5.c) Draft Vision and Goals 09152017Vision and Overall Goals
Scandia is known for its distinctive character and history. The City's overall vision is to maintain its rural
character typified by the agricultural heritage and natural resources. In 2040, Scandia has an
economically vibrant village center which is home to a diverse population that is surrounded by mix of
natural resource and agricultural areas intermixed with rural residential and lakeshore neighborhoods.
As new development is proposed, the emphasis will remain on the protection of a rural agricultural and
natural resources.
The Comprehensive Plan contains goals, objectives and policies to guide public and private land use
development, redevelopment and preservation of all lands and waters within the City. These elements
have been developed in conjunction with the City's tradition of planning and in response to the
statutory requirements under the Metropolitan Land Planning Act (MLPA).
The following four overarching goals for the City of Scandia guided the preparation of this
Comprehensive Plan update.
• Maintain and promote the City's cultural character and history. Scandia includes several
historical structures. The Gammelgarden museum in the Village Center attracts people to learn
about Minnesota history and Swedish immigration to Minnesota. Rural buildings and sites
endowed with Scandia's history and identity are preserved or incorporated into development
and redevelopment, and family farms can still be found within the City.
• Maintain and promote a variety of land uses and residential densities while maintaining
Scandia's existing agricultural and rural character. Scandia has diverse land uses emphasizing
its rural nature and natural landscape, including agriculture, large lot and clustered rural
residential housing, wooded areas, scenic areas and open spaces, and recreational areas. The
village center provides a variety of housing types with community -scale commercial and
industrial uses. Agricultural uses in Scandia include traditional commodity production, smaller
farms devoted to local markets, and hobby farms. The mix of land uses in different parts of the
City changes with the geography, and is preserved and maintained by sound, intentional land
use policies.
• Preserve and protect the City's natural resources. Scandia is home to several high quality
natural areas, lakes and the St. Croix River. The City's parks, trails, open space and recreation
system preserves rural character and protects natural beauty while offering opportunities for
healthy lifestyles and recognizes the City's history. Sensitivity to the City's green infrastructure —
trails, green corridors, natural areas and systems, surface and groundwater systems, scenic
vistas, and night skies — will continue to be a priority for all development and infrastructure
improvements. Periodic review of City ordinances to ensure development occurs with adequate
protection of sensitive areas is part of the City's commitment to preserve and protect valuable
natural resources.
• Provide economic opportunities for residents and businesses. Economic opportunities in the
City continue to evolve. The City will seek solutions to create economic opportunities for
employment in Scandia and to provide needed services for Scandia's residents. The number of
residents who are self-employed or work from home will continue to increase. The nature of
agriculture will change with a transition from traditional commodities to smaller, more
specialized agricultural operations serving exclusively local markets.
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Goals and Policies for Specific Elements
Land Use
1) Preserve the rural, agricultural character of Scandia through zoning regulations, ordinances, and site
design standards
a) Conduct development in a manner that is sensitive to the impact upon natural features and
to environmental constraints, including but not limited to scenic views, surface water,
wetlands, slopes, woodlands, vegetation, drainage ways, shorelands, and flood plain areas.
b) Coordinate with property owners, other governmental units and agencies, and developers
to protect high quality natural areas and historic resources
c) Encourage low -impact development techniques in new developments.
d) Explore programs and development concepts that encourage creative methods to preserve
rural character and natural resources.
e) Achieve compatible relationships between different types of land uses by utilizing design
standards, appropriate buffers, land use transitions and high-quality design
2) Manage land use to prevent the premature demand for extension of urban services and in ways that
allow existing service levels to meet service needs.
a) Require that land proposed for development is served or will be able to be served with
adequate infrastructure, including sewage treatment systems, streets, and storm water
management systems.
b) Require all new development be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan
3) Ensure a variety of lot sizes to create affordable development opportunities to best meet the needs
of residents and businesses in Scandia.
a) Encourage greater density where appropriate to preserve natural features and areas.
b) Ensure suitable land is available for potential commercial and industrial employment and
business opportunities.
4) Protect and encourage agricultural production to ensure it is a part of the community as a viable
long-term land use.
a) Encourage a variety of agricultural operations, including small-scale metropolitan orientated
agriculture, value-added production, and small scale agricultural -related commercial uses.
b) Encourage participation in the Agricultural Preserves Program through compatible zoning
districts and educational materials and resources
c) Review current development regulations to allow compatible secondary uses such as low
density residential, commercial recreation, and agriculture -related commercial in areas
where agriculture is the predominant use.
5) Allow for the safe and orderly extraction of aggregate resources now and in the future while
protecting sensitive resources on or near those properties and providing for transitions to other
uses when resource extraction is complete
a) Implement performance standards for the management of existing mining operations in
order to minimize or prevent negative impacts to resources and nearby land uses.
