07/09/2025 PZ Combined Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

WETLANDS Wetlands within the study area have been identified using the National Wetland Inventory (NWI). There are approximately 156.4 acres of freshwater emergent, freshwater forested/ shrub, and freshwater pond wetlands within the study area, as well as 17.5 acres of riverine features. Additionally, high priority wetlands are noted on the figure and establish critical nodes and linkages for what will become the Wetland Management Corridors. High priority wetlands were identified based on the function of the wetland habitat, characteristic wetland hydrology and water quality, wetland role in downstream flooding, as well as plant species and community diversity. It is anticipated that wetlands within the study area boundary will be subject to regulation under the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) and/or the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). DITCHES The ditches mapped throughout the study area are generally located between agricultural fields or adjacent to existing roadways and congregate in the southeastern portion of the study area before flowing offsite to the south. The public ditches located onsite are part of the Anoka County Ditch (ACD) system 10-22-32, denoted as the Public Drainage System maintained by Rice Creek Watershed District. All three ditches are mapped within NWI and Lino Lakes High Priority Wetlands in the study area. FLOODPLAIN Floodplains within the study area have been identified using the FEMA’s National Flood Hazard Layer Viewer. A significant portion of the site (~40-45% by area) is covered in FEMA Zone A. Additionally, FEMA Flood Zone AE is mapped offsite to the south and east. Rice Creek Watershed District has also delineated the area as localized 100-year floodplain. Permitting requirements from FEMA, city and Rice Creek Watershed District must be met for future development in the study area within floodplain areas. Refer to the Lino Lakes Main Street AUAR for more detail of the site and context. NATURAL RESOURCES AND DRAINAGE CONSERVATION DESIGN FRAMEWORK The city of Lino Lakes expects the current Anoka County Ditch system through the area to remain in place in terms of function but not in terms of location or overall quality. The ditch system can be relocated within a proposed development to facilitate drainage of stormwater runoff, aesthetics, passive recreational facilities, and habitat creation. The realigned ditch system should incorporate the following design guidelines: 1) Easements a. RCWD requires a 30-foot easement on either side of the county ditch system, measured from the top of bank, to provide access for maintenance. b. In addition to maintenance easements required by RCWD, the City proposes native buffers averaging 50’ in width with a minimum width of 25’, measured from the top of bank, to provide space for the greenway corridor creation. 2) Lake/Pond Construction in-line with Ditch a. Ditches can be routed through lakes/ponds subject to RCWD design requirements. The City supports this method of realignment. b. In the event that a proposed development will create an in-line lake or pond area in relation to the ditch system, the proposed development is required to provide: i. RCWD with a 30-foot easement from top of bank along the alignment of the ditch and extend into the pond based on the average width of easement at the entrance and exit location of the ditch into the lake/pond. ii. The RCWD easement shall be along a bank of the lake/pond, and not through the center of the pond to limit maintenance responsibility on the District. iii. Water Quality Basins shall be provided prior to discharge of stormwater runoff into the lake/pond. iv. City requires establishment of a buffer around a constructed lake/pond with minimum buffer based on function of the BMP. Buffers may vary around the perimeter of the constructed lake/pond but must meet the minimum and average distances along their edges. 3) Realignment a. The city of Lino Lakes is in support of realignment of the county ditch system when proposed to be consistent with the goals of the master plan. i. Realignment must be approved by RCWD through Rule I. ii. Additional buffer widths may be required through land use and zoning requirements. See FIGURE below for a cross section view of the easement and buffer requirements. Figure X: Cross Section View of Drainage and Conservation Framework MAPPING NORTHWEST MAIN - MAIN STREET MASTER PLAN JULY 2, 2025 | 13BACKGROUND INFORMATION DRAFT