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EXISTING LAND USE The City of Ramsey has experienced significant growth over the last two decades. Rapid growth was experienced in the 1970's throughout the Community. The 1980's have seen steady, moderate growth but at a rate lower than in the 1970's. Figure 1 illustrates the existing zoning in the City. As illus- trated, the greatest land area is zoned R -1R, rural residential. The 1990 Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA) line is shown on the zoning map and encompasses approximately 1300 acres in the southeastern corner of the City. The MUSA is situated in two watersheds, the eastern portion within the MUSA is in the Rum River Watershed and the western portion is in the Mississippi River Watershed. Table 1 indicates that approximately 300 acres (23 %) of the gross acreage within the MUSA are undevelopable. An additional 500 acres are currently developed with industrial, commercial, or residential development. Undeveloped acreage within the 1990.MUSA totals approximately 500 acres. Table 1 outlines land use by watershed district within the 1990 MUSA. The City has identified a long range ultimate urban area encompassing approximately 4000 acres (22 %) of the City's gross land area (18,450 acres). It is envisioned that City sewer and water services would ultimately be extended and provided within this service area. Approximately 3000 acres of the 4000 acres are developable after wetlands, floodplains, transportation and parks are considered. Existing development within this area is limited in part by design, in part by economic considerations and in part by chance. At the present time, development can occur within this area at densities consistent with zoning for the rural area in Ramsey. Expansions of the MUSA will occur within this designated urban area. The City has recognized that rural density development in this area would be counter productive to long term goals. Development controls are being considered which would enhance orderly development recog- nizing that urban services would not be extended to this area for at least 12 years or more. Among the controls being considered are: • a development moratorium on all development • a development moratorium on residential development • development at urban densities with restrictions which would allow construction limiting densities to approximately 1 lot per acre until sewer is available. • development at one acre densities with construction restrictions until utilities are extended • freeze all subdivision until sewer and water is extended except any lot of record or existing parcel may be developed. • four in forty zoning in the area between MUSA 2000 and the ultimate urban area designated by the City. The third line illustrated on the zoning map is the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission's (MWCC) district 3 boundary. Long term future extension of MWCC's sewer system may occur within these limits. 1