You did it! When the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) asked for feedback on the regulations guiding protections of the Mississippi River and environs, you made your voices heard.
In an article published in the current issue of the Highland Villager, New Building Height Regs Surprise Developers of Shepard-Davern site, Dan Petrik, a land-use specialist for the DNR, said the change was made after the DNR heard from several citizens and environmental groups calling for lower building heights in the area to protect views of the river valley. “It’s an environmentally significant area and we looked at those concerns,” he said.
The earlier proposal for the area just east of the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers had been drafted to allow building heights of 65’+ with a conditional use permit. The former regulations had height limits of 40′. We argued for a lower height limit than the 65+ proposal for the very reasons Mr. Petrik cited.
Cities within the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) will now need to bring their ordinances into compliance with the updated DNR guidelines. Cities can choose to make their own rules more protective of the natural resource, but cannot make them less protective.
Stay tuned for updates as this process moves forward.
