Agenda - Planning Commission - 05/04/2017 - Special

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Pearson Farm Residential Development EAW Draft — March XX, 2017 9. Land Use a. Describe: i. Existing land use of the site as well as areas adjacent to and near the site, including parks, trails, prime or unique farmlands. The project area has been in agricultural use since at least the 1930s. Crops grown on the site during 2016 include corn, soybeans, wheat and sorghum. Itasca Park, which is owned by the City of Ramsey, is located north of the project area, covers about 61 acres, and adjoins the southeast shore of Lake Itasca. Other surrounding land uses include residential to the northeast, agricultural cropland and one isolated residence to the east; the Burlington Northern Railroad, U.S. Highway 10/169, cropland, and commercial development to the south; and the Links at Northfork golf course and open grassland to the west (Figure 7). Farmland ratings for soils mapped in the project area are listed in Table 4 under Item 10b of this EAW. Of the five soil map units present in the project area, none are considered prime farmland, prime farmland if drained, or farmland of statewide importance. ii. Plans. Describe planned land use as identified in comprehensive plan (f available) and any other applicable plan for land use, water, or resources management by a local, regional, state, or federal agency. The City of Ramsey 2030 Comprehensive Plan shows the planned land use of the site as Low Density Residential (LDR, average of 4lots/net acre), Medium Density Residential (MDR, average of 7 units/acre), High Density Residential (HDR, average of 15 units/acre), and Commercial. The City of Ramsey Master Park and Trail Plan shows 2030 Park System Plan shows proposed trails running east -west through northern and southern parts of the site. Mapping prepared by the Minnesota DNR shows Metro Conservation Corridors and Regionally Significant Ecological Areas (RSEA) in the vicinity of the project. These general planning areas for conservation and ecological management area centered on Itasca Lake and the Mississippi River. iii. Zoning, including special districts or overlays such as shoreland, floodplain, wild and scenic rivers, critical area, agricultural preserves, etc. Zoning Overview The City of Ramsey Zoning Map mirrors the City of Ramsey 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the project area. It shows the project area zoned for R-1 (Low -Density Residential [MUSA]), R-2 (Medium -Density Residential), R-3 (High -Density Residential), and B-2 (Business District). The Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area, which is overseen by the Minnesota DNR, and the Mississippi National River & Recreation Area, which is overseen by the National Park Service, is located southwest of the project area, across U.S. Highway 10/169. The project area does not fall in or near a wild and scenic river or an agricultural preserve. Shoreland overlay districts and floodplains are discussed below. 6