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Metropolitan Council Working for the Region, Planning for the Future April 16, 2001 Mr. James Norman City Administrator City of Ramsey 15153 Nowthen Blvd. Ramsey, MN 55303 -6140 Re: City of Ramsey Comprehensive Plan Update and Critical Area Plan Metropolitan Council Referral Files No. 18160 -2 and No. 16891 -1 Metropolitan Council District 9 Dear Mr. Norman: APR I 7nnl At its meeting on March 28, 2001, the Metropolitan Council completed its review of the City of Ramsey Comprehensive Plan Update and Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Plan. The Council based its review on the attached staff executive summary and review record. The Council found that the comprehensive plan meets all Metropolitan Land Planning Act requirements for 1998 plan updates, is in conformity with the 2020 regional system plans for aviation, recreation open space, transportation and water resources management plan and is generally consistent with the Regional Blueprint policies. The city's plan provides an excellent opportunity for mixed -use development within the current and proposed urban area that could enhance the effectiveness of the proposed Northstar Corridor Commuter Rail. In its final action, the Council established one condition for conformance with the Metropolitan Waste Disposal System. As stated in the plan, the city will work with the Council to identify, and protect from subdivision, sufficient land to ensure that by 2040, 10,570 sewered households could be accommodated within the city. This would include, but not necessarily be limited to the proposed "Central Study Area ". The Council also recommended that to be more consistent with the Regional Growth Strategy for the permanent rural policy area, the city's proposed "rural preserve ", that is guided for a density of four units per 40 acres, should be enlarged to include at least 1900 total acres, as originally proposed in the city's comprehensive plan submittal of December 30, 1999. The city may place its comprehensive plan into effect with the exception of the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area element, which must be approved by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Only after written approval from DNR can plans and plan amendments pertaining to Critical Area lands be enacted and become legally effective. Under the Critical Areas Act, the DNR has forty-five days from receipt of the final draft plan and the Council's written recommendation to approve or require modification of plans or plan amendments affecting the Critical Area. The DNR will notify the city directly of its approval decision. The Council review is also being forwarded to the National Park Service- Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA). Following the DNR decision, the National Park Service will certify if the Critical Area plan elements are in conformance with the voluntary policies of the MNRRA Comprehensive Management Plan. 230 East Fifth Street St. Paul, Minnesota 55 10 1 -1 634 (612) 291 -6359 Fax 291 -6550 TDD /TTY 291 -0904 Metro Info Line 229 -3780 An Equal Opportunity Employer