Agenda - Council - 01/26/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CC Regular Session 7.5. Meeting Date: 01/26/2021 By: Tim Gladhill, Community Development Information Title: Introduce Ordinance #21-02 Amending City Code Section 117-148 Entitled Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Purpose/Background: The purpose of this case is to consider amending the City's regulations within the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) Overlay District. This overlay district is required by the State of Minnesota and establishes minimum land use standards within the District. The Overlay District was originally created in the late 1970s and recently updated in 2017. The District requires a general land use plan be included in the City's Comprehensive Plan, which is now complete and in effect. The next step is to amend our official controls (Zoning Code). Staff is advancing the amendment now ahead of the anticipated schedule due to the proposed Riverstone South proposal. The updated rules are more reflective of the proposed Riverstone South subdivision. While the City was very active during the State of Minnesota Rulemaking Process and subsequent update to the City's Comprehensive Plan, including this area, this is the first read of the actual official controls/zoning code update. The City Council should feel comfortable tabling action if additional time and information is necessary. However, it should be noted that a delay in this ordinance update will delay the Riverstone South proposed subdivision. Alternatives 1. Adopt the Ordinance as presented (meets minimum requirements) 2. Adopt the Ordinance as modified 3. Postpone action to further refine draft ordinance 4. Do not adopt the ordinance (would not be in compliance with State Statute/Minnesota Rules) Notification: The Planning Commission held a Public Hearing on January 7, 2021. The Public Hearing Notice was advertised in the Anoka County Union -Herald, the City Official Newsletter. Since the district/impacted area is more than 40 acres in size, direct mailings are not required. Notification is not required for this step. During the State of Minnesota Rulemaking process (2015-2017) significant public outreach and notification was provided. Observations/Alternatives: The updated plans and rules represent a significant benefit to the City of Ramsey. Under the previous plan, a majority of the district was in a rural open space designation, significantly restricting future development potential and conflicted with the City's Comprehensive Plan. The updated rules better reflect the City's vision for future land use. The most relevant example is the current Riverstone South proposal. Under the previous plan, this current proposal would have needed to be processed as a Planned Unit Development with significantly more open space protection (50% of the site).