2009 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Aggregate Resources Demand for aggregate resources continues to grow in the metropolitan area. As local resources become depleted, aggregate needed for urban development will have to be imported from outside the seven -county metropolitan area. The City will permit gravel mining operations where appropriate and consistent with the City's zoning ordinance. It is important to note that the City of Gem Lake doesn't have any aggregate resources and doesn't anticipate any in the future. Solar Access Protection Since 1978, the Metropolitan Land Planning Act has required communities to include verbiage in their plans to protect access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems. The purpose of this provision is to protect solar collectors from shading by adjacent structures and/or landscaping. The City of Gem Lake recognizes the value of solar access protection and energy conservation in general; however, the community is experiencing limited new construction in its urbanized area. In addition, while a considerable amount of new development will occur throughout the City in the future, the application of this provision will be difficult within the context of an established land use patterns and natural topography. For this reason, the City will look beyond solar accessibility alone and will address the conservation of energy in general, through its comprehensive planning efforts. Historic Preservation There are not any structures or sites within the City that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places or properties of State or local significance by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). The City will work with SHPO and local property owners to take the appropriate steps to preserve any historic or cultural resources that may be added or discovered in the future. Land Use Coals and Policies General Land Use Goals • Protect and enhance the natural environment in the City of Gem Lake. • Help ensure that all development and re -development contributes to a clear, orderly, and harmonious pattern of design, guided by professional planners, engineers, and designers. • Preserve the large estate and executive lots in the interior of the City and surround them with compatible smaller lot residential, open space, recreational and business/commercial uses. These uses will connect housing with shopping and employment opportunities wherever feasible. • Provide a safe, healthy, and attractive residential environment, which offers a broad choice of housing opportunities. • Provide buffers using berms, trees, and other natural resources to insulate the residential areas of the City from noise, light pollution, and traffic. • Guide the development of an attractive special planning area around Hoffman's Corner at U.S. Highway 61 and on County Road E for a mix of business, commercial, retail, open space, and residential uses. SEH5.0 land goals and policies I page 23