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2001 Comprehensive Plan Amended February 26, 2002 Establish Design Guidelines: Building off of design criteria that may be established through a highway corridor study on Highway 10, similar criteria should be established for development within the corridor that protects scenic vistas, utilizes solar energy, restores native vegetation and blends the built environment into the natural environment. These design criteria should apply to public and private development projects and could be established through an overlay district. Use the Future Land Use Plan as a Guide to Future Development: The goals and policies found in the future land use element of the 1998 Comprehensive Plan focus on environmentally sound land use that calls for urban services to include the majority of the development within the corridor by the year 2015 (see Development Staging Section). The predominant land use in the corridor is Low density residential, which allows a variety of housing types and styles at a density up to 4 units per net acre. The plan also calls for a redevelopment study of some of the lands along the Highway 10 Corridor to reevaluate the commercial use. The goals and policies of the future land use plan should be adhered to within the Critical Area Corridor. Develop Educational Programs: Working with MNRRA agencies, incorporate river protection education elements into events such as recycling drop off days and other community wide events. Encourage and participate in regional programs that help educate property owners within the corridor on river quality issues and how their own individual practices can help clean up the river (i.e., Best Management Practices). Pursue Grants and Funding Sources for Acquisition of Sensitive Lands: Some land areas have been identified as significant environmental features that should be protected and managed as permanent open space. These areas are designated as Site 1, Site 2 and the continuous trail corridor on the MNRRA opportunity map illustrated in Figure XI-6. Site 1 features significant woodlands that provide natural habitat. This area is adjacent to residential properties on the south and agriculture property on the north, which will likely succumb to urban development in the distant future. This site should be preserved through private sector actions. This could be done through such means as transfer of development rights where density is transferred to the more developable property to the north and east, purchase of development rights, or conservation easement purchase. Acquisition by the public should be a last priority for protection of Site 1. Site 2 features some lands that are protected by the floodplain ordinance, some lands protected through wetlands regulations and some lands that are not protected at all. Site 2 is a more significant piece of land because of its river frontage. Public Acquisition would appear to be the priority for protection of this site because floodplain ordinances may still permit certain development activity. A study should be completed to establish a detailed acquisition boundary of significant lands and a management plan should be put in place that focuses on low cost passive uses possibly restoring lands that have been disturbed back to native vegetation or a small scenic overlook site. National Park Service Funds could be used in tandem with funding from the City, DNR, Metropolitan Council, non-profit groups or other entity interested in riverfront protection. Continuous Trail Corridor represents a general location for a trail corridor that would 2001 Ramsey Comprehensive Plan Page 311-21 Amended February 26, 2002