Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 158 - Natural Resources Department
Chapter 6106 - MISSISSIPPI RIVER CORRIDOR CRITICAL AREA
Part 6106.0100 - DISTRICTS

Universal Citation: MN Rules 6106.0100

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 13, September 23, 2024

Subpart 1. Establishment of districts.

For purposes of this chapter, six districts are established in the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area, as described in this part, to protect and enhance the resources and features identified in Minnesota Statutes, section 116G.15, subdivision 3.

Subp. 2. Purpose.

The six districts are established based on the natural and built character of different areas of the river corridor. All districts include diverse land uses, including parks and open space and scenic, natural, and historic areas.

Subp. 3. Rural and open space district (CA-ROS).

A. The rural and open space district (CA-ROS) is characterized by rural and low-density development patterns and land uses, and includes land that is riparian or visible from the river, as well as large, undeveloped tracts of high ecological and scenic value, floodplain, and undeveloped islands, Many primary conservation areas exist in the district.

B. The CA-ROS district must be managed to sustain and restore the rural and natural character of the corridor and to protect and enhance habitat, parks and open space, public river corridor views, and scenic, natural, and historic areas.

Subp. 4. River neighborhood district (CA-RN).

A. The river neighborhood district (CA-RN) is characterized by primarily residential neighborhoods that are riparian or readily visible from the river or that abut riparian parkland. The district includes parks and open space, limited commercial development, marinas, and related land uses.

B. The CA-RN district must be managed to maintain the character of the river corridor within the context of existing residential and related neighborhood development, and to protect and enhance habitat, parks and open space, public river corridor views, and scenic, natural, and historic areas. Minimizing erosion and the flow of untreated storm water into the river and enhancing habitat and shoreline vegetation are priorities in the district.

Subp. 5. River towns and crossings district (CA-RTC).

A. The river towns and crossings district (CA-RTC) is characterized by historic downtown areas and limited nodes of intense development at specific river crossings, as well as institutional campuses that predate designation of the Mississippi River Critical Corridor Area and that include taller buildings.

B. The CA-RTC district must be managed in a manner that allows continued growth and redevelopment in historic downtowns and more intensive redevelopment in limited areas at river crossings to accommodate compact walkable development patterns and connections to the river. Minimizing erosion and the flow of untreated storm water into the river, providing public access to and public views of the river, and restoring natural vegetation in riparian areas and tree canopy are priorities in the district.

Subp. 6. Separated from river district (CA-SR).

A. The separated from river district (CA-SR) is characterized by its physical and visual distance from the Mississippi River. The district includes land separated from the river by distance, topography, development, or a transportation corridor. The land in this district is not readily visible from the Mississippi River.

B. The CA-SR district provides flexibility in managing development without negatively affecting the key resources and features of the river corridor. Minimizing negative impacts to primary conservation areas and minimizing erosion and flow of untreated storm water into the Mississippi River are priorities in the district.

Subp. 7. Urban mixed district (CA-UM).

A. The urban mixed district (CA-UM) includes large areas of highly urbanized mixed use that are a part of the urban fabric of the river corridor, including institutional, commercial, industrial and residential areas and parks and open space.

B. The CA-UM district must be managed in a manner that allows for future growth and potential transition of intensely developed areas that does not negatively affect public river corridor views and that protects bluffs and floodplains. Restoring and enhancing bluff and shoreline habitat, minimizing erosion and flow of untreated storm water into the river, and providing public access to and public views of the river are priorities in the district.

Subp. 8. Urban core district (CA-UC).

A. The urban core district (CA-UC) includes the urban cores of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

B. The CA-UC district must be managed with the greatest flexibility to protect commercial, industrial, and other high-intensity urban uses, while minimizing negative impacts to primary conservation areas and minimizing erosion and flow of untreated storm water into the river. Providing public access to and public views of the river are priorities in the district.

Subp. 9. District boundaries.

A. The physical boundaries of each district are delineated in the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area District Map, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ( 2016 and as subsequently amended). The map is incorporated by reference, is not subject to frequent change, and is available on the department's Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/critical_area/index.html. The commissioner must maintain the map and must amend the map as provided in item C.

B. The district boundary lines on the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area District Map are intended to follow the center lines of rivers and streams, highways, streets, lot lines, and municipal boundaries, unless a boundary line is otherwise indicated on the map. Where district boundaries cross unsubdivided property, the district boundary line is determined by use of dimensions or the scale appearing on the map.

C. The boundaries of a district established under this part must be amended according to subitems (1) to (3).
(1) A local government or a state or regional agency must submit a written request to the commissioner requesting a district boundary amendment. The request must:
(a) be approved by the governing body with the legal authority to make the request for the state or regional agency or local government;

(b) specifically identify the proposed changes to plans and ordinances to address the proposed change;

(c) identify changes in land uses, infrastructure, or other conditions since the effective date of this chapter that justify the proposed changes;

(d) identify those local comprehensive plans, regional system statements, state park and transportation master plans, and federal plans that apply to the area proposed for a district boundary amendment;

(e) address potential negative impacts of the proposed change to primary conservation areas, public river corridor views, and other resources and features identified in local governments plans; and

(f) contain a summary of feedback from affected parties as provided under subitem (2).

(2) The local government or state or regional agency requesting the district boundary amendment must give notice of the proposed district boundary amendment to adjoining or overlapping local governments, the Metropolitan Council, the commissioner, the National Park Service, and property owners in the area directly affected by the proposed district boundary amendments and must conduct a public hearing.

(3) Upon receiving a complete request for a district boundary amendment as provided under subitem (1), the commissioner must consider the request and determine whether to initiate rulemaking to amend the boundary according to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 14. The commissioner must communicate the determination, in writing, to the local government or state or regional agency requesting the district boundary amendment within 60 days after receiving the request.

D. This subpart does not apply to the defined river corridor boundary.

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