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3.0 Community Development: Trends and Detriments The City of Gem Lake has many unique features that should be considered when developing a comprehensive plan. Physical development within the City, its natural resources, people, economy, and governmental plan must be placed in context with the larger metropolitan area. The communities in the immediate vicinity should also be given special attention. The following subject areas impact the City's plan: Creation of Gem Lake The City of Gem Lake was created through a referendum conducted in 1959. The City was one of several municipal jurisdictions, which was incorporated during the 1950s, in response to a rapid increase in urbanization pressures. In addition to the City of Gem Lake, the municipalities of Little Canada, Maplewood, North Oaks, Shoreview, and Vadnais Heights, all within a five mile radius, were incorporated during that time frame. Geographical Setting The City of Gem Lake encompasses a land area of approximately 725 acres in the north central portion of Ramsey County. The City is located approximately seven miles north of the central business district of St. Paul, and approximately 11 miles northeast of the central business district of Minneapolis. Gem Lake is bounded on the north by White Bear Township. The City of White Bear Lake generally bounds the City on the east. Vadnais Heights bounds the City partially on the east, entirely on the south and west, and partially on the north. The northern and eastern boundaries of the City are well defined by the rights -of - way of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Most of the southern boundary of the City is also County Road E. The western border of the City is also Labore Road. In proximity to the City's western border is I-35E. U.S. Highway 61 cuts through the southeastern portion of the City. Natural Features of Gem Lake The natural environment of Gem Lake is unquestionably of a very high quality, the preservation or enhancement of which should be considered as the City more fully develops. Topography The topography of the community is generally rolling, exhibiting glacial morainic surface features. Elevations vary approximately 90 feet (from 920 feet to 1,010 feet above sea level). The greatest elevation variations are in the west central and northwestern portions of the City, where there are several areas of higher elevations. Virtually, all steeper slopes over 10 percent grade are also in this portion of the City. The northeast and southern portions of the City range from gently rolling to flat. Surface Water and Drainage Most of the City of Gem Lake lies on a low plateau more than 950 feet above sea level. This plateau drains north, west, and south. Since Gem Lake is in a relatively high elevation with respect to surrounding lands, no permanent streams exist within its boundaries. However, as is typical of glacial landscapes, much of the municipality is imperfectly drained. Much of the surface water currently drains into low lying depressions with no surface outlets. The largest of these depressions is the water body called Gem Lake which covers approximately 38 acres including its attendant wetlands. Much of the central portion of the City drains into this water body. The second largest area of standing water is a pond covering about six acres in the 5 E H 3.0 community development: trends and detriments I page 5