8.3.A. PRSR 02-09-2005Item # 8.3.A.
fiver
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
MEMORANDUM
Parks and Recreation Commission
Bill Maertz, Director of Parks and Recreation
February 3, 2005
Natural Resource Inventory -Implementation
Introduction
The Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission views the Natural Resources Inventory as
an invaluable tool to identify and preserve future parkland, green spaces and trail
connections to be added to the Elk River parks and trails system. Furthermore, through a
variety of preservation and management strategies, the areas identified in the Natural
Resources Inventory should be preserved for future generations. The Park and Recreation
Coimnission recognizes preservation of Elk River's natural resources will need to be
accomplished in a way that does not negatively impact properly rights and development
interests.
Benefits: NRI Implementation Benefits
The benefits of preserving the natural resources identified in the NRI of Elk River include
the following.
Ground Water Preservation
By preserving critical wetlands and open space, we will help protect the integrity of the
ground water supply for all the citizens of Elk River especially those that depend on personal
wells. Without preservation of the ground water, there exists the real probability that the
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urban service district would need to be expanded to get safe water to those areas that would
not have water meeting EPA standards.
Control Stormwater
Presence of vegetation in the form of a forest or grassland will significantly slow the flow of
water on areas with a slope. This will reduce the floodwater flowing into local drainage
systems, streams, rivers and lakes. Vegetation will significantly slow the movement of
floodwater, which is good for people and aquatic organisms. Water flowing slowly across a
landscape will therefore be available to recharge aquifers.
Viewshed
The aesthetic qualities of regions identified by the NRI make these regions a desired place to
live. In many situations, housing developments will fragment the viewshed and therefore
decrease its value from an aesthetic quality. Viewsheds of this regions native landscapes of
oak savanna, forest and majestic rivers and wetlands, positively affect the human spirit. This
is one of the reasons why the earlier settlers and many citizens today are attracted to this
region. If fragmented by development most if not all of the large parcel of natural
landscape, presently not protected, will be lost in the city of Elk River.
Property Values
People increasingly recognize that the preservation of natural areas and habitat adds value to
built communities and private property. Studies indicate that property adjacent to preserved
natural areas increase in value by as much as 20 percent.
Recreation
Natural and scenic settings for recreation make Elk River an enjoyable place to live. Creating
oppomuuties for outdoor recreation is one of the primary missions of the Parks and
Recreation Commission. The goal of preserving open space and greenway corridors aligns
with the goals of the Park Commission, and enhances the quality of recreational
opportunities.
Protection and Management Strategies
These strategies may assume a variety of forms including regulatory requirements, incentives,
or a combination of both. The following is a list of strategies for natural resource
preservation. Effective preservation of natural areas will likely involve a variety of strategies.
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Natural Resources Inventory Implementation
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Fee Simple Acquisition
A municipality or land trust purchases the desired preservation area outright, guaranteeing
its protection and public access.
Conservation or Preservation Easement - A landowner agrees to place a desired area in an
easement that is recorded.
Purchase of Development Rights
Municipality or Land Trust purchases the development rights to the property allowing the
private landowner to retain ownership, but not the property's development rights. The
private landowner would be required to place the land area that would have been developed
in a permanent conservation easement or other land protection program.
Overlay Zoning
Overlay Zones are a type of resource protection zoning superimposed on traditional zoning
in order to protect environmentally sensitive areas while still allowing the underlying use in
suitable forms.
Transfer of Development Rights
A transfer of development rights (TDR) program allows municipalities to preserve unique
and environmentally sensitive areas through a form of overlay zoning that targets specific
segments of a community for preservation. Landowner property values are protected
because they are permitted to transfer their right to develop, based on the underlying
zoning district, to a portion of the municipality designated for more intensive development.
This allows the environmental corridors to be permanently preserved while still providing a
return on the investment to the landowner. The community would have to identify areas
where the transfer of density is desired (sending areas) and areas where the density would
be received (receiving areas).
Bonus/Incentive Zoning
Bonus zoning is similar to transferable development rights except that the additional
development rights are generated and used by the developer rather than purchased from
another landowner. Incentive zones may establish a required set of conditions and an
optional set of incentives that the developer may choose to meet in exchange for greater
flexibility. For example, an incentive zoning law may allow a developer in a zone to build at
a higher density than is normally allowed if the developer agrees to set aside more open
space.
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Natural Resources Inventory Implementation
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Clustering
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This strategy allows municipalities to offer incentives or use regulation to ensure that new
subdivisions cluster homes on smaller lots, allowing the environmentally sensitive area to
be set aside and protected as a common area for the enjoyment of those who live in the
community.
Performance Based Zoning
This type of subdivision expands on the overlay concept. The municipality identifies the
performance criteria that must be met by any development in the zone, but gives the
developer flexibility in planning and developing the subdivision as long as the criteria are
met.
Streambank or Resource Protection Zones
The municipality can protect environmentally sensitive areas through use of an established
buffer strip. The buffer is similar to a utility right of way. The width of the setback is
determined before construction of the subdivision begins. Zoning ordinances use two
approaches- a fixed buffer strip or a floating buffer. A fixed buffer may prohibit
development within 200 feet of the high water mark of a perennial stream, but a floating
buffer may vary in width depending on site, soil and runoff characteristics.
Urban Growth Boundaries -This is a zoning district established to encourage development
within the district and discourage development outside the district boundaries.
Action Requested
The Parks and Recreation Comtission requests City Council approval and Planning
Commission cooperation, to form a joint subcommittee that will develop a plan to preserve
the resources identified in the NRI. This joint subcommittee would consist of members of
the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Planning Commission and have a Council
liaison.
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