2012 Comprehensive Plan - Adopted 2012.12.10> www.ci.otsego.mn.us
Comprehensive Plan
10 DECEMBER 2012
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Table of Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1
Inventory ............................................................................................................... 1
Community Perspectives ..................................................................................... 3
Social Profile ....................................................................................................... 9
Policy Plan ........................................................................................................ 15
Natural Environment Plan ................................................................................. 45
Land Use Plan ................................................................................................... 55
Transportation Plan ............................................................................................ 91
Community Facilities Plan ............................................................................... 102
Parks and Trails Plan ...................................................................................... 121
Administration ................................................................................................. 151
List of Maps
Existing Lakes, Natural Wetlands and Tributaries ............................................. 47
Wooded Areas .................................................................................................. 51
Urban Service Staging Plan .............................................................................. 61
Existing Land Use ............................................................................................. 67
Future Land Use Plan ....................................................................................... 89
Transportation Plan ........................................................................................... 95
NEWC Functional Classification ........................................................................ 97
NEWC Future Improvements ............................................................................. 99
NEWC Access Spacing .................................................................................. 101
Community Facilities ....................................................................................... 113
Fire Protection ................................................................................................. 117
Existing Parks ................................................................................................. 135
Existing Trails ................................................................................................... 137
Future Parks and Trails System ...................................................................... 149
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Forward
The update of the Otsego Comprehensive Plan was adopted by the City Council on 10
December 2012 as the product of a twelve month planning effort by City officials, staff,
residents, area businesses and other interested parties.
City Council
Jessica Stockamp, Mayor
Tom Darkenwald
Vern Heidner
Dan Scharber
Doug Schroeder
Planning Commission
Pam Black, Chair
Tamara Fallon
Brian Gerten
Jim Kolles
Richard Nichols
Aaron Stritesky
David Thompson
Parks and Recreation Commission
Peter Torresani, Chair
Mike Brumm
Rose Cassady
Triste Freeburg
Susan Krekelberg
Kathryn Roberts
Charles VonBerg
The contributions of all who participated in the preparation of the update of the Otsego
Comprehensive Plan in the drafting of the goals, policies and plans written herein have
been greatly appreciated.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Inventory | Community Perspectives
Page 1
Introduction
The City Council has determined a need to undertake an update of the Otsego
Comprehensive Plan. The City Council further designated the Planning Commission as
the steering committee for the project with responsibility for guiding the process for the
Comprehensive Plan update and making recommendations as to the development
related goals, policies and plans to be established. Although the emphasis is on land
use, the Comprehensive Plan is comprised of several interrelated elements addressing
the natural environment, land use, transportation and community facilities and
infrastructure.
Otsego’s last major Comprehensive update was adopted in 2004 with previous
Comprehensive Plan updates completed in 2002, 1998 and 1991. It is advantageous
for the City to undertake an update of its Comprehensive Plan at this time as the
economic slowdown creates an opportunity for the community to pause and evaluate
the activity that occurred over the last decade and to consider and reprioritize
community goals and policies to set a clear direction for moving forward as conditions
improve. As this most recent Comprehensive Plan update is based on the foundation of
earlier comprehensive plans, no major policy changes are outlined herein; rather the
2012 Otsego Comprehensive Plan update is a refinement of the community’s
established development framework in response to new opportunities and challenges.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Inventory | Community Perspectives
Page 3
Community Perspectives
A comprehensive plan is most effective as a tool to guide future growth and
development when the community defines the opportunities and issues that will
influence the growth that will occur. The process of identifying topics to be addressed
as part of the 2012 Otsego Comprehensive Plan involve reviewing the issues identified
by prior comprehensive planning efforts to determine their current status and relevancy
in the present environment. Input from the public, City advisory commissions and the
City Council will also guide the content and format of the final Comprehensive Plan
document.
Otsego is seen to have great opportunity for future growth and development. The City
is positioned at the Northwestern edge of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area with
excellent access via I-94, TH 101 and US Highway 10. These regional transportation
roadways provide access to a young community in terms of its development profile and
social demographics with expanding government service capacity to provide needed
facilities and services concurrent with growth. Otsego has an abundant land supply that
is a clean slate to accommodate a full range of urban residential, commercial, industrial
and institutional land uses. Moreover, the City has been proactive in planning a long-
term vision for the type of community Otsego is to become and, perhaps more
importantly, patient in implementation of these plans to ensure that defined goals are
realized. An important element in the City being proactive in planning for growth is the
perspective that development is a positive benefit for the community bringing new
families, new retail and service businesses and employment opportunities along with
amenities and expanded City services.
An overriding issue for the City in terms of its development policy and goal to strengthen
a sense of community for residents and businesses is promoting identity. Community
identity is about a sense of place and also reputation. The City can act to strengthen
community identity by promoting its strengths and opportunities, identifying itself in ways
in which the City makes contact with constituents and providing services that are both
needed and those that are an amenity to the community. The City can further promote
its identify by defining goals for anticipated development then implementing policies,
ordinances and practices to reflect the desired character and image of Otsego.
Enhancing community identity in this way further reinforces that continued growth and
development is positive change for Otsego.
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The growth and development that is to occur in Otsego will be influenced by both
regional and local issues. Regional issues are largely factors beyond the control of the
City but which will have a significant effect on the type, rate and location of continued
growth. Conversely, local issues regarding development need to be identified and
addressed as part of the comprehensive planning process as the City does have a great
ability to anticipate and respond to these items whether they be opportunities or threats.
Regional Issues
Economy
Otsego is witness to the potential effects that changes in economic conditions can have
to a community. Otsego experienced increasing growth beginning in the late 1990s and
continuing into the mid 2000s. At that point, regional, national and even global
economic conditions changed drastically and development activity virtually ceased for a
period of years. Recent increases in building permit activity and inquiries from potential
developers are evidence of improving economic conditions. The changes in economic
conditions that occurred over the last 10 to 15 years gives cause to maintain a long-
term perspective of growth in Otsego to ensure that the development that occurs is
consistent with community priorities recognizing that there will be (potentially significant)
pressure from peaks and valleys over time. Growth must also continue to be
proactively managed so that services and infrastructure can be added without
overburdening the City’s capacity and finances.
Transportation
There have been several major improvements to regional transportation since the
Comprehensive Plan was last updated in 2004. Most significant of these has been the
upgrade to TH 101 to freeway status with four interchanges maintained for access to
Otsego. Other significant transportation improvements include construction of a flyover
access from westbound I-94 to northbound TH 101 at Rogers to bypass local
congestion, initiation of the Northstar Line commuter rail service between Elk River and
Minneapolis and construction of an exit from westbound I-94 to CSAH 19 at Albertville.
Each of these projects improve access/to and from Otsego for residents, employment
and for transient consumer traffic. Additional transportation investments are needed to
continue to make improvements to regional transportation corridors including
specifically the addition of vehicle lanes and planned interchanges to I-94. Furthermore,
Otsego must work with Wright County and other adjacent cities to improve arterial
access within and between communities in the area, which must include greater
financial participation by Wright County in these projects given the population and
property market value it derives from development of the cities within its jurisdiction.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Inventory | Community Perspectives
Page 5
Regional Growth
Otsego is not isolated from the growth that is occurring in adjacent communities and the
overall region. The development in Otsego is but a part of the regional growth that is
occurring and is therefore interrelated with the goals and actions of its neighbors. First
and foremost, Otsego competes with other cities in the region for new development
especially economic development of commercial and industrial land uses. This
competition between communities is emphasized to a greater degree during periods of
economic downturn. As Otsego reviews its development goals and growth
management policies as part of this comprehensive planning process, attention must be
given to the relative positioning of the City from an economic development standpoint as
well to ensure that the opportunity for growth remains regionally competitive. Secondly,
the growth that occurs in adjacent communities effects Otsego through system impacts;
increased residential development or development of a single large commercial or
industrial use in an adjacent community will affect collector or minor arterial roadways in
Otsego or there will be increased service demands on area School Districts that will
influence the City’s growth objectives.
Local Issues
Economic Development
The majority of growth that occurred in Otsego during the past 10 to 15 years has been
residential. Residential growth is needed to occur first to establish a local trade area
market to create opportunities for new business. Based on the residential development
that did occur, commercial, and to a lesser extent industrial, development was just
beginning to gain momentum when the economic downturn stalled business growth.
As with residential development, the City is beginning to see signs of increased interest
in new commercial and industrial uses being constructed. City officials have recognized
the need to be more proactive in inviting economic development activity to Otsego.
Actions that the City intends to initiate include promoting Otsego’s identity as a cohesive
community of neighborhoods and businesses, identifying ways in which the City can be
more flexible in working with development to achieve mutual goals, establishing policies
and programs for economic incentives and expanding the role of the Economic
Development Authority.
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Inventory | Community Perspectives
Page 6
Growth Management
The comprehensive plan update in 2004 addressed expansion of the City’s sewer and
water utilities to include a second growth area in Western Otsego. The effort also
included greater emphasis on establishment of growth management policies to ensure
that the type of development was consistent with community objectives and that the rate
of development could be accommodated by fiscally responsible expansion of City
services, facilities, infrastructure and capabilities. As economic conditions improve, it is
critical that the City continue to adhere to these growth management practices to
maintain its positive financial position relative to budget and property taxes while
meeting the responsibilities of local government.
Parks and Trails
Otsego has developed six neighborhood parks and improved the facilities at Prairie
Park as development activity occurred since the availability of sanitary sewer and water
utilities. The park system will need to continue to be developed and expanded
proportionate to projected growth as both a needed service and community amenity. In
order to plan for the future park system, it will be necessary to evaluate existing and
future park needs based on national standards and refine future park search areas in
consideration of site specific criteria. A major focus of this effort will need to address
acquisition, development and funding for additional community park facilities that will be
in greater demand both as the population increases and the age characteristics of the
City change.
The City has included off-street trails and sidewalks as part of the Comprehensive Plan
and development standards to provide opportunity for recreation and non-vehicle
transportation. The trail system will continue to expand concurrent with on-going
development but the City must identify and address missing segments that make the
existing system incomplete. The City must also take advantage of the opportunity
created by the Mississippi River Trail bikeway, which is to bikes what the Great River
Road is to cars, as a means to expand trail use opportunities and promote community
businesses and identity.
Transportation
Otsego has had several major transportation improvements occur within the community
that addressed long standing goals including the upgrade of TH 101 to freeway status
and the planned construction of 70th Street between Oakwood Avenue to Marlowe
Avenue beginning in 2012 and completed in 2015 to establish a major east-west
roadway across the City. Remaining significant transportation improvements will
involve regional as well as local jurisdictions such as CSAH 39, CSAH 37 between TH
101 and Oakwood Avenue and CSAH 42 from 85th Street to TH 101. These roadway
improvements are related to continued community (and regional) growth but do not
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have a direct cause/effect relationship. Potential projects that would have a trigger
effect as to the timing of construction or timing of potential development include 85th
Street from Nashua Avenue to MacIver Avenue tied with potential construction of ISD
728 Elk River Area Schools facilities, Nashua/Nabor Avenue from 60th Street to 83rd
Street or Quaday Avenue from 70th Street (CSAH 37) to 62nd Street based on potential
industrial development west of TH 101.
Infrastructure
Streets, utilities and City buildings in Otsego are all in good condition being relatively
new. As time goes on, the improvements installed in the prior 10 to 15 years will
continue to age and require increased levels of management, repair and replacement.
These increased maintenance needs will be happening concurrent with the addition of
new infrastructure as development continues. The City must address management of
its infrastructure through its Capital Improvement Plan and budget process to protect
the high quality of the existing improvements and that management of these facilities is
done so cost effectively.
Other Issues
The City Council and Planning Commission identified a number of preliminary issues in
developing the work program for the 2012 Otsego Comprehensive Plan process. These
are items that are known to have developed over time or arisen as conditions changed:
Natural Environment.
o Wetland preservation.
o Shoreland/Wild Scenic areas.
o Greenway corridors.
o Aggregate resources.
o Tree preservation.
Rural land uses.
o Allowed development within Rural Residential Preserve Area.
o Transitional rural land uses.
Sewer Staging Plan.
o Need for updated projected population and household growth.
o Need for updated land absorption forecast
o Review boundaries for Sewer Service District staging.
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Residential Uses.
o Location, quantities, densities and compatibility for existing Sewer Service
District and Urban Service Reserve Areas.
o Transition between existing unsewered residential development and
guided urban land uses.
o Housing diversity and life-cycle housing.
o Housing maintenance.
Commercial and industrial uses.
o Provide recommendations for both new construction and revitalization
areas.
o Review land use designations for retail/office/service commercial uses,
office uses and industrial uses.
o Evaluate impact of changing Wright County access standards.
o Opportunities for mixed use or senior housing adjacent to retail areas.
Parks and Trails Plan.
o Inventory existing system improvements.
o Analysis of system needs in relation to existing/projected population and
national standards.
o Evaluation of park classifications.
o Review of Future Parks and Trails Plan.
Transportation.
o Incorporate updated Transportation Plan.
o Identify existing/future roadway priorities.
o Kadler Avenue interchange.
o Address planned regional improvements:
Public uses.
o City buildings and future facilities.
o Schools and future school sites.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Inventory | Social Profile
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Social Profile
The purpose of the social profile chapter of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan is to
document the current demographic conditions and trends to aid in the identification of
issues to be addressed as part of the planning process.
Population and Household Forecasts
The City has developed projections of population and household growth for Otsego.
This information is to be used in infrastructure planning for transportation, utilities and
services to accommodate future development demand and as the basis for
implementation of growth management planning efforts.
City of Otsego
Population and Households 2000-2030
Actual Projected
2000 2010 2020 2030
Households 2,062 4,736 6,800 10,000
Population 6,389 13,571 19,040 28,000
Source: U.S. Census, TPC
The US Census records the dramatic growth experienced in Otsego between 2000 and
2010 with more than a 100 percent increase in households and population. The
projections of future population and household growth also illustrate the effects of the
decrease in building permit activity in Otsego since 2006 due to economic conditions.
The effect of the decrease in development activity since 2006 is to push out the City’s
projected household and population estimates formulated as part of the 2004
Comprehensive Plan by more than 10 years. However, the City is expected to see
continued growth over time based on available land supply, utility infrastructure and
improved arterial roadways to provide convenient access for residents and businesses.
Household Type
The table below illustrates changes in household size in Otsego relative to population
and household growth. The decrease in household size from 1990 to 2006 is likely
reflective of an increase in empty nester households and retired age households. The
smaller household size also reflects the national trend of people having fewer children
and the dynamics of the modern family. However, Otsego’s projected household size
is anticipated to remain relatively large due to the numbers of families with children that
comprise the population in what will continue to be a growing community.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Inventory | Social Profile
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City of Otsego
Household Size 2000-2030
Year
Population
Households
Persons Per
Household
2000 6,389 2,062 3.08
2010 13,571 4,736 2.86
2020 19,040 6,800 2.80
2030 28,000 10,000 2.80
Source: U. S. Census 1990, 2000 and 2010;
Minnesota State Demographer
The 2000 and 2010 Census provides a demographic profile of the households in
Otsego as shown in the following table. As the table indicates, almost half of
households in Otsego are families with children again indicative of a growing community
with families finding available new housing.
City of Otsego
2000 and 2010 Household Type
Household Type Total Number of
Households
Households With
Children
Households Without
Children
2000 2010 2000 2010 2000 2010
Family – Married
Couple 1,465 2,978 833 1,640 632 1,338
Family – Male
Household 98 230 67 138 31 92
Family – Female
Household 111 352 67 235 44 117
Total Family HH 1,674 3,560 967 2,013 707 1,547
Non-Family
Households 388 1,176 55 326 333 850
Total
Households 2,062 4,736 1,022 2,339 1,040 2,397
Source: U.S. Census 2000 and 2010
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Inventory | Social Profile
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Age Characteristics
The following table illustrates the population of Otsego by age group utilizing information
from the 2000 and 2010 Census. In 2000, the labor force (ages 18-64) represented the
largest age group, which was followed by school age children. The pattern remains
consistent in the 2010 Census although there is a slight shift to a retired aged persons
being a larger percentage of the population than in 2000 with a decrease in the
percentage of school aged children and the labor force age group being. Regional
projections anticipate that the retired age group will grow rapidly in the coming decade
as the labor force group continues to age and people continue to live longer.
City of Otsego
2000 and 2010 Population By Age Group
Age Group 2000 2010
School Age
Under 18 2,074 32.5% 4,195 30.9%
Labor Force
18-24 494 7.7% 906 6.7%
25-44 2,184 34.2% 4,782 35.2%
45-64 1,367 21.4% 2,917 21.5%
Subtotal 4,045 63.3% 8,605 63.4%
Retired
65-74 166 2.6% 530 3.9%
75-84 91 1.4% 195 1.4%
85+ 13 .2% 46 .3%
Subtotal 270 4.2% 771 5.7%
Total 6,389 100.0% 13,571 100.0%
Source: U.S. Census 2000 and 2010
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
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Education
The following table illustrates education levels for residents ages 25 and over in 2010.
As indicated, approximately 96 percent of the City’s population has attained a high
school diploma or higher degree, while just over 26 percent of the population has
attained a Bachelor’s degree or higher in education.
City of Otsego
2010 Educational Attainment (Ages 25 and Older)
Level Attained Number 2010
<9th Grade 89 1.1%
9th to 12th Grade (no diploma) 242 3.1%
High School Graduate 2,415 30.6%
Some College (no degree) 1,977 25.1%
Associate Degree 1,080 13.7%
Bachelor’s Degree 1,645 20.9%
Graduate Degree 436 5.5%
Total 7,884 100.0%
% of High School Graduate + - 95.8%
% of Bachelor’s Degree + - 26.4%
Source: U.S. Census 2010
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Inventory | Social Profile
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Occupation
Information from the 2000 and 2010 Census regarding employment demographics for
Otsego is depicted in the table below. The trend between 2000 and 2010 in the
characteristics of the population is the growing percentage of professional occupations
such as finance, business services, education and health services and leisure as a
percentage of the population. Construction, manufacturing, trade, transportation and
utilities continue to be the largest employment block in 2010. Overall, the employment
characteristics of the population in Otsego reflect a skilled work force.
City of Otsego
2000 and 2010 Occupations (Persons Age 16 and Older)
2000 2010
Natural Resources and Mining 45 1.3% 68 1.0%
Construction 369 10.3% 519 7.8%
Manufacturing 815 22.6% 1,380 20.7%
Trade, Transportation & Utilities 304 8.4% 202 3.0%
Information and Retail 449 12.5% 737 11.3%
Financial Activities 221 6.1% 556 8.4%
Professional and Business
Services 295 8.2% 630 9.5%
Education and Health Services 551 15.3% 1,123 16.9%
Leisure and Hospitality 159 4.4% 358 5.4%
Other Services 175 4.9% 456 6.9%
Government 217 6.0% 613 9.2%
Total 3,600 100.0% 6,657 100.0%
Source: U.S. Census 2000 and 2010
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Income
Census data regarding income for Otsego residents and households in 2000 and 2010
is illustrated in the following tables. There is a significant increase in both per capita
and household income between 2000 and 2010 suggesting that the influx of population
during this period are from higher earning households. Persons in Otsego considered
to be below the poverty level remained consistent as a percentage of the population
from 2000 to 2010 but the number increased parallel with the change in population.
City of Otsego
2000 and 2010 Income Data
Per Capita
Income
Median Family
Income
Individuals
Below Poverty
Level
Percent of
Population
2000 $20,209 $59,319 647 3.2%
2010 $29,910 $74,449 1,017 3.4%
Source: U.S. Census 2000 and 2010
Employment Commuting
The table below illustrates data from the 2010 Census regarding travel time to work.
Approximately one-third of Otsego residents travel more than 20 minutes to work, which
reflects the City currently being a bedroom community to employment centers within the
Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and St. Cloud Metropolitan Area.
City of Otsego
2010 Travel Time to Work (Persons Age 16 and Older)
Work at Home 421 6.4%
Less Than 5 Minutes 166 2.5%
5 to 9 Minutes 335 5.1%
10 to 14 Minutes 802 12.2%
15 to 19 Minutes 504 7.7%
20 to 24 Minutes 604 9.2%
25 to 29 Minutes 538 8.2%
30 to 34 Minutes 966 14.7%
35 to 39 Minutes 338 5.2%
40 to 44 Minutes 357 5.4%
45 to 59 Minutes 1,109 16.9%
More Than 60
Minutes
478 7.3%
Total 6,558 100.0%
Source: U.S. Census 2010
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Policy Plan
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Policy Plan
The goals and policies section of the Comprehensive Plan provides a statement as to
the City’s objectives for its developed environment and the means to achieve the
desired outcome or change. This section identifies general community goals and
supporting policies that provide a decision-making framework for all public and private
actions and development within the City. The goals and policies statements outlined
herein are the basis of and complement the City’s maps, ordinances, and codes that are
more rigid documents.
The flexibility and adaptability of the City’s goals and policies is useful in addressing
current development activity guided by subsequent elements of the Comprehensive
Plan, but also emerging development trends not anticipated at the time this document
was prepared. This flexibility will give the Comprehensive Plan continuity for future City
Councils, Planning Commissions, property owners, residents and developers. Just as
the goals and policies outlined below draw from the Comprehensive Plans prepared in
1991 and 1998, 2001 and 2004, future Comprehensive Plan updates will expand from
the City’s objectives at this point in time.
