1998 Correspondence - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e . Policies to minimize public utility and transportation river crossings and concentrate at existing crossings. Policies for transportation and utility facility locations to complement planned land and water uses, not stimulate incompatible development and provide access to land between river and facility. . Five year capital improvement program for projects in the corridor The plan already addresses many MNRRA plan policies in various elements, although not in the Critical Area chapter. Once all state site development requirements are met and local policies for the green corridor and riverfront area are listed, few changes would be needed to achieve "Tier II" conformance with the MNRRA. Given the goals stated in this plan and the large number of MNRRA policies that are already addressed, we encourage the city to pursue substantial conformance with the MNRRA plan and eligibility for federal assistance. The National Park Service will review Critical Area plans and ordinances for certification after they are reviewed by the Metropolitan Council and approved by DNR for compliance with state Critical Area requirements. The attached work sheet shows how many MNRRA policies the plan already addressed. Others, such as incorporation of scenic road design concepts, could be addressed in the planned study for SR 10. Some ofthe areas that need more work include: . Riverfront location policies and policies to provide an uninterrupted vegetated shoreline, where practical, along the Mississippi and tributary streams - restore natural vegetation, use native vegetation in landscaping. . Site development policies and dimensional standards for bluffs, shoreline and heights (CMP pp. 18-20). For example, add to the statement protecting bluffs to specify protection of bluffs with slopes exceeding 12% and establishing a bluff setback of 40 feet (with an additional 60 feet minimally disturbed). . Build on the excellent identification of cultural resources by including a commitment to pursue the Certified Local Government's Program for resource protection. . Policies to preserve most land in natural state when developing parks in natural areas and make trail location consistent with resource protection. . Resource protection policies for the proposed green corridor along the river. We look forward to working with city personnel and partner agencies to clarify concerns and issues and include some additional policies. The most immediate question we should address with the Council and DNR is land use in the proposed MUSA expansion area as it relates to the Critical Area and Wild and Scenic designations. S9~ L-0 Sandra Lee Pinel, AICP Planner Attachments Cc: James Wychor, Metropolitan Council District #9 Sean Walter, City of Ramsey Planning Brad Scheib, Hoisington Koegler Group Kate Hanson, NPS-MNRRA Sandy Fecht, DNR Waters Richard Thompson and Guy Peterson, Metropolitan Council Office of Local Assistance