Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 01/25/2021

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Riverstone SouthEAWDraft December 2020 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. About 70% of the project area has been in agricultural use since at least the 1930s and the remaining 30% has been in woodland and grassland. Surrounding land use isresidential to the south and west, agricultural (future commercial) to the north, and agricultural(future residential)and solar to the east (Figure4). Farmland ratings for soils mapped in the project areaare listed in Table 4under Item 10bof this EAW. Of the seven soil map units present in the project area,one soil type covering 9.5% of the site is prime farmland,two soils covering 50% of the site are farmland of statewide importance, and four soils covering 40.5% of the site are not prime farmland. ii.Plans. Describe planned land use as identified in comprehensive plan (if available) and any other applicable plan for land use, water, or resources management by a local, regional, state, or federal agency. The City of Ramsey2040Comprehensive Plan guides the site for Low Density Residential (LDR, generally3-4 lots/net acre). The net density of the site, after factoring out open space, is 3.95 lots/acre. The part of the site planned for 40-foot-wide lots will exceed a net density of 4 lots/acre and will require a Comprehensive Plan Amendment toMedium Density Residential(MDR, average of 7 units/acre).The City of RamseyComprehensive Parks and Recreation Plan shows the Mississippi Regional Trail, to be constructed on property north of the site near the U.S. Highway 10 corridor. Mapping prepared by the Minnesota DNR shows Metro Conservation Corridorsin the vicinity of the project. iii.Zoning, including special districts or overlays such as shoreland, floodplain, wild and scenic rivers, critical area, agricultural preserves, etc. Zoning Overview TheCity of RamseyZoning Map shows the project area zoned for R-1 (Low-Density Residential \[MUSA\]). The City of Ramsey is in the process of a Zoning Amendment for consistency with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The proposed 65-to 40-foot-wide residential lots will be allowed under the Zoning Amendment. The project area does not fall in or near a wild and scenic riveror an agricultural preserve. Floodplains The site is outside the floodplain of the Mississippi River(Figure 5). The site falls in FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) FIRM (Flood Insurance Rate Map) Panel 27003C0280E, which shows that the floodway elevation of the Mississippi River, Flood Zone AE (1%annual 6