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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/6/1989 (2) . ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE GROWTH OP NOXIOUS WEEDS AND TALL GRASS The Maplewood City Council hereby ordains as follows (additions are underlined and deletions are crossed out): Section 1. Section 19 -7 is amended as follows: Sec. 19 -7. Same -- Affecting health, safety, comfort or repose. The following are hereby declared to be public nuisances, affecting health, safety, comfort or repose: (1) All decayed or unwholesome food offered for sale to the public; (2) All diseased animals running at large; (3) Milk which is produced by cows which have not been tested and found free of tuberculosis within the year previous to the offering of such milk for sale to the • public; (4) Carcasses of animals not buried or destroyed within twenty -four (24) hours after death; (5) Accumulations of rubbish, debris, tin cans or any other offensive materials; (6) Privy vaults and garbage cans which are not fly- tight; (7) Dumping the contents of any cesspool, privy vault or garbage can, except at places authorized by law; (8) All noxious weeds and tall grasses and othor rank gds where they are adversely affecting the public health, safety, welfare, comfort or repose. Noxious weeds shall be as defined by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Tall grasses shall be defined as follows: (a) Grasses over six inches in height on all public or privato properties that are completely developed. (b) Grasses over twelve inches in height on all public or privato properties that are undeveloped or partially developed. Wetlands and public open • space, such as parks, nature centers or County_ open space, are exempted from the tall grass part 5 Attachment 3 a of this subsection. The noxious weed requirements • shall apply. (9) The throwing, dumping or depositing of any dead animals, manure, garbage, decaying matter, ashes, rubbish, tin cans or other putrescent material of any kind on public or private property which is not designated as a public dump; (10) Dense smoke, noxious fumes, gas and soot, or cinders in unreasonable quantities; (11) Offensive trades and businesses, as defined by statute or ordinance, not licensed as provided by law; (12) All public exposure of persons having a contagious disease; (13) The distribution of samples of medicines or drugs unless such samples are placed in the hands of an adult person by someone properly licensed; (14) All other acts, omissions of acts, occupations and uses of property which are deemed by the City Council to be a menace to the health of the inhabitants of the City or a considerable number thereof; • (15) The throwing, dumping or depositing of ground soil, sand, stones or other inert material on public or private property, without obtaining a permit from the Department of Public Works; or (16) All rats or rat harbors on private or public premises. (Code 1965, §602.030; Ord. No. 308, §1, 2- 10 -72; Ord. No. 341, 51, 1 -4 -73) Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon its passage and publication. Passed by the Maplewood City Council on , 1989. • 6 j • ,,+ ''t MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE f 7 '• AGRONOMY SERVICES DIVISION 44=';"; ' 90 W. PLATO BOULEVARD, ST. PAUL. MINNESOTA 55107 ,.. TELEPHONE: (612) 296 -8309 1505.07 NOXIOUS WEEDS. The following plants are deemed by the Commissioner Agriculture other property injurious noxious public weeds health, public roads, crops, livestock, COMMON NAME BOTANICAL NAME Field bindweed Convolvulus arvensis Hemp Cannabis sativa Lythrum salicaria, virgatum Loosestrife. purple or any combination Poison ivy Rhus radicans Spurge, leafy Euphorbia esula Sowthistle, perennial Sonchus arvensis Thistle, bull Cirsium vulgare Thistle. Canada Cirsium arvense Thistle, musk Carduus nutans Thistle, plumeless Carduus acanthoides 1wingl list WEEDS. A weed or a county noxious listebycfol the following the following list P . procedure outlined in Rule 1505.0750. COMMON NAME BOTANICAL NAME Alyssum, hoary Berteroa incana Artichoke, Jerusalem Helianthus tuberosus Buckwheat, wild Polygonum Convolvulus Buffalobur Solanum rostratum Burdock Arctium minus Buttercup, tall Ranunculus acris Bracken Pteridium aquilinum Carrot, wild (Mucus carota Catchfly, nightflowering Silene noctiflora Cockle, white Lychnis alba Cocklebur, common Xanthium pensylvanicum Daisy,-oxeye Chrysanthemum leucanthm Dock, curly Rumex crispus Flixweed Descurainia sophia Foxtail, giant Setaria faberii Gumweed Grindelia squarrosa Crepis tectorum Hawksbeard, narrowleaf Crepis capillaris Hawksbeard, smooth Hieracium aurantiacum Hawkweed, orange Oatura stramonium Jimsonweed Centaurea maculosa Knapweed, spotted Kochia scoparia • Kochia Kochia album Lambsquarters, common Hibiscus trionum Mallow, venice Iva xanthifolia Marshelder Asclepias syriaca Milkweed, common Muhlenbergia frondosa Muhly, wirestem 7 Attachment 4 1 COMMON NAME BOTANICAL NAME Mustard, wild Brassica kaber Nightshade, black Solanum nigrum Nutsedge, yellow (nutgrass) Cyperus esculentus Oat, wild Avena fatua Panicum, fall Panicum dichotomiflorum Panicum, wild proso millet Panicum miliaceum Pigweed, redroot Amaranthus retroflexus Pigweed, prostrate Amaranthus blitoides Quackgrass Agropyron repens Radish, wild Raphanus raphanistrum Ragweed, common Ambrosia artemisiifolia Ragweed. giant Ambrosia trifida Sandbur, field Cenchrus pauciflorus Smartweed, Pennsylvania Polygonum pensylvanicum Smartweed, (ladysthumb) Polygonum persicaria Sorghum - almum Sorghum almum Sunflower, common (except cultivars) Helianthus annuus Tansy Tanacetum vulgare Velvetleaf Abutilon theophrasti Yellow rocket Barbarea vulgaris Woolly cupgrass Eriochloa villosa Wormwood, absinth Artemisia absinthium • 8 • OCT 0 0 1989 r TRANGORTAIOG ti ENGINEERING • URBAN DESIGN BRW. INC THRESHER SOUARE 700 THIRD STREET SOUTH • MINNEAPOLIS MINNESOTA 55415 PHONE 612 370 -0700 FAX 612 370 -1378 MEMORANDUM DATE: October 27, 1989 TO: Maplewood City Planning Commission FROM: William Weber, AICP, Consulting Planner SUBJECT: Editing of Maplewood Comprehensive Plan I will be meeting with the Maplewood City Planning Commission at your regular meeting on Monday, November 6, to review and discuss the first draft editing of the land use component of the Maplewood Comprehensive Plan. I would like to go through the 1982 plan page by page with you and discuss what was cut and why. Therefore, please bring your copy to the meeting. I have enclosed a copy of the remaining text from Sections 1 -1 through 18 -32 along with a memo from • me to Geoff Olson explaining the rationale behind the editing. You may recall that this work was contracted last spring. I must apologize for the slow pace thus far. I expect things to go more smoothly now that we have resolved a staffing problem here at BRW. Thank you for your patience. WW /kb Attachment • AN AFFILIATE OF THE BENNETT RINGROSE WOLSFELD JARVIS GARDNER INC GROUP DAVID J BE F I NNETI DONALD W RINGROSE RICHARD P WOLSFELD PETER E JARVIS LAWRENCE J GARDNER THOMAS (,AAHOi, CtiAb3A AMJNDSEN DONALD E HUN T MARK G SWENSON JOHN B McNAMARA RICHARD D PILGRIM DALE N BECKMANN DENNIS J SUTLIFF JEFFRE BENSON RAi Psi C BLUM DAVID'. GRAHAM MINNEAPOLIS DENVER PHOENIX TUCSON ST. PETERSBURG 'OCT 1 2 ION � L^ PLANNING TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING URBAN DESIGN • g w INC - THRESHER SQUARE 700 THIRD STREET SOUTH • MINNEAPOLIS. MINNESOTA 55415 PHONE 612 370-0700 FAX 612 370 -1378 MEMORANDUM , DATE: October 9, 1989 T0: Geoffrey Olson Director of Community Development City of Maplewood 1930 East County Road B Maplewood, Minnesota 55109 FROM: William Weber, AICP SUBJECT: Comprehensive Plan Editing The following objectives were observed in editing Sections 1 -1 through 18 -32 of the existing Maplewood Comprehensive Plan: 1. Make the plan easier for the public and the elected and appointed officials to read and understand. Remove or rewrite all extraneous statements, keeping only those which give firm direction to staff or officials. 2. Reduce the size of the document to 1/2 or 1/3 its present size. 3. Consolidate goals and objectives so they are clear, usable, and relevant. 4. Update basic statistics and outdated policies and programs. 5. Make a more clear linkage between the land use plan categories and the zoning ordinance districts. 6. Introduce new or revised material to meet local staff and officials` needs and to gain approval of the Metropolitan Council. 7. Keep consultant fees reasonably low. In my first editing, I did not attempt to accomplish #5 and #6, above. My aim was merely to produce a draft which was more easily understood and was much shorter. You and I should meet to discuss what is now missing or incorrect from the point of view of #5 and #6. • MINNEAPOLIS DENVER PHOENIX TUCSON ST PETERSBURG 2 Geoffrey Olson October 9, 1989 Page 2 More specific to the editing of Sections 1 -1 through 18 -32, I deleted text if it met any of these criteria: 1. Statements which are flowery and general and do not specifically identify issues or give policy direction. 2. Statements which are excessively wordy. 3. Statements about topics over which the City does not exercise control. 4. Statements having to do with the planning process or which generally try to elevate the importance of this plan beyond the level to which I believe most people not in the planning profession regard it. 5. Facts and figures which are outdated or incorrect (e.g., population fore- cast, employment forecast). 6. The entire Housing Plan, because we will be rewriting that in its entirety. 7. The Street System Plan, because we will include material recently revised • by City staff. 