1982 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - Laserfiche WebLink

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page B), The most critical of these is the basin draining into Gem Lake and its attendant wetlands. Policies: (a) Attempt to restrict or minimize addi- tional. storm water run-off into the Gem Lake Basin in order to protect the water quality of this area. Particular attention should be placed -on water retention to settle out undesirable sediments and to minimize siltation. Impervious areas should be restricted within 100 feet of Gem Lake and its wetlands. (b) Surface water drainage into the north pond might be encauraged recognizing that this pond has minimal ecosystem value and may be more attractive if higher water levels are maintained. (c) Seek cooperative agree- ments with White Bear (Town) and Vadnais Heights for surface drainage easements, as needed. (d) Require storm sewers on new road construction as an alternative to. ditches which are a long-term maintenance problem. This policy excludes the very.low density (three acre minimum) area in the: central portion of the City. (e) Provide storm sewerage in all commercially developed portions of the community. Special Facilities Municina.l Building. There is no public owned or leased space where community records are maintained and no public location where a resident may call for assistance.. Policy,: As Gem Lake develops, a municipal building should be purchased or leased by Gem Lake to serve as the community's governmental center. Public Schools. All primary and secondary school students who are Gem.Lake residents are bused to White Bear Lake. The ultimate population holding capacity of Gem Lake will. not in itself generate a s.uffici.ent.school age population to justify a grade school within the corporate limits.. However, Gem Lake in combination with the contiguous areas of Vadnais Heights and White Bear (Town) may create the need for a grade school which might appro- priately be located in Gem Lake. Policy: If a grade school were to be located in Gem Lake it may be most appropriately sited in the northeast corner of the community contiguous to the planned public open space area. Health Facilities. At present there are no hospital facilities in Gem Lake or in any of the contiguous municipalities adjoining it. The closest hospital facility is in the central area of St. Paul approximately seven miles distance.. Policy: Gem Lake should cooperate with other local governments. in encouraging. a hospital facility within a more convenient proximity. Outdoor Recreational Facilities. There are no publicly held open spaces or recreational facilities within the community. All existing outdoor recreation with the community rust currently occur on (a) privately developed lands, (b) vacant lots, or (c) the streets.. Policies: (a) Consistent with the intention to acquire public open space a neighborhood oriented park will be. provided as the community develops This might include a picnic ground, a ball field, tennis. courts, and playground facilities. (b) The first preference for a community park shall be in the northeast section of the community (see Figure 4). (c) It is expected that such a park area will be acquired. and constructed by 1994. (d) The community will continue to rely on Ramsey County for development of larger natural resource based recreational facilities.. -47-