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Home My WebLink About1982 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN'f• GEM LAKE COMPREHENSIVE MUNICIPAL PLAN T• . i� Gr. Prepared. for the City of 'Gem Lake, Minnesota By Barton-Aschman Associates, Inc. January. 1978 and As; Revised,, and on March 11, 1982, approved by The.Metzopolitan Council TABLE OF CO7= . I. USE OF THE PLAN 2. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRENDS AND DETERMINANTS 3. PLAN ASSUMPTIONS,. GOALS, PROBLEMS AND ISSUES 4. SUMMARY OF THE COMPREHENSIVE MUNICIPAL PLAN 5. LAND USE PLAN 6. TRAIISPORTATION PLAN 7. COMMUNITY FACILITIES- AND SERVICES PLAN 8. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION .Page 1 4 20 24 28 38 45. -50.. IIST OF FIGUFM - 1. Metropolitan Location of Gem Lake :2. Municipal Boundaries r-7- Physiography 4. Comprehensive Municipal Plan Map 5. Land Committed to Urban Development 6. Zoning Districts 7. Planning Areas 8. Street System. Plan 9. Proposed Functional Road Classification Comprehensive Sewer Map 11. Soil Xap Page 8 25 29 31 35 42 4.3 48 49 1. Population Trends and Projections by Governmental Units Within a 5 Mile Radius of Gem Lake 2. Selected Characteristics of the Population by Governmental Unit Within a 5 Mile Radius of Gem Lake 3. Existing and Projected Population, Households and Employment in Gem Lake 4, Employment Opportunities in Relation to Population: 1976 S. Assessed Valuation of Real Property in Gem Lake., 1977 6. Assessed. Valuation and Tax .Rates by Governmental Unit Within a 5 .Mile Radius of Gem Lake 7. Selected Characteristics of Housing by Governmental Unit Within a 5 Mile Radius of Gem Lake & Estimate of Ultimate Gem Lake Population and: Land Use. 9. Inventory of Roads, Streets, and Highways 10. Summary of Existing Road Mileage .by Jurisdiction and Functional Classification 11. Status. of Ordinances, Plans, and Other Controls. Guiding Development Within Gem Lake .16 l8 32 39 40 5k 1. USE OF THE PLAN Purpose of Preparing the Plan The Comprehensive Municipal Plan of Gem Lake has been prepared with the Primary purpose of guiding the long-term physical development of the City including. investments in both 2rivately and publicly owned resources. The City Planning Commission . and City Council have both recognized that investments in physical facilities within Gem Lake are usually long-term fixed assets that establish the development character of the City for many .years. Accordingly, this document has been prepared to firmly establish the manner in which citizens and their effected and appointed,representatives wish the City of Gem Lake to develop.. This Plan document is the second comprehensive plan prepared for the City. The first plan was prepared in 1962 but was not officially adopted by the municipal government. This Plan draws. freely upon the proposals of the 1.962 plan, but incorporates .more recent. development trends within . Gem Lake and in the immediate vicinity of the City. New 'goals and policies of the City are also established. This Plan supersedes all of the contents of the previous plan document. The. Comprehensive Plan represents. the collective position of the City Planning Commission and the City Council at the time of its adoption. While consultant assistance was sought in the preparation of this plan, the actual recommendations and policy statements represent solely those of the City Council, the Planning Commission and, hopefully., to the maximum extent possible, the citizens of Gem. Lake. While the Plan is intended primarily as a policy document with the principal goal of guiding the orderly physical development of the City, the Plan should not be considered a detailed progTam for the. effectuation of City policies nor should it be considered a remulatory device for accomplishing this end. Rather, it is expected that all plan effectuation procedures and regulatory devices legally available to the City will be used in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. The general time frame of the Plan is approximately 20 to 25 years at which time it is anticipated that most, if not all, land holdings within Gem Lake will be committed to some form of urban development. Use. of Plan by the City Planning Commission The Planning Commission of Gem Lake is a five member body appointed by the City Council of Gem Lake. Members of the Committee serve at the pleasure of the City Council. They may be reappointed. Saecifically, with regard to the Comprehensive Plan, the Planning Commission has: the. following major responsibilities: (a) to periodically review (not less frequently than biannually) and make suggested additions and amendments to the Comprehen- sive Plan, (b) to. assure that all provisions of the City's development control V4 ordinances (or proposed amendments or additions to these ordinances) are in accordance with the principles of the Plan, (c) to review proposed public capital investments of the City of Gera., Lake to determine their consistency with the - Comprehensive Plan and (d) to review proposed. private capital investments within Gem Lake to assure that: they are in accordance with the principles and proposals of the Plan. While the. Planning Commissionts responsibilities are primarily advisory — the City Council has prime authority in carrying out the Plan's features -- the Planning Commission nevertheless is- considered to be the City's p:imary body in terms of making explicit interpretations of the Pian's stated proposals. Use of the.Plan by the City Council The City Council :is. a five member body directly. elected by the citizens o€ Gem Lake. .Council..^iembers are electe4 -to four year staggered terms. As the primary policy making -.body of the City of Gem Lake, the. Council has the following principal responsibilities in relation to the Comprehensive. Municipal Plan: (a) to •.•= assure, to the maximum extent possible,. that the. policies contained within the, Comprehensive :Plan document represent the viewpoint of- the citizens of the community, 0 to attempt to mace incremental policy decisions in normal council -deliberations that are consistent with the Plan's provisions, (c) to make public capital expenditures and related- expenditures. consistent with the principles of the Plan, .and (d) to exercise the ultimate review and adoption of all original plan ,provisions and amendments- to the Plan forwarded to the Council by the. Planning Commission. Reletionshio of Other Municipal Bodies and Citizens *to the -Plan Beyond guiding the actions of the City Planning Commission and the City. Council, the plan is designed. to be an.educatiorial:device designed to convey -to &U people in Gem Lake the manner in which the CRY is desired to develop. -The plan is intended to convey the unique assets, liabilities, and key development issues facing. the City in the coming years. Citizens interested It- interpretations of the provisions of the Comprehensive Municipal Plan, or revisions- to it, are encouraged to meet with the - Planning Commission at its regularly *soheduled* sessions. Compliance with the Plan The Comprehensive Plan of Gem Lake is designed to be more than. a mere document spelling out general municipal policies. It is principally intended as a decision-makinK aid primarily for (a) guiding the expenditure of. public capital funds and b establishing the underlying rationale for the development codes and ordinances which more specifically control private development within the City. Minnesota State Statute 462.356 (Subdivision 2) further spells out required compliance with the Plan where public capital investments are involved. - "After a Comprehensive Municipal Plan or Section. thereof has been recommended by the Planning Agency (the Gem Lake Planning Commission) and a copy filed with the governing body (the Gem Lake City Council), no publicly owned interest in real property within the municipality shall be acquired or disposed of, nor shall any capital improvement be authorized by the municipality or special district or agency thereof or any other political subdivision having jurisdiction within the municipality until after the Planning Agency (City Planning. Commission) has reviewed the proposed acquisition, disposal, or capital. improvements and reported in writing to the governing body. (City Council) or other special district or agency or political subdivision concerned, its findings as to compliance of 'the proposed acquisition, disposal or improvement with the Comprehensive Municipal Plan. Failure of the Planning Agency to report on the proposal within. 45 days after such a reference, or such other period as may be .designated. by the governing body (City Council),. shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of this subdivision. The governing body (City Council) may, by resolution adopted by two-thirds vote, dispense with the requirements of this subdivision when In its ,judgment it finds that the Proposed acquisition or disposal of real property or capital improvement has no relationship to the Comprehensive Municipal Plan." Amendments to the Plan The Comprehensive Municioal Plan of the City of Gem Lake is designed to be amendable. The City Planning Commission has the authority granted by City Council to annually review the contents of the Comprehensive Plan and to recommend any potential amendments to the City Council. Any amendments to the Comprehensive Plan beyond an editorial level will be executed only after a public hearing which is duly advertised in the officially designated newspaper of the municipality at least ten days prior to the hearing. Any amendments to the Plan can be accomplished by a simple majority vote (of the members of the City Council). All amendments will be placed on file with the Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities Area as well as with all governmental units with boundaries contiguous to Gem Lake. I I 2. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRENDS AND DETERMINANT'S There: are many phenomenon that should be considered as a basis for developing a Comprehensive Plan for the City of Gem Lake. Perhaps most significantl y, it should be noted that the City Is only. A small part of the- Minneapolis -St. Paul metr000litan area. fihe nature Of physicaldevelopment within Gem Lake, its natural *resource base, its people, 1-ts..economy, And :its governmental plans must all be placed in context with. what is happening in the larger. metropolitan area and, more specifically, that portion of the metrODolitAn area in the immediate vicinity of Gem Lake. The primary purpose of this Aaptdr of the Plan is to examine those trends that are most aot to act as determifiants of the Comprehensive Municipal Plan propcdals. Creation of Gem Lake The City of Gem Lake was created through a referendum conducted in 195.7. The City was One of several mUWqipal jurisdictions whidh:incorporated during the 1950's .n response to a rapid increase -in urbanization pressures during that time period. In addition to Gem Lake, themunicioalities. of Little Canada, Maplewood, North Oaks, Shore -view, and Vadnais Heights, all within a five mile radius were incorporated in ith'n* that same time period.. GeoLrraDhical Settin The City of Gem Lake encompasses a land area Of -approximately "12.5 acres in the nsey County. The City- i north central. portion of Raj s located approximately seven miles .north of the central business -district: of.St.