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.~ . . _,~.J, ,~ ~ Metropolitan CoLen R~~f\,~ \ . Working for the Region, Planning for the Future ---~ . October 29, 1998 Sylvia Frolick City of Ramsey 15153 Nowthen Blvd. Ramsey, MN 55055 RE: City of Ramsey Draft Critical Area Plan - 9/30/98 Dear Ms. Frolick: Thank you for the opportunity to review the September 30, 1998 draft ofthe city's Comprehensive and Critical Area plan for consistency with state Critical Area standards and the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) plan. I appreciated meeting with city staff and consultants on October 16,1998. As the city requested, I have attached a worksheet showing the extent to which the draft plan addresses state and voluntary federal guidelines. Please refer to this document in making revisions. These comments are preliminary and do not include a review by DNR, the National Park Service or by Council staff in regards to the Land Planning Act and regional policies or systems plans. Those agencies will comment during the Council's informal review process. The draft comprehensive plan contains many policies that support the protection of permanent open space, natural resources and scenic qualities along the Mississippi River, consistent with the MNRRA plan and Executive Order 79-19. It also includes some excellent maps and information on cultural resources, a well written implementation strategy and a discussion of State Highway 10 land use and aesthetic issues to be addressed in a subsequent study. Many of the river corridor policies are not included in the Critical Area chapter, but in other sections of the comprehensive plan. Including or specifically referencing which policies in other chapters apply to the Critical Area chapter would strengthen this section. There are several state Critical Area requirements that should be addressed to meet the standards and guidelines in Executive Order 79-19, especially in regards to site development. There was also a list of issues in the first unapproved Critical Area plan that should be addressed. Some of the Critical Area requirements that need additional work inchlde: . Policies to ensure consistency of proposed land use with natural systems and existing land use in the rural open space district. . Provisions to ensure that for all structure site and locations, riverbanks, bluffs and scenic overlooks remain in natural state. . Policies requiring site plans for new development and expansion which adequately assess and minimize adverse effects and maximize beneficial effects and related Executive Order standards. It is not clear how the proposed PUD requirement, if adopted, would address site plan review or clustering provisions. . Policies to manage vegetative cutting for new and existing development. . Implementation measures for inspection of on-site waste disposal systems. . Policies dealing with water recreation and to minimize any adverse effects. . Policies for the location of commercial or industrial uses or expansions within the corridor. AREA CODE CHANGES TO 651 IN JULY, 1998 230 East Fifth Street S1. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1626 (612) 602-1000 Fax 602-1550 TDD/TIY 291-0904 Metro Info Line 602-1888 An Equal Opportunity Employer