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CMP Part 3B. General Land Use Plan <br /> SCOPE <br /> The time framework of the Land Use Plan is intended to be consistent with the regional planning <br /> period of 2020 through 2040 and with the City's permanent planning policy for rural Orono. <br /> Orono's long range land use plans call for permanent maintenance of the existing low density rural <br /> residential areas.There is to be no staged growth plan and no expansion of the existing urban service area. <br /> This commitment is particularly important to the many Orono citizens who are making private investments <br /> based upon this concept. <br /> BASIC LAND USE CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES <br /> Orono's planning programs have long recognized the development paradox,or urbanization spiral, <br /> which often results from arbitrary planning assumptions or from incomplete analysis of planning <br /> alternatives. The most striking example in Orono's situation is the documented evidence that over- <br /> extension of sanitary sewers,ostensibly to solve a pollution problem,can easily in itself cause irretrievable <br /> water quality degradation of Lake Minnetonka. Chapter 1 of this Plan outlines the "urbanization spiral". <br /> Nutrient management technologies such as NURP ponds, alum treatments, and a wide variety of Best <br /> Management Practices provide added tools to manage runoff from rural densities.However, Orono cannot <br /> and will not rely solely on man-made systems for preserving water quality, and will not increase density <br /> to pay for stormwater management infrastructure. <br /> A principal goal of Orono's planning program is the protection of natural resources and <br /> environmental amenities, particularly the water quality of Lake Minnetonka. The Environmental <br /> Protection Plan emphasizes Orono's unique environmental position in relation to the long-term health of <br /> Lake Minnetonka.Retention of natural vegetation, light, air, and open space will be promoted. Shorelines <br /> will be protected from erosion and alteration. <br /> Water quality preservation is dependent upon effective sewage treatment programs. Urbanized <br /> areas, shoreland areas and remaining existing higher-density housing clusters within the Rural area have <br /> been or will be provided with municipal sanitary sewer to prevent discharge of untreated or insufficiently <br /> treated sewage effluent into the Lake. In the rural areas, low density land use can be safely served long- <br /> term by individual on-site sewage treatment systems. <br /> Historic development patterns have resulted in a city which is partially urban and partially rural. <br /> These two development patterns offer a variety of housing to meet residents' lifestyle and service desires. <br /> The citizens of Orono have determined that a long range planning objective of the City is the <br /> permanent retention of the rural community. This objective is in line with the existing developed <br /> density of the area, and with the similar plans of other cities abutting the rural area. <br /> Orono is partly in the Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA) and partly outside the current <br /> MUSA. The MUSA was established by Metropolitan Council to define the extent of areas where urban <br /> services will be provided and urban scale development will occur. <br /> Urban and rural neighborhoods require differing levels of public services and facilities. The urban <br /> areas of Orono have sufficient density to require, and to financially support, municipal sewer and water <br /> City of Orono Community Management Plan 2020-2040 Part 3B, Page 3 <br />