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CASE # <br /> <br />INTRODUCE ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 9.21 <br />(ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION) OF THE CITY CODE <br />By: Amy Geisler, AICP, Associate Planner <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />The Mississippi River forms the southern boundary of the City of Ramsey and is protected by the State <br />under three different sets of regulations: the Critical Areas Act, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and <br />Shoreland rules. <br /> <br />The following items are enclosed for your information: <br /> <br /> a) Map exhibit - Mississippi River Overlay District (no proposed boundary change) <br /> b) Proposed ordinance <br /> <br />Notification: <br /> <br />A public hearing was held by the Planning Commission on March 2, 2006 <br /> <br />Observations: <br /> <br />Ramsey City Staff has been working with the DNR and Hoisington Koegler to update Ramsey's <br />Mississippi River zoning regulations to comply with the 2002 update of the City's Comprehensive Plan. <br /> <br />Generally, the ordinance was draRed to comply with State requirements while accommodating existing <br />development on the river and to enable new development according to the City's current Comprehensive <br />Plan. The proposed code contains high standards for protecting the fiver corridor while allowing new <br />development through the Planned Unit Development (PUD) process. <br /> <br />Staff would note that City's Comprehensive Plan currently requires new development within the <br />corridor to permanently dedicate 50% of the property as open space, protected by a conservation <br />easement or similar instrument. In the enclosed ordinance, staff is recommending that a combination of <br />public and/or private open space be permitted for new development, to be considered on a case-by-case <br />basis. Staff feels that some flexibility in this area would be beneficial, but permanent open space for <br />riveffront parcels would still be a priority. Because the proposed ordinance reflects a change from the <br />current Comprehensive Plan, staff is asking the City Council to consider a more flexible open space <br />definition. If the Council is agreeable, this definition will be changed accordingly in the 2008 <br />Comprehensive Plan update. <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br /> <br />City Staff recommends introduction of the proposed ordinance. <br /> <br />Council Action: <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember and seconded by Councilmember <br />introduce an ordinance to amend Section 9.21 (Environmen[al Protection) of the City Code. <br /> <br />to <br /> <br />CC: 03/14/06 <br /> <br />-185- <br /> <br /> <br />