To this end, the goals and policy section does not provide information on the timeliness
and priorities for needed community improvements. Instead, it provides a series of
criteria that can be used to direct general actions undertaken by public and private
groups in response to community needs and priorities. In some cases, a single policy
may outline a course of action. More frequently a group of policies will be applicable to
a given situation. In the sections that follow, the terms “goals” and “policies” are used in
context of the following definitions:
Goals: The generalized outcomes that will ultimately result in
achieving the kinds of living, working and recreational
environment that is desired.
Policies: Definite courses of action that lead to general achievement.
They serve as guides to help make present and future
decisions consistent with the stated goals.
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Policy Plan
Page 16
Community Planning Principles
The primary function of local municipal government is the provision of an orderly, safe,
productive and enhanced living and working environment. While this encompasses
social, physical and economic opportunities and issues, the City of Otsego primarily
influences the quality of life for its residents through the physical environment. Within
this context of the City’s capabilities, the following are a list of fundamental principles
that guide the planning process to develop the Comprehensive Plan:
Foster a strong sense of identify and quality of character for Otsego and its
individual neighborhoods and business districts.
Enhance Otsego’s community character by ensuring that development that takes
place in Otsego blends well with the natural, rural, and evolving urban
atmosphere of the community.
Encourage growth in an orderly and fiscally responsible manner through careful
management of the development process.
Promote the economic vitality of Otsego businesses and industries to provide for
needed services, employment opportunities and a diversified tax base in support
of the growth that is to occur.
Expand the existing system of public parks, trails and open space to provide
equitable distribution of recreational opportunities in Otsego, preserve and use
wisely natural resources, preserve scenic, aesthetic and historical community
character and development of facilities to contribute to a high quality of life.
Coordinate with State and regional government to develop a functional
transportation system integrating local and regional facilities for all modes of
pedestrian, vehicle and mass transit options to accommodate long range growth
that is to occur.
Provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public by ensuring managed
growth occurs within a framework of local infrastructure and services of sufficient
capacity to meet community needs and expectations.
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Policy Plan
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Growth Management
Goal #1: Expansion of urban uses shall occur on a staged basis providing for a
logical extension of related community services in a fiscally responsible
manner to maintain the City’s current favorable local tax rate.
Policies:
1. Boundary limits for urban development shall be clearly delineated and expanded
in a staged manner such that urban uses be prohibited from prematurely
encroaching into rural areas.
2. Promote infill development and follow an orderly pattern for urban expansion that
maximizes investment in existing utility and transportation infrastructure.
3. Discourage subdivision of parcels not contiguous to existing urban development
that expand the City’s existing service delivery areas and create scattered nodes
of development.
4. Promote commercial and industrial development in order to create more
employment opportunities and strengthen the tax base within Otsego.
5. Thirty (30) percent of available waste water treatment plant capacity within each
sewer service district shall be reserved for commercial and industrial
development.
6. Establish growth control mechanisms that allow specific annual levels of
residential development that can be accommodated in a fiscally responsible
manner based on existing service capacities.
7. A maximum five (5) year supply of land for for urban residential development
shall be provided in the sanitary sewer service district based upon City estimated
demand.
8. The City shall plan its utility service and street extensions to accommodate long
term growth and urban expansion in the community.
9. Prevent premature subdivisions in areas that lack adequate infrastructure such
as utilities, streets or parks.
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Policy Plan
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10. Maintain a Capital Improvement Plan that allows the City to properly plan for,
schedule and finance public improvements and require infrastructure
improvements associated with new development to be financed by the developer
except as identified in the Capital Improvement Plan.
11. Final plats shall be limited to development that will occur within five (5) years of
City approval.
12. The City shall require financial securities to insure performances on plat
construction and to provide an incentive for timely development.
Economic Development
Goal #1: Attracting, retaining, and expanding businesses and industry is a priority
for diversifying Otsego’s tax base.
Policies:
1. Expand Otsego’s tax base through economic development promotion of
commercial and industrial opportunities within the City to assist in paying for
needed services and reduce tax impacts on housing costs.
2. Encourage commercial and industrial development to create new job
opportunities within Otsego. and expand the local tax base
3. Utilize the Economic Development Commission to establish specific economic
development goals, policies for the use of financial incentives and assistance
related to commercial and industrial development and implement programs to
promote Otsego through outreach to existing and potential businesses.
4. Streamline the development review process for proposed commercial and
industrial developments.
5. Promote identification of individual commercial areas within Otsego through a
continuing program of high visibility corridor enhancements, civic beautification,
tree planting, requirements for businesses and industries uses to provide for high
quality building materials and site landscaping and other measures that will
promote an aesthetically pleasing environment.
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Policy Plan
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6. Continue communication with Otsego’s businesses and industries to stay abreast
of their changing needs to facilitate the retention and in-place expansion of
existing industries.
7. Promote Otsego’s community identity through consistent brand messaging with
all communications, signage at community gateways and at City facilities.
Land Use - General
Goal #1: Develop a cohesive land use pattern that ensures compatibility and
functional relationships among activities.
Policies:
1. Encourage provision of a balanced variety of development types to satisfy the
needs, desires and income levels of all people while preventing an oversupply of
any one type of development.
2. Cluster land complementary uses and activities shall be clustered into
functionally related sub-units of the community as determined by physical
barriers, homogeneous land use characteristics and service area boundaries.
3. Accomplish transitions between different land uses in an orderly manner that so
as not to create negative impacts on adjoining developments; changes in types
of land use shall occur either at mid-block points, so that similar uses front on the
same street, or at borders of areas separated by physical barriers.
4. Regulate incompatible land uses so that conflicts are minimized through the use
of physical barriers (i.e., topography, drainageways, transportation routes, etc.),
distance, screening, or proper physical orientation of lots and buildings.
5. Amend established, geographic land use designations and related zoning
classifications only when it can be demonstrated by those making the request
that the modifications are in the best long term interest of the community and
consistent with the policies of the Comprehensive Plan.
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6. Justification to amend the Comprehensive Plan (or Zoning Ordinance) to allow
uses or activities not guided for or allowed shall be consistent with long-term
community goals and not solely short term market demand or potential.
7. Consider interim uses where land use designations are provided for long term
market needs and absorption provided that the activities will be compatible with
existing and proposed uses and that these uses will not serve as obstructions to
planned development.
8. Implement and interim land use plan to prevent an over-allocation of land zoned
for any particular use in excess of actual demand or service capacities as the
Land Use Plan is a general long-term, suggested land use pattern for the City
intended to develop over time.
9. Analyze all development proposals shall be an individual basis from a physical,
economic and social standpoint within the context of the entire community to
determine appropriate uses.
10. Deem premature any request for a rezoning of property to allow a more intensive
land use that is guided by the Land Use Plan unless those initiating the request
demonstrate that the criteria set forth by the Comprehensive Plan are satisfied.
11. Relate the land uses guided by the Comprehensive Plan to community
development priorities and transportation needs.
12. Removal of land from property tax obligations shall be considered only when it
can be clearly demonstrated that such actions are in the public interest.
13. Establish standards for development quality for all land uses to insure desired
community character.
14. Coordinate Otsego’s plans for future growth with neighboring communities
regarding bordering and extra territorial areas to encourage unified developments
patterns consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
15. Plan land use development so as not to isolate or create land-locked parcels and
require that all development shall be accessed by adequate public streets.
16. Accomplish renewal, replacement, and redevelopment of substandard and
grossly incompatible land uses through private means and, where appropriate,
public action.
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17. Administer zoning, subdivision and building and property maintenance
ordinances to maintain high quality, attractive neighborhoods and business
districts.
Land Use - Rural
Goal #1: Rural character and existing operating farms and agricultural activities
within the rural service area shall be maintained as an interim land use in
recognition of the City’s established growth management goals.
Policies:
1. Confine the keeping of the present levels of farm animals to the rural service
area or farming operations already established.
2. Prohibit the establishment of new high intensity agricultural uses within the City
as it is not in the best interest of the community to allow new, concentrated, and
intensive animal facilities in consideration of the anticipated rate of urbanization.
3. Allow hobby farms at property division sizes that will not create service problems
or pollution concerns nor infringe upon the City’s planned urban growth areas.
4. Regulate the subdivision of large tracts into smaller parcels for rural residential
uses so as not to create future barriers for expansion of urban development and
extension of services.
5. Delineate boundary limits for staged urban expansion and deem premature and
any expansion of urban uses into rural areas not consistent with that plan.
Land Use - Residential
Goal #1: Residential neighborhoods are to be the foundation of the community, and
are to be planned on an individual basis to provide safe, high quality, high
amenity living environments.
Policies:
1. Limit all new residential urban growth to the immediate urban service area within
the sanitary sewer service district to be connected to municipal sanitary sewer
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and water service except as may be specifically allowed by the Comprehensive
Plan.
2. Guide designation of urban residential development on the Land Use Plan on the
basis of “net” site area to make the type and density of residential uses more
predictable with the net area defined as being the gross area of a parcel
excluding wetlands, floodplains, waterbodies, waterways, parks and perimeter
major collector or arterial street rights-of-way.
3. Protect residential neighborhoods from penetration by through traffic on local
streets, with major streets bordering residential neighborhoods.
4. Avoid exposure of residential development from adverse environmental impacts,
including noise, air, and visual pollution and new development shall be prohibited
in areas where noise and/or pollution exceed accepted standards and the
negative impacts are not correctable by construction, site planning or other
techniques.
5. Require low density residential neighborhoods to be protected from
encroachment or intrusion of incompatible uses by adequate buffering and/or
separation from other residential, as well as non-residential land use categories.
6. Encourage innovation in subdivision design and housing.
7. Minimize outside storage within urban residential areas, and in those instances
when it is acceptable, require it be conducted in an orderly, confined and limited
manner.
8. Regulate that accessory buildings within urban areas shall be of a compatible
design and size to maintain a residential neighborhood character and use of
these buildings shall be limited to residentially related activities.
9. Allow for home based business within residential neighborhoods provided they
are not evident.
Goal #2: The City shall provide housing opportunities for persons of all ages and
income levels that allow them the ability to maintain residence within
Otsego throughout the various stages of their lives.
1. Maintain a balance in the availability of quality housing choices throughout the
City shall be maintained based on benchmarks established by the City’s Land
Use Plan and Housing Plan; the City shall periodically define the type and
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amount of new housing that is to be built to maintain consistency with established
benchmarks.
2. Adhere to the highest community design, planning and construction standards for
all new residential development.
3. Encourage housing styles and development techniques that conserve land and
increase efficiency provided that guided densities are not exceeded.
4. Mixing of various housing types or densities shall not be permitted unless
specifically planned and approved as part of the development approval process.
5. Establish single family dwellings as the primary type of housing maintained and
developed within the community through designation of a variety of single family
lot sizes to create potential for added diversity in the housing supply and create
housing opportunities for all segments of the population.
6. Provide opportunities for housing for low and moderate income families and
individuals that is not to be concentrated within a single project or area.
Goal #3: Provide for well-designed housing alternatives to single family dwellings
that are compatible with the desired character of the community.
Policies:
1. Recognize the need to develop of a variety of twin homes, townhouses, and
multiple family dwellings to supplement conventional single family homes giving
due consideration to local market demands and desired community character.
2. Limit development of twin homes, townhouses and multiple family to areas
designated for low-medium density, medium density and high density residential
uses distributed throughout the community by the Land Use Plan.
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3. Guide areas for medium and high density residential land use so as not to be
concentrated in any one area of the community or over such acreages at any one
location as to create potential land use compatibility, transportation, utility or
service delivery issues.
4. Promote development of twin homes, townhouses and multiple family dwellings
adjacent to areas targeted for commercial development to provide ancillary
market support.
5. Establish specific Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance standards for development
of twin homes, townhouses and multiple family uses to ensure quality and
innovation in construction and site design, as well as consistent application of
development requirements.
6. Provide medium and high density residential housing development adequate
traffic access and circulation to protect public safety and maintain land use
compatibility.
7. Locate group homes and other residential institutional uses in areas
appropriately guided for medium or high density residential land uses with
convenient access to commercial locations and transportation.
Goal #4: The character of individual neighborhoods shall be reinforced, maintained
and upgraded.
Policies:
1. Coordinate neighborhood preservation and rehabilitation efforts within
individually defined neighborhoods.
2. Maintain a high quality residential environment through rehabilitation or where
necessary, redevelopment of substandard units through private means and/or
public action, when feasible.
3. Abate property maintenance violations that infringe upon neighborhood quality or
create public health safety and welfare concerns through code enforcement
efforts.
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Land Use - Commercial
Goal #1 Promote balanced and viable commercial development responsive to the
retail and service needs of the community, Highway 101 travelers and
surrounding market area.
Policies:
1. Define commercial land areas adequate to meet expected long range
development needs shall be designated on the land use plan and a phasing
program for utilization.
2. Designate commercial development in areas of high accessibility with the Trunk
Highway 101 corridor being promoted as the primary focus for commercial uses
within Otsego.
3. Develop commercial nodes as cohesive, highly interrelated units with adequate
off-street parking and appropriate regulated points of access.
4. Discourage spot or uncoordinated linear commercial development and infill
development of any scattered open parcels along existing roads and highways
shall be accomplished to establish more functional development patterns.
5. Development of one quadrant of a street intersection shall not indicate or dictate
commercial use of the remaining quadrants.
6. Encourage site designs that integrate commercial sites with natural features of
the land and provide an aesthetically attractive appearance.
7. Establish architectural and site development standards to ensure high quality of
development, especially in areas of high visibility such as the Trunk Highway 101
corridor.
8. Establish regulations for signs for commercial properties to facilitate business
identification but also prevent over-intensification.
9. Require existing commercial uses to hook up to municipal sanitary sewer and
water service when available.
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10. The intrusion of commercial land uses in residential districts shall be regulated
and controlled to minimize adverse impacts. An orderly transition between the
highway commercial areas and low density residential neighborhoods shall be
established through the introduction of higher density residential uses. All
commercial uses shall be adequately screened or buffered from any adjacent
residential development.
11. Encourage the elimination (through removal and relocation) of conflicting non-
complementary uses in areas of the City targeted for immediate commercial
development.
Land Use - Industrial
Goal #1: Promote continued development of high quality, high value industries that
enhance the City’s economy through an improved tax base and expanded
employment opportunities within Otsego.
Policies:
1. Limit industrial uses to areas designated for these activities by the land use plan.
Such areas shall be in locations with high accessibility with Trunk Highway 101,
Interstate 94, and the 70th Street corridor being promoted as the primary focus
for industrial uses.
2. Provide for phasing of development within areas designated for industrial uses as
demand increases.
3. Define distinct areas for varying types of industrial activities and establish
respective standards governing development quality.
4. Require industrial uses shall be encouraged to hook up to municipal sanitary
sewer and water service when available.
5. Encourage relocation of existing industrial type activities within residential areas
of the community to relocate to appropriate areas designated for industrial use on
the Land Use Plan.
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6. Outside storage of equipment and materials associated with industrial uses shall
be screened and landscaped to eliminate negative visual impact.
7. Regulate signs for industrial properties to facilitate business identification but
prevent over-utilization.
8. Encourage infill development and in place expansion within the existing
industrially zoned areas of the Otsego.
9. Promote industrial development that maximizes the return on City investments in
public facilities and services.
10. Consideration all potential physical implications and services and facility
demands (i.e., traffic generation, sewer and water demands, etc.) of any
proposed industrial development.
11. Promote a positive image for Otsego’s industrial areas by requiring property
maintenance through code enforcement.
12. Encourage site designs that integrate industrial facilities with natural features of
the land and provide an aesthetically attractive appearance shall be encouraged.
Parks and Trails System
Goal #1: Planning for the parks and trails system shall be a dynamic process that
organizes and addresses recreation activities in a comprehensive manner.
Policies:
1. The Parks and Recreation Department shall provide comprehensive park and
recreation programs and facilities for all residents and groups of the community.
2. The Parks and Recreation Commission will provide a forum for open discussion
of issues to insure early and continuing public participation in park planning and
recreational programing to continue to facilitate public awareness and encourage
input on all aspects of parks, trails, open space and recreation.
3. The Parks and Trails Plan will be based upon directions established by the Land
Use Plan and be implemented through integration with other City activities
involving growth management, economic development and provision for other
public facilities and services.
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4. Parks and Recreation management and operations will be implemented based
on City Council and Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee
policies, procedures and ordinances.
5. Review and evaluate all programs to keep abreast of changing times and new
ideas.
6. Support private recreational programs and facilities that offer opportunities to the
community.
7. Coordinate recreation programs and related facilities wherever practical with
other providers, both public and private, such as the School Districts, community
education, civic organizations, health clubs, neighboring cities, athletic
associations, cultural arts organizations, etc.
8. Charge user fees where appropriate for participation in recreational programs as
a means of defraying costs.
9. Accept gifts and donations for recreation programs and supplies if they are free
of obligations or impacts which limit later use (by a condition of the gift), do not
offend segments of the community, or which do not come with delayed costs that
cannot be justified as being in the City’s best interest or consistent with City
policies.
10. Advertise City park facilities and recreation programs through the City newsletter,
brochures, newspapers, webpage, informational signs and other available media.
Goal #2: Acquire land for development of a park and trail system to fulfill the long-
term needs of the present and projected population of the community.
Policies:
1. Acquire land for parks through dedication, purchase, eminent domain or
donation.
2. Accept land to be dedicated for park and trail facilities in satisfaction of
subdivision requirements only when the parcel satisfies the needs of the
community as determined by the City.
3. Donations of lands that serve no previously defined system shall not be used to
satisfy required development dedications but may be accepted as a donation but
only if they are free of obligations or impacts that may limit their use.
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4. Acquire parcels with high amenity value and unique landscape areas, such as
river frontage, water bodies, waterways, wetlands, ponds, streams, significant
tree stands, native prairie, bluffs or areas of rugged topography, as a amenities
within in the developing park system.
5. Include areas of cultural value within park lands when they exhibit qualities or
have opportunities to contribute to the park and trail system.
6. Locate trails along front property lines within a public right-of-way wherever
possible, except as part of larger linear park facilities.
7. Require dedication of adequate right-of-way for sidewalks and trails during the
subdivision process or acquired as part of improvement projects.
8. Costs for the acquisition and development of park and trail facilities shall be
borne by those that benefit from the improvements.
9. Pursue grants and other alternative funding sources for the acquisition and
development of park and trail facilities.
Goal #3: Develop a comprehensive system of safe, aesthetically pleasing and
parks, greenways and trails geographically located throughout the
community in a manner compatible with surrounding land uses that
provide a variety of facilities to all the people of Otsego.
Policies:
1. Maintain a balance between active, passive and cultural recreational areas and
activities tailored to the needs of the entire community.
2. Integrate parks, greenways and trails as a comprehensive system for serving the
recreation needs of the community through physical connections and planned
development of a full variety of facilities and diverse uses during all seasons.
3. Site location, type and extent of park lands acquired by the City will be
considered in determining facility development.
4. Make improvements to the park and trail system based on a classification system
of park and trail facilities defined by the Comprehensive Plan.
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5. Recognize the existence and function of private recreation facilities within the
community to avoid unnecessary duplication and conserve financial resources in
acquiring and developing public parks and trails.
6. Establish consistent design elements for park and trail facilities (buildings, play
equipment, landscape plantings, signage, fixtures, etc.) that promote community
identity and recognition of public facilities.
7. Consider long-term costs for maintenance and operation in a facility’s design and
construction as part of the planning process.
8. Park development shall minimize impacts upon adjacent land uses through
provision for, but not limited, to the following:
a. Appropriate location and orientation of activity areas and buildings.
b. Screening and landscaping site design elements.
c. Structures are to be designed with appropriate scale, design and color and
constructed of quality materials.
d. Adequate off-street parking.
9. Coordinate local facility development and related services with the needs and
facilities of surrounding communities, school districts, athletic associations, civic
groups and other organizations.
10. Preserve inherent natural amenities or cultural resources when planning the
development of specific park and trail sites.
11. Maximize accessibility to parks and other community destinations to best serve
area residents.
12. Provide sidewalks along at least one side of all local streets within residential
neighborhoods and on both sides of all streets within commercial subdivisions.
13. Establish greenway corridors to break up urban land use patterns, allow wildlife
movement, and preserve open space while allowing the community to enjoy the
natural amenities within Otsego.
14. Include both buildable land and environmentally sensitive areas with a greenway
linear park design to conserve and enhance areas such as forests, water bodies,
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waterways, wetlands, ponds, natural prairies, bluffs or other natural amenities
within the community.
15. Coordinate greenway corridors with City stormwater management and other
utility plans.
16. Trails shall serve both transportation and recreational functions as connections
between activity centers or by providing access to natural areas, waterways,
water bodies or other natural areas.
17. Construct trails in conjunction with State, County or City street improvement
projects to minimize construction costs.
18. Plan trail corridors that minimize conflicts between pedestrians, bicyclists and
motor vehicles.
19. Construction of trails in accordance with City design standards shall be required
of developers with land abutting major collector or arterial streets.
20. Plan for the long-term development of more intensive recreational facilities and
services to meet the needs of a growing urban population.
21. Provide for the efficient maintenance and operation of clean, safe, attractive park
and trail facilities.
22. The use of motorized recreational vehicles or riding horseback shall be limited to
designated areas.
23. Continue to allow regulated snowmobile street use in the City in accordance with
the City Code provided that snowmobile traffic does not becomes a hazard to
public safety and welfare.
24. Encourage continued support of the City’s private snowmobile club in the
maintenance and upkeep of snowmobile trails and policing snowmobile use.
Goal #4: The Parks and Recreation Department will provide for the efficient
maintenance and operation of clean, orderly, controlled, safe and
attractive park lands and recreation facilities.
