02-08-1988 - Agenda Packet City Council - regular meeting

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City of ORONO RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL NO. SHO_AELAND, FLOOD PLAN AND STORM WATER CONSIDERATIONS - C.M.P. 3-9 ORONO'S MANY MILES OF SHORELINE ARE ESPECIALLY SENSITIVE TO MISUSE OR OVERDEVELOPMENT. As the interface between land and water, the shoreline is ever changing. Shorelines are subject to continual erosion by wave action, ice buildup or unstable soil conditions. Droughts dry out vegetation and heavy rains or snow melt cause d slipage. On top of these natural pressures, man is drawn to the lske and the shoreline often becomes his battleground with nature. Lake access often means active use and construction of buildings and structures causing unnatural soil loadings, vegetation removal, and land alteratio.). Exposed soil becomes more subject to erosion and man-made hardcover increases direct runoff quantity and speed. Power boats increase wave action and, more damaging, stir up the lake bottom causing release of nutrients and increased turbidity. The impact, of course, is a degradation of water quality, impaired lake access and a change in the natural aesthetics which drew people to the shore in the first place. Legal considerations become entangled when lot descriptions conflict or become inconsistent due to changing water levels or shoreline locations. Therefore, planning considerations must recognize the desirability of human interaction with the lake while at the same time providing for protection of natures sensitively balanced shoreline ecology. LAND USE - C.M.P. 4-6 A PRINCIPAL GOAL OF ORONO'S PLANNING PROGRAM IS THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL AMENT-TIES, PARTICULARLY THE WATER QUALITY OF LAKE MINNETONKA. The Environmental Protection Plan emphasizes Orono's unique environmental position in relation to the long-term health of Lake Minnetonka. Land use and development will not be permitted at the expense of environmental protection. Retention of natural vegetation, light, air, and open space will be promoted. Shorelines will be protected from erosion and alteration. Wetlands and marshland will be protected and preserved as wildlife habitats, unique open spaces and most importantly as the only economically practical method of flood protection and storm water runoff filtration. GENERAL LAND USE POLICY NO. 2 - C.M.P. 4-12 2. ORONO'S LAND USE PLANS WILL BE EASED UPON E17VIRONA',ENTAL PROTECTION POLICIES. Land use and development must assure the conservation, protection and preservation of sensitive environmental resources in accordance with the goals and policies of the Environmental Protection, Flan. Land use poli^;es will encourage the wise use and managerent of natural resources while prchibiting their misuse, abuse,, ovi_r1..se or exploitation.