- Paul and approximately 11 miles northeast Of the. central business district of Minfieapolis (see Figure 1). Gem Lake is bounded on the. north by the Town of White Bear. The City of White Bear Lake Generally bounds the City on the east. The City of Vadnais Heights bounds the City partially on the east; entirely on the south and Weit, -and partially on the north (s" Figure 2). -The northern and eastern boundaries of the City are well defined .4y the rights -of -way of tht Northern -Pacific Railroad. Most of the southern boundary of the City. LIS County Road E. The western border of the Citv is LaBore Road. -'Irt close proximity to the. City's western border is Interstate Highway 35E.- U,,S.. 6:L cuts through the southeastern portion of the City. Natural Features df Gem Lake X The natural environment Of- Gem Lake is unquOtionably of a very high quality, the preservation ot:enhancement of which should*be considered as the City :more 'fully develops. 4. cc RI&O I US C.-OU -ry C-S:-4 T-G40-0 I 6 Ir Li JP01 T�t� : I ST I AUL- i. GEM LAKE au J Fi LC CA71 0 r*-t r le �1 TO\VI 07' : 40 VA HTS. 47 ep AW AiS !, G -7y o ! WHIT!! LAKE GEM LAKE MCC' 1000' %500' zcca b<o"n ?-i 21 trtn .eSYTr:..n :�)S2��w:+S in- Topogra2hy. The topography of the community is generally rolling exhibiting glacial morainic surface features (see Figure 3). hevations 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 knobs of higher elevations. Virtually all steeper slopes over 19 percent grade are also in this portion of the City. The northeast and southern portions of the City range from gently rolling to fiat. Surface Water and Drainage. Most of Gem Lake lies on a low plateau over 950 feet above sea. level. This plateau drains north,. west, and south (see Figure 3). Since Gem Lake is in a relatively high elevation with respect to surrounding land no permanent streams exist within the corporate: limits. However, as. is typical of glacial landscapes, much of the municipality is imperfectly drained with much of the surface water draining into low lying depressions with no surface outlets. The largest of these depressions is. Gem Lake which covers approximately 38 acres counting its attendant wetlands. Much of the central portion of the City drains into this feature. The second largest. area of :standing water is a pond covering about six acres in the northeastern portion of the City. Most of the lands north of the Gem Lake Drainage Area and south of Goose Lake Road drains into this surface feature. There are many other smaller pockets of intermittent and permanent surface water storage areas scattered throughout the municipality. Soils. Much, if not most, of the surface soils within Gem Lake are glacial tills. Consequently, the .character of soils can vary considerable in a relatively small area. Gravel pits displaying course soils are located in the northwestern portion of the City. Gravel might also be expected in some of the other knobs in this location. In contrast, fine sediments are located in. the "Gem. Lake" and associated wetland area not far away, Overall, the soils might be characterized as medium to fine in all but (1) the knob areas and (2) in the northeastern area of the City where coarser soils predominate, Vegetation. Much of the City is wooded especially in the central portion around Gem Lake. There are also extensive stands of trees in the northwestern portion of the City along Goose Lake Road. Population Growth of Gem Lake and Vicinity Gem Lake is located in the northeast portion of the Minneapolis -St. Paul metropolitan area which is experiencing very rapid urbanization. This area reached the population "take -,off" stage during the 1950's, and this population increase accelerated during the 1960's. It is expected that these population trends will continue during the 1970's. r s seen in Table 1, the population. of governmental units located, primarily :within a five mile radius of Gem Lake increased 42 percent during the 1960-1970 time period. The City of Vadnais Heights, the City of White Bear Lake, and the Town of White gear, all contiguous to Gem Lake, increased an aggregate of 51 percent during this same time period. Current population trends as estimated by the Metropolitan Council substantiate the expectation that rapid population growth in the vicinity of Gem Lake will or- Ir It - � i �,1�►cam i . �t i lam i /* �r- r 40 Or - IN � tY f� ,,,� _ � _- ✓ram° � G E M L.AKE ��—� � r Dot r-�.�.�,��..�r•�1 �� Moo' tcc�d zocd •> >�' "ir• ..: }• .u:�•. ,..•n � tit:!t ..te, . R1�� GT � :V I "l l..J i L� � I �S �•••+�—� }r- +Q•� re ltD � V! !� O !7 tl/'7 I O Lz.0 7 r11p £ 47 w r.-: r I i i � £ O'O elp 1 bae,o Ca. CD e Q 41tJ ! e o a e alo I i I b h G7 IN ccm olo ti 1! r r7 a iQ1 oa c.n a£� uul 'I' N 1� Q w ry I= 1 Cl N e�'ylY N. T N'N ..� .••. iS u} ; r I Ma7 .. IOFf ooera O m•.O2 tr ee�eeo�o 'O'O •.00aeoie C;1= ti ! inks 1� 1 a'a ID O .f 4PF 4"1 •.. a,m'e 1q �•r, b r m ci m��o N!C• � elaaicr•v r•_,� iti � 1 re r N�. i eee •ooim+lo oeSg07 71 091e .11: Sr ��f� ... .:: go ..�:ti rr+ a w�......�:.�i.� .••� h 'TH1=140 •IM Ohblr t .�A i0 N 1 I'm ETA t .......rti .. v it m N'.-t1Q0 1, h T O L'91r 1D C ^'tiIL ea lt.1r + N f, 2- It. ti mica r'S -.7.• .SIG- i C Q .= Ft. » •rw� m h e:r �r:l.s i v rem ' N!re � Gi r11C i • vw i Vp ®' I' O mle- ••• G pf O m A17 T. �• N[C7'. � K � O CI Q11b' re w `'ig i re In"#4 y elri N rib } r to Ls •eill�. �. m n m: h+� A [• dsep a v 1lS t^. P• _ A01! b b' m Ile � ;N CM -*A! t J C*1 j , w .zti r + a�i •c dp- Ck i � g'a•Y _111 C i �f4 pp�► �11 �: t L •r � 4 I e! �• C. p r C C• I J Y Eli r =1. ylr i C r 11M.ft .ra N CA LI re CY1q in beb-Sm i' •'A� O Vf h N N IT h J4 9 continue in the near future. During the 1970 to 19.76 time period, it was estimated that governmental units within a five mile radius increased 16 percent in population and contiguous governmental units. increased 8 percent. (see' Table 1). This equates t to 27 percent and 13 percent respectively for a ten-year period. Future population projections prepared by the Metropolitan Council call for substantial population growth, at least up to the year T000, with governmental units within a five -mile radius increasing 65 percent and contiguous government units increasing36 percent during the p g thirty Year 1970 to 2000 period. The City of Gem Lake has not as yet experienced rapid growth..,During the I960- 1970 period U.S. census figures indicate that the population of Gem .Lake decreased from 305 to 2.16,. or 29 percent. The population decline, however, can partially be explained in the reduction of persons per household from 3.92 to 3.72. (1t is also possible that this population. reduction may be due to possible over -reporting of population in the 1960 census due to the uncertain boundaries of the City at that. time.) During the 1970 to 1976 period, the Metropolitan Council. estimates show that the population of Gem. Lake increased from 216 to 282 persons, an increase of 31 percent. Even though the population of Gem Lake has not increased since. its incorporation, this condition is undoubtedly only temporary.. The major reasons why the population has not increased are probably (1) the strict development controls established by the municipality, and (2) the withholding of a substantial amount of the undeveloped acreage by a relatively few individuals who have had no desire to V develop the land. However, for the purposes of this Plan. it should be expected that the. population of the community will substantially increase with the entry of developable lands onto the market within the next twenty years. Characteristics of the Population There is a wide diversity in the characteristics. of the population residing within the various governmental units located in the vicinity of Gem. Lake (see Table 2). In generai, the population of Gem Lake is older than. other .municipalities in the area, with a relatively large percentage (40.2 percent) of the population over 355 years old. Only Dellwood and. North Oaks,. which are relatively exclusive high income suburbs- have as high a percentage of the population. over - 35. Conversely,. Gem Lake has the lowest percentage of the population in the primary child bearing 25-34 age group (8.8 percent). The 1970 average family income level in Gem Lake ($9,560) was by far the lowest in Ramsey County and is possibly the lowest of all municipalities Within the contiguously urbanized portion of the metropolitan area. Approximately 8 percent of the population within Gem Lake was viewed to be below the poverty line as defined by the 1970 U.S. Census, Contrasting with this relatively low average family income, there are families of substantially higher income on large tracts of land, generally in the central portion. of the City. This variance in income with Gem Lake is also exhibited in the development .pattern within a five mile radius of Gem: Lake. At one end of the spectrum are 10 • ; ; r Fj � ' , 1r I r •• � w � J '! 1 1 .�. N7.R m a t7 1 f O tl 1� r l d2 CS u? CM. cra Nci + i r t 1 i ' •., i 1 1w+ +rr CJ O .fp I NOR w 0+ r r Y► !'7 [� O 1 sw • i ! ] t�l .'�r1. 1 •�'+ 1 � t i � ..s 1 .vl 1 C is ' f IA T 4 W N W2 Al'Ifl qr i 1 t7 C- >r ! O. O to qr W �. 1 1�! 1 O O t v7 T iP7 � N N N. CT N e'7 N N 1['7 af'! Otll Ri T!. t t • �sy I w F ItA N' tf7 '• O W t:✓I 11! N N Pf L. p .. e 1 ... C'' 0.,,d � �'? —oe i srw.aw.., en�o•erM "' m N.O W L-: lam. n �'�. O t 4 A 7N t• Cc 61 N ra ti t7 •i9 W q..4a 1 •j I� L,tl ] w 1 �' �'® t7 •a'�J h t ] ri U� ; ] i' I N IP! 1�' 7. 4 in qr W i E •Gt! t a •^ i m t .tl O ec to c es tl Ila W eti Ct ai .••r W W 117 w:JN _ y ui are n' ] to a� o t ri 1 _ .. .FF such wealth communities such as Dellwood and North Oaks which had average family incomes (in 1970) over $30,040 a year, and at the other end of the spectrum r' several communities with incomes under .$14,000 per year. Those governmental r units contiguous to Gem Lake exhibited average family incomes more similar to the metropolitan norm. Employment and Economic Base As shown in Table 3 and 4 the City of Gem Lake has more job opportunities than the: population could :reasonably be expected to support. Overall, the nature of commercial development and employment opportunities is geared to a trade area r _ much larger than Gem Lake. Auto dealerships are the dominant commercial enterprises with. "highway service" establishments such as service stations and. fast food establishments constituting a large share of remaining commercial activity: There is very little in the way of commercial development at. this stage of the' community's development geared to serving the resident population. This is, of course, due to the City's. small population. As a result of the proportionally high amount of commercial development within the corporate limits, Gem Lake enjoys a relatively good tax base (the. proportion of total tax base by category of property is. shown in Table. 5}. The average assessed valuation per capita in 107 was 0,400 as compared to an average of less than half that amount for Ithe aggregate. of communities within a five mile radius of Gem Lake (see Table 6). Partially as a result of this. good tax base, the municipal tax rate is very low (6.31) in comparison with most other communities in the area. Development of Region -Serving Facilities Within the last ten years there has been a very major change in the provision of region -serving facilities which will tend to accelerate and shape the deveiopment. pattern in that portion of the metropolitan area in which Gem Lake is located. These facilities include the following: 1. The completion of the interstate Highway segments including I-694 located approximately one mile south of Gem Lake and I-35E located to the. west with only a smallsegment of Vadnais Heights intervening (see Figures I and 2). 