Natural Resources
1) Protect natural resources and look for opportunities to connect large areas of open space
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a) Coordinate with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Washington County
on plans for the long term acquisition and development of William O'Brien State Park and
Big Marine Park Reserve.
b) Prioritize the preservation and treatment of open space in planning and review of all types of
development within the City.
2) Preserve high quality natural areas
a) Work with property owners seeking to utilize Transfer of Development Rights and Purchase
of Development Rights, as appropriate, to obtain and protect high quality natural areas
while compensating landowners who give up development rights to meet community land
use and natural resource goals.
3) Eliminate, reduce or mitigate the negative effects of invasive species on natural areas
a) Provide educational resources and materials to residents and businesses regarding invasive
species.
4) Recognize and enhance publicly -owned lands and improve public access to such lands where
appropriate.
a) Promote preservation and restoration of publicly owned and other lands permanently
protected from development through education and cooperation with other governmental
agencies and community groups.
b) Improve designated physical access to the St. Croix River corridor and other important or
high quality natural areas where public lands may provide access opportunities.
c) Encourage for the preservation and establishment of scenic views throughout the City.
5) Work with property owners to protect and preserve native, endangered, threatened and unique
plants and animals on privately owned land.
a) Provide educational resources and materials to residents and businesses regarding invasive
species.
b) Encourage connections to high quality natural areas through natural corridors on private
land in order to allow for wildlife movement among habitats as part of development.
Water Resources
1) Preserve and protect the quantity and quality of surface water and groundwater.
a) Work cooperatively with all State and Federal agencies to comply with and enforce
regulations and standards such as Shoreland Management Regulations, Erosion and
Sediment Control Standards, Floodplain Regulations, and Stormwater management.
b) Identify sensitive groundwater recharge areas and groundwater dependent natural
resources to guide development and land use to minimize potential contamination and
incompatible uses.
c) Require developers to restore the ability of soils to absorb, retain, and infiltrate water
following site development.
2) Improve stormwater management and land stewardship practices.
a) Provide educational resources and materials to residents and businesses regarding water
quality, stormwater runoff, best management practices, and impaired waters.
b) Incorporate low -impact techniques and best management practices on City owned
property.
3) Protect the natural and scenic resources of the St. Croix River Corridor, both within and adjacent to
the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
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a) Work cooperatively with the National Park Service, Department of Natural Resources, and
Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District and adopt their Local Water Management
Plans.
4) Ensure financial and environmental accountability for installation, maintenance, remediation, and
management of any permitted private wastewater system.
a) In cooperation with Washington County, enforce strict conformance with regulations for the
design, installation, and maintenance of on-site treatment systems including minimum
design, licensing, and installation requirements of the Minnesota Rules Chapter 7080.
Resilience
1) Encourage the use of renewable, local and diverse forms of energy in order to increase use of local
resources, mitigate the local risk from fossil fuel scarcity and price increases, and help meet Min-
nesota's climate protection goals.
a) Encourage the use of alternative renewable heating fuels as bio -mass while establishing
standards to limit nuisances associated with such systems.
b) Encourage the use of alternative fuels and alternative means of transportation for City
residents and businesses
2) Encourage energy efficient housing that exceeds the minimum efficiency levels required in the State
building codes
a) Protect solar access for homes and businesses.
b) Promote the use of renewable energy systems on housing and in areas where such systems
can be safely operated and produce a minimum level of visual impact.
3) Review the goals of the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program.
a) Implement GreenStep Cities Best Practices as appropriate.
Housing
1) Support a variety of housing types and densities for residential uses in and surrounding the Village
Center and other areas where appropriate.
a) Encourage residential development in areas where sufficient infrastructure capacity can be
provided.
b) Offer density bonuses for development providing senior housing, lifecycle housing, or work
with property owners on the transfer of development rights.
2) Expand life -cycle housing opportunities for residents at all points of life.
a) Encourage residential buildings to be designed for accessibility in order to meet the needs of
current and future owners.
b) Continue to work with the Washington County Community Development Agency to identify
opportunities for providing additional affordable senior housing in the Village Center.
3) Encourage a range of housing choices that fit with the character of the community
a) Review current development ordinance for districts to allow smaller lot sizes or higher
densities while respecting the rural character and land uses.
b) Encourage Open -Space Cluster housing development and Lot Averaging development.
c) Continue to monitor the general condition of the housing stock, with a special focus on the
physical condition of the older housing.
