Agenda - Planning Commission - 07/27/2023

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1 (5) Public utilities. Public utilities must comply with the following standards: 2 a. High -voltage transmission lines, wind energy conversion systems greater than five 3 megawatts, and pipelines are regulated according to Minn. Stats. chs. 216E, 216F, and 4 216G respectively; and 5 b. If overhead placement is necessary, utility facility crossings must minimize visibility of 6 the facility from the river and follow other existing rights -of -way as much as practicable. 7 c. The appearance of structures must be as compatible as practicable with the 8 surrounding area in a natural state with regard to height and width, materials used, and 9 color. 10 •d. Wireless communication fa-cilities, according to scction 117 148(c)(2)g (wireless 11 eommunicati-o-n towers). 12 (6) Public transportation facilities. Public transportation facilities shall comply with structure 13 placement and height standards in Section 920(F). Where such facilities intersect or about 14 two or more MRCCA districts, the least restrictive standards apply. Public transportation 15 facilities must be designed and constructed to give priority to: 16 a. Providing scenic overlooks for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians; 17 b. Providing safe pedestrian crossings and facilities along the river corridor; 18 c. Providing access to the riverfront in public ownership; and 19 d. Allowing for use of the land between the river and the transportation facility. 20 (7) Public recreational facilities. Where such facilities intersect or abut two or more MRCCA 21 districts, the least restrictive dimensional standards apply. Public transportation facilities 22 must be designed and constructed to give priority to: 23 a. Buildings and parking associated with public recreational facilities must comply -with the 24 structure placement and height standards in scction 117 148(f) (structure height and 25 placement and lot size), except as provided in scction 117 148(1) (exemption); 26 b. Roads and driveways associated with public recreational facilities must not be placed in 27 the bluff or shore impact zones unless no other placement alternative exists. If no 28 alternative exists, then design and construction must minimize impacts to shoreline 29 vegetation, erodible soils and slopes, and other sensitive resources. 30 c. Trails, access paths, and viewing areas associated with public recreational facilities and 31 providing access to or views of the Mississippi River are allowed within the bluff and 32 shore impact zones if design, construction, and maintenance methods are consistent 33 with the best management practice guidelines in trail planning, design, and 34 development guidelines. 35 1. Hard -surface trails are not allowed on the face of bluffs with a slope exceeding 30 36 percent. Natural surface trails are allowed, provided they do not exceed eight feet 37 in width. 38 2. Trails, paths, and viewing areas must be designed and constructed to minimize: 39 (i) Visibility from the river; 40 (ii) Visual impacts on public river corridor views; and 41 (iii) Disturbance to and fragmentation of primary conservation areas. 42 d. Public water access facilities must comply with the following requirements: 43 1. Watercraft access ramps must comply with Minnesota Rules chapters 44 6115.0210 and 6280.0250; and 45 2. Facilities must be designed and constructed consistent with the standards in 46 Design Handbook for Recreational Boating and Fishing Facilities. 47 e. Public signs and kiosks for interpretive or directional purposes are allowed in the bluff 48 or shore impact zones, provided they are placed and constructed to minimize 49 disturbance to these areas and avoid visual impacts on public river corridor views. Page 110 of 160