2. The extension of metropolitan trunk sewers to and beyond the City of Gem Lake. This provision of major trunk interceptors has enhanced the potential for large scale development in the. Gem Lake vicinity. 3. The construction of a regional shopping center, Maplewood :!Mali, approxi- mately two miles southeast of Gem Lake. will serve as the major shopping complex in the area for the foreseeable. future. 4. Regional Gpen Space Acquisition and Development. Ramsey County has pursued an aggressive open space acquisition and development plan. This plan should affect. urban development patterns as well as: recreational opportuni- ties in the area. 12 TABLE 3 r:F EXISTING AND PROJECTED POPULATION, HOUSEHOLDS, AND EMPLOYMENT IN GEM LAKE n•' Year % Change 1960 1970 1973 1976 1980 1990 2000 1970-2000 «a: Population 305 216 -- 282 400 70.0 900 (+317) r.•- _r. Households 78 54 -- 103 150 250 330 (+511) An Employment -- 250 400 -- 500 60Q 750 (+200 ) Employment/. Population Ratio - 1.16 -- -- 1.25 0.86 0.83 -- Source: ilQetropolits:n' Council, Preliminary Allocations to Minor Civil Divisions, 197$. 13 f. TABLE 4 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN RELATION TO POPULATION: 1976 t-- Estimated Employment. ( within Gem Lake) * 400 Resident Population (1976) 282 Estimated Labor Force ( typically approximately 40 percent of population) 113 Surplus. Employment Opportunities 287 Population. That Existing Employment Could Support 1,000 *From Table 3; 1973 figure 14 rW TABLE 5 ASSESSED VALUATION OF REAL PROPERTY IN GEM LAKE: 1977 Usage Taxable Percent of Number of Home - Class Mar.keit Total Gem Properties steads Value Lake Real ($1 3 000Y Property Value Residential 4,465 65.8 174 95 Apartm ent 1.1 0.4 1 1 Seasonal Cabin 54 0.8 1 -- Commercial 1., R55 118.8 17 Farm 283 4.2 9 -- TOTAL 188 100.0 202 96 .1s �} i i r:i ! x •i i N — t �9 M t� D C»•� i1 w � w• WA r r r• 1i i F �7 Q! i!7 e O r •M! f N m C•i P7 • Cf 01 i 7D Ci m C C4 4 ON 1� ^ •iai � jq n ^••• o o o ! � o or i a .e. 40t.. • O' ^ 6�i i••J. — T ••• C3 93 wTr CD �•7of' 4N r�J. N 1!! qk G r U.S. % I <± ' l ' N 'mV to V4 a 'Ci ti 1 Z• Q N iy A .a .m p 'a ,C„• U .. IVh Q c C N •w ! r qr • 'CV ..�•: .� I r 4 •+ m C ni 6 O' C-t m !� O' e� N iri 6m 9if r•. _C a in :m .CA ei la Aw •N � o; : � i '• r• t r ti• 2-1 1, O Y co zt+ ��• I r e 11 to s i; ! I T � t •�• 'C7 i C s 1 99 Tb Land Development In Gem Lake and Vicinity Residential Development. Gem Lake residents are overwhelmingly housed in single family homes 93 percent of dwelling units) as is typical of other suburban communities in this suburban. portion of the metropolitan area. However, there is a considerable diversity of- housing types in the vicinity of the City both in terms of types and in values (see Table 7). For example, a very high percentage of all housing units in adjacent. Vadnais Heights is in mobile homes (23,4. percent). Substantial shares of housing are. in multiple family structures such. as in White Bear. Lake (13.4 percent), Shoreview (13.0 percent), Maplewood (18-:9 percent) and North St. Paul (28.9 percent). Housing values also range considerably from very. 44:(over $5.0,0.00 in 1970) in North Oaks and Dellwood to relative love (under $24,000. in 1970) in Gem Lake, Vadnais Heights, Maplewood, North St. Paul; -and Pine Springs. The average auality of housing in Gem Lake is somewhat below other communities in the area. The average value of dwner-occupied housing ($20,705 -in .1970) was .:generally $4,000 or more below housing values in most communities within a five mile radius. However, this figure m8y be misleading since several larger homes of much higher value are also located in the City. Thus, the single fah lily housing stock in the community varies considerably., with most of the housing*stock *being considerably below or above. the norm for this portion of the metropolitan area. Two other indicators, "Dwelling Units Overcrowded" and "Tenure of Housing" are of importance in evaluating the housing stock as shown hi Table '7. Gem Lake housing Is; on.a. percentage basis, typically more overcrowded and less owner -occupied than in other communities in the area. Commercial Develooment. Prior to the recent construction of Vlaplewood 1rlall, there was a decided lack of a full service retail commercial center to nerve. the Gem Lake area: This center will be the dominant retail outlet within the area -for major shopping purposes. Residents of Gem Lake are, able to obtain. some convenience items in the traditional ? offman's Corners'! :area located in the southeastern portion of the City. Lands immediately south and west of Gem Lake's corporate boundaries in Vadnais Heights are planned for commercial. development. As was indicated previously an the- "Employment and Economic Base" section of this chapter, the dominant -investment in all commercial -development within Gem Lake was in auto dealerships catering to a wade area. well beyond. municipal. boundaries. Other commercial investments typically have a "highway service" character such as service stations and fast food establishments.. Office and Other Em to ment Concentrations. There is a limited amount of office development in the .immediate vicinity of Gem Lake. These are small concentra- tions in the downtown areas of White Bear Lake and North St. Paul. The largest concentrations of office space near Gem Lake are in the central business &strict of �St. Paul, the Midway. District of .St. Paul, and in Roseville near the intersection of Snelling and. Highway 36. Industrial Develooment. There are no sizeable concentrations bf industrial development within Gem Lake -or within a five mile radius of the City.. However, there are some relatively small concentrations. in Little Canada, Maplawood, North. I ! f I• 1 � E 7 I �n� I ae,he� m to GS CQ CI el CF CS r .N I'm �Owpty i : ..�..> •; .—'S 1 O N 1 'C7 !� O r eq m N f N 'N 'in a0 a d Ca V4 1 I CV QV ' CV .Wq N w ei II w 7 jl i t•. 31 7 1 1 CI 1 a' 3 i •V) i.U+ 1 l u ,_w r " E ti„ J 1. ' Q E Wm y I Cai 1 E, limo .., as to rs m 4•0! 2 zs r~ l-3 �1• i r r i o ( lei 1 .m � •ol J L S 1 — • w O r C l zf # a 0 L"�• F 7 37 fb 'ti A as i z 3 — ui I g'. lt •_1 is I - a. v11 N V tr '1 9 w VO 1 L� f 2 IQ N to•r ti-w"mq•- O co m ta•O 1 +o r r•"!:p. N V tr '1 9 w VO 1 L� f 2 IQ N to•r ti-w"mq•- O co m ta•O 1 +o r r•"!:p. 1 Al;L o� i O, w m a r r 'O. •pr O O C • r 4 fd V704 ly C" / w i aa.aldaqP 3 !V C } A R 92 pt•Q7 9' 1 — 63 LZ U7t Oro e 3 �• S a a b V' ri rj 1 G ❑_C 3 C y Clei ' I r pp 3 G t a i8 St. Paul, and Vadnais. Heights. More significantly the .abutting governmental units of Vadnais Heights and White Bear (Town) have planned :extensive amounts of industrial land adjacent to Gem Lake. The Town of White Bear plans industrial development abutting. Gera Lake's northern corporate limit; Vadnais Heights plans industrial development beginning a few hundred feet south of Gem Lakes. southern corporate boundary. The. only land use within Gem Lake which could. be classified as industrial is a dairy located in the southeastern portion of the City, Public. Coen Seace and Recreation Areas. There are no publicly owned public open space or recreational areas' within Gem Lake. There is a commercial golf course i=- located in the northeastern portion of the City. Within the area substantial amounts of open :space: or recreation areas are either existing, planned,. or under acquisition or development. Approximately two miles. to the west are forest preserve lands owned by the City of St. Paul. Approximately one mile to the southeast of Gem Lake is a large community park within White Bear Lake. Most significantly, very substantial acreages of open space are either planned for or under acquisition by Ramsey County, :Much of this acreage is in the neighboring City of Vadnais Heights. Approximately seven miles to the north the Metropolitan Council has identified for high priority acquisition a major open space site in. the Lino Lakes area. Comprehensive. Plan and Develooment Characteristics in Contiguous Municipalities Due to the small size of Gem. Lake, it is very important that the community monitor and closely coordinate its development with the contiguous governmental. units on its boundaries. White Bear Lake is the most developed of these and exhibits a generally diversified development pattern similar to that of a :freestanding. town (which it was until metropolitan urban development radiating out of St. Paul reached out.to .its vicinity). That portion. of White Bear Lake closest to Gem Lake is planned principally for. commercial development: Vadnais Heights, which borders on. the west and south portions of Gem Lake is predominantly developing as a low density `residential suburb. At present this community has a small economic base for development. The Vadnais Heights plan (based on the zoning map) calls for commercial development along the entire south and western portion of the City of Gem Lake. White Bear Town on the. north may eventually be ,... annexed by the City of White Bear Lake. At present, however, the town plans an industrial district in this area. 19 i 3. PLAN ASSUMPTIONS, GOALS, PROBLEMS AND ISSUES Beyond assessment of the existing and projected characteristics of develop- ment in Gem Lake and vicinity, there is a need to (1) assess the assumptions t upon which the Plan is to be predicted, (2) establish basic community goals upon.which the policy proposals of the Plan may rest, and (3) identify the �i. key issues which must be resoled if the Plan is to become a.reality. This Chapter of the Plan presents these: assumptions, goals, and issues as the key factors that establish the basis for the: Plan proposals in the succeeding € chapters. Plan Assumptions I. The Plan is based on the assumption that the economy of the Minneapolis: - St. Paul metropolitan area will remain healthy and that sub -regional population projections as established by the Metropolitan Council will be reasonably accurate. 2. It is assumed that the comprehensive development plans and physical development ordinances of the contiguous local units of vovernment will remain essentially as they are today. 3. It is assumed that additional shopping and. employment opportunities within municipalities located within a five mile radius of Gem LakeV will become available in reasonable proportion to population increases. 4. It is assumed that a major open space acquisition and development plan will be completed as proposed by Ramsey County. 