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Policies:
1. Provide effective management and staffing of all facilities through the annual
budget process to ensure delivery of quality recreational experiences to park
users.
2. Parks and recreational facilities will be maintained according to generally
accepted standards of performance and comply with all applicable safety
requirements.
3. Provide adequate maintenance of trail facilities to insure their availability for use
throughout the year and their safe condition for the protection of the user
including removal of snow from trails accessing school facilities and remove
snow from all other trails as established by priority ranking and as time allows.
Natural Environment
Goal #1: Protect and strengthen the quality of all environmentally sensitive areas
and unique physical features.
Policies:
1. Prevent impacts from development to drainageways, wetlands, shoreland,
floodplains and other natural features which perform important environmental
functions in their natural state.
2. Require that all activities in naturally or environmentally sensitive areas conform
to local, county and state regulations and incorporate State and Federal pollution
regulations into local policy and codes when appropriate.
3. Identify the location, type and condition of existing vegetation as part of all
development requests with preservation of existing trees shall be accomplished
where feasible.
4. Require new development adding trees and other such amenities to the
landscape.
5. Integrate natural resources with the Community’s park and trail systems.
Establish greenway corridors that provide links between natural open spaces and
environmentally sensitive areas as a means of protecting these areas, providing
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public access to natural open space, increasing stormwater infiltration, provide
for wildlife corridors, and definition of neighborhoods.
6. Preserve natural drainage patterns wherever feasible.
Goal #2: Provide adequate protection to maintain environmental balance between
natural and man-made physical features through land use development
policy.
Policies:
1. Regulate new development and the expansion of existing activities as necessary
where negative environmental impacts may result.
2. Establish that the type of development allowed shall be based on soil suitability
and ground water tables.
3. Restrict development on slopes identified as potential problem areas due to
erosion or slippage characteristics and require erosion control within the plans for
all development requests.
4. Prohibit alteration of natural drainage system components where possible so that
stormwater can be adequately managed without construction of storm sewer
pipe.
5. Encourage cluster development concepts where protection of natural features is
important to the community and enhances the desirability of the development.
6. Classify and regulate land uses adjacent to water bodies and watercourses in
consideration of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources mandated
regulations.
7. Regulate all lands lying within the Mississippi Wild and Scenic and Recreational
River District in accordance with applicable standards so as to preserve and
protect the outstanding scenic, recreational, natural, historical and scientific
values of the river.
8. Ensure that existing floodplain development is protected from flood waters and
that strict adherence and enforcement be paid to all floodplain ordinances and
federal floodplain insurance regulations.
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9. Restrict the location of non-local governmental solid waste disposal facilities
within the City. No waste disposal facilities by a non-local governmental
jurisdiction shall be allowed in Otsego unless it can be demonstrated that no
negative environmental impact potential will exist and that these activities can
exist in harmony with the natural environment as well as existing and proposed
uses.
10. Continue to work with the City of Albertville to ensure proper management of
Otsego Creek.
11. Consider noise levels along arterial roadways in establishing the future
development pattern on the Land Use Plan to ensure that there will not be an
expectation in the future of sound walls or other noise abatement measures by
the City or other government entity.
12. Monitor ground water quality within concentrated unsewered development areas
of the community through continued implementation of the Well Head Protection
Plan.
13. Require connection to municipal sanitary sewer service when determined
necessary to maintain ground water quality and public health and safety.
Transportation
Goal #1: Approach all modes of transportation and related facilities as an integrated
system to be coordinated on a comprehensive basis.
Policies:
1. Plan transportation facilities to function in a manner compatible with adjacent
land use; in those instances where the function of a transportation facility has
changed over time to become incompatible with adjacent land uses, programs
shall be established to eliminate this incompatibility.
2. Design transportation facilities to conserve natural resources and minimize the
total need for ongoing public investment. To this end, the amount of land devoted
to streets and the number of street miles within the community shall be
minimized to the extent possible.
3. Establish and develop a street system that is sensitive to homogeneous
neighborhoods and activity areas along with the provision of facilities that are
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consistent with the safe and convenient circulation needs of pedestrians and
bicyclists to facilitate local movements.
4. Coordinate transportation planning and implementation with neighboring and
affected jurisdictions.
5. Work with Wright County, MNDoT and surrounding jurisdictions to identify the
means by which long term transportation goals can be met to satisfy both
regional and local needs through implementation of the Highway 101/169
Corridor Plan and Northeast Wright County Transportation Plan.
6. Include, where feasible and practical, provisions for other transportation modes,
i.e., bicycles, trails, park and ride, etc., in street and highway improvement plans.
Goal #2: The street system shall be planned, designed and constructed according
to the highest standards in consideration of land use and efficient local
and regional transportation.
Policies:
1. Base the planning and design of the streets within Otsego on a functional
classification system.
2. Plan for anticipated increases in traffic volumes and corresponding roadway
improvements by analyzing existing right-of-way widths, accessibility, speed,
surfacing, sizing, and maintenance requirements of existing roadways and those
in areas of new development.
3. Construct new streets and upgrade existing streets in compliance with Minnesota
Department of Transportation (MNDoT) standard specifications for construction.
4. Existing gateways to the City from Trunk Highway 101 are viewed as vital to the
community and the City shall work cooperatively with MNDoT and Wright County
to maintain and improve them to the extent possible in recognition of traffic levels
of service, available funding, and local land use and transportation goals.
5. Coordinate with surrounding and regional communities, Wright County and
MNDoT on planning for local and regional transportation issues related to the
Interstate 94 corridor and specifically potential future interchange improvements
at Nabor Avenue, CSAH 37, CSAH 19 and Kadler Avenue.
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6. Consider provision of minor collector streets within large residential subdivisions
to channel traffic out of the subdivision and onto the City’s major collector and
arterial street system.
7. Restrict vehicular access onto all types of arterials to ensure adequate distance
between intersections and effective utilization of appropriate traffic control
methods and devices.
8. Prohibit parking on arterial streets and any on-street parking on other streets that
conflicts with moving traffic or creates hazards shall be eliminated.
9. Classify all residential streets as low volume carriers designed to prevent
penetration by through traffic and to properly direct traffic to major collector or
arterial streets.
10. Require proper visibility, design and control of all intersections to promote vehicle
and pedestrian safety.
11. Implement a uniform sign maintenance policy regarding roadway signs that
eliminates unnecessary signs and replaces outdated, inappropriate and
confusing public signs.
12. Establish standards and control signs and lighting for commercial and industrial
uses to prevent driver distraction and potential hazards
13. Phase out existing gravel roadways in urbanized areas of the community by
evaluating their function in relation to the long term transportation system.
14. Act to plan, design, and develop a street system in those areas where incomplete
street facilities exist that reflects the highest standards and relates land use to
transportation needs.
15. Identify all traffic safety hazards within the City and a program for corrective
action is to be formulated and implemented.
16. Identify and illuminate all pedestrian street crossings on high volume streets.
Goal #3: Support the development of public transit, para-transit, carpooling and
other such measures which will minimize the need for individual
automobile travel.
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Policies:
1. Pursue park and ride facilities TH 101 and I-94 as need dictates and funding may
be available.
2. Support expanded use of heavy-rail commuter train service between the region
and Twin Cities Metropolitan Area as a means of improving access to
employment for residents and reducing traffic congestion on existing arterial
roadways.
3. Support transit and para-transit services and facilities to meet the basic
transportation needs of persons who cannot use automobile transportation,
where economically feasible,
Goal #4: Ensure that all land uses have appropriate access and sufficient off-street
parking to meet demand.
Policies:
1. Develop parking facilities so as to conserve land, promote joint use and minimize
conflicts with vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
2. Review and update as necessary off-street parking requirements to ensure
supply is reflective of demand and any new development or expansion of existing
development shall include adequate off-street parking.
3. Utilize landscaping and site design to eliminate large continuous expanses of
pavement and enhance the aesthetics of parking areas.
4. Provisions for disability parking in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act are to be made in all parking lots.
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Utilities
Goal #1: Urban service areas, rural service areas, and urban service reserve areas
shall be clearly designated with appropriate density and use controls to
facilitate fully utilized service systems and staged expansion.
Policies:
1. Define the amount, type and rate of growth that must be absorbed to
accommodate sanitary sewer delivery and future capital improvements.
2. Allocate available municipal sanitary sewer and water service only to lands within
the immediate urban service area on a first come, first serve basis.
3. Establish an urban service reserve area that graphically identifies lands within
the City that will be considered for staged sewer district expansion.
4. Expand the boundaries of the sewer service district only when the criteria
established by the Urban Service Staging Plan are satisfied.
Goal #2 Costs incurred for the provision of all municipal utilities and services shall
be financed by those who receive such service.
Policies:
1. Responsibility for costs associated with the extension of municipal utilities to new
developments shall be borne by the developer.
2. Access to sewer service shall not be guaranteed based on preliminary plat
approval by the City but will only be guaranteed upon approved of final plats with
executed development agreements contracts that assure the City of timely
development.
3. Reduce the risk of payment for the provision of the utility system by non-users
through utility phasing, the identification of potential water revenue sources, and
the establishment of realistic growth expectations.
4. Impose assessments associated with sewer and water service in accordance
with the assessment policies and ordinances of the City that establish financing
methods for various City improvements, including, but not limited to, trunk mains
and laterals for sanitary sewer and water.
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Goal #3: Ensure adequate distribution and provide for access to all facilities and
services.
Policies:
1. Require extension of utility lines installed to serve a particular parcel of land
through the parcel to provide future connections to adjacent property.
2. A Capital Improvement Program for all public facilities shall be prepared and
annually updated.
Goal #4: Coordinate facilities and services on a joint use basis between
governmental units.
Policies:
1. Minimize the impact of necessary utility facilities and services on surrounding
uses and coordination among all utility improvement programs shall be required.
2. Require dedication of easements for utility systems and locate said easements
according to uniform standards to provide for ease of access for maintenance
and repair and minimal disruption of other activities or areas.
3. Locate any non-local service utility lines and essential service to minimize impact
upon existing and future development.
4. Require underground installation of all new utility services, and when
economically feasible, the conversion of existing overhead systems to be
required.
5. Work with neighboring cities and jurisdictions for sharing of necessary utilities
and services.
Goal #5: The need to extend municipal utilities to lands presently served by private
on-site septic systems shall be minimized to the extent possible until
financially feasible or mandated by environmental concerns.
Policies:
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Policy Plan
Page 40
1. Implement a program and regulations assuring that private sewer and water
utility systems are monitored and maintained to assure a safe and high quality
standard of service on an ongoing basis shall be established.
2. Require all private utilities to comply with applicable provisions of the City Code
and applicable State laws and regulations including those related to sewer
service.
3. Prohibit delivery of common private sanitary sewer delivery to lands other than
the existing Riverbend Mobile Home Park in favor of provision of municipally
owned and operated facilities to protect public health, safety and welfare.
Government Facilities and Services
Goal #1: Public facilities shall be designed to enhance community identity and
recognition.
Policies:
1. Develop and maintain all public facilities according to the highest adopted
standards of design and performance to serve as examples for private
development and to create a source of community identity and pride.
2. Provide adequate screening, buffering and landscaping for all public facilities in
order to minimize their impact on surrounding uses and enhance the community
and area in which they are located.
3. Enhance the attractiveness and identity of the community through a continuing
program of gateway identification, civic beautification, tree planting, street
maintenance, and other measures.
4. Locate water towers associated with the municipal water system shall be located
to both fulfill its intended function and promote Otsego’s identity.
5. Pursue the establishment of a local post office within the community.
6. Design public buildings and facilities to be resistant to personal and property
crime opportunities while maximizing public access and usability.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Policy Plan
Page 41
Goal #2 Public facilities and services shall be located so as to offer ease of access
and minimal response time.
Policies:
1. Locate public facilities where the use is compatible with the existing and
proposed land uses of the area.
2. Develop public facilities upon sites that offer ample land area for any necessary
expansion.
3. Displacement and relocation of residents resulting from the development of
governmental service facilities shall be discouraged.
4. Examine the feasibility of providing a fire substation within the community which
will adequately protect citizens within the existing and potentially expanding fire
service area.
5. Monitor police services provided by the Wright County Sheriff’s Department and
to ensure adequate protection for persons and property and minimize crime
within Otsego.
Goal #3: Provide for proper school facilities by working with school district officials
to meet the needs of existing and future populations.
Policies:
1. Coordinate community growth with the school districts to ensure appropriate
facilities planning.
2. Assist the school districts in locating sites for new facilities that are accessible,
compatible with adjacent land uses and natural environment amenities, and offer
the necessary land to meet the physical needs of the school use.
3. Enter into agreements for joint use of City parks and school recreational facilities
to maximize the benefits to both residents and students.
4. Establish safe and convenient trail access to each school site within the
community.
5. Promote school site design that results in the facilities becoming neighborhood
and community focal points and gathering areas.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Policy Plan
Page 42
Goal #4: The full utilization of investments in public facilities and services shall be
achieved prior to making new public investments.
Policies:
1. Cooperation and coordination between governmental units shall be promoted
and encouraged in the provision of public facilities and services.
Goal #5: Those areas, places, buildings, structures and other features having
significant architectural, historical, community or aesthetic interests and
values shall be preserved.
Policies:
1. Identify potentially significant elements within the community and develop
strategies for their preservation, to the extent practical.
2. Document present day conditions, buildings, areas and people in recognition of
the significant change ongoing within the community as a result of increased
growth and development.
3. Provide information on the City’s past to help create a sense of community
identity and recognition.
Administration
Goal #1: All development that occurs in the community is to be in accordance with
the Comprehensive Plan.
Policies:
1. Development policies and regulations shall be applied consistently and uniformly.
2. Evaluate the Comprehensive Plan regularly and proceed with updates when
such action is deemed appropriate by the City.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Policy Plan
Page 43
3. Establish codes addressing zoning, subdivision, building, and building/property
maintenance and review these standards and requirements on an as needed
basis.
4. Monitor legislative changes and new requirements in community responsibilities,
notably in the area of environmental protection and development management
authority and update the City’s development regulations as necessary.
5. Evaluate development proposals to determine all economic, physical, social and
service demand implications and sufficient time shall be provided for thorough
analysis and decision-making.
6. Document all analysis related to consideration of development proposals to
substantiate the basis of the City’s decision.
7. Initiate impact studies and cost analysis for public service improvements such as
utility extensions or upgrading, fire and police protection, sewage treatment plant
expansion, roadway network improvements, and recreation system elements
when new or expected development necessitates.
Goal #2: Maintain high standards for proactive involvement and communication
with City residents and businesses on City issues and services.
Policies:
1. Provide opportunities for direct involvement and input of area residents, business
persons, and property owners in the planning and implementation of any
development related activities in the City.
2. Utilize existing business and civic organizations as a means of communicating
and informing land owners and tenants, and the general citizenry of area
projects, plans and accomplishments.
3. Encourage developers to hold informal meetings with project area residents,
business persons, and property owners on a neighborhood or sub-unit basis to
inform them of area plans prior to proceeding with formal development
applications.
4. Conduct public hearings on area plans and projects with prior notice to all
citizens in the community as required by Law.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Policy Plan
Page 44
5. Make use of available media such as area newspapers, the Otsego View, and
the City’s website as a means to keep citizens informed of all development
projects.
Goal #3: Allocate administrative and improvement costs to those generating the
demand or utilizing the service to the extent possible.
Policies:
1. Monitor the City’s administrative procedures and services, including the
processing of development applications, to ensure that the financial costs
associated with said services are paid by those making the request.
2. Utilize Special assessments and/or special taxing districts to assign costs for
public improvements to benefiting parties.
3. Require land dedication, easements and other such dedications at the time of
subdivision and/or development to insure the physical capability for necessary
public/semi-public utilities and improvements.
5. Annually review the City’s financial position to ensure proper fiscal programming
and management.
6. Monitor Federal and State programs for the possibility of assisting the community
with implementing the Comprehensive Plan and meeting the needs of its citizens.
7. Implement a Capital Improvement Program for the management, programming,
and budgeting of capital needs.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 45
Natural Environment Plan
Protection of the City’s environmentally sensitive areas and open character has always
been of prime importance to the Otsego community. These features defined the
community and have served to attract much of the existing residents, as well as new
development. In addition to their aesthetic value, the elements that comprise Otsego’s
natural environment serve important ecological functions and create boundaries that
define the pattern of urban development. Concern exists that the continued expansion
of urban development in Otsego will result in degradation of the City’s natural
environment. It is necessary then as part of this Comprehensive Plan, that special
attention be given to the protection of these areas. The focus of environmental
protection efforts within the City is trending towards efforts to integrate land uses with
the existing elements of the natural environment.
Rivers and Tributaries
The north and east boundaries of the City of Otsego are defined by the Mississippi
River from which the City draws much of its identity and heritage. Protection of the
Mississippi River corridor is implemented by the Mississippi River Wild, Scenic and
Recreational River Management Plan originally adopted by the State of Minnesota in
the 1970s. The City of Otsego adopted an overlay zoning district in 1994 implementing
the regulations of the Management Plan. Divided into three sub-districts, the City’s WS
Overlay District establishes allowances for land use, development standards and
limitations on vegetative cutting or shoreland alteration within the Management Plan
area to preserve the Mississippi River corridor in as natural a state as feasible. The
DNR is in the process of updating the Management Plan with anticipated changes
effecting both land use and stewardship of the Mississippi River Corridor. The City of
Otsego has been a participant in this process from the start, guided by the
recommendations of the Wild, Scenic and Recreational River District Boundary Analysis
and Alternatives report prepared in 1991.
The Crow River defines a shorter portion of the City’s southeast boundary from TH 101
to the Mississippi River. There are also Northwest Creek and Otsego Creek are defined
tributaries to the Mississippi River within the City of Otsego. These waterways are
protected by Shoreland Regulations adopted as part of the Zoning Ordinance overlaid
upon lands within 300 feet of the ordinary high water mark of the river or tributary.
Other tributaries to the Mississippi River or Crow River also exist, but are not protected
by shoreland regulations.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 46
There are 14 defined lakes within the City of Otsego, all of which are classified as
natural environment lakes with characteristics more similar to large wetlands. These
lakes are protected by the City’s Shoreland Overlay District on land within 1,000 feet of
the ordinary high water level of the waterbody.
The City will continue to utilize and enforce the wild and scenic and shoreland
regulations on all new developments within these areas to reduce potential negative
impacts to the rivers, tributaries and lakes within the community. The City will also
utilize greenway corridors as a means of protecting natural features and habitat while
making these amenities more accessible to the public. Greenway corridors provide
opportunities for wildlife habitat to move through developed areas, while also providing
opportunity for passive recreational uses including trails, scenic vistas, etc. for
residents. The City will pursue establishment of greenway corridors along the balance
of the tributaries within the City.
Wetlands
Wetlands serve important ecological functions in Otsego including providing critical
wildlife habitat, aid stormwater management by acting to improve water quality and rate
control during rain events, allow for nutrient assimilation and ground water recharge and
add aesthetic value. Wetlands are protected from intrusion by the Wetland
Conservation Act of 1991 implemented through the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision
Ordinance. Otsego’s efforts to protect, preserve and enhance wetlands within the
community include requirements for establishment of buffers and increased building
setbacks from wetlands.
Floodplain
Development in floodplain areas creates risk to public safety and expense related to
property damage. To minimize these risks, the City adopted regulations as part of its
Zoning Ordinance to direct allowed uses and development standards for floodplain
areas. The City will continue to apply the regulations of the Floodplain Overlay District
to manage the type of development allowed in floodplain areas.
Historically, development within the northeast Parish Avenue neighborhood has
experienced problems with wet and flooded basements, sink holes, failed septic
systems and contaminated wells in addition to the threat of seasonal flooding from the
Mississippi River. These conditions are due to the soil conditions in the area that allow
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K:\cad_eng\PROJECTS\GIS\TPC\Otsego\Existing Laeks Wetlands and Tributaries
DISCLAIMER:This product is for informational purposes and may not have beenprepared for, or be suitable for legal, engineering, or surveyingpurposes. Users of this information should review or consult theprimary data and information sources to ascertain the usabilityof the information.
ADOPTED: December XX, 2012TPC
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 49
water to transfer under the dike system, the temporary design of the dikes when
constructed following flooding in 1965 and lack of agreement by effected property
owners to allow Wright County access to the dikes for maintenance purposes. The
elevation of Parrish Avenue (CSAH 42) in this area is also below the minimum elevation
required for access to habitable buildings. The continued use of property within this
area will be subject to the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance related to the floodplain
and non-conforming uses and buildings.
Stormwater Management and Erosion Control
Stormwater drainage in Otsego has historically been handled by natural drainage
swales and man-made ditches alongside the City’s rural streets. Urban developments
within the sanitary sewer service districts have been accompanied by constructed storm
sewer systems. In the past, Otsego has experienced major drainage problems,
primarily in the form of storm water overflow.
As a means of addressing this concern, the City has adopted a comprehensive storm
water management plans for the major watersheds within the City. These plans focus
upon controlling seasonal drainage problems and have resulted in the imposition of
storm water impact fees associated with development. Improvements within the
watershed are undertaken as development occurs. Planned in advance, a drainage
system may be devised which can take advantage of the City’s existing natural features
and minimize costs.
New development within the City is to be subject to the requirements of the City’s
various stormwater management plans, as well as best management practices for
maintaining rate and water quality of the stormwater discharged from developed
properties. Development proposals must be accompanied by complete grading and
drainage plans with calculations demonstrating pre and post development conditions
being equal, if not improved. All grading and drainage plans are to be subject to review
by the City Engineer.
