Agenda - Planning Commission - 05/03/2018

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Introduction Designated by Governor's Executive Order in the 1970s, the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) is a land corridor along the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area governed by special land planning requirements and land development regulations. These regulations, which are implemented through local MRCCA plans and ordinances, protect and preserve the natural, scenic, recreational, and transportation resources of this section of the Mississippi River. The MRCCA comprises 72 miles of river and 54,000 acres of surrounding land in 30 local jurisdictions. Ramsey adopted its first Critical Area Plan in 1980. Ramsey adopted its first Critical Area Ordinance in 1985, and has processed several amendments since that date. Ramsey has ensured that plan preparation has included extensive public engagement. In 2013, Ramsey hosted a series of public workshops on the topic, and maintainsa contact database. In addition, Ramsey'soverall Comprehensive Plan Update has included the most extensive public engagement process Ramsey has hosted for any of its Comprehensive Plan Updates. Goals for the Critical Area • Improve water quality. • Reduce shoreline erosion. • Improve access to the river. • Protect significant ecological areas. Initiatives for the Critical Area Improve Water Quality Initiativesdesigned to advance the improvement of water quality. • Reduce the amount of sediment entering the river. • Reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the river. Reduce Shoreline Erosion • Reduce the amount of erosion of upland area. Improve Access to River • Provide guidance to private owners on creating private access points. • Encourage utilization of existing public spaces to access and view the river. • Prioritize areas of additional acquisition to improve public access to the river. Protect Significant Ecological Resources • Encourage the protection of significant tree canopy coverage. • Encourage the protection of ecologically significant vegetation. • Encourage the establishment of pollinator friendly landscaping.