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City of Arden Hills – 2040 Comprehensive Plan <br /> <br /> <br />Approved:, 2018 <br />10-2 <br />monitoring to ensure that they are meeting community needs and effectively protecting <br />the City’s natural resources. <br /> <br />In addition to lake protection, several high-priority natural areas, endangered and <br />protected species, and historic sites have been identified as significant in the City. <br />These significant resources are highly valuable and have features that may require <br />special levels of protection. Preserving the City’s natural setting is of the utmost <br />importance to residents of Arden Hills. <br /> <br />10.2 WATER RESOURCES <br /> <br />Covering nearly 550 acres in Arden Hills, the seven lakes and many wetlands have <br />always been a focal point in the community (Figure 10.1). Early settlers and <br />development took advantage of the recreational and scenic qualities of the lakes, and <br />they continue to be an attractive characteristic for residents and visitors. Most of the <br />shoreland development took place prior to the adoption of modern development <br />regulations; and the City is experiencing redevelopment pressure along the City’s <br />shorelines. <br /> <br />The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requires communities to adopt <br />shoreland ordinances, which typically regulate lot size, minimum shoreline width, lot <br />coverage, and structure setbacks for development along water bodies. Development <br />regulations vary depending on the lake classification set by the DNR: <br />o Natural Environment Lakes and Streams (NE) – usually have less than 150 total <br />acres, less than 60 acres per mile of shoreline, and less than three dwellings per <br />mile of shoreline. They may have some winter kill of fish; may have shallow, <br />swampy shoreline; and are less than 15 feet deep. <br />o Recreational Development Lakes (RD) – usually have between 60 and 225 acres <br />of water per mile of shoreline, between three and 25 dwellings per mile of <br />shoreline, and are more than 15 feet deep. <br />o General Development Lakes (GD) – usually have more than 225 acres of water <br />per mile of shoreline and 25 dwellings per mile of shoreline, and are more than <br />15 feet deep. <br /> <br />10.2.1 Lakes and Water Bodies <br /> <br />As noted above, the City has seven lakes in or partially in Arden Hills. All water <br />bodies in the City are highly valued and warrant continued protection. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Draft 04/04/2018