Agenda - Council - 05/05/1980 - Special

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-2- accordance with a DNR and EQB agreement the Ramsey Critical Area plan and regulations should satisfy the requirements of both designations.. The City of Ramsey's Critical Area Plan was submitted initially to the Metropolitan Council as a single document entitled "Ramsey Critical Areas Plan" July 1979. Subsequent to a preliminary review of this document by the Council staff the city submitted additional documents including a memorandum from the City of Ramsey entitled "Ramsey Critical River Study" January 22, 1980 (copy attached), and a copy of the City of Ramsey's Septic/SewageDisposal Systems Ordinance, Chapter 150 and a copy of the City of Ramsey's Soil Ordinance, Chapter 170.04. Following a meeting with representatives of the city to discuss the staff's preliminary recommendations, the memorandum from the city and ordinances referenced above were reviewed by the Metropolitan Council staff. The contents of this report and the final recommendations to the Metropolitan Council reflect that review. Summary of Proposed Critical Area Plan and Regulations The Critical Area in'Ramsey is designated as urban developed and rural open space. See Map 1. The purpose of the urban-developed district is to prdvide 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. At the present time the river corridor in Ramsey is generally open in character with primarily agricultdral uses, scattered residential subdivisions, small commercial strips along U.S. ~0, an undeveloped county park in the central portion,,.and a highway rest area with river access on the western end.' Approximately one-third of the river corridor is designated as within the Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA) by the Metropolitan Development Framework. The Ramsey plan proposes .the development of a diversity of land uses within the rural open space and urban developed districts primarily residential with the rest in commercial development, .and public open space. See Map 2. An industrial area is proposed ajoining but outside of the Critical Area boundary and MUSA. The commercial and industrial land use districts are reduced from what is presently allowed by the city's policies and regulations. Urban residential lots (less than 2.5 acres) industr'ial and urban-oriented commercial development would be allowed only in the area to be served by urban services. The minimum lot. size in uhsewered areas would be 2.5 acres except in areas to be served by urban services within five years where the lot size could be reduced to one acre. The urban service area is not defined within the Critical Area Plan. 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 corridor' where possible and link the park areas. Environmental policies and regulations provide protection for 6atural watercourses, slopes, riverbanks, floodplains, and woodlands.