02/26/2003 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Background Information The City of Lino Lakes adopted the first Parks and Trails Plan in 1992. In 1995, a "20/20" Focus Group identified the preservation of significant open space and greenways as a priority issue. Because of the 20/20 Vision process, a City Environmental Board was established. This Board meets on a monthly basis. The City hired Applied Ecological Services and Brauer and Associates in the Spring of 1998 to develop a Handbook For Environmental Planning and Conservation Development. One of the outcomes of this study was the completion of an initial GIS land cover type map. This project defined the Citie's concept of Conservation Development. The project also developed tools on how to proceed with Conservation Development. One of these tools is the conservation development process. A large development was planned with all Board and Council Members invited to participate. The project produced a greenway system within the development and about 50% open space dedicated to the City. In 2000 -2001, the City participated with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in the Wild Land Urban Interface Project. With the help from the Minnesota DNR the City was able to re- classify the existing GIS maps for two thirds of the City under the MLCCS, identify significant resource areas, and evaluate and make suggestions for future management of development. In 2001 -2002 the City participated with the Anoka County Soil Conservation District under a Metro Greenways Grant program to classify the rest of the City under MLCCS, suggest specific tools for conservation in specific areas, and establish a working relationship with the Conservation District. The City is presently concluding two years of residential building moratorium. Durring this moritorium, a Task Force met on a continual basis to rewrite Zoning Codes, and the Subdivision Ordinance. These new City Codes should help to enable conservation development. Geographic Focus Areas The City's new geographic information has enabled us to discover, and doccument high - priority and sensitive areas. Several fairly rare ecosystems are doccumented, and new remnants continue to be discovered. The City is taking an active hands -on approach to manage these areas on public lands. The City is activly pursuing open space preservation in areas that have these unique natural resource communities on private lands. We have solicited the assistance of The Anoka Soil Conservation District, the Rice Creek Watershed District, The Minnesota Land Trust, working with Private Development Interests. One such area is Section 5 of Lino Lakes. This area is proposed for development within 3 to 5 years, is in a Phase One Growth Area, and has many newly discovered unique and rare or threatened natural comunities. The City has the second largest Great Blue Heron Rookery in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. We are in danger of loosing this colony. The Colony has