09-22-2003 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes Page 5 September 22, 2003 development can be shaped by a commitment to the greenway concept. He stated that the greenway concept and green infrastructure overlaps with gray infrastructure (streets, storm sewer, sanitary, and water systems) and in fact can help reduce the cost of gray infrastructure such as storm water, pond, and piping. Mr. Paige went on to describe the how of the process, which includes detailed mapping that is flexible. It may require the city to purchase parcels that the community has identified as important but that protection can be acquired through the development process. Commissioner Kuester stated that the green infrastructure idea was a "wow idea", especially given that there is economic value and savings when natural resources are preserved. Chair Peterson stated that the Commission has spent dine educating themselves on the greenway concept and that education would need to occur with the wider community, especially developers. Councilmember Dietz asked if the tan lines depicted on the proposed greenway map were 'the key pieces of the greenway puzzle and also asked how it relates to the current trail map in its lack of connectivity. He also asked how the city could convince property owners not to develop their sites. Commissioner Paige stated that the intent is not to prohibit development but to work with developers to implement citywide goals for protecting natural resources and green~vays. Commissioner Anderson stated that there is difficulty in connecting neighborhood parks due to the fact that developments have occurred previously and are an impediment for establishing trail connections between neighborhood facilities. There was discussion regarding the speed of development north of County Road 33 if the zoning is changed to two and one-half acre minimums. Mayor Kdinzing stated that the geography of the land north of County Road 33 would prohibit "cookie cutter" two and one-half acre minimum developments. She stated that some developments would be four or five acres but that she did not want to force people to live within cluster developments if the landowner chose an alternative method of development. She felt that density bonuses were not appropriate but that there was an opportunity to preserve wetland areas and prohibit the use of wetlands for improper uses. She felt that the change in zoning north of County 33 would not become a crisis but could be an opportunity to implement the greenway concept. Commissioner Kuester stated that it would be important to identify land with public value and identify options for landowners and the city to preserve and protect the natural resources. Commissioner Paige stated that the greenway concept also applies to land within the sewer district, not just to land identified as low density residential. Councilmember Motto stated that through the mapping process we could identify sites to give preferences to encourage clustering. He asked what would happen if the exact corridor could not be created~ Mc. McPherson stated that the map would need to be flexible enough that the corridors could be adjusted on a site by site basis; however, ensuring that connectivity can exist. Commissioner Polston-Hork discussed the natural sensitive areas ordinance from St. Cloud as well as identified other projects the Commission looked at in their search to be educated regarding the greenway concept. Mike Nizolek, resident, stated that the city has an opportunity to negotiate with landowners such as Aggregate industries to identify clustering options that would allow for the protection of large forested areas or other significant natural features. Councilmember