04-11-1988 - Agenda Packet City Council - regular meeting

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SHORELAND, FLQOD PLAN AND STORt.1 WATER CONSIDERATIONS - C.M.P. 3-9 ORONO'S MANY MILES OF SHORELINE ARE;:SPECIALLY SENSITIVE TO ." SUSE CA OVERDEVELOPMENT. As the interface between land and water, the shoreline is ever changinC. Shorelines are subject to continual erosion by wave action, ice h,,ildup or unstable soil conditions. Droughts dry out vegetation and heavy rains or snow melt cause land slipagn. On top of these natural pressures, man is drawn to the lake and the shoreline often becomes his battleground with nature. Lake access c:ccn means active use and construction of buildings and structures causing unnatural soil loadings, vegetation removal, and land alteration. Exposed soil *-ecomes more subject to erosion and man-made naidcover increases direc* runoff quantity and speed. Power boats increase wave action and, more damaging, stir up the lake hott0M causing release of nutrients and increased turbidity. The impact, of course, is a degradation of water quality, impaired lake access ani 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 desiroLility of human interaction with the lake while at the same time providing for protection of nature's 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 AMENITIES, 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 he protected from erosion and alteration. Wetlends 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 eLANS WILL BE BASED UPON EITVIRONMENT'.L 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 Plan. Lard use policies will encourage the wise use and r..anagement of natural resources while prohibiting their misuse, abuse, overuse or exploitation. Page 4 of 10