09/02/2008 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • o The Plan protects natural resources areas (as identified in the City's Resource Management System Plan) by identifying sensitive areas and planning development accordingly to mitigate impacts to these areas. o The Plan designates higher density housing opportunities along major transportation corridors to increase efficiency of the region's transportation system and take advantage of future transit opportunities. For example the City has planned a large areas of mixed use (to include higher density housing) and medium and high density residential areas along I -35E, County Road J, Lake Drive, Main Street, Birth Street, and County Road J. o The Plan achieves a minimum net density of 3.5 units per acre to ensure the region's infrastructure is used efficiently. The City is required to use the minimum of each density range to calculate the overall average net density. Protecting Special Resources As required by state statute, a municipality's comprehensive plan must also include strategies for protection of special resources, including solar access, historic preservation, and aggregate resources. These strategies are discussed below. Solar Access Minnesota Statutes require an element for the protection and development of access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent solar collectors from being shaded by adjacent structures or vegetation and to ensure that development decisions do not preclude the possible future development and use of solar energy systems. To ensure the availability of solar access, the City of Lino Lakes will, whenever possible, protect access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems on principal structures. The City of Lino Lakes will consider solar access in the review of site plans and planning decisions. Aggregate Resources The Met Council requires cities to identify the location of aggregate resources within the community based on the Minnesota Geological survey within the Comprehensive Plan. No aggregate resources were identified in the City of Lino Lakes. Historic Preservation A cultural resource assessment conducted as part of the I -35E Corridor Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) identified high potential for historic resources, including mounds and artifacts in the AUAR area. The City of Lino Lakes will consider the preservation of historic resources in the review of site plans and other planning decisions. The City will, whenever possible, preserve historic structures or landscapes. 3 -27