8. The entire Parks Plan, because we will be rewriting this short section in its entirety (although we may reuse some elements). WW /jkf 3 • CITY TOPOGRAPHY AND PHYSICAL FEATURES Land development patterns within the City have been affected by natural characteristics: topography and drainage, slopes and soils. Future development and land uses must also be related to these characteristics as the remaining undevel- oped land is consumed. A number of independent drainage systems are dispersed throughout the City - some of which serve areas far beyond Maplewood's boundaries. The map on the following page indicates the major drainage basin areas in the community. Most of the topography of the City can be classified as "gently rolling" land. Some small areas have severe slopes. These occur primarily in the area south of I -94 between Century Avenue and McKnight Road. These slopes may present problems for specific developments but should not be a major barrier to development in the area. Much of this area south of I -94 remains undeveloped at this time. It thus represents one of two major areas for poten- tial development in the City. As development occurs, care- ful planning needs to be given to saving the wood cover, water ponding capability, natural drainage courses, and other natural resources that exist. The second area of major potential development is the area to the north of Highway 36. It has seen rapid development, but a substantial amount of vacant land remains. It has gently rolling land, is served by a drainage system which flows from east to west, and has soil capable of supporting urban development. Because of the significant impact of the Regional Shopping Center north of Highway 36, further urban expansion of com- mercial and residential uses is anticipated. This develop- ment must be closely correlated with adequate drainage, road networks, and minimum adverse impact between the several land uses. The soil conditions of the City can be grouped into two major classifications: 1. Peat and silty lands which are generally found in low • flood lands and wet soils in drainage areas of the City. 4 • 2. Clay soils which elevation and be not found susceptible e are higher periodic flooding. While both types of soil conditions are capable of being developed, drainage is poor and percolation rates are very slow; in both instances, building foundations and construc- tion do present problems. It should be noted that in those areas of the community where peat soils exist, they tend to be of substantial depth and are undesirable sites for building purposes. As a result of these conditions, land use plan designates some of these natural drainage area ways and collection areas as being best used for open space and recreation uses rather than intensive land development. To that degree, efforts he land made within this th a ecom� maximize the use munity. SUMMARY o Soils in Maplewood have been classified according to their site characteristics cortmunityo construction. Most have moderate or severe the soils e limitations. o The vegetation in Maplewood is characterized by a • rather been susceptible tible to diseasesresuch rtasy which Dutch Elm have been P disease or oak wilt. o struggle The City of against l Dutch Elm disease, dramatic ease,anfewer trees are struggle lost each year. o Wetlands located in Maplewood serve the functions of providing settling basins for excess runoff and wildlife habitasrequestsa taken into con- sideration in a ll development the o Department ofnHUMaplewood loodingv been Deparment areas. o Lakes in Maplewood have been classified by the Department a development and Resources relationship of to surrounding ity for d pm land uses. • o Water quality samples have been taken in Maplewood at several locations on Battle Creek, State water quality Beaver Lake and County Ditch 18. • standards for the levels of fecal coliforms were violated in several locations. 5 • o Although there are no major point sources of air pollu- tion in Maplewood, it is hypothesized that overall par- ticulate levels may be in violation of state standards. o The major source of noise in Maplewood is vehicular traffic. Although the Highway Department does not have any programs for the construction of noise berms in the City, it does encourage noise - sensitive land use planning. SOILS AND SLOPES The map on the following page, "Soil Limitations" was based on the Interim Soil Survey prepared by the Ramsey County Soil and Conservation District. Soils have been divided into three broad classes: slight, moderate and severe. Soils with slight limitations have site characteristics that are easy to manage, and would generally be most appropriate for construction or development. Soils with moderate limi- tations require good management and careful designing to overcome site limitations. Soils with severe limitations may be impossible to develop, and special design or major reclamation may be required. Costs to overcome severe soil limitations are generally high. Areas with severe limitations for development are generally • excessively wet or have slopes in excess of 12 percent. The City can avoid development problems by requiring soil and slope tests to be made prior to approval of any development, and by prohibiting development in areas with severe limita- tions. VEGETATION The vegetation in the City of Maplewood is characterized by a generalized tree cover of young urban trees, located as illustrated on the Tree Cover Map. Although there are several scattered clumps of trees in the northern half of the City, many tree masses remain in the south leg. The Maplewood forestry program has three basic goals: replacing trees lost to shade tree diseases, disposal of trees lost to shade tree diseases, and landscaping and maintenance of vegetation on City -owned and operated property. The City has made marked progress in dealing with the loss of shade trees to Dutch Elm disease as a result of a program that requires property owners to remove diseased trees within five days, or they will be removed by the City within seven days. City personnel feel that the program, which is partially funded by the Minnesota Shade Tree Program, has been extremely successful, and the loss of these trees in • the future will be drastically reduced. 6 Efforts are now being made to inventory the tree resources in the City to identify areas that may be subject to other potential shade tree diseases. Although oak wilt has not been a major problem (about 300 trees have been lost in the past six years), there are about 140,000 oaks in the City and efforts will be made to protect these resources as well. It is estimated that about 80,000 elm trees remain in the City. One major reason for the success of the shade tree disease control program has been the interest and par- ticipation of citizens of the community. WETLANDS AND PONDING AREAS Wetlands and ponding areas in the City of Maplewood have been located on the following map. The location of the wetlands was determined on the basis of soils maps recently released by the Ramsey County Soil Conservation Service. Wetlands are generally those areas with a water table above five feet in depth, and may be subject to flooding at some periods of the year. Wetland areas serve the dual function of providing settling basins for excess runoff, and an excellent habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. Because a considerable .por- tion of the City is undeveloped, there is an opportunity to protect wetland areas or designate them as open space areas • to prevent disruption of the natural drainage system. Many of the ponds in the City are already located on City - owned and or in parks. The Ramsey - Washington Metro Watershed Districts is responsible for ensuring community participation in efforts to manage storm water in the district. The Soil Conservation Service has taken the posi- tion that all wetlands must be preserved. Although it does not have the authority to enforce this, the maintenance and preservation of wetland areas is taken into consideration in development requests and the City has attempted to prevent any further losses of wetland areas. FLOODPLAINS AND DRAINAGE BASINS Floodplains in Maplewood were identified in conjunction with a Flood Hazard Study conducted by the U.S. Department of HUD in 1974. At this time, the City of Maplewood also adopted a floodplains ordinance modification, providing that all building permit applications be reviewed by the City Building Official to determine whether the proposed building site will be reasonably safe from flooding. 7 Several areas in Maplewood are impacted by flooding during peak storm periods. The Drainage Plan completed for Maplewood in 1974 identified the following serious problem areas for flooding, and made recommendations to resolve the problems. 1. Ponding area on both sides of Cope Avenue east of Hazelwood Street. 2. Brookview Drive, approximately 1,000 feet west of Century Avenue. 3. Outlet for storm sewer outletting north of the inter- section of Crestview Drive and Highwood Avenue. 4. Gladstone area. This area has very little existing storm sewers. 5. Ponding area adjacent to White Bear, north of the Soo Line Railroad tracks. 6. County Road B and Edgerton. 7. Northeast quadrant of Highways 36 and 61. 8. Able Street and Kingston Avenue. 9. Larpenteur Avenue and Van0yke Street. Maplewood has made substantial progress in controlling flood • problems since this report was released. All development requests are sent to the Ramsey - Washington Metro Watershed District for their comments, which are made in accordance with the recommendations of the Drainage Plan. In addition, the City plans to undertake a new sewer study to deal with recurrent flooding and drainage problems. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Water Quality The water resources in and adjacent to Maplewood are a result of glacial activity which left lakes and swamps throughout the metropolitan area. The preservation and pro- tection of surface and groundwater resources is essential, as these waters are used for recreational, domestic and aesthetic purposes. 