5. It is. assumed that facilities presently estimated by the City Engineer and/or projected will be adequate for the projected population Community Goals The following goals are established as the principal guidelines for the E physical development of Gem Lake. All policies, as presented in later chapters of this Plan document., should be considered supplemental to these basic goals,; 11. The residents of'Gem Lake desire to preserve and maintain a "rustic" f' environment in a natura setting., Such an environment should promote Am atmosphere oF quiet, relaxed iving with maximum regard to maintain- ing openness. of the physical environment as well as preserving trees, water areas, grass lands, and wetlands. This will require new develop- ment in an overall low -density pattern. -2o- 2. The residents of Gem Lake desire to create and. maintain a high duality man made environment. All new residential and commercial development and auxiliary, structures and signs including low and moderate cost housing should. be developed to high standards consistent with the good aesthetic, architec-. tural, and common sense. Furthermore, all existing structures and ancillary buildings and lands including low and moderate cost housing (now approxi- mately 46 percent of all housing in Gem Lake) will be maintained to high standards to enhance the quality of the. life in Gem Lake. 3. The residents of Gem Lake wish to contain future commercial devela meat within the community., Existing commercial development is substantial. in relation to total community development providing more •jobs than the size of the .local resident labor force. Substantial additional commercial develop - meat would. conflict with the .goals of maintaining..a rustic and high qual.iiv natural environment. 4. The residents of Gem 'Lake desire to have a low -profile government that Provides only essential public services necessary for their health, safety, and welfare. This goal is based on a realistic appraisal of the small size. of the community, and due to the realities of service economics which justify provision of services on a larger territorial basis. It is a further goal that these public services should be obtained on a long-term contractual basis with surrounding municipalities. This should keep per capita expenses in relation to services rendered at the lowest possible level for bath the residents of Gem Lake and surrounding communities. 5. The residents of Gem Lake desire to cooperate with ad`acent communities to achieve a comoatible land development and public services, pattern. Recog- nizing the small. size of Gem Lake. in relation to the substantial urbanizing pattern in the vicinity, the. City of Gem Lake will place considerable importance in cooperating with other local units of government in encaurag ing the Compatible development of this sub -region of the metropolitan area. Principal Issues Gem Lake, like every public community, has a set of major issues that should be faced if the City is to be developed in a form that is consistent with stated. community goals. At the time of Plan adoption, the issues listed. below appear to be most critical and, as such, establish a focus for many of the. Plan proposals. The succeeding chapters of this document address these issues in the course: of establishing specific plan proposals. 1. Density of Residential Development. Consistent, with the goal of maintaining a "rustic" environment in a natural setting the City of Gem Lake will seek to maintain a medium to low -density residential development pattern (approxi- mately G.3 to 2.0 dwelling units per net acre). This commitment lies in the face of substantial pressure from developers who seek to construct higher density developments. It is the position of Gem Lake that the community's existing natural resource base, its existing land use, its limited ability to provide a wide range of urban services, combined with the planned allowance n r.. of higher development densities within other cornrnunities within a reasonable - radius of Gem Lace, all substantiate the City's position, € 2. Limited Commercial Expansion. While Gem Lake has provided some additional space for commercial expansion within its corporate limits, it is recognized that there will be increased pressures for commercial expansion bath along U.S. 61 and along County Road E at the south corporate limits. (This is a major conflict between the Gem Lake and Vadnais Heights plans.) r While these pressures are recognized, it is the City's intention to maintain a, stance of commercial containment in accordance with the Plan on the grounds that (a) there is currently a higher ratio of commercial development to residential development than the average (measured bath in `terms of acres of land and employees), N at ultimate development there will: be a normal ratio of commercial to residential development, (c) additional commercial expansion would undermine low -density character desired in the City, and (d) ample land for commercial development is available in other communities in the vicinity. 3. Quality of New Construction and Maintenance of the Existing Tian -Made Environment. Consistent with the goal of'.having a high quality and aesthetic ._ . man-made environment, the City of Gem Lake intends to vigorously insure that 'all new development within the community is of high standards based on various implementation controls and procedures. The City further intends to insure high quality maintenance of exz=sting man-made structures based on - vigorous enforcement of. regulatory controls. These controls include, but are not limited to, subdivison regulations., zoning regulations, and housing and building code regulations. It is anticipated that these measures may be resisted by some land developers, community residents, and businessmen as exemplified by several instances of poor building maintenance in the past. These resistances must be met, however, so that a high quality environment. can be maintained for all residents. 4. Provision of Public Utilities. It is anticipated that additional sanitary sewer 'facilities and the initiation of public water distribution lines will be recuired as the City further develops. These costly facilities will be required partly to maintain the high quality :natural environment cited as one of. the community goals, as well as to meet rising water quality standards. Provision of these facilities may be cited as conflicting with the desire to maintain a low -profile government at low cost, but it will be the position of Gem Lake that the desirability of maintaining a high quality environment will take precedence. 5. Service Disagreements with C000erating Governmental units. Almost invariably, when one governmental unit seeks the provision of services from another governmental unit, a point of conflict arises over the quality and cost of services. Recognizing the desirability of serving the Gem Lake portion of the metropolitan area adequately, it will be the position of the Gem Lake government to secure long-term service packages in an organized and efficient manner in cooperation. with several coordinating governmental units. 22 L� -- E :- 6. Lack of Public or Semi -Public Open Soace and Recreational Areas. While at this stage of development there is little need for publicly or semi -publicly held open and recreational space, there will be a need for a. ciose-in r "neighborhood" oriented facility as the community mare fully develops. 7. Maintenance of Residential Quality in Existing Commercially Designated Areas. The Plan supported by existing zoning calls for expansion of commercial land development to include all.developable land east of U.S. 61; some of which -is currently being used for residential purposes. The area possesses poor qualities for residential development including heavy traffic volumes, rail traffic and no open space. As a result, particular attention should be placed on maintaining these residential land uses in a reasonably good state until such time as commercial land -uses replace the residential structures. 23 4.: SUMMARY OF THE COMPREHENSIVE MUNICIPAL PLAN. The principal intent of this chapter is to summarize in one place all of the principal plan recommendations and policies embodied in the Comprehensive Municipal Plan of Gem Lake. By summarizing.it is hoped that the very diverse subject matter covered in the Plan can. be seen as a highly related set of proposals. The succeeding Chapters (5, 6, and 7) of this document present in greater detail the underlying conditions and rationales leading to the development of specific plan and policy recommendations for the various elements of the Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan Map The Comprehensive Municipal Plan of Gem Lake consists principally of policies intended to guide the future physical development and redevelopment of Gem Lake. These policies are clarified by tables and maps presented in this document. The most significant of these is the "Comprehensive Municipal Plan Map" (Figure 4) which represents in diagrammatic form some of' the key physical development policies of Gem Lake. The Plan Map indicates. the desired physical development state of the community in 1990. The Plan Map displays the following policies: (a) the desired locations and intensities of residential development, (b) the desired locations and types of commercial development., (c)the roadway system, and (d) conservancy protection areas. Land Develooment Policies 1. The dominant share of total land within Gem Lake should. be residential property at the community's ultimate development. stage. 2. Most new development within Gem Lake is to be in. the form of low density housing (approximately 0.3 to 1.0 dwelling units per net acre). 3. Planning decisions will be made based on a community population of approximately 700 persons in 1990., and 1200 ultimately (in 20 years). 4. Commercial development is to be contained within areas presently zoned for such development. 5. Additional convenience retail commercial development service City residents is encouraged. 5. All industrial uses except those which would be compatible within presently .zoned commercial districts are discouraged. 7. The present acreage of semi-public open. space will be maintained.. (Currently a commercially run golf course is the. only such open space.) A community - oriented park will be provided as the. community further develops. - 24- ^ H � •L;.r. :�' CR PAC ''', ft �:.: ��'• -�::.;:: OPEN SPACE ' • " •: • -' 4 ^a ME �.................. T .yam.' ►,!}Vr� . VERY LOVtiI--� DENSITY ✓AD>4A15 H T5. RESIDENTIAL (3 acre lots) C . e �':: �e irsr�'i � r :9�� ++Sty;+�•� '�� '"`� �, .G.�.��i�tiz�?.sw+s+w+s~a►+w+wFi� +: •-� 37 REGIONAL v o+� ■ .-� COMMUNITY ri SERVICE . ■ GEM LAKE MUNIcirAL � /• rS I B. Preservation of the water body called "Gem Lake" and its attendant wetland areas will be supported by ordinances restricting activities that would undermine its value. Activities such as providing addi- tionai surface water run-off, filling or dredging of wetlands, and cutting of trees will be carefully regulated. 9. A substantial improvement in the City's housing stock. is encouraged. 10. Low income housing within the City is not encouraged due to the lack of good public transportation to places of employment, restrictions on housing density consistent with the goals of a rustic environment, and limited community services. Transportation Policies 1. Gem Lake supports the study of an improved connection of Otter Lake Road and County Road 'T". Z. Future private roads serving more than one property will be discouraged. 3. Accommodating through traffic on new streets will be discouraged. 4. Future streets should be designed to discourage additional surface water run-off into "Gem. Lake" and its attendant wetlands. 5.. Gem Lake will cooperate with other communities in surveying improved public transit service.. 