There are soils within areas of Otsego that present severe limitations for development in
the form of steep slopes, high water tables, poor drainage qualities and flooding
potential. To avoid future issues resulting from development upon these soils, the
following efforts will be made:
Development on slopes greater than 12 percent shall be restricted without
mitigation.
Principal buildings must be constructed at least three feet above the known
water table elevation and one foot above the public street.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 50
New developments must provide for appropriate erosion control, slope protection
and sedimentation protection measures subject to approval of the City Engineer
in conjunction with required grading plans.
Soil surveys will be required to field verify conditions and locate poor soils to
determine the ability of a site to accommodate development and any correction
efforts that are required.
Vegetation
The City of Otsego’s historic agriculture activities means that there are few natural
forested areas within the community. The largest massings of natural vegetation are
found primary along the Mississippi and Crow River corridors and scattered sites
throughout the City. Tree cover and other vegetation provides character and adds
substantially to the desirable qualities of the City. To this end, efforts should be made to
retain remaining forested areas when possible. The City has established tree
preservation provisions within the Subdivision Ordinance to require protection of
existing trees where practical. Additionally, the City will continue to require mandatory
landscaping within all new developments and along major public thoroughfares, parks
and greenways.
Light Pollution
On-going urban development within the community is accompanied by additional light
sources intended to illuminate streets, intersections, yards, parks, parking lots, business
signs, etc. The growing number of light sources within the City results in increased
levels of light being directed or reflected skyward that can obscure the dark rural
skyline. To minimize the effects of light pollution, the City has adopted comprehensive
lighting standards to ensure appropriate levels of night time illumination that are
controlled in intensity and direction to preserve the dark sky. The City will continue
implementation of these standards for new developments and redevelopment of existing
uses within the community.
Aggregate
Aggregate deposits are a regional resource to be protected for extraction in support of
anticipated growth. While a number of gravel pits have existed within the City, only one
is currently active and is located at Quaday Avenue and 70th Street (CSAH 37).
Insert Wooded Areas map
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K:\cad_eng\PROJECTS\GIS\TPC\Otsego\Comprensive Plan 2012\Wooded Areas
DISCLAIMER:This product is for informational purposes and may not have beenprepared for, or be suitable for legal, engineering, or surveyingpurposes. Users of this information should review or consult theprimary data and information sources to ascertain the usabilityof the information.
ADOPTED: 10 December 2012TPC
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2012
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 53
Requests for extraction of sand and gravel deposits may be anticipated to be an
ongoing land use within undeveloped areas of the City. This activity must be regulated
in a manner so as to be compatible with existing and planned development of the
surrounding area and to not negatively impact the natural environment or City
infrastructure. New gravel mining operations will be limited to an interim use in urban
expansion areas so as not to interfere with planned urban growth or cause compatibility
issues. The City will also continue to regulate gravel mining through the Mining
Ordinance included within the City Code. The City utilizes this ordinance to evaluate
gravel mining plans and operations in issuing an annual license. These regulations
allow the City to proactively mitigate potential land use compatibility issues and negative
impacts during the operation. A plan for reclamation of the gravel mine and future land
use is also required for approval of a license to ensure that the ultimate plan for the
parcel is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Solid Waste
The City of Otsego encompasses a large area of primarily undeveloped lands. Because
this and the City’s proximity to the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, Otsego may be an
attractive potential location for a solid waste facility. While the City remains open to any
potential development proposal, this type of land use has been discouraged due to
inherent conflicts with the type and rate of anticipated urbanization. In responding to a
development request, assurances must be provided that waste disposal facilities not be
allowed unless it is demonstrated that such an activity can exist in harmony with the
natural environment as well as existing and proposed uses:
Comprehensive evaluation of potential environmental impacts.
The proposed location, operation and long term use of the facility.
The methods of collection, transportation, processing, and disposal.
Potential for eventual reclamation and reuse of the site.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 55
Land Use Plan
Based on the foundation established by the Policy Plan, the Land Use Plan chapter of
the Comprehensive Plan provides a guide for future community growth and
improvements. The Land Use Plan is a narrative and graphic description for future land
uses within the City, as well as the background and rationale for how these designations
are established. To this end, the Land Use Plan serves both an educational and
decision making purpose to establish an understanding of how continued development
in the community is to occur.
Basis of the Plan
Although the emphasis of this chapter of the Comprehensive Plan is on land use, the
Land Use Plan is comprised of several interrelated elements, including the natural
environment, land use, transportation and community facilities. To ensure the
integration of these various components, the Land Use Plan must be derived from the
established goals of the community as well as the primary functions of City government.
This current Comprehensive Plan effort is also based on past policies and plans
previously adopted in 1991, 1998, 2002 and 2004. Reference to these past planning
efforts is critical to understand the direction and evolution of many of the City’s
established policies and the changes that have occurred as a result. This current Land
Use Plan is but a link in the chain for future community decisions and action. The Land
Use Plan for the City of Otsego revolves around the following concepts:
Focus on Community Identity
In order to enhance the identity of the City of Otsego, it is essential that efforts continue
towards establishing a sense of community. As the basic character of Otsego’s urban
area is that of a residential community, individual neighborhoods should be maintained
as a unit. Each neighborhood should relate well within itself as well as to adjoining
neighborhoods and the entire community.
Ongoing residential development within Otsego has emphasized the need for quality
development and amenities required to insure a high standard of living. A first step in
creating desirable residential development is the establishment of a desirable
development format. Residential development in the form of curvilinear, cluster-type
formats is preferred as this type of design increases privacy and safety within
neighborhoods. Curvilinear development patterns are based on a fundamental
consideration for natural and man-made barriers, which organize neighborhoods and
minimize through traffic. Finally, overall neighborhood orientation is to be established in
terms of amenities and services as a focus for neighborhood activity. To this end, park
land and open spaces within neighborhoods are often the primary focus.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Land Use Plan
Page 56
In that the community’s neighborhoods have developed as units, interconnectivity
between neighborhoods is critical to create a larger sense of community. Planning for
the community should recognize and attempt to enhance its activity centers. The
commercial centers and public service facilities within the City should remain easily
accessible to all residential districts and project a unified image and standard of quality.
Individual components should be so arranged as to create functional and
complementary relationships.
Efforts to further establish and enhance the City’s identity include the erection of highly
visible water towers along TH 101 and north of I-94, gateway identification, continued
encouragement of high quality development, and the continued prohibition of billboards.
The City will also continue efforts to establish a local post office and zip code and to
have City identification/directional signage installed along I-94 and TH 10.
Growth Management
It is the City of Otsego’s intent to welcome continued urban expansion provided that
development is only allowed in an orderly and fiscally responsible manner. In response
to this objective, the concept of growth staging presents the primary strategy for
managing urban growth within the City. While it is argued that growth staging arbitrarily
constrains development and adversely impacts the economics of development, it can
be clearly shown that haphazard and premature development can (and often does)
result in severe economic consequences for local government. The basic philosophy
underlying the proposed concept of growth management is to avoid premature urban
development that exceeds the City’s service capabilities and to allow for compatible co-
existence of urban and rural areas.
The City’s 1991 Comprehensive Plan strongly encouraged the preservation of prime
agricultural land. Since that time, this original premise has evolved into more of a desire
to preserve the “rural character” of the community (i.e., open space, low development
densities, etc.). The permanent existence of large scale agricultural operations is no
longer considered to be consistent with the long term community vision. This long term
vision should not, however, be construed to mean that established agricultural
operations should not be protected from premature urbanization.
Residents of Otsego have invested greatly in the establishment and maintenance of the
present community structure. These established elements represent the basic
foundation of the community. Accordingly, it is the intent and purpose of the growth
concept to provide an ongoing framework in which growth is afforded optimum flexibility,
yet managed to the extent to maintain a rural atmosphere.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 57
Economic Development
Otsego encourages a rate of development and variety of land uses to expand and
diversify the community’s tax base and maintain a favorable financial condition. The
City recognizes the interrelation between continued residential growth and economic
development being critical for the success of commercial and industrial land uses. To
this end, the City will give a high priority to allocation of resources to sustain existing
businesses and industry and also attracting new opportunities.
At the same time, guidance will be provided regarding the type, location and rate of
residential growth to maintain an average addition of 400 new single family dwelling
units per year so as not to overburden the City’s service capacity and infrastructure. All
new development will be encouraged to follow an orderly pattern of development
capitalizing on existing infrastructure to avoid premature investment in additional utilities
and services. Furthermore, Otsego encourages high quality architecture and building
construction to promote a positive community identity and long term durability.
Environmental Protection
A variety of benefits are associated with environmental protection in Otsego.
Environmentally sensitive development will preserve the health of Otsego citizens,
attract a more diverse economic base and minimize the need for future public
investments in clean up or beautification. Ground water pollution concerns associated
with the City’s historic one acre unsewered residential development pattern are well
documented. A primary impetus for providing sanitary sewer service within the
community has always been to provide an ability to correct possible environmental
problems if the need arises. Moreover, the City has adopted effective environment
zoning standards to manage shoreland, floodplain, wetland, and Mississippi River
corridor development. Through current land use planning efforts, Otsego has
accommodated development and preserved its valued environmental features. It is the
intent of these efforts to continue to promote high quality development within the City
and simultaneously, minimize potential environmental impacts.
Neighborhood Foundation and Land Use Compatibility
The intensity of land uses should decrease as one moves away from an activity center,
which may be applied specifically to the segments of Highway 101 and Interstate 94
within the City. The high traffic volumes and visibility associated with these roadways
make or will make the areas adjacent to the corridors significant activity generators.
With this in mind, it is important that a land use transition take place between the higher
intensity commercial and industrial uses and lower intensity residential uses that form
the second tier of development. As a means of maintaining the integrity of the
residential neighborhoods, providing a population base for commercial activity, and
providing an alternative housing type, medium and high density residential development
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Land Use Plan
Page 58
should surround the City’s commercial core. Undoubtedly, the City’s neighborhoods
provide the foundation of the community. Recognizing this, it is important that steps be
taken not only to maintain Otsego’s neighborhoods, but enhance them as well. Steps
taken to reinforce and enhance the City’s neighborhood may include the implementation
of a housing maintenance code, new recreational amenities (i.e., trails, neighborhood
parks) and commercial businesses, and continued street maintenance.
Relate Land Uses to Functional Street Classification
Functional classification refers to the function each roadway should perform before
determining street widths, speed limits, intersection control or other design features.
Functional classifications are used in Otsego’s street network as a comprehensive
planning tool used to determine the number of access points that are to be permitted on
major streets, and the design and relationship of local streets to other County and State
highway systems.
The design and access needed for a specific roadway should be dependent upon
adjacent land uses, projected traffic volumes, street configuration and right-of-way
acquisition. Direct residential lot access to collector and arterial streets is to be
prohibited to avoid the problems created by vehicles waiting to turn into private
driveways. Numerous access points from private business also disrupt the flow of
vehicles traveling at posted speeds along collector and arterial streets.
An additional concept which should also be considered within the City’s developing
transportation system is the establishment of a series of minor collector streets. Minor
collector streets typically lie within the interior of developing areas and are designed to
assist in the overall functioning of traffic movements within projected development
areas.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 59
Land Use Concept
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Land Use Plan
Page 60
Growth Staging Plan
Otsego has taken steps to proactively manage growth since incorporation in 1990 to
minimize investment in new infrastructure and maintain a separation between urban and
rural uses. With provision of municipal sanitary sewer and water systems, full utilization
of these service capacities and protection of the financial investment made in this
infrastructure has become a fundamental policy of the City. By delineating urban,
urban expansion and rural use areas, future development may be guided in a manner
that does not prematurely open new areas for development and allow a continuation of
rural uses in areas so designated either on an interim or permanent basis.
The 1998 Otsego Comprehensive Plan established urban service staging areas as a
means of managing the rate and location of development while maintaining an
adequate land supply. The delineated urban service staging plan promote infill
development of the existing urban and expansion of a contiguous development pattern
to fully utilize in-place utility and transportation infrastructure before expanding into rural
areas. The designated sewer service districts and urban service expansion areas
generally follow watershed boundaries for practical and cost effective extension of
utilities.
Rural Residential Preserve Area
The Rural Residential Preserve Area overlays that area of the community where a long
term rural character is to be maintained with the imposition of one dwelling unit per ten
acres density for residential development. This designation is applied to areas with
innate amenities of the Mississippi River, existing large tree stands and rolling
topography. The limitations on development imposed as part of the Mississippi Wild,
Scenic and Recreational River Management Plan corresponds to the intended rural
character of this area and sanitary sewer service is not anticipated to be made available
in this area of the City.
The City Council may approve increases in allowed residential density as an incentive
to encourage developments in this area to be planned in accordance with the principles
of open space preservation and cluster subdivision design. The City implements these
development concepts through its R-C, Residential Rural Open Space Cluster District.
Any density allowed above one dwelling unit per ten acres is to be considered a bonus
and will be determined at the discretion of the City Council in consideration of a
proposed development’s consistency with the City’s goals for this unique area of the
community.
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DISCLAIMER:This product is for informational purposes and may not have beenprepared for, or be suitable for legal, engineering, or surveyingpurposes. Users of this information should review or consult theprimary data and information sources to ascertain the usabilityof the information.
ADOPTED: 10 December 2012TPC
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2012
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 63
Urban Service Area
The urban service area, as graphically illustrated on the Growth Staging Map, is defined
as the area of the City where sanitary sewer and water utilities are to be made available
in accordance with the Urban Service Staging Plan and includes the following elements:
Sewer Service District. The Sewer Service District identifies lands to which
City sanitary sewer and water service is to be made immediately available and is
comprised of two sub-districts. The immediate urban service area identifies
lands that have received City entitlements to development, have made a financial
commitment to obtain municipal utilities, and have been allocated sewer
capacity. The intermediate urban service area identifies the remaining lands
within the Sewer Service District that are eligible to access municipal utilities, but
have not had development entitlements approved or provided the financial
commitments to obtain sanitary sewer and water services.
There are two designated Sewer Service Districts. The East Sewer Service
District generally overlays that area adjacent to the TH 101 corridor and is served
by a waste water treatment facility with a capacity of 1,000,000 gpd., collection
system and potable water system. The City has also established a West Sewer
Service District overlaying the area adjacent to Interstate 94 and surrounding the
City of Albertville served by a second waste water treatment facility with a current
capacity of 600,000 gpd., collection system and water facilities. The City will
consider the expansion of the Sewer Service District boundaries only when:
1. Land to be included in the sanitary sewer service district is not enrolled in
an agricultural preservation program.
2. The land lies within one-quarter mile of the existing sanitary sewer service
district boundary or presents environmental problems that can be
alleviated by the delivery of City water and sewer service.
3. The land is located within the designated urban service expansion area
and the expansion is in accordance with the order of the staging plan.
4. The potential sewer discharge of the land area to be included is within
available capacity of the City’s existing facilities.
5. The developer shall hold the City harmless should limitations on sewer
hookups be imposed.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Land Use Plan
Page 64
6. The developer and/or benefiting property owners assume the significant
majority of improvement/service costs.
7. The land does not qualify as a premature development or subdivision as
regulated by the Subdivision Ordinance.
8. Inclusion of the land in the sanitary sewer service district is necessary to
achieve a five year supply and respond to a shortage of land to which
service is available.
9. Commercial/industrial development and requests for service to existing,
unsewered residential areas shall be given priority over new residential
development for service district expansion requests.
Urban Service Expansion Area. The urban service expansion area shown on
the Urban Service Staging Plan defines areas of the City where the sanitary
sewer and water utilities are to be expanded in the future. It is anticipated that as
the sanitary sewer service district(s) reach near saturation, they will be expanded
into the designated urban service expansion area. No timetable for expansion of
the sanitary sewer service district is established or implied as part of the
Comprehensive Plan.
As a transitional district, densities of one dwelling unit per ten acres of land are to
be allowed in the urban service expansion areas until these lands are brought
into the sanitary sewer service district for development at urban densities in
accordance with the Future Land Use Plan.
The numerical designations of subdistricts within the urban service expansion
area signifies the waste water treatment facility intended to provide service as
well as the order these areas are to be served when capacity is available. The
order for expanding the sanitary sewer service districts is based on minimizing
infrastructure investments and maintenance of concentrated service areas.
Long Range Urban Service Area. The long range urban service area is
designated for that portion of the community where one plus acre unsewered
single family residential development has occurred. The extension of municipal
sewer and water service to this area is not anticipated until it may be mandated
by pollution concerns or specifically requested by property owners (via petition).
Further unsewered development in the area is not recommended and residential
development density is limited to one dwelling unit per 40 acres unless the City
Council finds that one or more of the following criteria are met:
1. The development will result in completion of an unfinished street network.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 65
2. The development will have the result of correcting or improving a
demonstrated area drainage problem.
3. The development provides for dedication of lands to a legitimate public
purpose.
Existing Land Use
The map on the following page illustrates the distribution of various land uses within the
City. Existing land use in Otsego is reflective of the community’s historic pattern of
development started in the northeast portion of the City close to the City of Elk River.
The City’s recent development pattern reflects availability of sanitary sewer and water
service trunk line corridors. However, as an incorporated township, the large area of
the community dictates that agriculture or undeveloped lands remain the predominate
land use category. This is an important consideration in implementing the City’s growth
staging and growth management policies. The City must exercise control over
development within the rural service area or urban reserve areas to prevent premature
growth encroaching into these areas. Residential land use constitutes the second
largest and most rapidly growing land use type within the City.
Single family dwellings are the primary housing type within the existing housing stock,
mostly existing homes built within the long range urban service area prior to availability
of sanitary sewer and water services. The breakdown of existing sewered
development, almost exclusively within the east sanitary sewer service district, is
equally balanced between single family and townhouse uses. Factoring in those
sewered units not yet constructed, the balance towards townhouse and multiple family
dwellings increases slightly.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Land Use Plan
Page 66
HOUSING UNITS BY TYPE
CONSTRUCTED/APPROVED AS OF NOVEMBER 2012
Unit Type Number % of Subtotal % of
Total
Existing Housing Stock
Single
Family
Sewered 2,211 44.3%76.5%36.8% 63.6%
Unsewered 1,608 32.2% 26.9%
Townhouse 1,064 21.3%17.7%
Manufactured Home Park 110 2.2%1.8%
SUBTOTAL 4993 100.0%83.2%
Final Platted/Not Built
Single Family 733 72.5%12.2%
Townhouse/Multiple Family 278 27.5%4.6%
SUBTOTAL 1,011 100.0%16.8%
TOTAL 6004 100%100%
Source: Department of Building Safety, TPC
The housing stock in Otsego may be expected to continue to be biased more towards
single family dwellings as development continues towards the interior of the City. The
initial stages of development within the east and west sewer districts has occurred in
areas particularly suited and guided for medium and high density land uses. The
development that has occurred also reflects changes in the housing market and
Otsego’s position within an emerging market. The City will need to more actively
manage the type of housing being developed as growth continues to ensure that the
desired balance of housing within the City is realized and maintained.
94
101
39
37
42
19
36
18
37
EXISTING LAND USE00.55 1.10.275
Miles
LEGEND
Back-to-Back TH (31.1 acres / 0.2%)
Commercial (215.8 acres / 1.1%)
Farmstead (33 farms)
Industrial (153.3 acres / 0.8%)
Manufactured Housing (40.4 acres / 0.2%)
Park (401.3 acres / 2.1%)
Permement Open Space (604.6 acres / 3.2%)
Public/Quasi-Public (211 acres / 1.1%)
ROW (1305.8 acres / 6.8%)
ROW Townshouse (133.4 acres / 0.7%)
Single Family (5,482.8 acres / 28.7%)
Vacant/Undeveloped (105,019.3 acres / 55.1%)
K:\cad_eng\PROJECTS\GIS\TPC\Otsego\Existing Land Use Map
DISCLAIMER:This product is for informational purposes and may not have beenprepared for, or be suitable for legal, engineering, or surveyingpurposes. Users of this information should review or consult theprimary data and information sources to ascertain the usabilityof the information.
ADOPTED: December XX, 2012TPC
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 69
Interim Land Use Plan
The Future Land Use Plan establishes the anticipated future development pattern of the
City, which is to be implemented over time in accordance with the City’s growth
management and economic development policies. An interim land use plan must also
be provided to guide development and land use in the interim period between existing
conditions and the realization of the Future Land Use Plan. The purpose of the interim
land use plan is to prevent an over-allocation of land that may exceed market demand
for any particular use or over-burden the City’s service capacity.
The interim land use plan shall require that until a parcel is deemed appropriate for
development of a higher intensity land use as guided by the Future Land Use Plan, rural
land uses and one dwelling unit per forty acre density will be maintained under the A-1,
Agriculture Rural Service District within the Sewer Service Districts or at a maximum of
one dwelling unit per 10 acres within the Urban Service Expansion Areas. A parcel will
qualify for rezoning to allow a more intensive land use guided by the Future Land Use
Plan only when the City Council finds that the following criteria have been satisfied. The
burden of proof as to demonstrating that these criteria are satisfied is intended to be
upon those making the request.
1. Consistency with Comprehensive Plan: A proposed development shall be
consistent with the goals, policies and recommendations of the Comprehensive
Plan and which follow planned public improvement corridors or constitute an
infilling of development shall be deemed consistent with the City’s growth
management policies and the Comprehensive Plan.