8 The Department of Natural Resources has classified lakes in Maplewood according to the most appropriate use. Under the Shoreland Management Classification System, there are three types of lakes: 1. General Development Those waters whose shores are presently characterized by industrial commercial or high density residential development shall be classified as General Development. 2. Recreational Development Those waters whose shores are presently characterized by medium density residential development with or without limited service - oriented commercial development shall be classified as Recreational Development. 3. Natural Environment Those waters whose shores are presently characterized by low density, single - family residential development shall be classified as Natural Environment. For each of these classifications, standards have been established related to minimum lot size, the placement of structures on lots, shoreland alterations, and the placement of roads and parking.areas. The classifications assigned to lakes in Maplewood are illustrated on the following map. 9 tilini11114110 CiiiITIPIII! NI: i F` �j - SQ + ` 1r ■ G 1 W C Gd 111 " 21T ilir w !� -ii a• c asp a1 1� - ! •a .ar= :7. 0 11.1 Val t'V.. =j s ,a S Y; gtat1 ~ t NI �. 0 r ` S j ` �r. =. , XE� a T "s :k « i Ep • - 1f2 Ek a �! # ! 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Z a a 0 r y1 ■■ ..� yyyy 5 121 - .0: �«r�T .~ar _ O T t o a a ia0M i a '.rag ` a- pp r�yy ZZ a- i w'ge u - QQ 1'0. 04 ia�i aOT ► � ts>a Wil -lt `i a t _'� -g« 1 •_ " a : t T� 1 .1 1 a « s /`sit es . =a e l e i • fir i WI "d'..3.- i to g -tla .5"X' i ~tmulg 1-tel' E.15;421, i aas € "t !a iig J ## ! • R . ; d Piped" �„a � � w pO J i . 6. Q zs 'ft 10!, si ►it�3� a t z. C. . .le ra j T _ l id.igi s o .T r .a.i.�sr 6 .. L8 jai ► a . : i a . . : a a g - ',i w is ° ..- • 1 n i �I, f ke•a at ao° ie -! :i s �. a 1 J -w - t r C Q i- «. t ip fop �.7 a=` `' __ l i g i t Leib. is rai -= = a ir; 8-4 10 PI a : S. _ ` /; T :a i l r Et—. a.EL'a e��i�.YJYa� COMMUNITY FACILITIES PLAN PURPOSE The community facilities plan is incorporated as an integral element within the "Plan for Maplewood" and intended to accomplish the following purposes: I. To outline and provide direction toward those land uses and community facilities which cannot be provided indi- vidually but must be planned, developed, and controlled by the total community as a whole in order to secure a more properly balanced total environment for the citi- zens of the community. 2. To plan and designate community facilities on the basis of attaining desired levels of service for the citizens which are relative to both their neighborhood and com- munity. 3. To provide a guide whereby community and neighborhood facilities can be planned and developed in cooperation with community goals and objectives, anticipated planned growth, and financial capabilities within the constraints of the community's resources. 11 COMMUNITY FACILITIES GOALS The "Plan for Maplewood' recognizes that the City, as a governing body, acts as the major determinant in shaping the community facility needs and level of services throughout the City. Therefore, the City should develop and maintain a comprehensive plan which provides for the citizens of the community, facilities which provide for the following goals: 1. Encouraging a more efficient local City government which provides improved community services and facili- ties. 2. Recognizing the need for and improving the basis for intergovernmental and regional cooperation in order to reduce duplication of effort and to avoid public incon- veniences. 3. Achieving optimum use of the taxpayer's dollar in order greatest possible economy to achieve the great p y and effi- ciency. 4. Maintaining and planning community facilities and their appurtenant levels of service within the financial resource capabilities of the City in order that it may be an independently sound unit. • 12 COMMUNITY FACILITIES PLAN OBJECTIVES The following community facilities plan objectives are intended to provide both public officials and the citizens of the community with objectives regarding community facili- ties, which can assist them in the furtherance of this ele- ment of the "Plan." The following objectives are singled out by identifying those issues which are considered rele- vant to the community facilities plan: Citizens' Objectives In order to accomplish the Citizens' Goals and Objectives, the citizens should require the City Council, the City Administration and its agencies to plan and authorize con- tinuing research to assure that all functions of the City's operations anticipate, and are responsive to, the needs of Maplewood's citizens. Local Government Objectives 1. In order for the Goals and Objectives of. the City to be realized, the citizens of the community and the City officials should recognize: a. That the level of government most adequately equipped to deal directly with the individual citi- zen and with the characteristics of any and ali problems unique to a localized place within this community is the City's local municipal government. b. That the County, Regional, State, and Federal Government agencies and non - governmental organiza- tions should function as a vital supportive role to that of local City government. c. That a coordinated effort by all levels of govern- ment and organizations is needed; and that the responsibility of government for the citizens of Maplewood must be met and carried by the City muni- cipal government. 13 2. The City Council, together with the people of the City, must develop a strong local government which sets targets and priorities. In order to accomplish this, the following kinds of measures should be considered: a. The City's government must expand its role of being a caretaker, administrator, and custodian to that of a promoter and catalyst of change. b. The City's government should be program- oriented and coordinated for its citizens. c. The City's government should be organized and directed not only to the simple provision of ser- vices, but more importantly, to the active solution of fundamental people problems. d. The City's government should develop greater flexi- bility and utilization of human and financial resources within the community and the governmental organization. e. The City should encourage and actively support municipal administrators who will • provide competent and professional analysis. Health and Welfare Objectives 1. The City should provide and maintain efficient ambu- lance service with qualified personnel for all the Maplewood area to assure prompt medical attention in emergency situations. 2. The City should institute a comprehensive health and sanitation program which should include: a. Community -wide sanitary inspection of public and private property. b. Identifying the areas and undertaking corrective action to eradicate areas from potential health hazards, such as insect - infested areas, areas improperly served by potable water and in need of sanitary sewer systems, and noxious weeds. c. Inspections regarding private water sources, drug and food preparations, control of lead poisoning. d. Nursing home inspections. e. Promoting and establishing communicable disease detection and prevention clinics. 14 f. Evaluating the ever - increasing chemical dependency problem and suggesting methods of control and correction. g. Suggest priorities and schedules for implemen- tation. Fire Safety Objectives 1. The primary objective of the fire service of the com- munity should be fire prevention. 2. City officials should develop, as soon as possible, a public safety fire protection plan which protects equipment, facilities, personnel, and community comple- mentary services such as water and streets necessary to complement the planned development and growth of the community. Such plan should be adopted and implemented through the budgetary process. 3. Volunteer fire service should be retained in the com- munity because it is well established and has developed a strong sense of pride and identity among citizenry of the community. However, a stronger coordination be- tween the various volunteer fire departments is needed • which should be developed by the City government. To establish this objective, the community should finance and provide for a broader and more comprehensive Fire Service Agency within the City governmental organiza- tion which will undertake and provide increased fire inspection services, more comprehensive fire prevention educational programs in schools and homes; develop and administer a community -wide fire safety plan which coordinates and better implements the volunteer and City efforts toward increased fire safety in the com- munity. 15 POLICE SAFETY FACILITIES 1. The City should strive to provide a minimum of 1.5 officers t 1,000 the necessary population order safety services for the community. 2. The community facilities plan suggests that, because of the geographic shape of the community and the projected population for the area commonly known as the "leg of the City," consideration should be given to long -range planning for an additional police substation in the "leg" area of the community in order to more effec- tively provide police public safety to the citizens of that area. i • 16 II • FIRE SAFETY FACILITIES In order to adequately provide fire protection to the existing and planned land uses of the community, the com- munity facilities plan designates that five fire safety sta- tions be located strategically throughout the community. The community facilities fire service plan indicates and illustrates the planned fire district service areas and general fire station location areas. The planned fire station location areas are designated in their approximate desired locations for the following reasons: 1. The station locations are centrally located in terms of providing, as reasonable as possible, uniform response times for fire alarm calls to all areas of the service district. 