6. Existing air space regulations will be routinely considered as part of the community's development review process. Comnunit Facilities and Services Policies. I. Long -tern. commitments. with adjacent local units of government for (a) police protection,. (b) fire protection, and..(c) road maintenance are supported. 2. As the community develops a pa.rt-ti.me and ultimately a full -time City Official will be employed. 3. Sanitary sewers will be extended to developing portions of the community as required and where severe soil limitations disallow the installation of on -site systems in accordance with a Comprehensive Sewer Plan prepared by M. W. Carle and Associated (196.9 revised 1972 and 1981) which is: based on full deveiapment of present zoning., even though such full develop- ment is not expected to occur until after the year 1990. Pending the installation of such sewers, the City will move promptly to. adopt a modern on -site sewage disposal ordinance consistent with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Regulation WPC-40., and which will call for adequate installation,. maintenance, inspection and monitoring. 5011 4. A centralized water supply system will be considered for extension to various locations in the community at the same time as sanitary sewers. 5. Storm drainage facilities will be designed to minimize additional run-off into the Gem Lake basin. 6. Storm sewers will be required as appropriate on new streets and will be introduced on some existing roads, T. As the community develops a municipal building will be constructed or leased. 8. If a grade school is ever located within Gem Lake, its appropriate location would be in the. northeast. development area of the City. S. Gem Lake willattempt to develop a neighborhood oriented park as the community develops. Plan Amendments I. It is the policy of Gem Lake to biannually review the Comprehensive Municipal Plan. Plan Implementation 1. Gem Lake has the following ordinances which are currently designed to support the proposals of the Camprehensive Plan: (a) zoning ordinances, (b) zubdivison: ordinance, (c) sign ordinance, and (d) building code.. 2. Gem Lake will consider and adopt the following additional measures for Comprehensive Plan implementation as may be required by developmental pressures: (a) a capital improvement plan, (b) a comprehensive water supply plan, (c) a planned unit development ordinance, (d) a land alternation and conservancy Ordinance, (e). .an on -site waste. disposal System and well ordinance, (f) a lake -use ordinance, (g) an architectural control ordinance., (h) an ordinance requiring developers to prepare project impact statements, and W a housing code. 27 S. LAND USE PLAN The policies as established. for the land use component of the Comprehensive Municipal Plan are based. principally on three community goals: (1) The. residents of Gem Lake desire to preserve and maintain. s "rustic" environment in a naturai setting, (2) The residents of Gem Lake desire to create and maintain a high quality man-made environment, and (3) The residents of Gem Lake wish to contain future commercial development within the community. Land Committed to Urban Development The generalized characteristics of existing land development as it currently exists. in Gem Lake are described in Chapter 2 of this plan report. These developed land uses comprise approximately 1/4 of the total land acreage within Gem Lake. This would :suggest that the City is largely undeveloped and that a substantial change in the existing character of the. City can be expected. In actuality, over half of the City is .already committed to. a certain type of urban development (see .Figure 5).. Bevond existing land .development, substantial acreage is already committed to its "ultimate" or 'long-term" use of the form of (a) roads, (b) undevelopable lakes, ponds, and wetlands., and (c) substantial acreage of platted (but undeveloped) residential land. With the exception of "in -filling'° or redevelopment within the developed portions of the community, most of the new growth within Gem Lake. will necessarily take place in the central portion of the City. Most of the development in this area is. low density residential of high quality in a setting of very high natural environmental character. Recognizing this, many of the land development policies of the City are directed toward insuring appropriate development in this uncommitted area, while at the same time. setting appropriate guidelines for these portions of the community already committed to a particular type of urban development. General Land Development Policies The following policies are intended to augment the previously stated community goals which. specifically referred to land development. These policies are, in turn, intended to be considered as taking precedence over policies listed in. the next section of this chapter which. detail desired development objectives within prescribed "development areas" of the community. 1. The dominant share of total land within Gem Lake should be residential property at the community's ultimate deve will constitute approximately E0 percent o l_oment stage. Residential uses all. land in the community, and W Esm ... :..GOL_ F RED PLAT mm I son V ALDNA,!S y R ES PLAT WET; LaiD ti .. R -- GEM LAKE 1 .� x+o' loaa s.�oQ' zaeo' t`>'� r C� ITS •.��-�-�� i 1 r RES-��s��r�-rraL (.oj'j,jj - CQ!`�i M �FtGt,d•L LSD approximately 85 percent of all land that could reasonably be developed (street area, water and wetland areas being considered undevelopahle (see Table 8). 2. It is the policy of Gem Lake to encourage the preponderance of new develovment. in the form of low density housing 0.3 to 1.0 dwellinz units ❑er net acre . This policy is advocated for the following reasons: a most of the undeveloped lands within the City he adjacent to existing low .density residential development, (b) much. of the vacant land is of high natural environmental quality (hilly, wooded, wetlands), and (c) the municipality is not well equipped to provide the higher level of municipal services that higher density development would require. 3. Based on the planned ultimate allocation of land uses, it is the policy of Gear. Lake to make planning decisions based on ultimate community copulation of approximately 1,20Q persons. IIt is estimated that this threshold may be reached in 15 to 20 Years. This population threshold will be utilized in planning for community facilities and in the provision of public services. This population level suggests that Gem Lake will be heavily dependent on cooperating with other governmental jurisdictions in the provision of certain urban services. 4. It is the policv of Gem Lake to contain commercial uses to within their resently zoned areas. This policy is viewed as being extremely important in achieving the stated goals .(a) of maintaining a high quality natural V environment and of (b) encouraging a high quality manmade environment. Existing commercial development serves an area much larger than Gera .Lake proper. Commercial development in surrounding communities serves most of the needs of Gem Lake residents. Since much of the commercially zoned land in the City (as shown in Figure 6) is already developed, future commercial expansion will be principally through (a) conversion of residentially developed .land within presently commercially zoned areas and (b) upgrading of existing. commercial development. S. It is the Policv of Gem Lnk-c to. soecificaUv encourage additional "conven- ience," retail development servinc Citv residents. While substantial commer- cial. development exists within the City, most of this development is tailored -towards serving a market area substantially larger than Gem Lake. It is the intention of the Gem Lake municipal government to encourage those who would provide retail commercial and office facilities that would be of more direct benefit to Gem Lake residents. 6. It is the policy of Gem Lake to discoura a all industrial uses except 'those which would be compatible. within. the defined commercial districts. Exten- sive industrial development can be easily accommodated in other portions of the Gem Lake suit -region of the metropolitan area. ?. It is the police of Gem Lnke to review proposed institutional develo ments on a case by case basis. To the extent that institutional land uses such as schools, hospitals, and other institutional uses are compatible with the City 30 \VH 17E B 1;L"fiz R-3 (36,000 S.F. MIN.) } (3 ACRE LOT .M i U.)' - '411- ol ,1-1 � LBGEM LAKE ,y t6iC�Ui� 6 � G 1°SiDNTI AFL # aaca' ,Dora &�Ool .zocc' LB RB Sly SIN rf ra) �z GB Chi r fL. I 1 .�'rrs,1 U'f .��!'h.,Mh wa•, �.�wt/5 �n� �n .l�� - E,Sfs r+ . S s -E E..IC. -r- r co O m Ln 1 t .1 1 I a ... .1 cc m CL [`"f C%j N M 1 1 1 1 i-+ fl tom] C C s- r •r- N � rd.�. +� as r •r co G 0 1 1. 1 1 1 +1 C7 N CO WD co!- H 3 r- 1 k .1 t l 0 C7 � C r C]'I L7 b C 71 0- r •r+ -r- L. r- C7 1• Ao 1 1 1 1 I =5 r G 0, u N cc a► tY 1 t .N a] C a 4. k I 1 .k r I. Ql a] C� C �^ 1 1 k I 0) d � rc CZ r c � -co tr 0 .n 4 rG a i C .tti D aJ N LO t^'] tom. CO Ll341r L sU 0 ai u cQ r C.I. CG S- 7 d r-- r r C7 1 w w r tC CL Cn 41..t:. to r Ln m fs G C p '4 N 0 a7 cj.r•- .- LP -er O m O qo- LIB C J u 7 ra tt C• m.LC7 Ca cC? N m C' LO !w 4-. 0 C O C r O � 0 CL jl Q d ^ al C _ +� N N r•- C' 1 Lo m lit- 1 i t 1 1 CD O1 r� L 0. a7 7 C, L . a). 1* 01 0. u �. CA C-) LLI2:z .C. 1..i rp al. a) 4r N � LLI N aT cU �..t ro M-L w I +' o Lv v ts] o r� 1•�. C � Lin CD Q N -a 4� o d N d. a1 C n"T Ln Lt:? r- C co, N Pr7 Ln Vi tO 4-3 .C3 1� .n cc DJ CV r r r •LT' tt! M a Ca u TV CLI d >� a x � cs a •.- as 4-) c � L- Ci N C.; a c L1! to Lil y a O N w V•l a--1 a) F V CU Q7 CU Q Lam. Qir C S- r N en .'zt N ..J i-• r aJ 1 1 t 1 L7 C C3 C 4-•1 Q a1 r-- N a1 Cb f� C N[" C3: lr" C CS' 0 d L/1 0 Ca to N r to V) 32 goals. of maintaining a high quality natural.and man-made environment, it is possible that these would be permitted within. residentially designated portions of the community. However, for the purposes of this plan no major institutional uses are anticipated. 8. It is the policy of Gem Lake to maintain the present acreage of semi-public and_public o en spaces.. At present the only land within the: City which enjoys public access is the semi-public commercial golf course in the northeast corner of the community. At a minimum, this amount: of public open space acreage shall be maintained as the community reaches ultimate development. It is the intention of the City to acquire land of similar quality: which will permit more intensive public recreation activities as the community reaches ultimate development. The principal intention of this policy will be to permit development of recreational facilities of a. convenient neighborhood character. 9. It is the 2olicy of Gem Lake to preserve the environmental quality o.f the water body called "Gem Lake" and its attendant wetland areas: No construction or land alteration will be permitted within a 100 foot corridor extending back from the high water mark of this area without a special. council permit. 10. It is the .polices of Gem Lake to encourage a substantial imor_o_ vement in the housinc stock of the Citv.. Recognizing that a substantial portion of the uncommitted lands in Gem Lake. are in the interior portions of the City where the established development. character is of high quality, continuance of this. development pattern will be encouraged. Further recognizing that a substantial proportion of the existing housing stock of Gem Lake is below the norm for this sub -region of the metropolitan area and that maintenance standards have not been at a high level, it. is the intention of the. City to undertake strict code enforcement. 