2. Adequate Waste Disposal Systems: A proposed development shall be deemed
to have adequate waste disposal systems if within the Sewer Service District,
there is adequate sewer capacity in the present system to support the proposed
development if constructed to its maximum permissible density after reasonable
sewer capacity is reserved for planned public facilities and commercial and
industrial development projected for the next five (5) years; or if in areas outside
of the Sewer Service District, there is adequate on-site sewer capacity potential
to support the development if constructed to the maximum permissible density
allowed by the Comprehensive Plan.
3. Adequate Water Supply: A proposed development shall be deemed to have an
adequate water supply if the proposed development has adequate sources of
water, either from public systems or private wells, to serve the proposed
development if constructed to its maximum permissible density allowed by the
Comprehensive Plan without causing an unreasonable depreciation of existing
water supplies for surrounding areas.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Land Use Plan
Page 70
4. Adequate Stormwater Management: A proposed development shall provide for
adequate management and treatment of stormwater runoff if:
a. Surface or subsurface water retention and runoff is such that it does not
constitute a danger to the structural security of structures within the
proposed development.
b. Structures within the proposed development will not result in pollution of
water sources from erosion and siltation.
c. The proposed development and related site grading will not cause harmful
and irreparable damage from erosion and siltation on downhill or
downstream land.
d. Factors to be considered in making these determinations may include:
average rainfall for the area; the relation of the land to the floodplain; the
nature of soils and subsoils and their ability to adequately support surface
water runoff and waste disposal systems; the slope of the land and its
effect on effluents; and the presence of streams as related to effluent
disposal.
5. Adequate Streets: A proposed development shall be deemed to have adequate
streets to serve the development when:
a. Streets that serve the proposed development are of such a width, grade,
stability, vertical and horizontal alignment, site distance and surface
condition that an increase in traffic volume generated by the proposed
development will not create a hazard to public safety and general welfare,
not aggravate an already hazardous condition, and when, with due regard
to the advice of Wright County and/or the Minnesota Department of
Transportation, said streets are appropriate for the intended use.
b. The traffic volume generated by the proposed development would not
create unreasonable congestion or unsafe conditions on streets existing at
the time of the application or proposed for completion within the next two
(2) years.
6. Adequate Public Service Capacity: A proposed development shall be
determined to have necessary public service capacity when recreational facilities,
police protection, fire protection and other public facilities that must be provided
at public expenses can reasonably be provided for within the next two (2) years.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 71
7. Consistency with the Capital Improvement Plan: A proposed development shall
be deemed consistent with the Capital Improvement Plans when improvements
and/or services necessary to accommodate the proposed subdivision have been
programmed in the Otsego, Wright County or other regional capital improvement
plans or that a revision to capital improvement programs can be accommodated.
Future Land Use
The Future Land Use Plan consists of both narrative text and a graphic illustration of
anticipated land uses to occur in Otsego over time in consideration of forecasted growth
and the Urban Service Staging Plan for provision of necessary supporting infrastructure
and services. The Future Land Use Plan is intended to serve as a guide to residents,
business owners, property owners and developers in planning for potential
developments and for City officials in responding to development requests and how they
relate to the community’s vision for Otsego. In the sections that follow, specific
categories of rural, residential, commercial, office, industrial, public and quasi-public
land uses are described and depicted graphically.
Rural Uses
Rural uses remain the predominate land use within Otsego even considering the
significant urban growth that has occurred in since municipal sanitary sewer and water
services were constructed in 1998 along the TH 101 corridor and in 2002 when a
second municipal utility system was constructed in the southwest portion of the City
adjacent to I-94. Otsego is anticipated to experience continued urban development, but
the geographic area of the community suggests that rural uses will continue to remain
an important issue in City planning efforts. The need to preserve prime agricultural
lands is less important today than it was when the City’s 1991 Comprehensive Plan was
adopted. While the preservation of prime agricultural lands has taken on less
importance, managing growth in rural areas is also important to the policy of staged
urban expansion. As such, the primary objective of the community for rural areas is
protection of open space or environmentally sensitive areas from premature
encroachment by urban development. Only those uses and development that will
maintain rural character, not interfere with future urban expansion and will not cause a
premature need for extension of utilities will be allowed the designated Rural Residential
Preserve Areas or Urban Service Expansion Areas with an emphasis on the following
objectives:
Minimize conflicts between rural and urban uses through establishment of growth
management policies that focus on staged urban expansion and maintenance of
rural areas within the City.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Land Use Plan
Page 72
Avoid development densities and land use patterns within rural areas that may
result in the premature need for extension of municipal utilities and other
services.
Preserve open space and environmentally sensitive areas of the City from
encroachments by urban land uses.
Allow for a continuation of existing farm activities within the City as a viable
interim land use until urban expansion may occur.
An issue related to maintaining viable agricultural uses in the community is allowing
existing farm operations that qualify as an animal feedlot to continue operating with
limited expansion opportunities. The 1998 Comprehensive Plan outlined a strategy for
the continued use and limited expansion of existing animal feedlots in the rural service
area. The key elements of this strategy were registration of then-existing animal
feedlots, establishment of reciprocal buffer zones, and limited expansion opportunities.
The City amended its Zoning Ordinance to allow for a continuation of agricultural
feedlots consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and these policies are to be continued
for the remaining eight agricultural uses qualifying as feedlots under the City’s definition
that were identified in the existing land use survey of the City.
Within the designated Urban Service Expansion Areas, the division of existing large
tracts of land into residential lots less than 20 acres in area should be discouraged.
Precaution should continue to be exercised with future development requests so that
sporadic development can be minimized to avoid gaps between neighborhoods that
interrupt the homogeneous pattern of urban services such as utilities, streets, trails, and
park service areas. The City may allow for rezoning to A-2, Long Range Urban Service
District that allows for interim development to occur based upon clustered subdivision
designs intended to preserve the majority of a parcel for future urban development. The
desired results of this approach are to maintain orderly community growth, discourage
competition for sanitary sewer hook ups necessary to finance the cost of the utilities and
prevent leap frog development.
Development of residential uses within the Rural Residential Preserve area is also to
occur at densities consistent with maintenance of rural character and a lack of municipal
sewer and water services. As this area of Otsego located primarily between CSAH 39
and the Mississippi River has many natural features, the City has encouraged
development cluster subdivisions that emphasize high quality building sites with view
sheds and access to natural habitat and man-made amenities. These subdivisions are
to be developed in ways that minimize their appearance from public roadways and
provide maximum visual or physical accessibility of the amenities of a given site.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 73
Development of open space cluster subdivisions within the Rural Residential Preserve
Area is not mandated. To encourage use of the open space cluster development
concept and creative implementation of these performance standards, the City Council
may approve development densities greater than one dwelling unit per 10 acres within
the Rural Residential Preserve Area. Any development density above one dwelling unit
per 10 acres is to be considered to be a bonus awarded at the discretion of the City
Council based on a finding that the proposed development fulfills the City’s objectives
for this area of the community. This area of the City corresponds with lands included
within the Mississippi River Wild, Scenic and Recreation River District, which limits
development potential to rural or rural residential uses at a density of not more than one
dwelling unit per 2.5 acres. Imposition of these State mandated limitations suggests
that development under the allowances of the City’s residential open space cluster
district requirements is likely the ultimate land use for these areas.
Residential Uses
As noted above, residential land uses are the predominant existing urban land use
within the City. The Policy Plan promotes continued development of a diversified
housing stock that is accessible to a wide range residents based on household need
and incomes. All new residential development is to occur within the established
sanitary sewer service districts and hook up to municipal services based on the City’s
growth management policies, except as follows:
1. Unsewered subdivisions at a density of one dwelling unit per 40 acres within the
A-1 Zoning District.
2. Unsewered subdivisions at a density of one dwelling unit per 10 acres within the
A-2 Zoning District.
3. Unsewered divisions within the City’s long range urban service areas that satisfy
the criteria established by the Comprehensive Plan for such developments.
4. Unsewered open space cluster developments within the rural residential
preserve area at a density of one dwelling unit per 10 acres with potential for
additional density bonuses, as determined by the City Council.
Otsego has been successful in realizing residential development with high standards for
subdivision design and building. An emphasis on the quality of development will
continue to be refined based on the changing housing needs of the community overall
desired community character. The following paragraphs outline the City’s direction for
future residential growth:
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Land Use Plan
Page 74
Managed Growth. The City wishes to manage the rate of residential
development within the City to provide for a balanced development pattern and
ensure its ability to provide fiscally responsible, high quality public facilities and
services. The City has identified that an average growth rate of approximately
400 dwelling units per year as being within its facility and service capabilities.
More long term, urban residential land uses are specifically limited to not more
than 70 percent of available sanitary sewer service capacity within either Sewer
Service District.
Life Cycle Housing. The City has recognized the need to offer a wider choice of
housing options to supplement single family dwellings to serve the life cycle
needs of its population. Multiple family dwelling units and townhouses usually
provide the least expensive housing type, where young people can begin saving
for purchase of their own home. As families are started, spatial needs may
outgrow that provided by higher density dwelling units. Larger townhouses and
small single family dwellings provide affordable first homes for the young family
where pride in ownership is established and equity can be built. As the family
grows to its ultimate size, space needs increase and a larger move-up single
family home fulfills these needs. When children grow older and leave home,
space needs are again reduced and large houses may become under-utilized.
At this point, the parents may find it desirable to move to a smaller house, or to a
townhouse where maintenance is taken care of for them. Eventually, the elderly
couple may desire to move into a multiple family dwelling unit again or to some
type of elderly multiple family residences.
Housing Diversity. The majority of Otsego’s existing housing stock consists of
single family dwellings. However, within the sanitary sewer service districts,
townhouse dwellings represent an equal, if not larger, portion of the housing
supply. The number of townhouse dwellings developed within the sanitary sewer
service districts raises concern as to the balance of the overall housing supply
within the City and the long term sustainability of homeowners associations
regarding property and building maintenance within townhouse developments.
The City emphasizes that single family detached dwellings are to be the primary
form of housing within the community overall and the individual sanitary sewer
service districts. The City will continue to monitor the supply of housing types
within the City with a goal of maintaining approximately 70 percent or more of the
housing stock as detached single family dwellings. The balance of housing
options within each sanitary sewer service district should also be oriented more
towards single family dwellings. The City will continue to review development
proposals for areas designated for low-medium and medium-high density land
use on an individual basis within the context of providing a variety of housing
types to meet the needs and incomes of all segments of the population.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 75
Housing/Property Maintenance. Housing constructed within the sanitary sewer
service districts is relatively new and in very good condition. Older areas of the
community likely have more mature housing stock that requires additional
maintenance. Housing maintenance efforts serve to protect neighborhood
integrity and property values. Initiatives that the City may consider implementing
to encourage on-going maintenance include providing information on home
improvement loans, hosting a home remodeling fair, continued point-of-sale
inspections of existing septic systems to possibly be expanded to include
principal and accessory buildings and identification of problem sites for targeted
code enforcement efforts.
Affordable Housing. The need to provide housing options for all segments of
the population regardless of income is a priority for the City of Otsego in relation
to life-cycle and work forces issues. Available information on the existing supply
of owner-occupied housing within the City indicates that a majority of these
properties meet established regional affordability guidelines. The City will
continue to stress the need for affordable housing options while emphasizing
diversity in available housing type and density, by promoting maintenance of the
existing housing stock, and private sector development efforts. However, the
greatest need for more housing options within the City currently is in the higher
value brackets of the market.
Rental Housing. The City promotes availability of high quality rental housing as
part of the housing stock consistent with life-cycle and affordability goals for
housing in Otsego. To ensure that rental housing is maintained and operated in
a manner consistent with the intended character of Otsego’s neighborhoods, the
City has adopted rental housing licensing requirements as part of the City Code.
These standards ensure that rental housing meets all applicable building and
safety code requirements, is maintained to a high standard and that the owners
and occupants do not create nuisance concerns.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Land Use Plan
Page 76
The urban residential land uses guided to develop by the Future Land Use Plan shall be
implemented in accordance with the following:
FUTURE LAND USE PLAN - RESIDENTIAL DESIGNATIONS
Land Use Density Allowed Uses Corresponding
Zoning
Low Density
Residential Large
Lot
Less than 3.0
du/ac.
Single family dwellings. R-4A District
Low Density
Residential
Less than 3.0
du/ac.
Single family dwellings. R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4
and R-MH Districts
Low to Medium
Density Residential
3.0 to 5.0 du/ac. Single family, two family
and detached townhouse
dwellings.
R-5 District
Medium Density
Residential
4.0 to 7.0 du/ac. Two family dwellings,
detached townhouse and
quad or row townhouse
dwelling units.
R-6 District
Medium to High
Density Residential
5.0 to 12.0 du/ac. Detached townhouse,
quad or row townhouse or
back-to-back townhouse
dwelling units, multiple
family dwelling units.
R-7 District
Low Density Residential Uses. Within the sanitary sewer service districts and
long range urban service area, low density residential uses (less than three
dwelling units per acre) will continue to be the predominate urban land use within
Otsego. The areas guided for low density residential land uses on the Land Use
Plan map reflect expansion outward from existing neighborhoods and logical
extension of utilities and streets based on the land absorption projections
outlined in previous sections. Immediate attention should be given to the infill of
the sanitary sewer service districts along established service lines and
transportation corridors and existing vacant home sites in established
neighborhoods prior to further expansion of the sanitary sewer service districts.
Low density residential uses are further defined as exclusively detached single
family dwellings. To ensure diversity within the supply of single family homes
within the community, the City will continue to encourage a variety of single
family lot and house sizes. The current supply of urban or suburban character
single family homes within the City includes one acre lots with private on-site
septic systems and wells and two minimum sizes for single family lots serviced
by municipal sanitary sewer and water services at 12,000 square feet. A second
urban single family zoning district with a minimum lot area requirement of 18,000
square feet has been established to provide for greater protection of
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 77
environmental resources in high amenity areas of the City and provide greater
diversity in the supply of single family houses.
In anticipation of potential extension of sanitary sewer service to the long range
urban service area, it is suggested that the City continue to require designs for
unsewered developments that are conducive to resubdivision. By providing such
a mechanism, the City and property owners are provided a well-planned method
of accommodating sewer and water service and associated assessment costs in
the event a mandated need arises by minimizing improvement costs per lot. In
order to ensure resubdivision, building locations are to be required that facilitate
resubdivision by prohibiting encroachment into potential setback areas on a
divided lot. In addition, performance standards would be enacted that would
require all dwellings that are constructed to facilitate future sewer and water
connection.
Low-Medium Density Residential Uses. This category of residential land uses
is intended to allow for development of small lot detached single family uses,
twinhomes or low intensity townhouses (consisting of horizontally oriented
dwelling units with not more than two common walls for each dwelling unit) and
an overall development density of three to six dwelling units per acre.
The intent is that these low-medium density residential areas will develop
primarily with single family dwellings on smaller urban lots. The City may allow at
its discretion development of less intense twinhome or townhouse dwellings.
Factors to be considered in evaluating development proposals for areas guided
for low-medium density residential uses include the type and mix of housing in
the immediate area, the balance of housing in the community at the time of the
proposal, the proximity of environmentally sensitive areas, the design quality of
the proposed development and the proposed dwelling units, capacity of streets
serving the area and the impact of the proposed development to the City’s
service capabilities. The burden of demonstrating that a proposed development
is appropriate for a particular area shall be the responsibility of the land owner or
developer.
Development of these more compact urban land uses will encourage continued
diversification of the housing supply within the City, provide for land use
transitions between traditional single family neighborhoods and more intensive
uses and major roadway corridors. Development of non-single family uses within
these areas is intended to be subject to the performance standard
recommendations outlined in the following section.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Land Use Plan
Page 78
Medium-High Density Residential Uses. Medium density residential land uses
typically consists of townhouses with three to eight dwellings per building ranging
in density from five to eight dwelling units per acre. High density land uses,
defined as more than nine units per acre, would include multiple family dwellings
and more dense townhouse development. As market considerations greatly
influence the demand for medium and high density housing, only a generalized
category including both types of uses have been designated on the Land Use
Plan map.
The provision of sanitary sewer service within the City of Otsego created the
opportunity to develop higher density land use types that had previously not been
possible within the community. Concerns have been noted about these
developments related to land use compatibility, housing value, property and
building maintenance, traffic generation and functional site design. In
recognizing these issues, the City will implement the following strategies for
development of areas guided for medium-high density residential land use:
1. Townhouse and multiple family developments shall be dispersed
throughout the City to avoid concentration at any single location.
Furthermore, townhouse and multiple family developments shall be
encouraged to limit the concentration of any single building type or design
within a given project to minimize the scale of the development and
provide greater visual diversity.
2. Townhouse and multiple family dwellings shall be encouraged to develop
in areas adjacent to commercial or industrial uses to provide market and
employee support. Integrating commercial and residential land uses
through innovative urban design is an opportunity encouraged by the
Comprehensive Plan.
3. A secondary function of these locations is to provide for a transition
between commercial, office, industrial and higher function streets and low
density residential neighborhoods.
4. Townhouse and multiple family developments shall have access to
collector or arterial streets to reduce traffic entering low density residential
neighborhoods.
5. The City will establish performance standards to provide for townhouse or
multiple family developments related to setbacks and required screening
and landscaping to address compatibility with adjacent low density
residential neighborhoods.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 79
6. The City will establish uniform performance standards for townhouse and
multiple family developments intended to replace the current PUD based
process as the standard regulatory approach to these types of land uses
to address the following building and site design elements:
a. Provision of aesthetically pleasing exterior treatments constructed
of durable, low maintenance materials.
b. Establishment of minimum building design requirements such as
floor areas and garage to ensure functional dwelling units.
c. Promote quality site design by establishing requirements for
vehicle and pedestrian access, building setbacks, guest
parking, open space and landscaping.
d. Require establishment of a homeowners association with adequate
rules and financial standards to ensure on-going site and building
maintenance.
e. Use of a PUD based development approach will remain as an
option to accommodate projects exhibiting unique elements that
exceed basic site and/or building design expectations.
Manufactured Housing. Manufactured housing constitutes an established
portion of housing stock available in Otsego. The availability of owner-type
housing for low and moderate income households is to be encouraged within the
City. However, it is also City policy to discourage an over-balanced supply of
one type of housing, to discourage an over-supply of one level of housing cost,
and to discourage physical concentrations of a specific housing type.
Considering Otsego’s current housing supply, the allowance of new or expansion
of existing manufactured home developments is contrary to these policies and is
to be discouraged.
Senior Housing. Development of housing for seniors is a residential land use
goal within Otsego. Senior housing typically involves townhouse or multiple
family dwellings and can range from independent living, housing with services
and more institutional care facilities such as nursing homes. Senior housing
should be located in proximity to retail and service nodes for convenient access
and can serve as a transitional land use between high activity areas or major
roadways and low density residential neighborhoods. The City will review
standards for senior housing development in consideration of current housing
trends and services for this segment of the population.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Land Use Plan
Page 80
Commercial Uses
The intent of the Comprehensive Plan is to identify commercial locations within the City
that provide opportunities for convenient access to retail goods and services, developed
within attractive environments. Various areas within the City will serve different
functions. Locations with access to major regional roadways such as TH 101, I-94 or
CSAH 19 will likely develop with commercial land uses that serve both the local
community and regional patrons. Other smaller areas may also develop to meet
convenience retail and service needs on a neighborhood basis.
FUTURE LAND USE PLAN – COMMERCIAL DESIGNATIONS
Land Use Anticipated Uses Corresponding Zoning
Commercial General retail, service or office business
with community or regional market areas.
R-B, B-1, B-2 and B-3
Districts
Office Professional office uses with limited retail
sales, services and warehousing uses.
B-W and B-C Districts
The immediate emphasis for development of commercial retail and service business
centers should be along TH 101 at the intersections of CSAH 39, CSAH 42, and CSAH
37 within the east sanitary sewer service district and along CSAH 19 and CSAH 37
within the west sanitary sewer service district. Future opportunity for commercial
development will exist at the planned I-94/Kadler Avenue Interchange. These potential
commercial locations would respond to existing residential development service needs
and provide an opportunity to capture retail sales monies from well beyond the City’s
boundaries. To promote viable, quality commercial retail and service development, the
following strategies will be pursued:
1. The City will implement performance standards related to site design, building
setbacks, parking lot design, landscaping, lighting, building materials, signage,
vehicle and pedestrian site access and streetscape treatment to promote
functional and aesthetically pleasing commercial developments.
2. The City will define the range of commercial land use appropriate for various
locations within the City through implementation of distinct zoning districts for
general commercial, highway oriented commercial, and neighborhood oriented
commercial uses.
3. The City will require new commercial development to be compatibly designed
with surrounding land uses through the use of transitional land uses, proper
setbacks, access, building orientation, screening and landscaping.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 81
Based upon the foregoing considerations, the following areas have been designated for
varying levels of commercial use within the City:
CSAH 39/Highway 101. This area has been a focal point of recent commercial
activity and will continue to expand as a commercial center. Because the CSAH
39/TH 101 area lies adjacent to the City’s most dense population base, is within
the City’s East Sewer Service District, holds ample land for development and has
established commercial uses, it is considered the City’s primary retail center. It is
in this location within the Otsego that the basic convenience and shoppers goods
and services are to be developed. Commercial development in this area should
reflect the highest standards of commercial building and site design. Outdoor
sales and display should be limited to the degree that the activity is clearly
accessory to a principal building and use.
CSAH 42/TH 101. The area surrounding the existing signalized intersection at
CSAH 42 and TH 101 also exhibits some existing commercial development. Due
to its high visibility and access, commercial development is expected to continue
developing, establishing the area as a secondary commercial center to that at
CSAH 39 and TH 101. The City continues to work with MNDoT and area land
owners to ensure that access to TH 101 at CSAH 42 is maintained with the
planned upgrade of TH 101 to freeway status within the City. This area is also
expected to develop at a very high standard of building and site quality, with
limited outdoor sales and display.