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Economic Development
1) Concentrate on retaining and expanding local businesses in and around the Village Center and
existing Rural Commercial districts.
a) Strengthen public services to attract and retain businesses and workforce.
b) Identify and allow in -fill development opportunities for business expansion
c) Promote new businesses that create synergy with existing businesses and overarching goals.
d) Use outreach/branding initiatives to retain businesses and employment in Scandia.
e) Cooperate with businesses, educational institutions, community organizations, and
government to provide information to local businesses
f) Create development and land use standards to guide development into the Village Center
and away from a linear pattern along the highways or undeveloped rural intersections.
g) Encourage businesses providing local services, as well as tourism and recreation businesses
in the Village Center.
h) Work with building owners to maintain and upgrade building facades and properties
consistent with the Village Center's small town image and historic character.
i) Encourage public and private investment in community -oriented institutions including the
community center and city hall, church, cemeteries, and Gammelgarden.
2) Actively support the retention and expansion of Scandia community -scale agricultural operations
a) Work cooperatively with other governmental agencies and community groups to develop
programs to help keep agricultural land affordable in Scandia.
b) Update ordinances and regulations to facilitate growth of small scale agricultural uses.
3) Encourage home-based entrepreneurs and businesses
a) Identify opportunities to encourage home-based businesses to transition to a storefront
when its market is adequately developed.
b) Review standards to support home occupations while ensuring compatibility with
surrounding land uses.
4) Expand access to internet services throughout the entire City.
a) Encourage internet providers to expand service areas and bandwidth throughout the City.
b) Explore potential opportunities for public investment or grants to expand internet
capabilities.
c) As development or redevelopment occurs, support the addition of infrastructure which will
enable expansion of internet technology.
Parks and Trails
1) Develop an effective planning approach to developing and maintaining parks and recreation areas
and constructing and maintaining trails and routes to meet the needs of City residents.
a) Design and locate parks, recreation facilities, trails, and routes in a manner that best meet
their purpose and the needs of City residents.
2) Develop a close working relationship with other agencies and groups to enhance the parks and
recreation facilities and develop trails and routes in the City.
a) Continue to work closely with Washington County, the Metropolitan Council, and the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on more detailed planning efforts to insure the
regional green infrastructure system is designed in a manner compatible with existing and
planned development in the City.
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b) Coordinate with local park and trail interest groups in development, implementation,
operation, and maintenance of projects.
c) Promote volunteerism to enhance community ownership and stewardship of parks, trails,
recreation programs, and services
d) Promote Scandia's rural and recreational assets to encourage tourism.
3) Support the establishment of a network of public parks and public, multi -use, non -motorized trails,
including the Gateway Trail, to provide outdoor recreation amenities and community -wide
connections to serve the health and welfare of the City's residents.
a) Emphasize the importance of making connections to regional trails, including the Gateway
Trail, the Immigrant Trail, and the Hardwood Trail.
b) Promote trail connection between Big Marine Park Reserve and William O'Brien State Park.
4) Use park search areas and recreational facilities search areas and other natural resource information
to guide and encourage park acquisition donations and potential site acquisitions when property
becomes available.
a) Evaluate property located in park and/or recreational facility search areas for purchase,
lease, or easement to augment the existing Park System, if and when it becomes available.
Transportation
1) As new development or redevelopment occurs, provide an integrated, internally -connected,
efficient street system connecting village and higher density neighborhoods to the Village Center.
a) Discourage the creation of permanently long streets with only a single access point (i.e.,
dead-end streets, looping streets and elongated cul-de-sacs).
b) Encourage design and land uses that support a range of transportation choices.
c) Guide future development to roadways capable of accommodating resulting traffic.
d) Develop roadways and street systems with consideration for safety, speeds, congestion,
impact, noise pollution and protection of natural resources.
2) Establish context -sensitive roadway design standards that will protect the narrow and heavily
wooded character of identified low -traffic roadways.
a) Protect scenic rural roads, viewpoints and vistas identified through the planning process
from visually intrusive or incompatible development.
3) Maintain Scandia's system of local roadways that is well coordinated with MnDOT ad Washington
County roadways.
a) Develop a capital improvement program to ensure adequate funding for priority roadway
concerns.
b) Cooperate with County and State jurisdictions to keep through -traffic on arterials at
minimum disruption of local circulation and residents.
c) Through the subdivision review process for new developments, require that MnDOT and
Washington County access management guidelines are met for roadways under the
jurisdiction of those agencies.
4) Encourage the use of non -automotive modes of transportation.
a) Use road design standards to develop a system of bike and pedestrian friendly streets to
complement recreational trails.
5) Support the development of regional and local transit options.
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a) Support efforts to provide more efficient delivery of dial -a -ride services for Scandia
residents, including but not limited to efforts to utilize the Village Center as a focus of
service.
6) Preserve the safety of regional air traffic
a) Notify MNDOT Aeronautics of any structure of a height of 200 feet above the ground
b) Address Federal and State safety standards when planning the design of any object related
to or affecting navigable airspace.
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