan and local comprehensive plans; management of the corridor consistent with natural characteristics, existing development and the potential for new development; and protection of scenic, geologic and ecological resources. Minn. Stat. § 116G.15, subd. 3 (2015). Subparts 3-8. Proposed districts. An important focus of implementing this directive through the rule making process has been to design land use districts that are more responsive to unique resource conditions within the MRCCA and existing and proposed land uses identified in local plans. The DNR began the process of developing district types by examining the landscape character within the corridor including, but not limited to, an evaluation of topography, existing vegetation cover, and existing development patterns. This led to the identification of more than twenty different land types over the 72-mile corridor. Similar land types were then grouped together, reducing the number from twenty to ten. These ten land types formed the basis for the creation of ten draft districts which were developed further for public presentation at multiple venues. After receiving input from work groups, local governments, and other interests, the original ten districts were revised and ultimately consolidated into the six districts described in the proposed MRCCA rules. As outlined in subparts 3 - 8, these six districts include: • Rural and Open Space (CA-ROS) • River Neighborhood (CA -RN) • River Towns and Crossings (CA -RTC) • Separated from River (CA -SR) • Urban Mixed (CA -UM) • Urban Core (CA-UC) The intent and level of protection for each of the six districts is based on the natural resource values within the district, with the greatest levels of protection in those areas that abut the river and still retain natural features. Greater flexibility is provided in those districts that contain areas with more limited resource values, areas that are separated from the river, and fully developed areas of the two major cities — downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul. This array of districts more accurately reflects the different land uses existing within the MRCCA, current development patterns, and proposed future development. The diversity of the districts supports the different dimensional standards needed to enhance the corridor's character and to protect the resources and features identified for special protection in Minn. Stat. § 116G.15, subd. 1 (2015). For a more detailed description of the district, their boundaries, and their location within the MRCCA see the proposed MRCCA district maps (Exhibit G). 43