CSAH 37/TH 101. This area has in the past been designated for highly limited,
highway-neighborhood commercial service. This applies to geographic coverage
as well as scope of services provided. However, the upgrade of TH 101 to
freeway status within the City and the planned extension of CSAH 37 between
TH 101 and CSAH 19 increases the potential for a broader range of commercial
uses this location. The area northeast of TH 101 and CSAH 37 is particularly
prime for capturing traffic exiting northbound TH 101 at CSAH 37 via a signalized
four way intersection. Development standards in this area of the City should be
consistent with that encouraged at other locations along the TH 101 corridor.
CSAH 37/Interstate 94. The area to the north of CSAH 37 and east of Interstate
94 has also been designated as a long range commercial location. This area has
good visibility and access from the Interstate. Like other commercial locations
within the City, this area should be encouraged to develop with the highest levels
of quality site and building design.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Land Use Plan
Page 82
CSAH 19/70th Street. This area of the community, which abuts the City of
Albertville’s north boundary, is expected to evolve into a commercial service
center. The commercial land use designations in the northeast and northwest
quadrants of this intersection have been made in partial response to the City of
Albertville’s adopted Comprehensive Plan, which suggests commercial use in the
southeast and southwest quadrants of the intersection. Establishment of these
uses as a gateway into the City with high quality development will be important in
contributing to the City’s identity.
The office land use category is intended to provide for establishment of professional and
commercial office complexes in an environment that provides a high level of amenities
with limited retail or warehousing uses. These developments should include for
integration of building and site designs with surrounding amenities, incorporation of
parks, open space or recreational amenities, convenient access for vehicles and
pedestrians alike, high quality building design and construction, and a high degree of
site landscaping. Office development uses may also serve as a transitional land use
between more intense retail or service commercial uses, industrial uses and areas
guided for residential use. Based on site characteristics, site visibility and access
factors, the following locations have been identified for office land uses:
South of I-94 and north of CSAH 37 to the west of the Otsego Industrial Park
within the Golden Polygon area of the City.
The 160 acres west of CSAH 19 and between of future 85th Street and 80th
Streets.
East of Kadler Avenue, north of 70th Street as a transitional land use adjacent to
residential portions of Kittredge Crossings.
Industrial Uses
Otsego is currently a bedroom community with a limited amount of industrial
development. Existing industrial development is concentrated in the southeast corner of
the City adjacent to TH 101 and southwest areas of the City adjacent to I-94.
FUTURE LAND USE PLAN – INDUSTRIAL DESIGNATIONS
Land Use Anticipated Uses Corresponding Zoning
Industrial Professional offices, data centers,
distribution facilities, warehousing,
assembly and manufacture of goods.
I-1, I-2 and I-3 Districts
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 83
The industrial growth that has occurred in Otsego to date is characterized by smaller dry
industries with a small number of employees that are developed or initiated by a
developer or resident having a local interest in Otsego. More recent developments
along the TH 101 and I-94 corridor suggest a growing economic development interest
within the community, with larger companies relocating or establishing new facilities in
the area. In considering locations suitable for continued industrial development, the
following elements should be taken into account:
1. The site should be reasonably level and offer a site area that is capable of
accommodating industrial buildings and required ancillary activities (i.e., parking,
shipping and receiving, outdoor storage, etc.).
2. The site soils should be well drained and capable of bearing heavy loads. For
areas without sanitary service availability, soils must be capable of providing for
an on-site sewer system.
3. The building and, to the extent possible, the site should be flood-free.
4. The site should also take advantage of available community transportation
facilities, such as highways or railroads.
5. The site should be protected from residential encroachment or incompatible
industrial neighbors.
6. The industrial area should allow for further future industrial expansion.
By analyzing the aforementioned location criteria and appreciating a variation in
industrial use types, for areas within the community have been deemed appropriate for
industrial use. Each designated area is intended to group similar industrial
developments which demonstrate like needs (i.e., building scale, site size, access
requirements, and visibility).
Highway 101 Corridor. The area between CSAH 37 and CSAH 36 on either
side of TH 101 is considered highly appropriate for future industrial uses. The
area is reasonably level, provides expansion potential, and is provided excellent
access given interchange access at CSAH 37 and CSAH 36 and is protected
from residential development. Due to this high accessibility and visibility, quality
development with high performance standards and limited outdoor storage
should be pursued in this area.
The City’s previous Comprehensive Plans note a substantial number of home extended
businesses that would likely qualify as industrial uses within the City. The City needs to
actively encourage the relocation of these types of uses to areas appropriate for
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Land Use Plan
Page 84
industrial actively. The City has identified the older existing industrial area lying east of
TH 101 between CSAH 36 and 60th Street as an area in which lesser performance
standards have been deemed appropriate (i.e., metal building allowance) in the past. In
recognition of this area’s character, there may be opportunities for relocation of home
occupations and home extended businesses that are too intense for residential areas.
The City adopted the I-3, Special Industrial District specifically for this area of the City to
allow for a continuation of metal buildings using post-beam construction based on this
objective.
Golden Polygon Area. This area of the City is located south of Interstate 94
and west of the City of Albertville. Since the adoption of the 1991
Comprehensive Plan, the Otsego Industrial Park has been developed in this
area. The area offers level, large sites with good interstate exposure. Limited
freeway access is available, although a future interchange at Kadler Avenue is
desired by the City of Otsego, while the City of Albertville is planning for an
interchange at CSAH 19.
While future development in this area may not exceed the standards anticipated for TH
101 corridor industrial uses, high quality performance requirements should continue to
be emphasized. The major differentiation between this area and the TH 101 area is that
more open and outside storage may be expected. Such activities will, however, have to
comply with screening requirements and maintenance ensured through appropriate
regulations and code enforcement. This area is also viewed as at least one alternative
location for some of the existing home extended businesses presently in residential
areas of the City.
I-94/Kadler Avenue. The area north of 70th Street and west of CSAH 19 is
guided for future industrial development. Construction of the planned
interchange at I-94/Kadler Avenue is critical for realization of the development
planned in the area. Several industrial uses have already been constructed
within the Otsego I-94 West Industrial Park. Additional land is available within
this subdivision and planned to the north and east. Development of industrial
uses would mirror industrial use designations suggested south of 70th Street by
the Albertville Comprehensive Plan.
Nashua Avenue / 70th Street Area. In looking to the future, the City recognizes
the need to reserve sufficient land for development of industrial uses to provide
employment opportunities and increased tax base. This is especially true given
the large geographic area of the City, which allows more than sufficient lands for
development of residential uses to meet market demands. The area of the City
between 60th Street and 70th Street adjacent to the future Nashua Avenue /
Nabor Avenue corridor is designated for long-term industrial development. The
area has relatively level topography and can be served with municipal sanitary
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 85
sewer and water service through expansion of the west sanitary sewer district.
This industrial area will also have excellent access to TH 101 and I-94 from
CSAH 37, whether via the current roadway or planned realignment along the 70th
Street corridor. St. Michael has received approval for construction of an
interchange with I-94 at Nabor Avenue, which is planned to connect with Nashua
Avenue within the City of Otsego. St. Michael has planned for industrial uses
north of I-94, which is consistent with the planned industrial uses in this area of
Otsego.
Public and Quasi-Public Uses
This land use category includes various facilities ancillary to an urban community
accessible to the public, including parks, government buildings, schools, churches, golf
courses, etc. There will be a need for additional public and quasi-public land uses as
the community continues to develop to serve the growing population. Public and Quasi-
Public land uses shall reflect the highest level of quality site and building design, as an
example for the private sector to follow. Furthermore, development of consistent
architectural themes or other elements that provide site character shall be encouraged
to strengthen overall community identity.
While the need for these types of uses is recognized, it is not practical to identify sites
where future public and quasi-public uses may be appropriate. Public and quasi-public
facilities will be allowed as conditional uses in appropriate zoning districts or allowance
through the City’s established INS, Institutional zoning district. The combination of
these two approaches will allow the City to establish performance standards specific to
a given use to ensure development at appropriate locations in a manner compatible with
surrounding uses. Furthermore, the City will work with the school districts once
potential sites for school facilities are identified on the timing of construction to ensure
that needed City infrastructure can be provided in a cost effective manner.
Schools
Otsego Elementary School and Kaleidoscope Charter School are the only existing
school facilities within the City. Both of these facilities are within Independent School
District 728, which has also acquired an 80 acre property at the northeast corner of
MacIver Avenue and 80th Street for future facility construction. Continued growth of the
community affects the three school districts serving Otsego residents and the City will
continue to work cooperatively to address shared issues related to growth. This
includes continuation of Otsego’s growth management policies to allow the School
Districts to anticipate the rate of development and plan for necessary facilities
accordingly. As the need for new school facilities is identified, Otsego will work with
each of the School Districts to locate appropriate sites and coordinate the timing of
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Land Use Plan
Page 86
development so that needed infrastructure is available in a cost effective manner. For
the benefit of the City and the School Districts, Otsego will continue to pursue
opportunities for shared facilities. This opportunity presents itself most readily in the
acquisition, development and maintenance of recreational facilities used both as part of
the Otsego parks and trails system and school athletic programs.
Religious Institutions
Religious institutions are an important part of Otsego from the standpoint of building
communities. There are three Churches currently within the City. These facilities
serve to bring people together and can be a source of community activity and focus.
These uses also present unique land use issues related to their activities and
operational characteristics. Areas considered to be appropriate for religious institutions
must have sufficient area to accommodate the principal use, accessory facilities, off-
street parking and often outdoor activities, adequate access from a major collector or
arterial street and be landscaped and screened from adjacent residential uses. Areas
designated on the Future Land Use Plan for Medium-High Density Residential Uses are
to be considered most appropriate for development of religious institutions.
Essential Services
Continued development in Otsego (and the region) will require provision of additional
essential service facilities, such as electric substations, gas pipe lines and even
personal wireless service antennas. These facilities are to be allowed in areas where
compatibility issues will not be created and in such a manner as to minimize impacts to
adjacent properties.
Heritage Preservation Sites
The City has established a Heritage Preservation Commission and adopted a Heritage
Preservation District as an overlay district within the Zoning Ordinance for the
identification, designation and preservation of potentially significant historical properties
within the City. Designation of a property as a Heritage Preservation Site requires the
following criteria be met:
1. It has character, interest or value as part of the development heritage or cultural
characteristics of the City of Otsego, State of Minnesota or the United States.
2. Its location is the site of a significant historical event.
3. It has yielded, or is likely to yield, information important in pre-history or history.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Natural Environment Plan
Page 87
4. It is associated with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the
culture and development of the City.
5. It embodies distinctive characteristics of an architectural style, period, form or
treatment.
6. It represents the work of an architectural design, detail, materials, or
craftsmanship which represents a significant architectural innovation.
7. Its unique location or singular physical characteristics represents an established
and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community or the City of Otsego.
Currently there is are two properties in the City designated as a Heritage Preservation
Sites The first is the City owned cemetery located along CSAH 39, west of O’Brian
Avenue, which dates to the 1850s. The second site is a group of barns located on the
Swenson Farm within the Mississippi Pines development, which is currently privately
owned. The Heritage Preservation Commission has identified 14 other properties held
in private ownership that may have potential historical significance. These properties
require further study to determine their potential historical significance as a basis for
recommending that the sites be designated as Heritage Preservation Sites.
94
101
39
37
42
19
36
18
37
FUTURE LAND USE00.5 10.25
Miles
LEGEND
Planning Districts
Rural
Rural Residential
LD Residential (Large Lot)
LD Residential
LD/MD Residential
MD/HD Residential
Commercial
Office
Industrial
Public/Quasi Public
K:\cad_eng\PROJECTS\GIS\TPC\Otsego\Comprensive Plan 2012\Future Land Use Map
DISCLAIMER:This product is for informational purposes and may not have beenprepared for, or be suitable for legal, engineering, or surveyingpurposes. Users of this information should review or consult theprimary data and information sources to ascertain the usabilityof the information.
ADOPTED: 10 December 2012TPC
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2012
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Transportation Plan
Page 91
Transportation Plan
The Transportation Plan provides for an integrated transportation system that is related
to the land use patterns within the City and the surrounding region. Otsego’s existing
transportation system is functional and well placed for efficient travel throughout the
City. The City must continue to implement its policies for a functional transportation
system in support of continued development and work with cities, counties and the
State on investment and improvements to regional arterial roadways for the long-term
economic vitality of the area.
Functional Classification System
Functional classification refers to the purpose each roadway should serve as a means
of determining street widths, speed limits, intersection control or other design features.
The intent of the functional classification system is to create a hierarchy of streets that
collect and distribute traffic from neighborhoods to the regional freeway system.
Roadways with a higher functional classification (arterials) generally provide for longer
trips, have more mobility, have limited access and connect regional centers in
comparison with lower functional classification streets (collectors and local streets)
Functional classifications are used in Otsego’s street network as a comprehensive
planning tool used to determine the design and relationship of local streets to other
County and State highway systems. The following table establishes the criteria for the
functional classification system of streets within Otsego:
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Transportation Plan
Page 92
CITY OF OTSEGO
ROADWAY FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CRITERIA
Principal
Arterial Minor Arterial Collector Local
Place
Connections
Connects regional
centers and
business
concentrations
Interconnects
major trip
generators
Interconnects
neighborhoods
and minor
business
concentrations
Interconnects
blocks within
neighborhoods and
parcels within
commercial/industri
al areas.
Spacing Developed Areas:
2-3 Miles
Developing Areas:
3-6 Miles
Developed Areas:
½ - 1 Mile
Developing Areas:
1-2 Miles
Developed Areas:
¼ - ¾ Mile
Developing Areas:
½ - 1 Mile
As needed for
access
Connections To interstates,
principal arterials
and selected minor
arterials and
collectors
To interstates,
principal arterials,
other minor
arterials, collectors
and some local
streets
To minor arterials,
other collectors
and local streets
To some minor
arterials, collectors
and other local
streets
Mobility Highest High Moderate Low
Percent of
Mileage 5-10% 15-25% 5-10% 65-80%
Percent of
Vehicle Miles 40-65% 15-40% 5-10% 10-30%
Intersections Grade separated or
high capacity
intersection controls
Traffic signals and
cross-street stops
All-way stops and
some traffic
signals
As required for safe
operation
Parking None Restricted as
necessary
Restricted as
necessary
Restricted as
necessary
Weight Limits No restrictions No restrictions Restricted as
necessary
Restricted as
necessary
Typical ADT 15,000 – 200,000 5,000-30,000 1,000-15,000 Less than 1,000
ROW Width 100-300ft. 60-150ft. 60-100ft. 50-80ft.
Source: Metropolitan Council
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Transportation Plan
Page 93
NEWC Transportation Plan
The City of Otsego participated in a regional transportation Plan effort, which was led by
the City of St. Michael in partnership with the City of Albertville, Wright County and
MNDoT. The purpose of the effort was to develop a better understanding of local and
regional transportation issues and the development of a transportation plan aimed at
addressing these issues and the goals of the various jurisdictions.
The outcome of this process is a comprehensive transportation system plan for the
Northeast Wright County area to be implemented among all the participants. One goal
is generation of additional State Aid monies for road improvement projects within region.
Otsego’s local Transportation Plan map has been prepared in coordination with the
NEWC Plan. Major elements of the NEWC Plan impacting the transportation system
within Otsego are as follows:
The upgrade of TH 101 to freeway status.
Construction of 70th Street as a future county road between TH 101 and CSAH
18, crossing I-94 at Kadler Avenue with a proposed freeway interchange.
Construction of an interchange at I-94/Kadler Avenue along with establishment of
Kadler Avenue as a future minor arterial roadway between 70th Street and the
Mississippi River with a potential future river crossing.
Construction of Nashua Avenue between CSAH 39 and Nabor Avenue at the
City of St. Michael with a proposed interchange at I-94.
Otsego has adopted the NEWC Transportation Plan subject to the condition that the
proposed interchange at I-94 and Kadler Avenue be given priority status to improve
circulation to commercial development in Albertville, provide a bypass for traffic
destinations west of St. Michael and Albertville and reduce congestion on CSAH 19.
The NEWC Plan specifies that full access to minor arterial roadways is to be at half-mile
intervals with secondary (right-in/right-out) access at quarter-mile intervals. Past
practices has allowed full access along minor arterial roadways at quarter-mile intervals,
which the City believes is necessary to provide adequate access to both residential and
business uses. The City will continue to work with its partners in the NEWC Plan on
this issue.
Major elements of the NEWC Plan have been implemented since the adoption the
document in 2004. These projects include pending construction of 70th Street from
Oakwood Avenue to Marlowe Avenue within Otsego, permitting for the planned
interchange in St. Michael at I-94/Nabor Avenue and construction of the north leg of the
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Transportation Plan
Page 94
collector-distributor interchange at I-94/CSAH 37/CSAH 19 in Albertville. Additional
regional transportation improvements include construction of the flyover bypass in
Rogers from west I-94 to north TH 101 and pending construction in 2014 of an
interchange at TH 101/CSAH 144 in Rogers that will eliminate the last traffic controls
between I-94 and the City of Otsego. The City of Monticello continues to study the
need for additional Mississippi River Crossings. Finally, there is a regional effort to
obtain funding for construction of additional traffic lanes to I-94 from Maple Grove to
Monticello to alleviate existing congestion along this major economic development
corridor within the State. Given the progress towards implementing major elements of
the NEWC Plan, continued regional growth and development and increase emphasis on
major regional transportation issues, the timing is appropriate for the stakeholders in the
NEWC Plan, which may be expanded to include other cities and regional input, to
initiate an update of the document to reflect current opportunities, goals and issues.
Crow Hassan
Park Reserve
Missi ssippi R i v erMississippi R i v er
N o r th Fork Cro w R iv e r
Beebe Lake
Regional Park
Beebe Lake
Regional Park
Otsego
Regional Park
Otsego
Regional Park
Iffert Ave NE Jamison Ave NE 15th St NE
72nd St NE
Jamison Ave NE Kadler Ave NE 85th St NE
Mciver Ave NE Mason Ave NE 70th St
60th St NE Packard Ave NE 65th St
85th St NE
Farmington SE 50th St NE Fenning Ave NE Nashua Ave NE Odean Ave NE 141st Ave
Sylvan
Lake Rd
Park DrCrow-HassanPark Rd Mc Allister Ave NE Naber AveBig Lake Bypass
Jaber Ave NE Lander Ave NE F ra n kfort Pkwy Main Ave NE 50th St NE Oakwood AvePage Ave Ogren Ave Quam Ave NE0 Harding Ave NENortheast Wright County
Sub-Area Study
Figure 8
Future Functional
Classification Plan
1012Miles
Legend
Principal Arterial
Minor Arterial
Minor Collector
Future Roads (Dashed)
Roads
Lakes and Rivers
Parks
Potential Future River Crossing
Existing Interchange
Proposed Interchange
Existing Bridge
Future Bridge
Collector
Crow Hassan
Park Reserve
Missi ssippi R i v erMississippi R i v er
N o r th Fork Cro w R iv e r
Beebe Lake
Regional Park
Beebe Lake
Regional Park
Otsego
Regional Park
Otsego
Regional Park
Iffert Ave NE Jamison Ave NE 15th St NE
72nd St NE
Jamison Ave NE Kadler Ave NE 85th St NE
Mciver Ave NE Mason Ave NE 70th St
60th St NE Packard Ave NE 65th St
85th St NE
Farmington SE 50th St NE Fenning Ave NE Nashua Ave NE Odean Ave NE 141st Ave
Sylvan
Lake Rd
Park DrCrow-HassanPark Rd Mc Allister Ave NE Naber AveJaber Ave NE Lander Ave NE Main Ave NE 50th St NE Oakwood AvePage Ave Ogren Ave Quam Ave NED
F
E
C
G
B
A
A
H
J
I
7
15
3
2
19
13
18
11
4
6
10
12
1
5
9
14
17
16 8
0 Harding Ave NENortheast Wright County
Sub-Area Study
Figure 24
Recommended Staging of
Major Improvement Projects
1012Miles
Legend
Short-Term (2004-2015)
ROW Preservation (2004-2040)
Mid-Term (2015-2025)
Long-Term (2025-2040)
Existing Interchange
Proposed Half Interchange
Proposed Full Interchange
Existing Bridge
Future Bridge
1. Proposed system plan has two
options for treatment of access at
I-94/CSAH 37 (A); one option is
for half-diamond interchange to and
from the east.
2. River crossing location/
alignment to be determined (J).
