1999 Correspondence - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e planned for the riverfront area, there should be riverfront location policies that are consistent with MNRRA. Site Development Policies Critical Area . Ensuring natural state for bluffs and riverbanks should be added to site development policy #16 throughout the corridor, not just protection of riverfront. Minimize site disturbance is partly addressed in site development policy # 15, but must apply to entire corridor. Critical Area standards for screening and retaining vegetation at existing development are addressed, although retaining landscaping is not mentioned. MNRRA . The plan mentions setbacks from riverfront and bluff area, height restrictions, and preserving slopes in excess of 12%. An additional 60' setback with minimal disturbance should be added unless no buildings will exceed 30'. Dimensions for protection of the bluff impact area, shorelines and views should be added to the plan or ordinances as indicated by NPS. Open Space and Trails Critical Area . The open space inventory should include existing and potential public access points, and beaches and undeveloped river frontage suitable for recreational purposes (could be dead-end road easements to river or other). The plan discusses the potential route and some of the problems to locating it but does not suggest solutions. Figure 23 is difficult to read. . The plan identifies a potential open space area and includes implementation strategies for open space acquisition. However, most of the river corridor rural open space district is being planned for mixed residential. Under that scenario, open space should be assured by changing wording in land use policy #5 from "Encourage" to "Ensure" and adding a statement to comply with Executive Order dedication requirements. Policy that for planned developments and subdivisions, developers are required to dedicate to the public, a reasonable portion of riverfront access land or other lands in interest therein. If this is not physically possible or practical, contribute the equivalent in cashfor acquisition of open space or other public services within the corridor. There is a greenway proposed, but how will it be implemented? MNRRA . The plan supports increased open space. It would help the reader if a sub-section of open space policies was included in order to clarify connections to the river and MNRRA policies. The use of rail right of ways, enhancing safety along trails, and connecting neighborhoods and other areas in the community are addressed in the Park & Recreation plan and could be cross referenced. . There are no policies for major private developments to provide trails and river access or easements, although new development will be done through the PUD process, which does allow the possibility that trails and overlooks will be incorporated into projects at the time of development. A policy should be added to preserve most land in natural state when developing parks, and stress passive recreation and biological diversity, consistent with language in the Anoka County parks plan.