11. It is the ooliev of Gem Lake to accommodate its fair share :of low and moderate cost housing. While recognizing the urgent need in the greater metropolitan area to provide low and moderate cost housing, it is a policy of the community to discourage additional housing of this type within its corporate limits for the following reasons: (a) most of the vacant unplatted land of the community lies in the central portion of the City which already has a development character of very high residential quality at low density, (b) most of this vacant land has very high environmental qualities including wetlands, wooded areas, and steep topography which would best .be left in a natural setting, (c) existing and proposed public transportation access to principal places of employment, shopping, culture and education are rela- tively poor in Gem Lake. in relation to _other more developed .portions of this metropolitan sub -region, (d) the relatively small threshold population of the City mitigates against sophisticated public services which lower income housing units often require, (e) a substantial amount of moderate and low cost housing already exists in Gem Lake; specifically, according to the 1970 Census, of a total of 59 houses, 25 percent were in the low and moderate category by reason of cost and 21 percent by reason of rental level, (f) 33 existing plans in: adjacent and nearby municipalities will permit substantial development of low and moderate income housing, and (g) Gem Lake believes that it is more practical, and is prepared to cooperate with adjacent and nearby communities in meeting the overall metropolitan need for low cost market rate housing through transferring: Gem Lake's quotas for such housing under federal or state programs, and the related governmental costs thereof.. City Planning Area Policies Beyond establishment of general land development polities, an additional set of policies have been established to more clearly delineate the type of development which is to be encouraged within the various "planning areas" identified within the municipal boundaries. of Gem Lake. These policies are listed below (see Figure 7) and are preceeded by a brief discussion of existina conditions in each planning area. Hoffman's Corners East. The Hof Ifman's Corners East planning area includes all that portion of Gem Lake lying east of U.S. 61. This area is completely built up with only a few vacant lots east of Schuneman Road. The area contains two major auto dealers, fast foods and restaurants, a small convenience retail commercial center, and residential structures. The existing environment for residential living is currently of a relatively low quality. With additional commercial development anticipated, conditions for housing will deteriorate further. Some of the existing commercial development, particularly the "convenience" commercial, is of marginal quality. In response to these existing conditions, the following specific policies. for this planning area are offered:. 1. A gradual phase out of all residential uses in this planning area is encouraged. In the meantime, strict housing code enforcement will be employed- 2. The improvement of "convenience" commercial facilities directed toward serving the residents of Gem Lake is encouraged. 3. Sewer and water service should he extended throughout all of this develop- ment area as needed. Hoffman's Corners West. This small portion of the. community (approximately 30 acres) is located. in the northwest quadrant of the intersection of County Road E and U.S. 6.1 and includes all area presently zoned commercially in that inter- section quadrant. Existing land use in this area includes an auto dealership, a dairy, and dwelling units. This area is essentially completely developed, except for the westerly 13 acres: Commercial development west and north of this development district will be. vigorously resisted. Northeast Development Area. This area of the City can be roughly described as follows: a all of the City lying east of Schuneman Road and north of U.5, 61, (b) the portion of the, City located. northeast of Otter Lake Road, and (c) a portion of the City located between Goose Lake Road and. Schuneman Road which generally drains into a large pond.. Most of this development area lying north of Goose Lake Road and east of Schuneman Road is developed with only a few vacant 1p*c M, dr IF NORTHEAST vaDtilA H.75. jr� r CENTER KE� VADt--,A'.S WEST —J' HOFFMAN'S CORNERS �� - �/�D GEM LAKE FL -AN N I r-i AIJI!U—:7 �•!Z::, pz---- 100c; 1-,500, Zood <O;T f, man .11. �t r L t remaining. Most of the vacant land in this development area is Located between. Goose Lake Road and Schuneman Road. Existing land use in this area consists of a pond, a golf course, and undeveloped residential estate lands. Residential development is typically of a moderate to � a. law quality. The following policies are established to guide further d evelopment in this portion of the City.: 1. Moderate to low residential development (24,000 to 31,000 square foot lots) is encouraged. 4- t 2. Public open space is encouraged in this development area. The present Position of the Gem Lake Golf Course is particularly well suited for eventual conversiton to a more intensively used public open space. The site is conveniently located in relation to the panned more densely populated portions of the City, and would be easil from the west and from the east. y accessible both t. 3. Sewer and water facilities should be extended to this area as needed.. Northwest Development Area. Thi.s area comprises most of the City located north of Goose Lake Roa At present.thi.s area is partially developed with medium to low cost residential structures.. There are some relatively un- developed platted lands, and several undeveloped lots. The following policies are developed to guide development in this area: I. Moderately law density residential development (one acre) Is encouraged., g .. 2. Sewer and water facilities should be extended to this area.as needed. Central Development Area. This is the largest development area within Gem Lake, It is located north of County Road E, east of LaBare Road, south of Goose Lake Road, and southwest of the northeast development area. Most of the uncommitted land in the City -lies within this development area. A. partially developed subdivision. is located in the southwestern portion of the area. An additional large amount of relatively located north of County Road E and east of "Gem Lae." Lying ted lards are north and west of "Gem Fake" are residential structures:on large�lotsal0�er� all, residential development quality in this area is very high. Lying at the center of this development district is Gem Lake and its attendant wet- land areas. This area. is environmentally very attractive with a substantial amount of native vegetation and wildlife. The following policies are. proposed for this development area: 1. Encouragement of "very low density (three acre lot minimum} residential development: on most vacant lands to maintain the high quality natural environmental features of the area. 2. Encouragement of moderately low density isevlmdential land in the southeastern port-n�of tone hdeeloPmentar a. This � � -36 c r� L' ' r land will act as a transitional parcel between commercial development in the southeast development area and the very low density residential development planned to the northwest. 3. Very strict development controls adjacent to Gem Lake.and its attendant { wetland areas (including .grading, vegetation removal, and introduction of extensive impervious surfaces). 4. Strict.run-off control on all lands -draining into Gem Lake. -37- 6. TRANSPORTAnON.PLAN The preparation of the transportation component of the Comprehensive Municipal. Plan of. Gem Lake is based principally on goal number 5 (Chapter 3) which indicates the desire of the community to cooperate with other units of government in .- obtaining a mutually high level of community services. Recognizing that most of g Gem Lake's residents conduct most of their work, shopping, culturaland educational, and recreational activities outside of the City limits, the quality of the transportation system outside of the City is important. In addition to serving goal number 5, the transportation plan of Gem Lake is also intended to indirectiv serve on goals 1. and 2 which call for a high quality man-made and nature] _- environment within the City limits. The Existing Roadway System The most important component of the transportation system within Gem Lake for the foreseeable future will be. the street and highway network which will accommodate both private and public motor vehicles. The functional classification and jurisdictional responsibility for maintaining this sytem i 9 and 10. s summarized in Tables Arterials. The most heavily traveled arterial route through the community is U.S. 61 which serves as a major artery connecting Gem Lake with. White Sear Lake and the more intensively developed portions of the metropolitan area to the south. The facility connects with the Interstate beltway loop U-494, 694) around the Twin Cities at a point approximately one mile south of the community corporate limits. The only other arterial within the community is County Road E which €orms part of Gem Lake's southern corporate limits. The facility intersects with U.S. 61 in the southeast portion of Gem Lake, serves the southern portion of White Bear Lake to the. east, and connects with J__ 5M located approximately 1/4 mile west of the western corporate limits of Gem Lake. This latter facility is the only "principal" arterial near the City. Collectors. Collector streets include LaBore Road on the western corporate Boundary, Goose Lake Road located in a southwestern -northeastern orientation near the northern corporate limits of the community, and Otter Lake Road located in the northeastern portion of the community. Local Streets. The remaining roads within the community can be classified as local serving principally adjacent land uses. These local streets comprise approximately 44 percent of the total roadway mileage within the community. 38 M TABLE 9 INVENTORY OF ROADS., STREETS., AND HIGHWAYS Name of Facility Functional durisdication. Length Classification (miles) G.S. 61 Minor State 0.3 Arterial County Road E* Minor' Ramsey County 0.9 .Arterial Goose Lake Road Collector Ramsey County 1.4 LaBore Road Collector Ramsey County 0.6 Otter Lake Road Collector Ramsey County 0.2 Scheuneman Road (north) Local Ramsev County. 0.8 Scheuneman Road ( south) Local Ramsey County 0.3 Hoffman Road Local Ramsey County 0.2 Tessier Road Local, Gem Lake 0.1 Haven. Lane Local Gem Lake 0.1 Big Fox. Road. Local Gem Lake 0.4 Little Fox Lane Local Gem Lake 0.2 ( easement connecting. Local Private 0.3 to County Road E ). Total *East of TH 61. this. facility is State Highway 244. 39 g_ TABLE 10 4 SUMMARY OF EXISTING ROAD IMILEAGE BY JURISDICTION AND FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION Jurisdiction State .Ramsey County Gem Lake Private Total Minor Collector Local Arterial 0.3 - - 0.9 2.2 3.3 0.9 0 3 1.2 '2.2 2.4. 