2. The station location is in close relation to available manpower service supply in terms of volunteer services which is both the existing and planned principal stra- tegy for manning such fire station facilities. 3. The station sites are planned to be located adjacent to or near the intersection of two major streets within the fire service district area in order to facilitate maximum access in all directions within the fire ser- vice district. 17 • CRIMINAL JUSTICE FACILITIES The community facilities plan suggests that two criminal justice facilities should be provided within the City of Maplewood. They are: 1. The Municipal Court is housed and contained within the City Hall. The combination of criminal justice at the court level in relation to the police public safety being contained within the same physical plant facility acts to provide: a. The maximizing of public safety resources. b. Encourages more efficient criminal justice pro - cessing. c. Physically brings together those elements of crimi- nal justice which are designed to protect public safety and the general welfare of the community. • I'I 18 • MUNICIPAL BUILDING FACILITIES The City should take the lead in promoting energy conser- vation in public buildings. The City's energy conservation and development program should be based on the following policies: 1. Encourage use of alternative energy forms in new construction and in the rehabilitation of existing buildings. 2. Develop and institute a program for disseminating information on governmental energy conservation programs and helpful ideas on personal energy conser- vation methods. 3. When practical, promote overall energy conservation in • the community development process by encouraging con- centration of structures and facilities. The community facilities plan suggests three sites be con- sidered for municipal facilities. The "Plan" suggests con - sideration of the following general areas: 1. A principal municipal utility site facility in the area south of County Road B and east of White Bear Avenue. 2. A satellite municipal utility facility be developed at the corner of Londin Lane and Lower Afton Road. 19 • PUBLIC UTILITY FACILITIES The long -range planning, financing and construction of water, sanitary sewer and storm drainage facilities should be coordinated with City growth plan as outlined under the following utility objectives: 1. The utility objectives of the City should be based upon securing for the citizen and his property the following: a. Maximum protection of health and safety. b. Adequate and efficient service. c. Fair and equitable distribution of benefits and costs. 2. The City should prevent inappropriate development from occurring where City resources are not able to supply the necessary public services and facilities. 3. All utility systems should be installed in newly devel- oping areas before or at the same time of development. This will allow for more economical utility installa- tion, reduction of damage to streets, elimination or erosion incidences, and reduction of public improvement installation and maintenance costs. 4. A priority schedule should be provided for City public improvements in order to: a. Remove threats to public health. b. Allocate community resources to achieve maximum economy and efficiency of service. c. Serve existing development. d. Shape the pattern of new developments. e. Maintain a competitive land market. 20 5. The following priorities for providing City utility service to the community should be established for: a. Developed areas subject to immediate threat to public health or safety. b. Newly developing areas now underway. c. Areas scheduled for development in one or two years. d. Developed areas without urgent public health or safety problems. e. Areas to be developed in three to five years. 6. Utility lines should be placed underground whenever possible and such lines, structures and supportive land uses would be located where they will be compatible with existing and planned development and will be in accord with the optimum use of available supply resour- ces. 7. A comprehensive policy document should be formulated P P Y and adopted. This policy should outline assessment policies, practices and methods to be utilized by the City in the conduct of providing initial local utility • installation or its replacements. 8. Any public utilities proposed to be locally provided by the City should be evaluated at the time of feasibility report in terms of: a. The boundaries of the area or areas deemed bene- fitted. b. The total assessed valuation of all lands in the benefitted area, plus the assessed value of each individual parcel or lot. c. The kinds of land use in the area and the percen- tage of land unused for urban purposes. d. The estimated cost of the improvement. e. Estimates of total system costs needed to comple- ment or accommodate the improvement. f. Estimates of the total City's costs as a community cost. 21 g. Estimates of the actual assessable costs with . alternatives and recommendations for distribution of costs where applicable. h. Calculation of the total amount payable from spe- cial assessments and the estimated levy against each parcel of land. 1. The ratio of special assessments to assessed valuations for the area as a whole and for each individual parcel. J. Indication of all outstanding and unpaid prior assessments for all lands in the area to be served plus the amount for each individual parcel therein. k. The total amount of bonds needed to be issued and their proposed maturity. 1. Indication of the method of assessment to be used which would best reflect the costs of the improve- ment to the benefit received by the properties to be assessed. m. The length of period the assessment should be amor- tized, based upon the estimated cost along with a • schedule of amortization. 9. Storm and sanitary sewerage systems within the City should be developed on the basis of watersheds or com- binations thereof in order: a. That as much urban development as possible be served within limits of economic feasibility and practicability. b. To ensure that upstream areas of watersheds are not prevented from development because of inadequate line or facility capacity in downstream portions of the watershed. c. To allow the most efficient and economical design of facilities. 10. The City should plan, design and provide for the following storm drainage systems: a. A primary system to accommodate immediate surface runoff which eliminates Inconvenience, hazard, and safety problems. b. A secondary system to augment the primary system by • providing temporary water storage. 22 11. Drainage systems designed for the City should keep • storm runoff waters dispersed on the ground surface to the maximum extent practical. 12. The City should establish a basic storm design fre- quency for all residential, commercial, industrial and other urban land use developments warranting and demanding storm sewer utility systems. 13. To the extent possible, preserve the natural storm drainage system. 14. All public and private utilities within the City should be installed in a coordinated manner and in accordance with the level of service indicated in the City's General Plan of Development. 15. Ensure the easements for utilities are uniformly located, providing for easy access relative to main- tenance and repair and minimal disruption of other activities. 16. Prepare and annually update a capital improvements program for both public and semi - public utilities. 23 i COMMUNITY RECREATION FACILITIES The community facilities plan recognizes and suggests that there are areas and facilities within the City, which are open space and recreation oriented, but serve total com- munity or surrounding communities in part as a result of their size and facilities available on location. Consequently, the "Plan" differentiates these community -wide recreation facilities from those which would be classified as neighborhood level recreation service facilities. The "Plan," therefore, designates that the following recreational areas and facilities either are or should be planned as community -wide facilities in nature: 1. The chain -of -lakes network of Kohlman Lake, Gervais Lake, Keller Lake, Round Lake, and Phalen Lake accom- panied with their individual park developments • adjoining each lake facility. 2. Silver Lake and its accompanying Joy Park facility. 3. Beaver Lake and its accompanying park facility. 9 . P Y 4. The 38 -acre Michael Lane site located between Minnehaha Avenue and Harvester Avenue. 5. Battle Creek Park located at the northeast corner of McKnight Road and Upper Afton Road. 6. The St. Paul Ski Club site west of Sterling Avenue and adjacent to the north side of Interstate 94. 7. Keller and Goodrich Golf Courses. 8. Aldrich Arena located at the northeast corner of White Bear Avenue and Ripley Street. 9. Sandy Lake located north of Skillman and south of County Road B west of Highway 35E. 10. Wakefield Lake and Park located at the southeast corner of Frost Avenue and Hazelwood Avenue. 24 11. The storage ponding facility /school located north of • County Road C and east of Hazelwood Avenue. 