Laserfiche WebLink
Page 2 of 3 <br /> <br />This past month City Staff contacted Dan Scollan, East Metro Area Hydrologist with the DNR, <br />regarding next steps and available options for proceeding with Resolution 85-22. Mr. Scollan <br />had indicated that the DNR had reviewed the 1984/85 documentation and would proceed with <br />approval of Resolution 85-22 as submitted. Their decision in support of the reclassifications is <br />the result of the lake classification factors having not appreciably changed since 1985. Looking <br />at all of the classification criteria holistically, the DNR still agreed with the City’s reasoning <br />presented in 1985 and concurred that the area development is still consistent with the 1985 <br />Council request as outlined. At the June 7, 2021, City Council Special Work Session, staff was <br />given direction to submit Resolution 85-22 to the DNR as approved on May 13, 1985. This <br />action necessitated an ordinance amendment to Section 1330.02 Subd. 1, Classification of Lakes <br />to classify Little Johanna as General Development. The City received approval of Resolution <br />85-22 by the DNR on June 23, 2021 (Attachment B). <br /> <br />Shoreland Ordinance Background <br /> <br />The City’s first ordinance adoption for shoreland requirements was in September 1985, <br />Ordinance No. 237, which was previously referred to as “Arden Hills Shoreland Management <br />Ordinance”. This ordinance incorporated the language and lake classifications as recommended <br />in the May 1985 resolution. The most substantive update of the shoreland ordinance occurred in <br />February 2010. This ordinance review was intended to address a number of holes that still <br />remained unaddressed after an earlier update in 2002. During this process the City conducted an <br />extensive review of development regulations including, but not exclusive to, exceptions to OHW <br />setbacks, wetland setbacks, accessory structure allowances, additional definitions, removal of <br />vegetation and grading and filling standards in order to gain a greater consistency with the DNR <br />guidelines. This research did not involve discussion of lake classifications. However, <br />incorporated into this ordinance amendment Little Johanna was shifted to a Recreational <br />Development Lake. It is suspected that the inconsistency in lake classification was caught as <br />part of that review and amended to reflect DNR categorization. Again, the inconsistency <br />between the City and DNR was due to the failure to finalize processing of Resolution 85-22. <br /> <br />Discussion <br /> <br />As a result of previous discussions, Staff has drafted the following language amending Section <br />1330.02 Subd. 1. under the Arden Hills City Code (Attachment C). This language reclassifies <br />Little Johanna from a Recreational Development Lake to a General Development Lake <br />consistent with Resolution 85-22 passed by the City Council. <br />