Notes:
X Denotes Reference Number
in Tables 19-21
Crow Hassan
Park Reserve
Missi ssippi R i v erMississippi R i v er
N o r th Fork Cro w R iv e r
Beebe Lake
Regional Park
Beebe Lake
Regional Park
Otsego
Regional Park
Otsego
Regional Park
Iffert Ave NE Garrison Ave 20th St NE Hamlin Ave NE Jamison Ave NE 15th St NE
72nd St NE
Jamison Ave NE Kadler Ave NE 85th St NE
Mciver Ave NE Mason Ave NE 70th St
60th St NE Packard Ave NE 65th St
85th St NE
Farmington SE 50th St NE Fenning Ave NE Nashua Ave NE Odean Ave NE 141st Ave
Main St Sylvan
Lake Rd
Park DrCrow-HassanPark Rd Mc Allister Ave NE Naber AveBig Lake Bypass
0 Harding Ave NENortheast Wright County
Sub-Area Study
Figure 22
Recommended
Access Spacing
1012Miles
Minor Arterials
5A
5B
5C
Collectors
6A
6B2
6C
6B1
Legend
High Priority Interregional Corridors
Medium Priority Interregional Corridors
1F
1A - F
2A
2A - F
2B
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Transportation Plan
Page 103
Arterial and Collector Streets
I-94 and TH 101 are principal arterial roadways connecting Otsego to the regional
highway system and provide high-speed mobility to the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area
and destinations outside of the metropolitan area. TH 101 has been upgraded to
freeway status within the City improving access and traffic safety for residents and
transient commuter traffic. The construction of the flyover bypass from west I-94 to
north TH 101 in Rogers further increased the efficiency of TH 101 between Otsego and
I-94. Otsego is participating in the Rogers’ planned interchange at TH 101 and CSAH
144 that will remove the last traffic signal between Otsego and I-94 in 2014. The City
Council has also elected to join the I-94 Coalition to advocate for support and funding
for expansion of I-94 to add additional vehicle lanes between Maple Grove and
Monticello.
Minor arterial streets also emphasize mobility over land access, serving to connect
Otsego with adjacent or nearby communities as well as the regional highway system.
Major nodes of commercial or industrial development or other significant traffic
generators are typically located along minor arterial roadways. Within Otsego, minor
arterial roadways generally correspond to County State Aid Highways including CSAH
39, CSAH 42 and CSAH 37. To this end, it is important with the City to work with
Wright County on planning and funding for needed upgrades to these regionally
significant roads for both local functionality and regional efficiency.
Collector streets are designed to serve shorter trips that occur primarily within the City
and provide access from neighborhoods or other collector streets and the arterial
system. Collector streets are intended to carry less traffic than arterial roadways and
provide access on a limited basis. Examples of collector streets within the Otsego
functional classification system include Quaday Avenue, Page Avenue, Odean Avenue,
MacIver Avenue, 85th Street and 78th Street/75th Street between Quaday Avenue and
Odean Avenue.
Planned Improvements
The Transportation Plan directs several additions and/or changes for Otsego’s existing
arterial and collector roadway system. These new roadways or realignments are the
result of urban development in the community and the need to provide a more efficient
transportation system that has evolved from a series of rural roadways. The proposed
modifications have been prioritized to reflect need and urgency within the City. It should
be stressed that many alignments are merely conceptual in nature and represent long
term and preferred roadway alignments.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Transportation Plan
Page 104
1. 70th Street from Oakwood Avenue to Marlowe Avenue. The City will construct
this roadway as a rural section collector street in 2014 providing an important
east-west connection across Otsego improving regional access and intra-City
travel.
2. I-94/Kadler Avenue Interchange. The NEWC Transportation Plan and City of
Otsego plan construction of an interchange at I-94 and Kadler Avenue. This
interchange will improve regional and local access for planned urban uses in
Otsego, Albertville and St. Michael relieving congestion at existing accesses.
3. 85th Street between Nashua Avenue and CSAH 19. This roadway is planned
as a future parkway street to provide additional east-west access across the City.
The project will likely be undertaken in phases. The City has already approved
preliminary plans and environmental studies for construction of the initial
roadway between Nashua Avenue and Mason Avenue. The City will seek to
acquire right-of-way or easement for the planned street extension. However,
construction is not included as part of the Capital Improvement Plan at this time
and would likely be triggered by construction of school facilities on the parcel
owned by ISD 728 at the northwest corner of MacIver Avenue and 80th Street or
development of adjacent properties.
4. Kadler Avenue from 70th Street to 80th Street. This roadway currently exists
as a rural, gravel section street. With planned industrial and office development
adjacent to Kadler Avenue upgrade to an urban collector street is necessary.
Long term, the NEWC plan designates this roadway as a future minor arterial
street with the construction of the I-94/Kadler Avenue interchange as a possible
realignment of CSAH 19 between 70th Street (future CSAH 37) and CSAH 39.
MNDoT also identifies Kadler Avenue as a long-term potential location to bridge
the Mississippi River to provide an additional connection between TH 101 and
TH 25 in Monticello.
5. Quaday Avenue from CSAH 37 to 60th Street. Extension of Quaday Avenue
south of CSAH 37 will provide access for development of planned industrial land
uses west of TH 101. This roadway will also provide access to existing areas of
Otsego not accessible by City streets except by traveling through St. Michael to
TH 101.
6. River Road (CSAH 42) from 85th Street to TH 101. This segment of CSAH 42
exists as a rural section two lane roadway. As regional traffic increases and
adjacent parcels develop with planned commercial uses, it will be necessary for
Otsego to work with Wright County to secure the funding needed to improve the
the street segment to a four lane divided roadway with adjacent off-street trails.
The existing roadway also presents significant safety issues in terms of access to
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Transportation Plan
Page 105
Otsego Elementary. Traffic signals are anticipated to be warranted at Quaday
Avenue and a four-way intersection in the approximate location of the access to
Otsego Elementary.
7. Nashua Avenue between 83rd Street and 60th Street. The construction of this
extension of Nashua Avenue is planned to provide improved north-south travel
within Otsego and access to I-94 at the approved interchange at Nabor Avenue
in St. Michael. This roadway will also provide access to planned industrial uses
guided based on the planned interstate access to I-94 at Nabor Avenue. Otsego
and St. Michael have coordinated the location of the intersection of
Nashua/Nabor Avenue at 60th Street.
8. Other Segments. Other collector streets will be programmed for construction in
coordination with timing for planned development to provide adequate capacity to
accommodate traffic generation. These streets include:
Extension of 75th Street west of Odean Avenue.
Extension of Randolph Avenue north to 65th Street.
Construction of Palmgren Avenue between 78th Street and 70th Street
(CSAH 37).
Improvement of 65th Street from Queens Avenue and River Road (CSAH
42).
Extension of MacIver Avenue north of 80th Street to 95th Street (CSAH 39).
Realignment of Packard Avenue south of 70th Street to 60th Street.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Transportation Plan
Page 106
Jurisdictional Classification
Roadways within Otsego are administered by different agencies depending on their
jurisdictional classification. MNDoT maintains the interstate and trunk highways that
comprise principal arterial roads. Wright County maintains County State Aid Highways
and County Roads within Otsego that are designated either as minor arterial or collector
streets. Remaining streets are constructed and maintained by the City of Otsego.
Occasionally the jurisdictional classification of a roadway will be changed to reflect the
way a street is to be use based on development, changes in traffic patterns or volume
or construction of new facilities. One jurisdictional change is anticipated to occur in
Otsego with Wright County assuming jurisdiction over the segment of 70th Street
between Oakwood Avenue and Kadler Avenue as a future minor arterial roadway
providing for realignment of CSAH 37 as guided by the NEWC Transportation Plan.
The existing segment of CSAH 37 from 70th Street/Oakwood Avenue to I-94 would be
turned back to the Cities of Otsego, St. Michael and Albertville. The City of Otsego is
moving forward with construction and improvement of 70th Street between Oakwood
Avenue and Marlowe Avenue in 2014 as a local collector street. The eventual
jurisdictional classification change of 70th Street and turn-back of the existing 70th Street
is an issue to be negotiated related to the condition and required improvements to the
existing roadway at such time as traffic patterns or volumes warrants.
Local Streets
Local street provide access to adjacent properties and within neighborhoods. Local
streets are generally low speed and designed to discourage through traffic. The City
should concentrate on the extension of local streets in functional patterns as
development continues. Future development within Otsego is expected to be
concentrated within the sanitary sewer service districts. Connections between new
subdivisions must be planned at not less than one-quarter mile intervals to ensure
proper access and circulation off of collector and arterial streets.
Maintenance
The City utilizes a Roadway Management Plan, updated annually, to plan system wide
improvements and upgrade existing City streets. Through this phased approach, the
City has been able to progressively attend to problems and eventually make system-
wide upgrades. These efforts should continue as need dictates. The maintenance and
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Transportation Plan
Page 107
upgrade program is viewed as essential as the number of new streets continue to be
built within the City.
As a means of reducing long term maintenance costs to the City, Otsego should
continue to place a strong emphasis on quality street standard designs. One ongoing
issue is streets within urbanized areas that are surfaced in gravel. While the graveled
streets in themselves are in good condition, their inherent qualities do pose some
detriments to the City. Specifically, such innate characteristics as dust, grade upkeep,
and noise all serve to diminish the attractiveness of a typical urbanized neighborhood.
A program to upgrade these roadways to paved sections designs should be developed
and implemented over time.
Public Transportation
No regular public transportation services are available within the City of Otsego. The
Regionally, the Northstar commuter rail corridor provides passenger train service
between the City of Big Lake and downtown Minneapolis along existing Burlington
Northern rail lines. There is a passenger terminal for the Northstar line in the City of Elk
River and the proximity of this passenger rail service to the City would provide a
transportation alternative to residents working within the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.
Wright County Human Services provides a public transportation service on a County-
wide basis. Drivers are area residents who volunteer their time and private vehicle for
door to door ride service. While the current volunteer service appears to work well and
accommodate the transportation needs of the City’s residents, an increasing elderly
population may initiate the need for full time van-type service.
The River Rider Heartland Express bus service also includes the City of Otsego in its
service area. The bus service provides public door to door transportation for the
general transportation needs of community residents (i.e., shopping, medical
appointments, dining, etc.), to locations in the area, as well as locations such as Mercy
Hospital in Anoka.
The City may in the future consider opportunities for park and ride facilities along the TH
101 corridor to facilitate resident access to employment opportunities and assist in
alleviating regional traffic congestion.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Transportation Plan
Page 108
Railroads
A Burlington Northern rail line bisects the southwestern corner of Otsego. To date, the
line is bounded by the Otsego Industrial Park and undeveloped agriculturally land. Use
of the line is extremely limited for service only to the Monticello power plant and is in
poor condition. The potential abandonment of the rail line should be recognized by the
City. To this end, the City should monitor and, to the extent possible, participate in
studies examining future re-uses of the rail corridor.
Airports
There are no airports within the City of Otsego. The closest full-service airport facilities
to the City are Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in Minneapolis. Commercial
airlines also increasingly operate from the St. Cloud airport. Small plane airport facilities
also exist in the Cities of Buffalo and Maple Plain.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Community Facilities Plan
Page 109
Community Facilities Plan
Provision of necessary community facilities is the primary function of local government.
These facilities include public utilities, public safety, and administration. Parks and trails
are also a community facility addressed separately by the Comprehensive Plan. The
City of Otsego was formed on the basis of ensuring adequate community facilities for its
current and future residents and has undertaken several specific planning efforts and
facilities plans in these efforts.
Public Utilities
Sanitary Sewer and Water Service
The City of Otsego operates two sanitary sewer collection and treatment systems and
associated water systems:
East Sewer Service District. The East Sewer District is served by a 1,000,000
gpd. wastewater treatment facility located in the southeast corner of the City near
CSAH 36. The City of Otsego has sold 40,000 gpd. of plant capacity to the City
of Dayton for use within their historic downtown area. The remaining capacity of
960,000 gpd.
West Sewer Service District. In 2002, the City constructed a second waste
water treatment plant, sewer collection system and water system for the western
areas of the City.
There is also one private sewer system located in Otsego. The system is part of the
River Bend Mobile Home Park located at the southeast quadrant of TH101 and CSAH
42. The sewage treatment facility is maintained by the park owner, although Otsego
has some joint, legally assigned responsibilities for the system’s operation. The facility
plan for expansion of the east waste water treatment plant will take into consideration
eventual abandonment of the Riverbend treatment facility and connection of the mobile
home park development to the municipal system. Any potential expansion of the
existing Riverbend treatment system would be evaluated and decided only in
conjunction with a formal development application.
To avoid the premature extension of sanitary sewer into the City’s concentrated areas of
unsewered development, Otsego enforces the Wright County “point of sale” ordinance.
This ordinance requires non-conforming on-site septic systems to be upgraded to
current standards at the time of property sale. Additionally, the City has imposed City-
wide mandatory septic system pumping requirements in accordance with State Statute
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 110
and has required the installation of ground water monitoring wells (in association with
new development) in certain locations of the City.
The water system consists of two separate systems corresponding to the East and
West Sewer Service Districts each with one operational water tower, wells, pump
houses and distribution facilities. The water systems are designed and constructed to
ultimately be connected as a single system as urban development expands towards the
center of the City in accordance with the Urban Service Staging Plan, to increase
efficiency and capacity. Capacity of the water system must be monitored along with
continued development to ensure adequate service for residents and businesses as
well as fire protection.
Watertower #1 within the East Sewer Service District is currently not in service
with adequate storage provided by Watertower #3. The City will continue to
maintain the facility and evaluate the need to bring Watertower #1 back on line to
meet service demands.
The Riverwood National development is not connected as part of the water
system within the West Sewer Service District and has limitations on water
service related to its isolated well and pressure storage tank. The City will
monitor the water issues and initiate extension of trunk water lines to Riverwood
National when service levels dictate as anticipated by the Capital Improvement
Plan.
The City must monitor the need for water treatment facilities in consideration of
regulatory requirements and water quality issues.
The City must monitor the pace of development and actual service demand within the
two Sewer Service Districts to anticipate the need to expand the facility prior to actual
demand. The City Engineer in cooperation with the Utility System Operator has
developed a detailed long range Capital Improvement Plan for the sanitary sewer and
water utilities to anticipate trigger points for system expansions based on various rates
of additional service connections.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Community Facilities Plan
Page 111
Stormwater Management
Storm water drainage is handled both by naturally occurring drainage swales and
ponding areas and by ditches constructed along Otsego roadways and developed
stormwater basins within platted subdivisions. Historically, this system of storm water
drainage has proven inadequate with major problems occurring during seasonal thaws
and rainfalls. These types of drainage problems are quite common in areas of
experiencing a transition from rural to urban character. Storm water drainage utilities
have been installed within the sewered subdivisions within the sanitary sewer service
district. Since the adoption of the City’s 1991 Comprehensive Plan, the City has taken
several steps to correct storm water drainage problems and ensure that storm water is
properly managed in the future. These steps include:
1. The required submission of grading and drainage plans in association with
subdivision proposals.
2. Compliance with the State’s “Protecting Water Quality in Urban Areas, Best
Management Practices for Minnesota” (MPCA October 1989).
3. The adoption of a City Stormwater Management Plans for specific watersheds.
4. The imposition of stormwater impact fees associated with subdivision requests
and stormwater utility fees for areas of the City with developed stormwater
facilities.
5. Implementation of Stormwater Maintenance Program required as part of the
City’s NPDES Permit to inspect and maintain 25 percent of the City’s stormwater
facilities every year.
6. Adoption by reference of the Wetland Conservation Act of 1991.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Community Facilities Plan
Page 115
Public Safety
Otsego currently contracts with the Wright County Sheriff’s Department for police
protection and enforcement. Wright County assigns specific deputies to patrol the City
for a specified number of hours each day, while maintaining 24 dispatch and on-call
emergency services. Wright County Deputies and Court Officers utilize office space
within Prairie Center to providing additional local presence and increase efficiency. The
City has established a Police Commission to advise the City Council on community
policing and service issues and foster communication between the City and Wright
County Sherriff’s Office.
Fire protection services are contracted with three fire departments: Albertville, Elk River,
and Rogers. Current fire service response time from each of the Fire Departments may
be slowed due to physical barriers and access limitations between cities. Considering
that facility location is a primary issue in providing the best fire protection to minimize
response time, the development of an Otsego substation should be a priority.
The City Council has had preliminary discussions regarding development of local fire
service or a substation in partnership with one or more of the departments serving
Otsego to locate possible fire station sites within the City be identified and possibly
acquired in advance of development, which are shown on the map on the following
page:
Adequate area exists within the City Campus properties to accommodate
development of a large facility that would be the centerpiece of an Otsego Fire
Department service.
The City acquired a property at the northwest corner of Park Avenue and 85th
Street for the purpose of developing a Fire substation within the existing Elk
River Fire Department service area.
Consideration is to be given to acquisition of a third property that would be
developed into a future Fire substation within the Albertville Fire Department
Service Area.
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FUTURE FIREPROTECTION FACILITIES00.55 1.10.275
Miles
K:\cad_eng\PROJECTS\GIS\TPC\Otsego\Comprehensive Plan 2012\Future Fire Protection Facilities
DISCLAIMER:This product is for informational purposes and may not have beenprepared for, or be suitable for legal, engineering, or surveyingpurposes. Users of this information should review or consult theprimary data and information sources to ascertain the usabilityof the information.
ADOPTED: December XX, 2012
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2012
TPC
Legend
Future Fire Protection
City Campus
East Substation
West Substation Search Area
Fire District Boundary
Albertville
Elk River
Rogers
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Community Facilities Plan
Page 119
City Buildings and Facilities
City Hall
City administration and Public Works functions are centralized at City Hall on 90th Street
within the City Campus. The City Hall provides office space for City administration,
community development, parks and recreation finance and building safety departments,
as well as community meetings. The Public Works and Parks Maintenance
Departments are also located within the facility, which was originally constructed for
this. The facility and site has been designed to allow for future expansions to
accommodate future space especially related to storage of Public Works vehicles and
equipment. The Public Works Department also utilized the former public works building
at Nashua Avenue and CSAH 39 for cold storage as well as the interior areas at the
base of Watertowers #2 and #3. The City will monitor its public space needs and plan
for building additions and/or new facilities as part of its Capital Improvement Plan.
Prairie Center
The building formerly used as City Hall from 1993 to 2012 is to be repurposed as a
community facility. City Council and other public meetings will continue to be held at
this building and the City’s recreation program is anticipated to be a primary user of the
facility. Office space has already been allocated to the Heritage Preservation
Commission and Wright County Sheriff’s Office. A committee has been formed to
define the functions the building is to accommodate and plan the renovation and
remodeling project, which is included in the Capital Improvement Plan for 2013.
Town Hall
The City maintains ownership of property at Nashua Avenue and CSAH 39 that is the
location of the former Town Hall and Public Works Building. The Public Works Building
is still in use by the City for cold storage facilities. The Town Hall building has been
unused for City purposes since construction of new administrative offices in 1993 and
the City has not identified a viable public or private long-term use for the building. The
building is substantially deteriorated, does not meet ADA standards and its condition
continues to decline with replacement of the roof, heating system and broken windows
know repairs required for reuse. The Heritage Preservation Commission is exploring
options for the building. Absent identification of a use for the building allowed by the
Wild and Scenic regulations included in the Zoning Ordinance and availability of funding
sources, the building is likely to be demolished.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 121
Parks and Trails Plan
The Parks and Trails Plan sets forth a vision of a park, trail and open space system
founded upon community characteristics, an assessment of existing facilities and the
projected needs of the City for on-going development. The Parks and Trails Plan’s
objective is to propose improvements in order to maintain the system as a significant
community asset that contributes positively to the quality of life and character of Otsego.
The Parks and Trails Plan is an integral component of the Comprehensive Plan,
especially in relation to implementation of the Land Use Plan.
It is anticipated that parks and trails facilities will be acquired and developed along with
the continued growth anticipated to occur within the community. The City’s future
development pattern is founded in the concept of interconnected neighborhoods and
amenities such as parks and open spaces are intended to provide focus and identity for
individual neighborhoods and the community overall. Trails serve to connect these
individual neighborhoods to adjacent neighborhoods and other community centers.
Furthermore, development of the parks and trails system is a community facility issue
involving delivery of high-quality, cost effective services.
Significance of the Parks and Trails System
Establishment of parks and trails and preservation of open spaces is a vital element of
Otsego’s developed environment. The significance of parks, trails and open spaces is
summarized by the following four principals:
Provision of Recreation Opportunities. Creating opportunities for recreation
and leisure time activities are important quality of life factors for Otsego. A
growing need and emphasis on physical fitness and expanding recreational
choices increases the programming responsibilities for the City in planning its
parks and trails system.
Protection of Natural Resources. Preservation of the City’s natural
environment can provide more than just aesthetic value. These resources are
essential to the sustainability of human health and welfare. Otsego has many
natural resources such as the Mississippi River, Crow River, creeks, wetlands,
and forest stands. The character of these areas should be preserved and
integrated into the overall parks and trails system for the enjoyment of the entire
community and preservation of existing ecosystems.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 122
Defining Urban Structure. Development of a variety of park facilities and
connecting trails serves to define the urban character of the City and can
increase the sense of community identity. Development of a high quality parks
and trails system is an effective means to attract high quality residential and
commercial development, enhance property values and revitalize declining
areas.
Transportation. Establishing a trail system provides access to park and open
space areas and connections to other community destinations. Trail
development has been and will continue to be primarily coordinated with
construction of collector and arterial roadways defined by the City’s
Transportation Plan. Construction of multiple purpose trails and/or sidewalks
along major roadways allows for a more direct and efficient system of trails as
public street rights-of-way provide necessary land with few physical limitations,
better user safety and ensures better land use compatibility.
The quality parks and trails that exist in Otsego today are representative of past
planning efforts. An initial Comprehensive Park, Trail and Recreation Plan was
completed in 1992. The Comprehensive Plan update in 1998 addressed expansion of
the parks and trails system in anticipation of urban development starting with
construction of municipal sanitary sewer and water utilities. The Parks and Trails Plan
was updated again as a stand-alone document in 2001. The most recent update of the
Parks and Trails Plan occurred in 2004 with the Comprehensive Plan update
addressing on-going growth management. These plans inventoried existing facilities
and assessed the needs of different park types based upon future growth as it was then
projected. Through the proactive implementation of these planning tools, the City has
established a foundation for a high-quality, comprehensive network of recreational
spaces that contribute to the quality of life within the community as well as to the
community’s overall identity.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 123
Park Classification System
Otsego’s existing and future parks and trails system is comprised of a variety of parks,
open spaces, trails and facilities that are defined by a functional hierarchy according to
use, size, and facility development. The classification of park facilities assists in
planning a comprehensive system that responds to the community’s needs, existing and
planned land use patterns and densities and the physical character of the City.
