Agenda - Council - 09/27/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE # INTRODUCE WETLAND BUFFER ORDINANCE; CASE OF CITY OF RAMSEY By: Chris Anderson/Recycling & Zoning Coordinator Background: As you know, the Environmental Policy Board, with the services of the Hoisington Koegler (iroup and Peterson Environmental Consulting Inc, has been working on the creation of a wetland buffer ordinance. A draft ordinance has been completed and is ready for formal introduction. Observations: In gcncral, thc purpose of the ordinance is to provide protection of wetlands in the City based on lh¢ir quality and other relevant factors through the establishment of natural vegetative buffers. Thcsc buffbrs provide an additional level of protection to the functions and values of wetlands. These natural wetland edges serve a number of other purposes in maintaining wetland functions and values such as providing areas for wildlife habitat, pollutant filtration, and the promotion of biodiversity. t';stablishmcnt of wetland buffers will be triggered by development of a property containing wetlands or on a voluntary basis for existing lots. The width of a buffer is based on wetland quality, topography, soils, and other environmental conditions. Generally, a natural vegetative strip scrving as a wetland buffer will range between five (5) and fifty (50) feet. Wetland buffer monumentation will be required at the edge of buffer strips. These monuments will not only denote the boundary of the buffer area but also advise subsequent property owners that thc buff'er is a protected area. These monuments will need to be purchased through the City aml installed by the developer. t'cterson I';nvironmental Consulting is currently conducting a wetlands study that will be used in conjunction with the ordinance. The study will provide the framework for a municipal wetland management classification map that clearly identifies the environmental attributes of a wetland m~d thc associated required buffer width(s). Upon completion, the municipal wetland management classification map would be presented to City Council for formal adoption. The l)la,ming Commission held public hearings for this draft ordinance on May 5, 2005 and July 7, 2005 and this was first presented to City Council on July 26, 2005. At that meeting, City Council tabled action and directed Staff to bring this draft ordinance to a Council work session lbr discussion. At the September 20, 2005 Council work session, the draft ordinance was discussed at length.