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Shoreland Ordinance Update Process This item first came before the Planning Commission at their work session in February 2009. At that meeting the Planning Commission discussed the desired goals and objectives for the Shoreland Regulations amendment. The goals that were identified at that meeting were as follows: • Utilizing appropriate use management • Managing potential impediments to shorelands (i.e. geese) • Minimizing runoff from parking lots • Addressing neglected yards in shoreland lots • Clarifying regulations for residential vs. non-profit institution shoreland properties • Ensuring participation of institutions on shoreland properties (i.e. Bethel and Northwestern Colleges) • Continuing to discourage water orientated accessory structures A Community meeting was held on May 21, 2009, to discuss the shoreland regulations and to invite a greater voice from the community. Direct comments taken from residents at that meeting are included in Attachment D. A number of residents at the shoreland meeting questioned the need for changes and if additional regulation is necessary, though staff acknowledges that other residents in the past have expressed concern over the aesthetics and maintenance of the shoreland. Background The current set of shoreland regulations was updated in early 2002 as part of the re -codification of the overall City Code and to address certain requirements in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) shoreland regulations. While that ordinance update did address some of the technical requirements set by the DNR, there were a number of holes and unaddressed issues remaining after that update. Concurrently, Staff has been faced with a number of questions and concerns expressed by local property owners that are not explicitly addressed in the existing ordinance. These scenarios have introduced the need for greater clarification to the City's shoreland ordinance so that it may be able to promptly address common issues and concerns as they pertain to public waters and wetlands. The DNR has started an update process to the statewide shoreland regulations, which is the foundation for shoreland regulations in virtually all cities. Based on conversations with the DNR, final updates could still be a number of years away pending state approval; however, Staff does have a draft of the new shoreland regulations and has incorporated that into our research. While future changes to the statewide regulations may impact the City's ordinance, Staff recommends moving forward with our update process so that local needs can be addressed. City of Arden Hills Planning Commission Work Session for August 5, 2009 C: IDOCUME—IIMEAGAN—I.BEEILOCALS—IITempIELF7E1080509 -PC Work Session - Shoreland Regulations.doc Page 2 of 5