12. The community parkland located at County Road B east of Hazelwood Avenue. In addition to these above - mentioned facilities, it is recognized in the community facilities plan that all public school facilities are community -wide recreational facili- ties. Further, the plan suggests that they should be planned to accommodate the implementation of a community - wide recreation program as an integral part of the maximum utilization of the school structure facility and physical plant on site. 25 • LAND USE PLAN PURPOSE The Land Use Plan is part of the process involving the total "Plan for Maplewood." It interrelates with all elements, goals and objectives of the Plan. The Land Use Plan is developed to achieve the following pur- poses: 1. To generally designate the location, use intensity, and the amount of land development for various uses in the community. Such uses include business activities, housing, recreation, education, and cultural activi- ties. 2. To coordinate land uses into an overall plan which indicates how the land may be used as future needs arise. • 3. To ensure that the following features are Included in the planning process: a. Community goals and objectives are recognized. b. Physical environment and surrounding communities are considered. c. Consider all land uses in relation to supportive elements such as transportation, open space, utili- ties and other related activities. Consideration should also be given to good design, aesthetics, attractiveness and efficiency. d. The plan should be long -range in nature, recognizing existing and future problems. Design standards and guidelines should also be established. e. The land use must be coordinated with surrounding communities, and be compatible with overall land use in the immediate surrounding areas and the metropolitan area in general. f. The land use plan should be realistic. 26 The Land Use Plan should recognize the legal impact of • Zoning Ordinances. 1. Planned land uses should be effected through the appropriate zoning ordinances. 2. Conflicts between planned land uses and existing zoning should be resolved upon the adoption of the planned land use. 3. Zoning maps should be updated as necessary to make both land use maps and zoning maps compatible. • 27 • LAND USE PLAN GOALS The "Plan for Maplewood" land use plan element recognizes that the City as a government has a great deal of influence in the direction and ways in which this community develops. The community facilities provided, improvements authorized, and codes adopted and implemented affect the daily lives of most citizens, and give form to the community land uses, and stimulate or retard the land use development throughout the community. While the workings of the real estate market help determine the uses of land, these uses are regulated by the local City government. Therefore, the "Plan" recognizes that the local City government is the only body with an opportunity to coordinate the overall pattern of physical land use development for the City of Maplewood. Therefore, this land use plan element of the "Plan for Maplewood" advances the following land use goals: • 1. Provide for the orderly growth and development of the community while preserving a measure of diversity among its various neighborhoods. 2. Maintain and where necessary, strengthen the character of individual neighborhoods. 3. Protect historically significant sites. 4. Promote sound, economic development within the com- munity. 5. Maintain a sound property tax base in the City. 6. Ensure efficient utilization and conservation of land on an individual site as well as a community basis. 7. Optimize the use of land devoted to streets. 8. Minimize conflicts between various planned land uses, as well as required public services to serve such planned land uses. • 28 9. Prevent overcrowding and overintensification of land use, especially when supportive services and facilities such as utilities, parking and access, etc., are not available. 10. Provide for the planned utilization of land to maximize the aesthetic quality and function to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of the community. 11. Provide safe, healthy, and attractive residential environments which offer a broad choice of housing types. 12. Develop the community to provide for integrated land use, open space areas, community facilities, and the natural environment. 13. Maintain, and where necessary, upgrade land uses and environmental quality. • 29 • GENERAL DEVELOPMENT DESIGN OBJECTIVES In order to fulfill the land use goals set forth in the Maplewood Land Use Plan, general land use guidelines have been established to assist in land use planning and develop- ment. The following guidelines are to be utilized to ensure that future development meets the standards of the City of Maplewood. 1. Establish planning districts in the community based upon division by physical barriers or homogeneous land use characteristics, to plan neighborhoods as cohesive units. 2. The City will analyze all development proposals on an individual basis from a physical, economic, and social impact to determine the most appropriate uses within the context of the community as a whole. • 3. Whenever possible, the impact of physical barriers shall be reduced to increase relationships between the segregated areas and reinforce continuity and a sense of community. 4. Intensification of a land use activity and development shall be accompanied by sufficient corresponding increases in related supportive and service facilities such as parks, off - street parking, fire and police pro- tection, etc. 5. Overallocation of use types shall be avoided on a com- munity, as well as a neighborhood, basis. 6. All properties shall have safe and adequate access. 7. Development proposals shall be related to the overall neighborhood plan. 8. Land use development shall be related to and reflect transportation needs of desired development and com- munity priorities. 9. Property values shall be protected through the har- monious relationship of land uses, streets, and natural features. 30 10. Transitions between distinctly differing types of land • uses shall be accomplished in an orderly fashion which does not create a negative (economic, social, or physi- cal) Impact on adjoining developments. 11. Whenever possible, changes in types of land use shall occur at center, mid -block points, so that similar uses front on the same street, or at borders' of areas separated by major man -made or natural barriers. 12. Maximize site amenities through minimum grading and site preparation. 13. Accomplish the control of surface water drainage, with minimum change in rate or direction of runoff. 14. Ensure that rapid changes in neighborhood and community form and character do not occur. 15. Where practical, conflicting, and non - complementary uses shall be eliminated through removal and relocation or minimize the use of physical barriers, distances, • screens, or proper physical orientation of lots and buildings. 16. The removal of land from the tax rolls shall be con- sidered only when it can be clearly demonstrated that such removal is in the public interest. 17. Programs and incentives for continuing privately ini- tiated maintenance, improvements for energy conser- vation, and redevlopment of existing land use development shall be created and implemented. 18. Development, which facilitates energy resource conser- vation, yet maintains compatibility and relationships of uses, is to be planned and encouraged. 19. Renewal, replacement, and redevelopment of substandard and /or incompatible development shall be accomplished through public action and private means. 20. Maplewood's land planning and development should be coordinated with neighboring communities. 21. Development policies and regulations should be applied consistently and uniformly. 22. Building maintenance should be promoted through a program of beautification and building inspection. 31 • 23. The attractiveness of the community is to be enhanced through a continuing program of civic beautification, tree planting, maintenance of homes and streets, gra- dual elimination of all overhead wiring, and other measures which will promote an aesthetically pleasing environment. 24. The underground placing of electrical and telephone wires in all new subdivisions and developments and, where feasible, when new streets are placed in existing areas, shall be required by ordinance. 25. Ensure proper growth and development control by means of properly administered zoning and subdivision ordi- nances. 26. Update the zoning and subdivision ordinances and include performance- oriented zoning ordinances to enable the City to review a project on its own merits and on the relationship it has to the land use plan. 27. The neighborhood is the basic planning unit in Maplewood. Land use changes should be coordinated with the overall development and character of each indivi- dual neighborhood. • 28. All development in natural or environmentally sensitive areas shall conform to local, metropolitan, state, and federal regulations and policies. 29. Development should be restricted or regulated where it may result in environmental damage. 30. Development near or alteration of natural drainage system components should be strictly regulated to ensure that storm water can be adequately managed. 31. Erosion and soil control measures should be used during grading, drainage, and other construction projects. 32. The Ramsey County Soil Survey should be used to iden- tify problem areas with regard to soil suitability for building sites. Areas identified as having moderate or severe limitations for development shall then be eval- uated in accordance with Chapter 29 of the Uniform Building Code. 32 33. The standard for evaluation of development requests • based on topography shall be Policies 28 and 29 con- tained in the Erodible Slopes Section of the Metropolitan Development Guide. These policies are as follows: 28. Slopes which, because of their surficial soil type are susceptible to severe erosion, shall be main- tained in a natural state. Municipalities should adopt regulations to maintain or replace vegeta- tive cover on these slopes to reduce erosion and slippage problems. 29. Slopes subject to moderate erosion should be managed to minimize erosion and slippage; manage- ment may include special design and construction methods for development or appropriate vegetative or other cover. 34. Recommendations and regulations proposed by the Ramsey - Washington Metro Watershed District should be considered in the review of all development requests. 35. The City intends to comply with Mn /DOT rules concerning obstructions to air navigation. 