CITY OF COON RAPIDS, MINNESOTA
CHAPTER 11-500
(CD) CONSERVANCY DISTRICT

11-501 Intent. These areas are unsuitable for most residential, commercial, or industrial development due to flooding, high water table, bad drainage, slope, adverse soil conditions, important natural features, or by reason of being designated a public park or a common open space area. Most of these areas contain valuable environmental qualities which should be retained in a substantially undeveloped state in order to conserve the City’s natural resources, preserve the amenities of its environment, protect ground water recharge areas, prevent the overcrowding of land, curtail pollution and siltation, and alleviate flooding problems.

11-502 Permitted Uses.

(1) Agricultural uses, including the cultivation and harvesting of crops according to recognized soil conservation practices and the pasturing and grazing of animals, except feedlots.
(2) Conservation uses, including drainage control, forestry, wildlife sanctuaries, and facilities for making same available and useful to the public.
(3) Open space areas.
(4) Outdoor recreational uses and facilities.

11-503 Conditional Uses.

(1) All grading, stripping, excavation, mining, or filling of land in accordance with the mining requirements of Chapter 11-2000, provided that the findings of Subsection (2) below are met.
(2) Other Land Uses. A request for a conditional use permit shall be accompanied by an overall plan of the entire site showing roads, parking areas, lot lines, easements, the location of tree cover, including the designation of trees of six (6) inches or more in diameter, the location of other natural and biological features such as wetlands and areas of valuable wildlife habitat, the location of proposed structures, existing contours, proposed grading, drainage, utilities, and landscaping. The approval of such a request shall require findings that:

(a) The effect of the development upon the natural features such as ponds, streams, wetlands, or woods has been considered.
(b) The location of the natural features and the site's topography have been considered in the designing and siting of all physical improvements.
(c) Adequate assurances have been received that only those areas approved for the placement of physical improvements may be cleared.
(d) The development shall not significantly reduce the natural retention storage capacity of any watercourse or impede the flow of flood waters.
(e) The soil conditions are suitable for excavation and site preparation and the drainage is designed to prevent erosion and environmentally-harmful surface runoff.
(f) The petitioner will be substantially damaged by being required to place the intended development outside the CD (Conservancy District).
(g) The conditions of Section 11-316 are met.

11-504 District Standards. The following standards are not meant to abridge or otherwise alter any Minnesota Department of Natural Resources or watershed district authority regulations:

(1) Development Area. Unless intended for a permitted use, the minimum area for a subdivision development shall be five (5) acres.
(2) Standards for lot area, setbacks, floor area, height, parking, and screening within a development shall be governed by the standards of the residential, commercial, or industrial zoning district most similar to the proposed as determined by the Planning Commission. Deviation from those standards may be permitted only if the deviation is consistent with the total design of the development, encourages a desirable living environment, is not detrimental to the welfare of the City of Coon Rapids, or is required in order to conserve or protect the site's natural features.
(3) Lot Coverage. No more than ten percent (10%) of the development area located in a district shall be occupied by structures, parking facilities, or roadways.
(4) Within residential developments, it shall be permissible to utilize total land area in calculating total residential units permitted for the entire development area.
(5) Areas of districts which are located in a floodplain shall be additionally subject to Chapter 11-1900, Floodplain Management Regulations.