40 Total 0.3 4.4 0.8 0.3 Percent of Total (5) (76) (14) (5) (100) ' Jurisdiction. Ramsey County currently maintains.approximately 3/4 of the total 5.8 miles of roadway within Gem Lake (see Table 10) including most of the arterial, all of the collector, and over half of local street mile- age. Gem Lake.maintains only O.8 miles (approximately 14 percent.) of the total mileage. The remaining roads are under state or private jurisdiction.. .E t Public Transit The City is presently served by a MTC bus route.sery ng the commercially i' oriented southeastern corner of the community .(via County Road E and U.S. 51). Since it is a goal of the community to maintain a "rustic" environ- ment in a natural setting (goal #1), the resulting low density of residen- tial development will not be conclusive to substantial increases in bus services.. Nevertheless:some improvements in the frequency of bus service along the minor arterial street system may be desirable, particularly to serve low income and elderly populations. There are no, major fixed transit facilities either existing or planned in. Gem Lake. Airports. There are no airports, proposed airport sites, search areas, or other related facilities located in Gem Lake. Transoortation Policies The following policies have been established by the municipal government of Gem Lake to enhance the quality of transportation for citizens of the community. 1. Gem Lake supports the studv of an improved connection of Otter Lake Road and County Road "F The Northeast Area Transportation Study under the sponsorship o7 the Metropolitan Council and local. communi- ties including Gem Lake has identified the need to establish a series of continuous arterial and collector routes serving the northeastern portion of the metropolitan area (see Figure 9). The relocation of Otter Lake Road connecting directly with County Road "F" n:ne.ighbor- ing White Bear Lake.might further this objective. However, Gem Lake is aware that such a connector between Otter Lake Road and County Road F would tend to increase traffic sufficiently to jeopardize Gem Lake's objective of maintaining a rustic environment and therefore should take steps to minimize the impact of such a -development on. the rest of Gem Lake's road system. t 2. Further development of pri.vate roads serving more than one prooert wil.1 be discouraged. While the provision of private roads is consis- tent with.the City s desire to maintain a low profile government; over the long term this policy may be detrimental to the City. A higher level of construction standards and maintenance can probably be assured if the City acquires public rights -of -way at the time of land development:. -41- 00 401. v NZAVNA14-0.7 4,-t7E1Cq" I /A Jul Z4 Arlo w m W= ell, ANN% 'Aw Ar s&xWC= `w 2.0 .. ........ 71 Li —=—Iz mab— camm 0-- gas 2 sk ocanaa.33fmalm c 0 ru ugu#m Itt mw 4-e t7rim VR F i G;'�; F Ei 1'7 CaEM LAKE ROA-V C PRINCIR-itL OR I N TSFW i. M I NOR SOL D C A.1- Accommodating through traffic on new streets will be discouraged. The basic arterial and collector road system of Gem Lake has been .estab- lished. Therefore, future streets should be designed to channel local ,j traffic onto County Road E, LaBore Road., and Goose Lake Road. 4. All. future streets should. be desianed to discouraae additional surface " water run-off into "Gem Lake" and its attendant wetlands. Recognizing ` that Gem Lake and its attendant wetlands do not have a natural. outlet, additional storm.run-off created by the impervious surfaces of streets. ,f into this basin should be discouraged. (:see also Chapter 5). 5, Access to parcels between T.H. 61 Schuneman Road and County Road E S- .should be from Schuneman Road.. 6:. While the City of Gem Lake has only Timited,need for public transit service due to planned low density development. it will cooperate with adjacent communities to secure improved bus service as needed a ono its minor arterial street system. Bus service in other areas of the City wi be discouraged consistent with its planned low density and desi red rustic environment. 7. Gem Lake officially recovnizes that any levelooment affectina naviaa- 1 e air space within the community is subject to Minnesota Devartment of Transportation, Aeronautics division, Revu ations.. The community will therefore routinely consider such regulations. as part of the development review process. MIEI! f 1 7. COMMUN=Y FACTT��'fi AND SERVICES PLAN The Community Services and Facilities Component of the Comprehensive Municipal Plan is based principally on goal 4 that :establishes desire of the residents of. the community to maintain a Sow profile" government providing a minimum of urban services consistent with the needs of a law density "rustic" community, and goal number 5 which identifies the community's desire to establish Long-term service commitments with other governmental units in the. area. It would be undesirable to maintain a separate municipal commitment for many community services given the relatively small ultimate population planned for the community. Policies fora number of critical urban facilities and services are identified in this chapter. Many of these policies are indirectly or directly expressed in the previous chapters outlining the Land -Use Plan and the Transportation Plan. A summary of these policies follows. Protection, Maintenance, and Professional Staffing Police. Currently the City receives police protection on a contractual basis from Ramsey County. As the population of Gem Lake increases, there will be a need to increase police surveillance. Policy: The City of Gem Lake will seek to combine with other governmental units in the area in developing a high quality sub -regional police force. Fire. Protection. The City of Gem Lake currently contracts with the City of White --. Bear Lake for fire protection services being charged a base: rate plus a fixed charg seek a longer term comme per fire occurrance. Policy: The City will commitment by an association either with Vadnais Heights or White Bear Lake. Fire protection services might be charged on. an annual basis based on. reasonable criteria such as assessed property valuation. Road :Maintenance. Only 0.8 miles of roads -are maintained under Gem Lake jurisdiction. There. are an additional. 0.3 miles of semi-public streets which are privately maintained. Policies: fay The City will:dscourage future private roads in order to assure a uniform construction and maintenance standard. (b) The City will continue to contract for road maintenance. Professional Assistance. There are no full time employees of the City of Gem Lake. All professional assistance including lawyers, engineers, and planners are retained on a contractual basis. Policies: (a) As the City grows, a part-time, and s ultimately a full-time City Official will be employed to handle day to day civic CR affairs. (b) Legal, engineering, and planning assistance will continue to be on a retainer basis. Waste Management and Water S92ply. Sanitary Sewerage System. At present centralized sanitary sewerage facilities serve only the Hoffman s Corner area of the community and a short segment of Schuneman Road north of T.N. 61 (see. Figure 10).. Vadnais Heights has. provided sanitary sewers along the municipal border with Gem Lake. A new beltline interceptor sewer line was completed in 1976 along the eastern border of Gem Lake. The City Engineer has designed and updated to 1981 a Comprehensive Sewer Map for the future development of the City (see Figure 10). This design includes existing and proposed alignments of sanitary sewer lines as. well as the diameter and capacity of each section of pipe. Policies: (a) It is the policy of the City to extend sewer mains as needed as shown in Figure 10. (b) On -site sewage disposal systems will not be allowed where there exist service limitations such as wetness, low soil percolation. tests and other unfavorable .soil conditions. (.See Figure 11, Gem Lake Soil iMlap.) (c) Further written I orking agreements with Vadnais Heights will be sought as necessary to coordinate required extension of sewerage service through. their territories. (d):Appropriate on -site disposal regulations will be adapted and enforced in those areas not served by :the centralized sanitary sewer system. Stagi.nq of Sewerage Facilities. The next areas to be served in Gem Lake will be in the "South District" See Figure 10), with the first action occurring in the east central portion of that District in the '82-'85 'period. Other sewer main extensions shown in Figure 10 will be. provided only if a ;professional engineering assessment in conjunction with the implementation of the on -site sewage disposal ordinance and policy a) 'above identifies the need for such extensions. The estimated average day sewer flow for 1990 is 0.073 MGD. This results from the existing per day flow of 0.041 MGD and the estimated flow of 0.032.MGD from the new L-D8 District coming in in the '82-'85 period; On -Site Waste Disposal.. Gem Lake. will adopt an on -site disposal ordinance modeled after the present Dellwood Minnesota Ordinance, providing regulation consistent with WPC-40 for construction, maintenance, inspection and manitor- ing of on -site systems, to apply to Those areas not served by the central sanitary sewer system. (See Chapter 8 "Plan Implementation.) Water Supply System. At present there is no public water d?stribution system within Gem Lake. All residential" and non-residential development within the community is served by privately developed wells. Public water distribution mains are located in White Bear Lake, and in Vadnais Heights. Policies: (a) A centralized water distribution system should be developed within Gem Lake based on a comprehensive water service plan. The system might either be developed based on a well supply within Gem Lake or by attachments to either the Vadnais Heights or White Bear Lake system or both. (b.) 'dater service should be extended at the same time in the same priorities as the sanitary sewerage service in order to minimize street reconstruction and traffic disruption. Storm _Dra nacre_ System. 'There is no storm drainage system within Gem Lake other than ditches alongside roads within the corporate limits. Two portions of Gem Lake drain internally into depressions with no surface outlet (see Figure 3 ` -46- 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- f Y O • O }O �tu►CBV•ILLE c .. •z 9 E pw 0 C 9�� 1 .wn•.rar.rw,+�. } i i ` 1 - OAP I I S. � � O H •i 'I( '•�i•• f. � 4 r � d:r• i ff r. r ••. � .. N N iRp�f%— ••• :• .. e a' Y•Y k a N j v v v v� r v [HOUlp .Si % v�ATmv14 • ( �S n: S.a a b n a s o� * it i. ,� •. n rl C . r rw n M n •r r•r . yam.^� ri 1•\ f I F°'"t r iJP ;1 i _.Soo �n N 1 it A • w 1* • ter- � ''C=� �.......�. �..--•--a--_..___._� _._._........_._. +ems ••ii �� .