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e e . Ramsey Critical Area Plan Page 8 sewers, become a last resort? Are sewers proposed to be added to all currently developed lots of 2.5 acres? The future land use proposal is a very critical issue which has repercussions on many aspects of the Mississippi Critical Area/Wild and Scenic River. Considering the current allowed density level of 1 per 10 acres in the Residential District for new development in the Wild and Scenic/Critical Area Corridor, a proposed 5 units per acre is difficult to find in accordance with the statutes and regulations of these two protection programs. 19 Site 2~. In what sense does the City consider a portion of the lands within this site to be protected by the floodplain ordinance? It's our understanding that the portion within the 500 year flood boundary is not subject to the floodplain ordinance. The area within the 100-year flood boundary that is subject to the floodplain ordinance allows many permitted uses as long the structures are built in accordance with the floodplain ordinance. Floodplain ordinances are designed to protect humans and structures from flood damages and reduce economic losses, rather than protect a site. B~cause there may not be enough protection for this site currently or as proposed under the Critical Area ordinance (acknowledging the opportunity to increase protection), these facts should corroborate the City's assertion relating to public acquisition, a study, and a management plan. 19 The DNR strongly supports the greenway corridor concept and would welcome the opportunity to work with the City on adopting extra implementation tools to protect environmental resources and plan for the preservation of open space. With the City's commitment, those opportunities appear to be feasible for the undeveloped lands shown on Figure 21. However, given the large number of lots within the proposed greenway corridor that are already developed and built upon, I'm surprised by the large extent of what is marked as a greenway on Figure 21. A greenway is typically defined as a corridor of protected open space managed for conservation and/or recreation purposes. What is the City's vision and the political realities for a greenway corridor within the areas that are already developed? For example, does the City plan to strengthen the vegetative cutting and restoration provisions to such an extent so as to retain all trees and vegetation on developed areas for this corridor? On the other hand, for the large expanses of undeveloped or agricultural areas that are marked as greenway outside of parks, what proportion of open space will be required to be preserved given the City's proposed density of 5 units per net acre? Will entire 20 - 40 acre parcels marked as greenway be protected and preserved? Also: In the context of looking comprehensively at proposed land uses, I would also remind the City about Exec. Ord. C. 4. b.: Provision made for use of the river for water transportation which is consistent with adopted state and regional policies