Receive Update on Rum River Shores, a Proposed 44-Lot Single Family Development on the Rum River in the City of Anoka

Staff has been made aware of a development proposal in the City of Anoka along the Rum River, north of Bunker Lake Boulevard, west of the Anoka County Library - Rum River Branch. The site is north of Anoka High School. This item is intended to provide information to the City Council in the event City Councilmembers receive questions from residents and update the City Council as to the status of the project.

The proposed development, Rum River Shores, would create 44 single-family lots on 22.5 acres. Attached to this case is the Staff Report from the City of Anoka Agenda dated August 5, 2013. Included in the request were the following:
 

1. Request for Comprehensive Plan Amendment
2. Request for Zoning Code Text Amendment
3. Request for Preliminary Plat Approval
4. Request for Final Plat Approval
5. Request for agreements related to the above

NOTE: The project has received approval from the Anoka City Council on Monday, August 5, 2013.

There were two (2) general topics of feedback Ramsey staff received from Ramsey residents:

1. Bank Stabilization Project and its compliance with Wild and Scenic Rivers standards
2. Public Dock

The City Council did review the Public Hearing notification and did not object to the proposed development, but requested that the two (2) communities continue to work together to solve regional transportation issues as growth continues to occur. Since that time, multiple Ramsey residents expressed concern with a separate, but related riverbank stabilization project that involves the removal of existing vegetation and amendments to the grade/slope. It appears that a majority of the concern regarding the public dock was mitigated by providing correct information on the actual size of the dock, as some questioned whether there would be one (1) dock per lot created (44). The proposed dock would have six (6) slips. More details on the dock are listed below and in the attached report.

Bank Stabilization

The bank stabilization project encompasses approximately 700 linear feet of shoreline just north of Bunker Lake Boulevard and will involve removal of existing vegetation and trees, and amend the existing slope of the adjacent shoreline (see attachment). The area of the bank stabilization project and portions of the proposed development project are located within the Wild and Scenic Rivers Overlay District. This overlay was established by the DNR by the authority of the Minnesota Legislature. The administration and enforcement are the responsibility of the local government through the adoption of local, individual ordinances that are required to be in substantial compliance with the Statute and approved by the DNR. It is Staff's understanding that due to the scope of the project, additional environmental review is not necessary.

It is Staff's understanding that the proposed bank stabilization project has been reviewed by the DNR Area Hydrologist and approved by the Anoka Conservation District. The Anoka Conservation District holds a conservation easement over a portion of the area adjacent to the riverbank. According to Anoka Staff, this area has been identified as currently experiencing erosion issues that are anticipated to increase over time. The proposed project will re-grade the bank, generally at a 3:1 slope, as shown on the attached Engineered drawings. Finally, the bank stabilization project does propose a vegetation replacement plan.

In terms of timing, the proposed development will limit the ability to make corrections in the future. According to Anoka Staff, once the adjacent development is completed, it would not be feasible to make bank stabilization corrections from the land side. Future corrections would need to be completed from the river side once development has been completed.

City Staff did contact the DNR Area Hydrologist to confirm that they did not object to the stabilization plan. The project would not require DNR approval, but does require Anoka Conservation District approval, which appears to have been completed.

Additionally, the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization has also approved a permit for development, with conditions. The bank stabilization project appeared to be noted in that review as well.

Public Boat Dock

The City of Anoka is processing an application for a conditional use permit to allow a docking facility along the Rum River, west of the proposed Rum River Heights. This area is within the “Scenic” designation of the Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Rivers. As such, a dock with up to six (6) moorings/slips, that do not have any areas of the dock wider than eight (8) feet, is permitted in this area by the DNR, provided a conditional use permit is granted by the City.  The docks will not be wider than 8 feet. The docking facility will be exactly the same as those on 2^nd Avenue. The City is the applicant on the CUP application and will own and maintain the proposed facility as well. An illustration is attached for reference. No additional permits are needed from the DNR for docks with six (6) or fewer slips and less than eight (8) feet wide.

No funding is required.

Based on discussion.