^� v f .. \ \. Rt .r.R,�•� r ;� i .. r 4n,� " t� \ •r 1 t p vi 4,w• .. A • Q \ i. ZLItIVOI CEN E A l I , \ , ,tip t Vol . . . . . . . . tir oo� j I " RION 0 LL zL-L T e ..... . . . . . f I ,_ T-9 34 v S. PLAN IMPLFMENTAnON The goals and policies as set forth in the Iprevious plan chapters which, in. combination, make up the Comprehensive Municipal Plan of Gem Lake, can be effective only by vigorous enforcement. supported by City ordinance, supplementary plans, and ongoing policy decisions by the City's Planning Committee and Council. The principal purposes of this plan chapter are to (a) list those ordinances currently in effect that are intended to support. the Comprehensive Plan, (b) identify desired alterations. to these ordinances to improve their relationship to the plan proposals; and (c) list additional municipal ordinances and controls that might be applied to further the goals of the Comprehensive Plan. The current .status of existing and proposed. community development guides is summarized in Table I1. Existing Municipal Develooment Ordinances and Plans Zoning Ordinance. Gem Lake has an officially adopted zoning ordinance that. has been amended several times (see Figure 6 on page 31 which shows Gem Lake. zoning districts as of January 1928). The principal purpose of this ordinance is to detail with greater specificity than the Comprehensive Municipal Plan the specific types and intensities of land -use which are desired in various portions of. Gem Lake.. Suggested ordinance alterations are the fallowing; I. Delete.. provisions allowing moderate -density residential development (less than 1/4-acre lots) in commercial districts. Since it is a plan. policy to discourage further residential development in commercial districts, further residential development of this density will not be allowed within Gem Lake.. 2. Permit clustering of single-family homes or attached homes subject to the same overall density regulations. (This is a "Planned Unit Development" proposal which is discussed as a separate ordinance below.) 3. Reduce the number of commercial districts from three to two.. Most appropriately, combine the "Limited Business" and "Retail Bdsiness" districts into one district. Subdivision Ordinance. Gem Lane has an officially adopted subdivision ordinance. The primary purpose of this. ordinance is to establish construction standards and responsibilities of those wishing to develop portions of the City. Particularly important are standards for roadway construction and utilities. Suggested ordinance additions and alterations include the following: I. Include design standards for sewer, and water facilities. -so- TABLE 11 STATUS OF ORDINANCES., PLANS AND OTHER CONTROLS GUIDING DEVELOPMENT WITHIN GEM LAKE Development Guide Status 1. Zoning ordinance 2. Subdivision ordinance 3. Sign ordinance 4. Housing code 5. Buildino code 5. Comprehensive sewerage plan T. Planned Ztlevelopment ordinanc, 8. Land alte atign and conservancy ordinancefa,br 9. On -site w st disposal and well ordinance a,} 10. Lake use.ordinance(a) 11. Architectural control ordinance(a) 12. Developer impact statements(a,b) 13. Comprehensive water supply plan 14. Capital improvement plan (1 year, 5 year, 10 year) W could be part of zoning ordinance W could be part of subdivision ordinance -51- Adopted, alterations proposed Adopted, alterations proposed Adopted Adopted Adapted, state code mandatory Adopted Proposed Proposed Proposed, under active investigation for adoption Proposed Deferred consideration Proposed Deferred consideration Proposed ' 2. Include provisions and assign standards .far storm water run-off. 3. include specifications and standards for required street construction such as pavement: widths and building. materials. 4. Disallow any farther provision of private roadways serving more, than one lane owner except in extenuating circumstances. Sign Ordinance. Gem Lake has an. officially adopted sign ordinance. The purpose of this ordinance is to establish design standards for signs of various types within the corporate limits of the community. Housing Code. It is suggested that the city draft a new updated housing code along state guidelines. The principal. purpose of this code is to establish specific standards for habitability of existing residential structures. Thus, the code can be used as a guideline for requiring certain levels of maintenance within housing structures and appurtenant property. Buildinz Code. Gem Lake has adopted the provisions of the 19.58 building code of White Bear Lake. The purpose of the building code is to establish specific construction standards for all new structures in the community. It is suggested that the City adopt the uniform state building code. Comprehensive Sewerage Plan. A comprehensive :sanitary sewerage plan was ` prepared for the {city of Gem Lake by Milner W. Carley and Associates in March of .1969 and revised most recently in 19 77. The purpose of the .plan was principally to indicate the desired locations and sizes of trunk sewer lines within Gem Lake. Subsequent capital improvement programming should include detailing the staging and costs of the proposed trunk sewers. Proposed Community Development Ordinances and Plans Beyond the development enforcement tools which. are now in effect within Gem Lake, it is the policy of the municipal government to consider the .following additional.plan effectuation measures: Planned Unit Development Ordinance. This ordinance would be intended as a .major addition to the existing zoning ordinance of the community. The principal intent of the ordinance would not: be to increase any prescribed residential densities within the Citv but rather, would permit future developments to be designed with greater flexibility in enhancing the goals of maintaining a high quality man-made and natural environment within the City. Central to the planned' unit development approach would be the clustering or attachment of residential dwelling units in a relatively small portion of a. given development parcel with the intent of leaving a greater portion of the parcel in relatively undisturbed natural open space. Land Alteration and Conservanev Ordinance. The intent of such an ordinance would be to restrict grading of land, removal of vegetation, and introduction of impervious materials in selected portions far a11) of the City without receiving a permit. The application of such. a conservancy ordinance would be particularly -52- important in the protection of the central portion of the. City,. most partic- ularly that portion of the City immediately adjacent to Gem Lake and its attendant wetlands. The ordinance could be either freestanding or prepared as an attacbement to the zoning or subdivision ordinances.. On -Site Waste Disposal and Well Ordinance. Recognizing that significant. portions of the City may not receive. sanitary sewerage or water distribution services for some time, it is appropriate to control carefully the quality of on -site disposal and well systems within the City. it is the intent of Gem Lake to formally adopt Minnesota Pollution Control Agency standards (WPC-40.) for on -site disposal systems and to use these standards in the issuance of permits. The City further intends to contract for professional expertise (either through adjacent. communities or independently) for ongoing inspection of such units. Lake -Use Ordinance. Recognizing that Gem Lake and its attendant. wetlands are a relatively fragile environment, it may be appropriate to restrict the types of activities that would be permitted on the surface of this body of water.. Restriction of certain activities such as swimming, or use of high powered motors might be considered. This might be part of the community's zoning ordinance.. .Architectural Control Ordinance. The purpose of this ordinance would be to restrict the type of architectural styles that would be permitted in selected .portions of the City. The inclusion of such an ordinance would be particularly appropriate in the center portion of the City where residential development of a high quality is desired. This ordinance could be freestanding or an attach- ment to the zoning ordinance. Developer Impact Statements. It is entirely consistent with current develop- ment practices to place the burden of proof upon a developer to indicate the type of impact a proposed development would have on the remainder of the community. The impacts that should be analyzed are principally (a) fiscal and (b) environmental. The fiscal impact statement would establish the anticipated revenues of a proposed project in relation to the added costs to administering units of government. The environmental impact assessment would include comment. on such factors as (a) alteration of the natural environment (trees, topography),. (b) provision.of public or semipublic open spaces., and (c) traffic impact on adjacent land development. Comprehensive Water Supply Plan The intention of a water distribution. plan. would be similar to the-aIready prepared and cost sanitary sewerage plan. The water supply plan would indicate the locations and sizes of water distribution lines within the community. The specific staging and cost of this plan should be indicated in subsequent capital improvement. plans. Ca ital Improvement Plan. In order to guide long-term expenditures for costly public facilities within the community, adoption of a capital improvement plan will be considered for the following time frames: . A one-year improvement plan designed principally for local use to be combined with the local municipal budget. (.This would be updated annually.) -53- 2. A less precise five-year plan, the principal intent of which would be to coordinate with other governmental units (such as adjacent communities, state agencies, county agencies, the. Metropolitan Council and the Metropoli- tan Waste Control Commission in the provision of public facilities. 3. A long-range capital improvement plan of ten to twenty years range. to establish a rough estimate of the magnitude of capital costs to be expended by the City in the process of reaching its :ultimate. development holding capacity. The Capital Improvement Plan ought to include costs for the fallowing types of facilities and the specific locations within the community where these facilities are to be provided: 1, Roadway 'improvements 2. Utility systems (sanitary sewer, water mains, storm sewer) 3. Open spaces to be acquired and/or developed 4. Other public facilities (municipal building) Housing lmDlementation Prozram. Gem Lake recognizes that increasingly the. Federal, State, and some local governments are providing technical, planning, and financial. assistance to local communities. (A potential possibility would be a metropolitan or sub -metropolitan housin-g and renewal authority (HRA) serving that portion of the. metropolitan area in which Gem Lake is located.) Gem Lake. will be alert to such assistance, particularly as it related to low and moderate cost housing and improvement of same, so as to carry its share of the load in this regard. - 54- A BA:RTON-ASCHMAN ASSOCIATES,]NC.. Etfahston: 820 Davis Street, Evanston, Illinois 602 01 (312) 491-10M Washington, D.C.: 1730 K Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C.20006 (20Z 466-62M ,11Alnneapolis•St. Paul: Ten Cawr Square WesUCedar=Riverside, .1610 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, Minnesota 56404 (61Z 332-0421 San Jone: 4324 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Suite.220,San Jose, Gaiifomis 95129 (4061249.MW Los Angeles: Sucre 334, Bradbury Buiiding,.304 S. Broadway, Cos Angeiss,.Ca(ifomis 9001.3 i213) 624-6 C Toronto: Barton-Aschman Canaoa Limited, 111 Avenue Road; Suh*604, Toronto,. Ontario MSR 3Jt3 . (416)961-7110 �.- :nr r.+.�r- u_-a�x-•.wawr^xr.x.sw.--o�r.�-�-��r--�T rs�:- r_•: . �:. e-w� ^,G:-^.an..m er'nss�•s:t • �.ec �-�r r�'7 i+'�^-' •r.�t•!•Y' ><'vrra•6•'s-•vs:� �..�� r —•-� ... �• - . --� �r •.*- ::.r --rs � s -_ _� s •fro-in�.r•- -�• _ .... �•�.y� T f r. I E `' tip +1 N A'l COMPREHE/VS r L. 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