33 • RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT DESIGN OBJECTIVES In order that all residential developments of the City have a good environment, the following quality guidelines are endorsed: 1. Prevention of Premature Residential Development The proposed development of urban residential areas where the provision of effective services such as streets, utilities, public safety, recreation programs and other community services are not available should be declared premature and thus discouraged. The com- munity should apply this concept to all forms of resi- dential development. 2. Preservation of Natural Features • a. Efforts should be made to plan and preserve natural features in residential areas. b. Residential development shall be limited on floodplains, wetlands, and other natural features that perform important ecological functions in their natural state. c. Utilize cluster housing and the Planned Unit Development concept to maximize the use of land impacted by poor soil or slope conditions. d. Planning and development of residential areas should take into consideration a planned drainage system with minimum site preparation. 3. Control of Population and Density Distribution Residential areas of the City should be planned in a neighborhood setting, using schools and parks as the hub of such neighborhoods. Natural or man -made physi- cal barriers should not traverse, but tend to set the boundaries of the neighborhood. 34 Neighborhoods so identified should be planned for a distribution of population densities and adequate faci- lities, suitable for the location and physical charac- teristics of the land. The City land use plan should be the guide in deter- mining population density and distribution, although some flexibility for changing land use patterns and densities should be maintained. 4. Credits for Planning Bonus provisions may be considered for those housing developments where there has been a planned develop- ment. Included in such development may be: conser- vation on streets, provision of a planned and usable open space system, and provision of a variety of styles and prices in housing types. Bonus may include: increased density, opportunity for mixed usage, and variety in lot size. Bonuses are suggested to encourage the achievement of the housing goals and objectives by providing for houses appealing to a wider segment of the housing market, as well as providing flexibility to citizen needs. 5. Variety of Housing Types a. Residential areas should be encouraged, planned, and guided to provide a variety of housing types within neighborhoods. b. Housing should be provided which meets the physical and psychological needs of all persons. c. A mixture of housing types should accommodate all residents, regardless of age, ethnic, racial, cultural or socioeconomic background. d. A diversity of housing should be provided, including low -rise apartments, high -rise apart- ments, townhouses (terrace or patio type, atrium or row houses), mobile homes, single - family housing, public assisted housing, and low and moderate income housing. e. Low and moderate income projects shall be dispersed throughout the community, and not concentrated in one area or neighborhood. Such housing should be • in close proximity to related service needs. 35 f. A variety of rental and owner - occupied housing • shall be allowed. g. Generally limit mobile homes to mobile home parks, encourage the highest possible standard of design, and ensure adequate accessory and supportive faci- lities. h. Adopt regulations which permit innovative alter- native housing design and construction techniques, such as modular homes. i. Innovation in subdivision design and housing development shall be encouraged through the use of devices such as the cluster and planned unit devel- opment concepts. j. Land use regulations shall be adopted which provide for and encourage planned unit residential develop- ment. 6. Attractive Appearance a. Plan and develop residential neighborhoods as units. • b. Protect from activities which produce excessive noise, dirt, odors, or which generate heavy traf- fic. c. Protect from encroachment or intrusion of incom- patible higher use types by adequate buffering and separation from nonresidential use categories. d. Place all utilities underground in new subdivisions and redevelopment areas. e. Housing areas within the City should be planned to be served with central water, sanitary sewer, and adequate drainage systems. All power lines and other like services should be installed at the time of housing construction. f. In existing residential neighborhoods, coordinated efforts should be undertaken to maintain and improve the total utility /street facilities. g. Off- street parking shall be provided in residential areas. 36 7. Adequate Facilities, Services, and Recreation Space Each residential area should be adequately served by such facilities and services as: schools, churches, parks and recreation areas, shopping centers and transportation - circulation facilities. All housing areas within the City should be planned and designed so that community recreation space is an • integral part of each residential neighborhood. 37 • COMMERCIAL LAND USE OBJECTIVES The City should orient its planned commercial areas pri- marily to Maplewood residents and secondly, to people throughout the metropolitan area. Proper location, aesthe- tics and prosperity of commercial areas should provide these benefits: a. A variety of services to meet people's needs b. Employment opportunities c. Tax revenues 1. Commercial Development Design Objectives a. Maplewood should formulate policies or ordinances on commercial developments to provide for: 1. Related and compatible businesses to be grouped together in suitable areas. 2. Attractive and stimulating surroundings in which to shop and work. 3. Accessibility: When possible or when oppor- tunities arise, major street access for service and commercial development shall be at the periphery of the area. 4. Adequate parking and loading facilities. 5. Joint utilization of parking, access, and other related supportive services shall be promoted in service and commercial districts and indivi- dual developments. 6. Avoiding environmental disruption to adjacent residential areas. 7. Orderly transitions between commercial and residential areas shall be established and maintained. 38 8. It shall be the responsibility of existing com- mercial developments to assume the burden of making necessary improvements to ensure com- patibility with surrounding residential uses. 9. Existing and proposed commercial and service areas shall be adequately screened or buffered from any adjacent residential development. 10. Planning commercial and functional activities to complement each other and the area in which they are located. b. Performance standards should be established in Limited Service Commercial and Service Commercial Districts. These standards will establish certain conditions under which high intensity commercial uses are permitted, and could include the following: 1. Signs - Specific standards should be set rela- tive to the maximum size and type of signs, to eliminate garishly illuminated, cluttered, oversized signs. These standards should vary from one district to another, with the most stringent restrictions placed on signs in ser- vice commercial centers and residential busi- ness districts. 2. Lighting - Lighting should be hooded and so directed that the light source is not visible from the public right -of -way or from an abutting residence. The conservation of energy in lighting should also be stressed. 3. Parking - Off-street parking should be required in commercial areas, based on specific stan- dards, relating to the floor area and number of employees at a given commercial use. Parking Islands should be landscaped. 4. Landscaping - Landscaping plans should be included as a part of the review of a commer- cial development. Landscaping or other forms of screening should be required where commer- cial uses abut residential areas. Parking areas should be screened and /or landscaped. 5. Traffic Circulation - Restrict commercial development which will result in traffic vol- umes which are beyond the capacity of the road I I • 39 systems or generate excessive noise and air • pollution. Provide pedestrian access systems which will ensure safety and ease of access. 6. Environmental Protection - Development plans should be reviewed for soil suitability, impacts on drainage systems and surface water quality. Runoff control and filtration should be provided in extensively paved areas and ade- quate snow storage space. 2. The Diversified Commercial Service Center a. To ensure and protect the great importance of the diversified center, the City should guide its development and improvement by: 1. Encouraging concentration of activity within a limited area to attain efficiency and con- venience, and increase its glamour and excite- ment characteristics. 2. Providing convenient access, including transit facilities to and through the center. 3. Protecting the integrity of residential areas nearby so that the local and collector streets do not allow straight access to the center. b. The City should include these four guidelines in the center's circulation plan: 1. Separation of people and vehicles. 2. Separation of passenger and service vehicles. 3. Separation of through and antra- center traffic. 4. Development of a rational relationship between traffic distribution and vehicle parking. 3. Service Commercial Centers a. These include any commercial activities which func- tion on a local or community -wide scale. Very high- intensity commercial uses should be permitted subject to performance guidelines. A wide variety of additional commercial facilities will be per- mitted in this district, provided that it is com- patible with the character and development of the neighborhood in which it is located. 