03-24-1999 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Pages 68 -87 review comments Although RWMWD has a completed stormwater plan, we rely on City government to preserve much of the natural resources that are critical to stormwater considerations, through the local land use planning functions. In addition, the District plan calls for an increase in non - structural watershed improvements due to lack of space for stormwater treatment and due to the costs of structural improvements. Non - structural improvements require the participation of local citizens and their governments to reduce non- point- source pollution and minimize impervious surface areas. In order to increase public participation in shared stormwater responsibilities, the public needs to become aware of the needs and commit to their portion of responsibility. The city can help public awareness of stormwater management concerns by articulating them in the land use planning process, in new or revised ordinances and a city -based watershed education program. New partnerships with natural resource experts may be useful to the city in developing more dialogue on natural resource concerns. The Watershed District operates a Natural Resources Board made up of city appointees. Little Canada's appointee, Dennis Carson, is also on the city planning commission. He would be able to explain many of the points made in this plan review document from the Watershed District. The goals stated on page 73 can be applied to increasing partnership with the Watershed District. On page 74 the goal to update ordinances and regulations is of particular interest to the Watershed District. Ordinances are one way to make a statement of values to the public. If natural resources are of value to the city, then they could be preserved more agressively through city ordinances. For example, in the Watershed District Plan of 1997, we note that Little Canada should update its Diseased Tree Ordinance. We suggest that updating the ordinance include a proactive preservation policy whereby healthy trees are defined as having a value worth preserving in the face of development pressures. Such an ordinance revision would strengthen the many references made in the plan to aesthetics. Policies listed beginning on page 76 do not mention lakes at all. Although DNR manages state waters, the uplands of the waters are managed locally. Cities are encouraged to protect water resources from sedimentation due to less - than-an- acre -size construction site erosion, and the Watershed District permits sites over an acre in size. The District also serves to protect against wetland degradation. We hope to work more closely in the future with the City on development strategies related to wetlands and lakes in the City. Regarding the transportation system plans, the Watershed District urges cities to consider street widths and parking lot sizes. Cities are being encouraged by the Center for Watershed Protection to limit street widths to a more "liveable" and more watershed - friendly width. Likewise, oversized parking lots not only detract from landscape Page 137