Adopt Ordinance #22-07 Amending City Code Chapter 30, Section 3 exempting the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) overlay district from height restrictions to ground cover vegetation.

Ordinance #22-07 Amending City Code Chapter 30, Section 3 Regarding Property Conditions Constituting a Public Nuisance. The revised section exempts the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) overlay district from height restrictions as they relate to ground cover vegetation. The proposed ordinance has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney. 

Notification was provided in the City's Official Newspaper, the Anoka County UnionHerald. 

Summary
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is requiring local government units remove any restrictions that restrict the height of ground cover vegetation in designated areas. Designated areas include shore impact zones (SIZ), bluff impact zones (BIZ), areas within 50 feet of a wetland or natural drainage way, areas of native plant communities, and significant vegetative stands identified in the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) plan. Local government units must amend ordinance provisions to comply with this requirement of the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) Administrative Checklist. This amendment is required by Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) rules (6106.0150 Subp. 3.C.) and is an identified implementation action in the approved Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) plan.

City Council - January 11, 2022
The City Council recommended introduction of Ordinance #22-07, as well as creating and mailing a flyer to affected properties which Staff conducted the week of January 24th. At the time of writing this case, City Staff have not received any correspondence from the notified property owners. A copy of the flyer is attached to this case.

Staff is handling this as part of normal duties.

Staff recommends adoption of Ordinance #22-07 exempting the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) overlay district from height restrictions to ground cover vegetation.

Motion to waive the Charter requirement to read ordinance aloud and adopt Ordinance #22-07 Amending City Code Chapter 30, Section 3 exempting the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) overlay district from height restrictions to ground cover vegetation. 

Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Howell, Councilmember Musgrove, Councilmember Heineman, Councilmember Woestehoff, Councilmember Specht, Councilmember Riley, Mayor Kuzma