A. Statutory Authorization. This Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) overlay district chapter is adopted pursuant to the authorization and policies contained in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 116G, Minnesota Rules, Parts 6106.0010 - 6106.0180, and the planning and zoning enabling legislation in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 462 and 473.
B. Policy. The Legislature of Minnesota has delegated responsibility to local governments of the state to regulate the subdivision, use, and development of designated critical areas and thus preserve and enhance the quality of important historic, cultural, aesthetic values, and natural systems and provide for the wise use of these areas.
C. Intent. The Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area regulations are intended to:
1. Establish districts under which building height and structure placement are regulated to protect and enhance the Mississippi River's resources and features consistent with the natural and built character of each district.
2. Identify development standards and considerations for land uses that have potential to negatively affect primary conservation areas and public river corridor views.
3. Establish standards that protect primary conservation areas and public river corridor views from development impacts and ensure that new development is established consistent with the purpose of the MRCCA.
4. Establish design standards for private facilities that are consistent with best management practices and that minimize impacts to Primary Conservation Areas (PCAs), Public River Corridor Views (PRCVs) and other resources identified in the MRCCA plan.
5. Establish design standards for public facilities that are consistent with best management practices and that minimize impacts to primary conservation areas, public river corridor views and other resources identified in the MRCCA plan while recognizing that they serve the public interest by providing access to the Mississippi River corridor or require locations within the river corridor and therefor require some flexibility.
6. Establish standards that sustain and enhance the biological and ecological functions of vegetation; preserve the natural character and topography of the MRCCA; and maintain stability of bluffs and critical area steep slopes and ensure stability of other erosion-prone areas.
7. Establish standards that protect water quality from pollutant loadings of sediment, nutrients, bacteria, and other contaminants; and maintain stability of bluffs, shorelines, and other areas prone to erosion.
8. To create standards for subdivisions and development or redevelopment of sites that protect and enhance the natural and scenic value of the MRCCA, protect and restore biological and ecological functions of primary conservation areas, and encourage restoration of native vegetation where restoration opportunities have been identified in the MRCCA Plan. (Ord. 568, 9-23-2021)