40 b. At present, this commercial function tends to occur • in two district patterns: 1. Peripheral to other center -type developments and industrial activity. 2. As a strip along major streets, where most customer activity is one -stop oriented and reached by auto. c. The City should guide development and improvement of these centers by: 1. Planning and evaluating locations in terms of the land use plan, available utilities, and street - traffic systems. 2. Evaluating locational guideline standards for each site. 3. Providing for safe and separate movement of people and vehicles. 4. Encouraging the grouping of activities within structures for functional compatibility, joint parking opportunities, and increased shopper motivation. 4. Limited Service Centers a. Limited Service Centers are defined as those pro- viding specialized commercial services on a neigh- borhood scale, limited as to quantity, location or function, and planned in a quality environment. The City should develop location guidelines for each variety of center. b. The community must restrict these centers because of their effect on surrounding properties, yet pro- vide convenience to the citizens with high stan- dards of safety amenities and aesthetics. c. The City should approve locations only after complete environmental planning, which includes considering function, traffic, intensity of acti- vity, surrounding uses, and utilities. • 41 INDUSTRIAL LAND USE OBJECTIVES Maplewood's industrial land use objectives should be designed to: 1. Encourage for the City a sound economy compatible with the Metropolitan Area. 2. Implement a diverse industrial land use program which reflects the effective use of available people, physi- cal, and natural resources within the area. 3. Provide an efficient and harmonious distribution of facilities and sites within the City. 4. Provide specific performance standards and guidelines to review the compatibility of a proposed industrial development, including the following: a. Parking and Loading - Provide adequate off - street parking space and loading facilities. b. Landscaping - Provide landscaping and other means of buffering to eliminate impacts on adjacent land uses; provide sufficient open space around industrial structures to protect them from the hazards of fire and to provide attractive open area; require landscaping or screening of open storage areas. c. Signs - Limit the number, size, and placement of signs. d. Roads - Design roads to service industrial and heavy truck transportation, provide a traffic cir- culation system which is efficient and has a mini- mal Impact on adjacent land uses. e. Environmental Protection - Require a drainage impact plan which would include mechanisms whereby surface water drainage could be properly managed and water quality and erosions impacts minimized. 5. Promote industrial land use developments in planned • park -like environments. 42 6. Provide locational opportunities which encourage ready • access: a. To shopping and commercial areas and facilities b. To either major streets or other major highway facilities c. By increasing transit usage 7. Penetration of residential neighborhoods by industri- ally- generated traffic shall be discouraged or elimi- nated. 8. Provide and coordinate locations which can be comple- mented with quality public utilities and transportation facilities. 9. Allow for mixing of industrial operations within com- mercial service and diversified centers, if such acti- vities do not require heavy trucking service and can function within office -like structures. 10. It shall be the responsibility of existing industrial developments to assume the burden of making necessary improvements to ensure compatibility with surrounding land uses. 43 • EXISTING LAND USE AND REGULATIONS The existing land use pattern within the City of Maplewood acts to play a major part in the determination of the City's future pattern of growth. The present pattern of land use has been influenced by the location of major streets and transportation routes, topography and soil conditions, ownership patterns and the absence or presence of urban ser- vices. The existing land use pattern of the City of Maplewood can generally be characterized as being dominated by four prin- . cipal types of land uses: 1. Open vacant lands 2. Single - family residential development 411 3. Public open spaces including parks, schools and churches 4. Roads and transportation facilities Interspersed among these four principal land uses are decentralized small commercial and manufacturing facilities along with the major employment research center and inter- national headquarters of the 3M Company. The residential land use pattern of the community represents a range in building values that would be generally classified as moderate, having an average market value in July of 1980 of $60,725. (Value determined by Ramsey County.) The majority of dwelling units within the City are of modest construction, and can generally be classified as sound in construction. However, there are isolated cases of housing within the community that should be corrected because of deterioration and /or lack of maintenance. Past developers of the community created a residential pat- tern which has resulted in two major classifications of lot sizes. They are: 1. Subdivisions of land which have resulted in small • platted lots having 40 -foot frontages and approximately 5,000 square feet of land area. These lotting patterns 44 have tended to occur in those subdivision areas which • have been platted for some years and have been devel- oped, for the most part, through the consolidation of two or three lots into one lot in order to secure proper land area adequate to serve the private sanitary disposal system that was installed at the time the dwellings were constructed. However, there is remaining vacant land which was platted in this fashion that is now served, for the most part, by public sani- tary sewers. Thus, the resulting lot sizes which tend to dominate these areas are those which would have land areas approximating 8,500 to 12,000 square feet of lot area. 2. The more recent lotting pattern of contemporary sub- divisions within the City has been resulting in single - family lots having frontage ranging between 75 feet to 100 feet on the average and lot areas averaging approximately 12,000 square feet per parcel. Although vacant lands comprise approximately 47 percent of the land within the community, they are being sold or divided for residential use purposes as urban services become available to the area. The commercial development within the community consists of small neighborhood or community service -type facilities, usually predominated by food store activities and automobile service stations, and the Maplewood Mall, a regional shopping facility, and attendant developments. Community and neighborhood commercial service areas have tended to locate along major streets or at intersections thereof. These neighborhood and community commercial center areas throughout the community can be generally characterized as: 1. Lacking any substantive coordinated overall planning of the center area. 2. Principally geared to serving automobile traffic. 3. Developed in a "piece- meal" fashion resulting in interspersed vacant lots, lacking landscaping ameni- ties, having uncontrolled street access points and lacking amenities of good building design. The existing commercial uses that have developed within the community are, for the most part, located within the appropriate existing zoning districts. However, the major portion of land classified as commercial under the zoning regulations of the community is undeveloped and the land use 45 plan would suggest that not only some of these areas are planned to different land uses, but that such areas be • rezoned in order to become more properly related to the land use plan of the community. The City of Maplewood has zoned substantial tracts of land within the community for industrial use purposes. So much so, that the City of Maplewood is one of the largest industrially zoned communities in Ramsey County. The City has zoned 2,000 acres for Industrial use within the com- munity, of which approximately 409 acres are actually devel- oped with Industrial use, most of which falls within the industrial complex of the 3M Company. The remaining industrially developed acreages are limited to small industrial uses. The major portion of land classified for industrial purposes is undeveloped. The land use plan would suggest that some of these industrially zoned areas be planned to different land uses and that they be reclassified in order to become more properly related to the physical development pattern of the community. The following conclusions can be reached based upon an eval- uation of the City's existing land use in relation to the existing zoning district assignment by the community: 1. The application of zoning districts within the City has tended to be assigned on the basis of existing land uses, rather than assigning zoning districts to land uses in an effort to accomplish either a total land use plan or a zoning plan for the City. 2. The changing of zoning district boundaries has tended to be through the initiated actions of property owner induced petitions rather than City Council initiation. Consequently, many fragmented farm zoned parcels of land exist throughout the community which are complete- ly surrounded by urban land use zoning districts of a non -farm nature. 