Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 04/14/2005 - Joint with EPTF

Home

MEMORANDUM Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. To: Ramsey City Staff, Environmental Policy Board, Park and Recreation Commission From: [,oren Gordon, AICP Subject: F'otential Greenway Corridors Date: April 7, 2005 k-tH Wc will present the attached draft of the Potential GreenwaY Corridors at the April 14t~ joint Environmental Policy Board and Park Commission meeting. The purpose of this meeting will be to review how the proposed greenway corridors were established and receive input from the Commission. The t'otcntial Greenway Corridors map was developed with connected wetland systems as its basis. This work was per~'ormcd by Peterson Environmental Consulting who is also working with HKGi on the wetland prt)tection ordinance currently under review by the Environmental Policy Board. These connected wetlands are higher quality than those that are not connected to the larger system. Higher quality wetlands usually have a more diverse plant community which is an indicator of the health of the surrounding ecosystem. Ramsey has ;~ number ot'high quality wetland complexes that merit protection and inclusion in a larger greenways system phm. Greenways are essentially connected wetland systems and adjacent upland habitat. They provide habitat for both terrestrial and aquatic plant and animal life. The Potential Greenway Corridors in Ramsey represent the most s ignilicant habitat areas. Although there may be other quality wetland and upland resources that are not' within thc Greenway Corridors, their exclusion does not diminish their environmental value to the community. As a part of establishing these corridors, the land use plan will need to incorporate these as overlays to develop relationships between development and resource areas. In addition, these corridors are a basis for the park and trail system planning. The Planning Commission and City Council are currently evaluating development ;~.lternatives that will need to carefully relate to park and trail system planning in the next steps of the Comprehensive Planning process. The current Comprehensive Plan includes the following language regarding the implementation strategies for thc, Grcenway: (h'eenway corridors mainly include natural resources such as wetlands, hydric soils, tree canopy, natural vegetation, and unique wildlife habitat. It also includes some lands that may not be environmentally unique but instead simply create a link between other open space areas such as parks or wetlands. Some of the clements within greenways are protected through ordinance or other legal means, while others are not. These corridors may bc environmentally sensitive areas, which allow for protection of water quality, wildlife m,~vcmcnt, scenic views, and a continuous trail system. The intent of the Greenway is not to prohibit development within this corridor but rather to preserve the existing resource base and return areas to their i];_!ttlral state where possible.