1 / 19

Natural Resources Inventory and the ESA Ordinance

Natural Resources Inventory and the ESA Ordinance. Ordinance Intent. ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ORDINANCE. The intent of this Ordinance is to pursue two equal goals :

lillian-lancaster
Download Presentation

Natural Resources Inventory and the ESA Ordinance

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Natural Resources Inventory and the ESA Ordinance

  2. Ordinance Intent ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ORDINANCE • The intent of this Ordinance is to pursue two equal goals: • To provide and encourage measures of protection to those properties identified as Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA). • To provide for equitable economic return in consideration of protection and preservation of ESA.

  3. Ordinance Purpose ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ORDINANCE • Identify and prioritize environmentally sensitive areas; • Aid developers in the creation of their development plans; • Aid City staff, the Planning Commission and City Council in their assessment of development plans in environmentally sensitive areas; • Provide flexibility in the planning process when needed to balance environmental and economic goals.

  4. ESA Inventory ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ORDINANCE • 1995 - Inventory of Natural Areas • SEH $50,000 • St. Cloud State University GIS - $12,000 • 2001 – Addendum to inventory annexed areas • SEH - $30,000

  5. ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ORDINANCE ESA Inventory

  6. ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ORDINANCE ESA Inventory

  7. ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ORDINANCE Ordinance Adoption • 1998 - Ordinance adopted by the City Council • 4 year process • Drafting committee of environmental, developer, and agency representatives

  8. ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ORDINANCE ESA Framework • Plan of immediate action • Planning tools (L/M/H) • Protection measures • Including overlay zoning district • Public Involvement Tools

  9. Hierarchy of Protection ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ORDINANCE • Natural Heritage Areas and Rare Species. The goal is that any development and alterations take place outside these areas. • High Priority Areas (Level I) - The goal is to protect these areas and avoid any deterioration. • Medium Priority Areas (Level II) - The goal is to conserve the quality of these areas while allowing minor encroachment or disturbance. • Low Priority Areas (Level III) - The goal is that design, placement and construction techniques used in these areas will enhance the general ambiance and character of the natural resource area.

  10. Ordinance Process ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ORDINANCE • Environment and Development Team (EDT) • 2 members selected by developer • 2 members of the environmental community from a list of qualified members chosen by the Mayor • 3 members of city staff (engineering, planning, and parks) • Provides recommendations regarding specific development projects

  11. ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ORDINANCE EDT Experiences • 18 EDTs have been completed • Mix of development projects reviewed: • 12 residential • 2 industrial projects • 3 mixed use developments • 1 park. • 2,000 acres / 3 square miles covered by the 18 EDTs. • 2,500 parcels platted in ESA subdivisions.

  12. ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ORDINANCE

  13. EDT Outcomes ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ORDINANCE • Successful in negotiating project layouts that balance protection of environment and return on investment. • EDT discussions have led to positive changes to development projects based upon diverse input. • Willingness of developers and environmental members to compromise has been key element to success.

  14. ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ORDINANCE Future EDTs -St. Cloud ESAs

  15. ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ORDINANCE Future EDTs -County Biological Survey

  16. ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ORDINANCE Co. Wetland Review -Natl. Wetland Inv.

  17. ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ORDINANCE Environmental Review Areas

  18. ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ORDINANCE

  19. ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ORDINANCE

More Related