3. In the instance of multiple - family dwelling zoning, the community has tended to utilize the process of issuing special use permits through the application of planned unit development. The subdivision regulations adopted by the community in relation to the existing land use pattern indicate that the community has tended to allow a number of property divisions out of relatively large tracts of land which have resulted in some parcels that are fragmented and present future deve- lopment problems to both the community and property owners. The land use plan element suggests that such property divi- sions and subsequent land use patterning should be more clo- sely reviewed and coordinated with the overall area development pattern and land use plans for the area. 46 • LAND USE PLAN PROPOSAL AND DEFINITION The City land use plan proposes to: 1. Incorporate the comprehensive goal and objective frame- work advanced in the "Plan for Maplewood" as it relates to the physical planning and spatial arrangement of land use patterns throughout the City. 2. Implement the neighborhood planning concept throughout the entire City. 3. Take into consideration the existing land use pattern, the topography and physical features of the community. 4. Incorporate population and employment projections in the determination and arrangement of land uses within the community. 5. Encompass and relate the major street plan of the City to the land use plan element. 6. Include the community facilities necessary to serve the planned land uses and needs resulting therefrom. 7. Designate a land use system whereby residential land uses are planned to be the major land use within the City. 8. Provide open space facilities including schools, churches, municipal facilities, drainageways, and parks, which will occupy approximately 25 percent of the total City land area. 9. Provide commercial service land use areas needed as a result of the commercial service demands necessary to accommodate the population. 10. Indicate that the entire land area of the City will eventually be subject to urban land uses. 11. Provide streets and highways in terms of their portion of the total land use area within the City as a result of the necessary local streets that will be needed to • accommodate access to the planned population housing areas. 47 LAND USE PLAN DEFINITIONS • The residential development density ranges indicated in the land use plan for each neighborhood area are classified Into the following three types of residential densities: 1. Low - Density Residential (RL). This classification is primarily designated for a variety of single dwelling homes. An occasional double dwelling may be allowed. 2. Medium - Density Residential (RM). This classification is designated for such housing types as single - family houses on small lots, two - family homes, townhouses, and mobile homes. The maximum population density is 22 people per net acre. 3. High- Density Residential (RH). This classification is designated for such housing types as apartments, two- , family homes, townhouses, nursing homes, dormitories, or elderly housing. The maximum population density is 34 people per net acre. Commercial Planned Land Use Classifications - These cate- gories of land use designate commercial land use areas where the principal functions that take place on the land involve the providing and /or supplying of services necessary to meet peoples demands. Because such commercial activities encom- pass a wide range of use activities which have distinct functional commercial center characteristics, the land use plan recognizes such characteristics to the degree that three separate and distinct classifications of commercial land use activities are advanced in the Plan. These classi- fications are designed and oriented toward achieving func- tional compatibility in concert with performance capabilities. The land use plan advances the following com- mercial classifications: 1. Diversified Center (DC). This commercial classifica- tion refers to facilities which have a regional orien- tation in terms of size and scale. The area in the vicinity of Maplewood Mall is characteristic of the type of development that could be expected in such a district. This should be the most all - encompassing • type of commercial district, permitting a wide variety 48 of retail outlets, hotels, office buildings, medical • centers, light industrial developments, and high den- sity residential areas. The Diversified Center pro- vides: a. Good accessibility to regional transportation corridors b. A central location serving a subregional market area c. The consolidation of diverse commercial facilities into one total planned area 2. Limited Service Center (LSC). The limited service com- mercial center classification refers to commercial facilities on a neighborhood scale. Heavy industrial uses, department stores, motels, auto accessory stores, etc., would be prohibited. Other land uses of a medium intensity nature, such as gas sales with no vehicle repair or maintenance and with no more than two pumps on a single island to service up to four vehicles at one time, may be permitted subject to meeting certain performance standards as defined in the zoning code. 3. Service Commercial Centers (SC). This commercial classification is oriented to facilities which are local or community -wide scale. While a full range of commercial uses is permitted in this district, certain types of facilities which may be of a high- intensity nature, such as fast food restaurants, discount sales outlets, gas stations, and light industrial uses, should be permitted subject to specific performance guidelines. The objective of establishing this district is to provide for a wide variety of commercial uses, compatible with the character and development of the neighborhoods in which they are located. 4. Residential Business District. This classification includes high density residential and office uses, and should provide some transition between a commercial use that generates a high amount of traffic, such as a Diversified Center, and residential uses. This classi- fication is shown in the vicinity of Hazelwood Street, west of the Maplewood Mall, where a number of single - family residential uses face encroachment of commercial development. • 49 Industrial Land Uses Three basic industrial land use classifications are established: 1. Development and Research (DR). This land use classifi- cation is characterized by research and development of prototype industrial and commercial nature. It is the intent of this district to provide for a planned and designed research and development area developed in a park -like environment so as to create a compatible environment with surrounding land uses. Most types of industrial development would be permitted, provided they are compatible with adjacent land areas. 2. Business - Warehousing (BW). Industrial uses found in this classification include governmental and public utility buildings and structures, storage and ware- housing facilities, wholesale business and office establishments, cartage and express facilities, radio and television stations and other industrial uses of a lower- intensity nature. 3. General Industrial (GI). A general industrial classi- fication provides for manufacturing and higher inten- sity industrial uses. Parks (P) and Open Space (OS) These land use classifications are designed to provide land use areas throughout the community which act to complement all other land uses by providing a reasonable balance of open space in relation to urban development. Within this classification there are a number of specialized land use activities which can be further classified such as: 1. Parks and playgrounds 2. Natural drainage courses 3. Cemeteries 4. Public and non - public school grounds 5. Golf courses 6. Lakes 7. Pedestrian trailways and scenic drives 8. Environmental protection areas, encompassing wetlands and floodplains 50 LAND USE PLAN NAPS It is intended that the Land Use Plan Map is a generalized statement of density and intensity of uses. Modifications to stated Intensity of uses will be allowed when and where proposed activities are found to be in compliance with the adopted comprehensive plan policies and compatibility of land use is maintained. Map indicates -wide land use the total City-wide The Land Use Plan M p y plan when the thirteen neighborhood planning area land use maps have been coordinated into one mosaic plan for the entire City. In addition, the City -wide land use plan map is followed by a land use plan map for each of the identified neighborhood planning areas. Each of these neighborhood planning area land use plan maps is designed to be: 1. Coordinated with the overall City -wide Land Use Plan Map. 2. Recommended as the land use plan guideline for all land use development within each neighborhood planning area. 51 • MAPLEWOOD s i f g ` RAMSEY COUNTY. MI NNESOTA d 4 i L...... • ij . _ 1 ::---)t ii1 . I 1611 g i d fir •0.1.01.. 7.1 LANK WW1 8 NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING AREAS i iti Planning Neighborhood , o Area No. Name 1 Western Hills 2 Parkside 410 3 Kohlman Lake 1 comm y 4 Hazelwood ,. 5 Maplewood Heights • 6 Sherwood Glen • "°" 7 Gladstone lo Hillside hi 9 Beaver Lake 10 Battle Creek 11 Vista Hills 12 Hi ghwood m•N.000 • - 13 Carver Ridge 12 . U.K. 41 • lie 52 9 -2 3. Institution sites - sites for school and other institutions having service spheres coinciding with the limits of the neighborhood planning area should be suitably grouped about a central point or common, and combine with the neighborhood recreations area, whenever possible. 4. Local shopping center - if warranted by the population to be served, the • local convenient shopping facility should be located at the edge preferably of the neighborhood planning area or at an arterial traffic junction and adjacent to similar commercial districts, if any, of adjoining neighborhoods. 5. Internal street system - the neighborhood planning area should be provided with a special street system, each street being proportioned to its probable traffic load, and the street net as a whole being designed to facilitate circulation within the neighborhood area with good access to major streets, and to discourage their use by through traffic. • • 53 9-4