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4 <br />a. Explore ordinance amendments and changes that would require a natural resources inventory as <br />part of a concept plan and preliminary plat process. <br />b. Identify important natural features that should be prioritized for protection. <br />c. Protect natural areas through encouraging the use of the open space development ordinance. <br />d. Explore opportunities to apply tools and techniques contained within the open space <br />development ordinance in the urbanizing areas of the community. <br /> <br />2040 Land Use Highlights – What’s to Come p 3:2 <br />The Existing Land Use Patterns in the Rural Residential areas should be protected through this <br />planning period; some new rural residential neighborhoods, including open space developments, <br />are anticipated to develop consistent with the City’s rural tradition. <br /> <br />Rural Patterns p 4:5 <br />The following sections describe the most common types of neighborhoods and <br />development patterns in the City’s rural areas and it is anticipated that many of the <br />following patterns, particularly Open Space Development neighborhoods, will continue <br />to define the community through this planning period. <br /> <br />Open Space Development Neighborhoods p 4:6-7 <br />The City of Lake Elmo is known for pioneering innovative rural development patterns <br />in the region which contributes positively to the character of the community. These rural <br />developments, commonly referred to as Open Space Developments, embrace the lifestyle <br />of the rural landscape capitalizing on the natural features residents desire. Several Open <br />Space Developments have endured for decades to provide residents with opportunities to <br />live near nature and preserve land for conservation, wildlife, and recreation. <br /> <br />In many ways much of the City’s existing rural residential neighborhood pattern is <br />innovative, and unique from many similarly situated communities in the metropolitan <br />area. There are over a dozen Open Space Development neighborhoods that include <br />clustered residential uses with perpetually protected conservation areas. Neighborhoods <br />such as the Fields of St. Croix, and the more recently developed Discover Crossing, are <br />Open Space Development neighborhoods that are a part of the City’s continuing rural <br />residential land use patterns. The principle characteristics of these neighborhoods is <br />that homes in these neighborhoods are sited closer together (clustered) which allows <br />for surrounding land to be preserved for open space, natural resources protection, <br />recreational and trail opportunities, and natural surface water drainage. <br /> <br />The City will continue to promote the open space development neighborhood pattern <br />of the next planning period and will guide potential developers to preserve areas with <br />natural resource value. Developing with open space neighborhood patterns affords the <br />City the opportunity to identify and protect important natural resources and provide <br />multi-purpose connected greenways. <br /> <br />Chapter 6: Parks, Trails & Open Space Introduction p 6:1 <br />As the community grows, park, trail and open space development and <br />management will continue to be a top priority for existing and incoming residents to ensure the <br />system remains a defining characteristic of the community for future generations. <br /> <br />Regional Bicycle Transportation Network, Bikeways and Trails p 7:41 <br />As the system continues to grow, and key gaps and links are made, their use will likely increase <br />as residents’ and others’ comfort level with the system improves. Focusing on public pedestrian/