The classifications established for the Otsego parks and trails system are based on
nationally recognized park characteristics with modifications intended to reflect local
needs and conditions. It is a tool to guide Otsego’s decision makers in determining park
locations, area and facilities. Specific standards and criteria are recommended for
each type of park facility, although some flexibility may be anticipated based on specific
circumstances that may arise. These standards and criteria should be used as:
An expression of minimum acceptable facilities.
A guideline to determine land requirements.
A basis to relate recreation needs and spatial analysis to a community wide
parks and trails system.
To define a major element of the desired land use pattern.
A means to justify the need for parks and trails facilities in relation to continued
development.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 124
Community Parks
Community parks are defined as the largest and most comprehensive facilities within
the City’s overall parks and trails system intended to be large destination oriented
facilities that offer a wide variety of uses. Community parks should have a minimum
area of 25 acres with facilities intended to be used by the entire community. The
location of community parks should capitalize on areas of high natural amenity such as
rivers, forested areas, watercourses, etc., that appeal to larger groups and provide for
community access. Facilities within community parks are to be developed to
accommodate large crowds and special events such as a community festival or
holidays. Activities typically include walking, picnicking (family and large groups),
passive and organized sports and community events.
Service Area: Community wide
Per Capita Standard: 5 to 8 acres per 1,000 population
Desirable Area: 25 acres minimum / 50 to 100 acres desired
Primary Function: Extensive area for community-wide use that may
provide active, passive, educational, cultural, or programmed functions for all age
groups.
Design Characteristics: Community parks should integrate attractive natural
features, have good vehicular access from a collector or arterial street as well as
trail connections and provide ample off-street parking facilities.
Typical Facilities: Multiple Use Trails
Volleyball, horseshoes, court games
Play structures
Picnic facilities
Baseball/softball fields
Soccer/Football/Lacrosse
Ice stating
Scenic views
Fishing
Restrooms/parking/signage/trash collection
Water features
Disc golf
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 125
Community Playfields
Community playfields are targeted towards organized adult and youth play on a city-
wide basis. These facilities should respond to needs for softball fields, baseball fields,
soccer/football fields, lacrosse fields, multiple tennis courts, swimming pools, and ice
sheets. Site lighting and irrigation are likely desired to allow for extended hours
required for league competition and tournaments. Community playfields serve
populations up to 25,000 persons. However, the facility design is related primarily to the
needs of user organizations and must be coordinated with the City. Joint use of
facilities with elementary, middle or high school facilities can also be considered where
schedules and maintenance requirements agree. The majority of the users for these
facilities will come from beyond walking distance making adequate access from
collector or arterial streets, off-street parking and convenience facilities important.
Service Area: Community-wide
Per Capita Standard: 2.0 to 2.5 acres per 1,000 population
Desirable Area: 20 acre minimum / 30 acres desired
Primary Function: Participants in athletic activities that may be organized or
informal.
Locations: Facilities must be located with access to collector or arterial streets
on a relatively flat site. Proximity to school facilities may be desirable.
Typical Facilities: Baseball
Softball
Soccer
Football
Lacrosse
Tennis
Hockey/Free Skating
Swimming pools
Play structures
Spectator seating
Picnic facilities
Trail connections
Off-street parking
Restrooms/concessions/storage facilities
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 126
Neighborhood Parks
Otsego’s neighborhood parks are the fundamental building blocks of the City’s parks
and trail system and the focus for individual neighborhoods. Neighborhood parks are to
be distributed through the City’s residential areas and are intended to provide equal
facilities and access. Optimum service areas for neighborhood parks should be within a
one-half mile radius unobstructed by major roadways or physical barriers. The
population served by individual parks should not exceed 5,000 persons.
Neighborhood parks should be a minimum of five acres and up to 20 acres in area to
allow for a mix of active and passive uses. Sites selected for neighborhood parks
should possess physical features that accommodate basic recreational programming.
In some cases, combined use of an elementary or middle school site should be
considered to minimize duplication of facilities. Characteristics of neighborhood park
sites include gently rolling to level terrain with well drained soils, partially wooded areas,
a regular geometric shape and convenient street access and site visibility. Water
features or wetlands are acceptable and may be desirable provided that soil or drainage
conflicts are avoided.
Service Area: One-half mile radius uninterrupted by physical barriers.
Per Capita Standard: 2.5 to 3.5 developed acres per 1,000 persons
Desirable Area: 5 to 20 acres with 5 to 10 acres of active use.
Primary Function: Neighborhood parks are to provide informal neighborhood
open space with provisions for active recreational uses that responds to
neighborhood needs. Primary users will be children and families rather than
organized athletic functions.
Locations: Centrally located within a service area or defined neighborhood, the
park may be adjacent to elementary or middle school facilities or other park
elements. Primary access should occur by walking or bicycle and neighborhood
parks should be connected to the community trail system. Secondary access
should include street access and vehicle parking facilities. Adjacent land uses
should be residential, school grounds, collector streets or community open
space.
Natural characteristics should include generally flat topography and soils
compatible with facility development. Vegetation should be representative of the
neighborhood with partially wooded sites preferred. Visibility should allow good
sight lines into the parcel to encourage use and ensure security. Water features
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 127
such as ponds, creeks, or wetland should be included only if they are compatible
with the facility design and do not create safety issues.
Typical Facilities: Informal softball/baseball fields
Play fields for soccer/football/lacrosse
Multiple Use Trails
Volleyball, horseshoes, court games
Play structures for varying ages.
Picnic facilities
Benches
Skating (pleasure and hockey)
Sledding
Picnic shelter for larger sites.
Picnic tables
Restrooms
Landscaping
Trash collection
On or off-street parking (20 stall minimum)
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 128
Neighborhood Play Lots
Play lots provide service to special neighborhoods defined by geographic limitations.
These parks have insufficient size to fulfill the needs of a complete neighborhood park
and establishment of play lots should be limited to those residential areas that cannot
be adequately served by a neighborhood park. Play lots usually have a usable area of
five acres or less and therefore only allow for play equipment, court games and possibly
sub-standard play fields suitable for informal games. These parks are highly individual
neighborhood facilities based on the nature of the site and immediate adjacent
population. Play lots tend to create operation and maintenance problems due to their
small size and inefficient maintenance requirements. The City may allow, in specific
circumstances, development of privately maintained neighborhood play lots controlled
by a homeowners association for developments with greater density or distance from
public neighborhood or community park facilities.
Service Area: One-quarter mile radius
Per Capita Standard: 0.25 to 0.50 acres per 1,000 population
Desirable Area: One acre minimum / Five acres maximum
Primary Function: Extensive Facility should respond to specific user groups
such as children or seniors within residential areas not adequately served by
existing or planned neighborhood and community parks.
Locations: Neighborhood play lots may be publicly or privately owned and
maintained, and should be located within areas with greater development
densities where the population is not adequately served by neighborhood or
community parks. Play lots may also be located in single family neighborhoods
limited specifically to those areas not adequately served by neighborhood or
community parks due to access, environmental barriers or unusual neighborhood
needs.
Typical Facilities: Benches
Small picnic areas
Play structures
Pedestrian/Bicycle access only
Court games/horseshoes
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 129
Greenway Corridors/Conservancy Areas
The principal objective of the greenway corridor and conservatory areas is to sufficiently
preserve the resource such that trail uses can appreciate its character and natural
qualities. No active recreational uses should occur within these areas. Park facilities
within this designation are to accommodate varying types of trails within wide right-of-
way or parcels.
Greenway uses can include walking, biking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and
hiking. The community should capitalize on the availability of natural resources for
greenway corridors and develop them along creeks, drainageways, wooded areas or
bluff lines. The City must also ensure that the entire trail is not reliant upon the
greenway. Utility easements, utility rights-of-way, or parkways can also be designated.
Conservatory areas have the primary goal of preserving as open space sensitive natural
areas within the community. Large wetlands, creeks, drainageways, retention ponds,
wildlife corridors, bluff lines or other unique environmental features should be preserved
as a conservatory area. In general, conservatory areas should be acquired outside of
the park dedication process or direct purchase such as tax forfeiture, direct dedication
or drainage and utility easements.
Service Area: Community wide
Per Capita Standard: Not applicable
Desirable Area: Variable (minimum width 100 feet)
Primary Function: Areas that provide for recreational walking, biking, cross
country skiing in conjunction with wild life corridors, nature viewing, resource
preservation, conservation or specific management activities consistent with the
characteristics of a given area.
Locations: Typically include natural corridors such as creeks, drainageways,
bluff lines, natural features such as bluff lines vegetation stands, water features
or other characteristics that provide opportunities for passive recreational use or
along parkway streets and utility rights-of-way. Greenway corridors may provide
secondary connections to neighborhood or community facilities, but are distinct
from typical trail corridors by wide rights-of-way and use of facility amenities.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 130
Typical Facilities: Trails Pedestrian/bicycle access only
Benches / Small picnic areas
Interpretive/informational signage
Access points / parking areas
Scenic views
Special Use Facilities
Facilities that provide special activities, unique built environments or single purpose
events fit this classification. Development of these facilities should respond to distinct
markets, demands or opportunities within the community.
Service Area: Community wide
Per Capita Standard: Variable
Desirable Area: Variable
Primary Function: Areas intended for single-purpose recreation activities
whose use requires a freestanding facility because of specific characteristics or
incompatibility with other uses. Facilities typical of this designation include public
and private uses such as golf courses, nature centers, conservatories,
arboretums, gardens, ski areas or disc golf.
Locations: Locations will be dictated by the use’s specific need for unusual
physical characteristics such as topography, water features, vegetation or soils;
or those uses that must be buffered or kept independent of developed areas.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 131
Heritage Preservation Sites
The Otsego Cemetery is currently the one public site that is designated as a heritage
preservation site within Otsego. The City’s Historic Preservation Commission has
identified other sites within the City that are potentially eligible for designation as a
heritage preservation site, necessitating establishment of a park system classification.
Opportunities for recreational use of the City’s heritage preservation sites should be a
collaborative effort between the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Heritage
Preservation Commission.
Service Area: Community wide
Per Capita Standard: Not applicable
Desirable Area: Dependent upon historical element to be preserved or
interpreted. Size should be a minimum of one acre to encourage use and
provide for support facilities.
Primary Function: Preservation or interpretation of sites or buildings of
community significance with endorsement of the Heritage Preservation
Commission.
Typical Facilities: Sites may be parcels or structures that have unique historic
significance to the community meriting preservation, interpretation or other
community related uses. Facilities will depend on need for preservation,
interpretation and security. Support facilities may include parking, restrooms,
trail connections and signs.
Facility Development
The National Recreation and Parks Association establishes recommendations for
various activities applicable to physical design standards, per capita recommendations
and service radius. While these standards can be applied to existing conditions, their
real use is as a planning tool in guiding the Parks and Recreation Commission in
establishing needs for future park areas and programming and should be consulted as
new land is added to the park system and development is programmed.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 132
Existing Parks and Trails Facilities
Existing recreational facilities within the City of Otsego include facilities provided for and
maintained by the City, Wright County, the State of Minnesota, school districts and
private enterprise. These facilities are summarized by the following paragraphs, map
and table.
City Parks, Trails and Other Facilities
The City of Otsego has approximately 119 acres of developed park land within the City.
Facilities include Prairie Park, six neighborhood parks as well as land adjacent to the
Mississippi River within the Waterfront East development that includes a one-mile trail.
The City has recently moved its administrative offices from the City Hall building
constructed in 1992. This building has been named Prairie Center and is to be
repurposed for community uses, including recreation programing.
The City owns a cemetery dating to the 1850s located at CSAH 39 and O’Brian Avenue.
The City also owns a portion of the original town site that includes the former Town/City
Hall. This site is adjacent to the Mississippi River Trail Bikeway and could be
developed as a rest stop for MRT users.
There are 18.6 miles of grade separated trails within the City. A trail is to be
constructed in 2014 as part of the 70th Street project that will connect existing trails on
MacIver Avenue and Odean Avenue creating much needed east-west access across
the City.
CSAH 39 and CSAH 42 through Otsego have been designated as part of the
Mississippi River Trail Bikeway. The MRT route through Otsego is small part of a much
larger system of bicycle routes that follow the Mississippi from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of
Mexico stretching 3,000 miles through 10 states. Sometimes, the trail is on roads and
streets, sometimes atop levees, and in other sections, the route is an off road trail for
bicyclers and walkers only. The route through Otsego will initially follow the shoulders
along CSAH 39 and CSAH 42 but will include off-street trails as the City’s trail system
continues to expand. Otsego should seek to become a destination along the MRT at
the gateway to the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area offering restaurants, hotels and
services for MRT riders. Signs indicating the MRT route are to be installed in 2012.
The City and Wright County should consider additional signage to provide wayfinding
for local amenities and businesses.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 133
Sidewalks are required as of 2002 to be provided along one side of public streets within
residential subdivisions and both sides of commercial developments for improved
pedestrian and bicycle access. There are currently 18.9 miles of sidewalk within the
City.
Wright County Facilities
Otsego County Park is a 59 acre site located adjacent to the Mississippi River in the
northeast corner of the City. The park facilities include picnic shelters and tables, paved
trails, a play field, play structures, toilets and canoe access. Wright County does not
charge access fees for use of the park although the shelter may be reserved for a fee.
Wright County has designated bike routes along CSAH 42 and along CSAH 39
following the MRT route through Otsego. However, only that portion of CSAH 42 east
of TH 101 is signed as a bike route and traffic along these roadways is not conducive to
trail use without separation of the trail from the drive lanes.
Wright County also has snowmobile trail that runs through the western half of Otsego
and connects with DNR funded trails in Albertville and Monticello and other trails
throughout the County.
65TH STREET
QUEENSAVENUEQUADAY AVENUEODEAN AVENUEPAGE AVENUE85TH STREET
70TH STREET
78TH STREETNASHUA AVENUEMASON AVENUE70TH STREETKADLER AVENUEMACIVER AVENUEJABER AVENUEJABER AVENUELA BEAUX AVENUE60TH STREET OAKWOOD AVENUERIVER ROAD
90TH STREET
95TH STREET
65TH STREETJABER AVENUE70TH STREET
AVENUEPACKARD AVENUEPrairie Park
39
37
37
36
42
42
39
19
Rice Lake Preserve
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
CROWRIVEROtsego County Park
MnDNR
94
101
39
37
42
19
36
18
37
NorinLanding
Waterfront East Park
Beaudry Meadows Park
Frankfort Park
Zimmer Farm Park
Lily Pond Park
School Knoll Park
Kittredge Crossing Park
EXISTING PARKS ANDRECREATION FACILITIES00.55 1.10.275
Miles
K:\cad_eng\PROJECTS\GIS\TPC\Otsego\Comprensive Plan 2012\Existing Parks and Recreation Facilities
DISCLAIMER:This product is for informational purposes and may not have beenprepared for, or be suitable for legal, engineering, or surveyingpurposes. Users of this information should review or consult theprimary data and information sources to ascertain the usabilityof the information.
ADOPTED: December XX, 2012
COMPRENSIVE PLAN 2012
TPC
LEGEND
Community Park - Community Play Field
Neighborhood Park
Conservation Area
Unimproved Parcel
Trail
School
65TH STREET
QUEENSAVENUEQUADAY AVENUEODEAN AVENUEPAGE AVENUE85TH STREET
70TH STREET
78TH STREETNASHUA AVENUEMASON AVENUE70TH STREETKADLER AVENUEMACIVER AVENUEJABER AVENUEJABER AVENUELA BEAUX AVENUE60TH STREET OAKWOOD AVENUERIVER ROAD
90TH STREET
95TH STREET
65TH STREETJABER AVENUE70TH STREET
AVENUEPACKARD AVENUEPrairie Park
39
37
37
36
42
42
39
19
Rice Lake Preserve
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
CROWRIVEROtsego County Park
94
101
39
37
42
19
36
18
37
NorinLanding
Waterfront East Park
Beaudry Meadows Park
Frankfort Park
Zimmer Farm Park
Lily Pond Park
School Knoll Park
Kittredge Crossing Park
EXISTING TRAILSAND SIDEWALKS00.55 1.10.275
Miles
K:\cad_eng\PROJECTS\GIS\TPC\Otsego\Comprensive Plan 2012\Existing Trails and Sidewalks
DISCLAIMER:This product is for informational purposes and may not have beenprepared for, or be suitable for legal, engineering, or surveyingpurposes. Users of this information should review or consult theprimary data and information sources to ascertain the usabilityof the information.
ADOPTED: December XX, 2012
COMPRENSIVE PLAN 2012
TPC
LEGEND
Bituminous Trail
Sidewalk
Mississippi River Trail
Park
School
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 139
CITY OF OTSEGO EXISTING PARK FACILITIES
City Facilities Other Facilities
Prairie Park Waterfront East School Knoll Park Lilly Pond Park Beaudry Meadows Park Zimmer Farm Park Kittredge Crossing Park Frankfort Park Norin Landing McDonald Landing Otsego Elementary Kaleidoscope School Otsego County Park VFW Play Fields Rice Lake DNR – Odean/CSAH 37 Area (acres) 63 17 5 5 8 7 5 6 3 na 20 10 59 33 165 37
Parking ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Trails ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Equestrian ■
Nature Area ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Volleyball ■
Tennis ■ ■ ■ ■
Horseshoe ■ ■
Basketball ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Softball ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Baseball ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Play Field ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Sledding ■ ■
Fishing ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Boat launch ■ ■
Restrooms ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Play
structures ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Picnic shelter ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Firepit ■
Picnic grills ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Picnic tables ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 140
School District Facilities
There is only one public school within the City of Otsego. The Elk River Area School
District operates Otsego Elementary School adjacent to CSAH 42, just north of Quaday
Avenue. Otsego Elementary School includes recreation facilities typical of this type of
facility including ball and play fields, court games, play structures and indoor
gymnasium. Otsego’s School Knoll Park is abuts to the school site to provide
opportunities for shared facilities.
The Elk River Area School District has acquired an 80 acre parcel at the intersection of
MacIver Avenue and 80th Street for potential location of a future elementary and/or
middle school within the City.
There have been preliminary discussions between the City and Elk River Area School
District regarding improvement and use of shared recreation facilities both at Otsego
Elementary and the future school property. These efforts are to continue as a means of
expanding recreational opportunities within Otsego as well as increasing efficiency for
both the City and Elk River Area School District. In that these facilities will serve a
community playfield function, athletic associations should also be brought into the
discussions about the expanded use of these sites.
Kaleidoscope Charter School operates on a 10 acre campus located in western Otsego.
The school facility includes a gymnasium and outdoor play equipment and field. Parks
and Recreation staff have discussed with school officials opportunities to offer programs
at Kaleidoscope Charter Schools, which is conveniently located for access by residents
in west Otsego.
State of Minnesota
The Mississippi River and Crow River border portions of Otsego. In addition to the
canoe landing within Otsego County Park, the DNR has designated two boat landings at
the termini of Kadler Avenue and Nashua Avenues, which the City owns the streets
leading to the Mississippi River. Through park dedication, the City has acquired land for
improvement of Norin Landing at the terminus of Kalder Avenue. Plans have been
approved for development of the boat ramp, parking and other facilities at Norin Landing
although funding has not been allocated. At the Nashua Avenue boat landing, there is
no land adjacent to the river access to allow for related activities such as picnicking, off-
street parking, etc. The City is also working to finalize acquisition of a parcel adjacent to
the Mississippi River at TH 101 and CSAH 42 that would be developed as a landing and
as a dog park. Given the visibility and access to this parcel, as well as proximity to
existing residential areas, the proposed “Darkenwald Landing “ is the City’s highest
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 141
priority facility along the Mississippi River. The City will work with the DNR on
improvement of these parks adjacent to the Mississippi River including seeking funding
assistance.
The state owns two parcels within the City designated as wildlife management areas
and managed by the Department of Natural Resources. The first site is a 165 acre
parcel surrounding Rice Lake and the other is a 38 acre site at Odean Avenue and
CSAH 37. The DNR also manages a four acre site adjacent to the Mississippi River
that lacks access as well as being responsible for the various islands within the
Mississippi River.
Private Facilities
The following recreation oriented private enterprises have been established within the
City of Otsego:
VFW Playfield. The Elk River VFW owns and maintains the 80 acres of play
fields along Quaday Avenue between CSAH 42 and CSAH 37. The organization
has constructed storage and clubhouse buildings on the site that facilitate
recreational use of the property. In that the site is adjacent to TH 101 with
connections to sanitary sewer and water services available to the site, the
property is considered prime for development and should not be considered to be
a long term recreation facility for the community.
Vintage Golf. An 18-hole executive style golf course is located north of CSAH
39 and east of Kadler Avenue. The facility includes a club house with food and
beverage services and pro shop. Vintage Golf is associate
Riverwood National/Vintage Golf. An 18-hole championship golf course and
18-hole executive golf course are located at CSAH 39 and Kadler Avenue.
There are two club houses and a restaurant as part of the facilities, which are
connected via a box culvert under CSAH 39.
Holiday Inn Water Park. Holiday Inn operates an indoor hotel and indoor
recreational water park within the Waterfront commercial development at the
northwest corner of TH 101 and CSAH 39. The water park facility is available to
the general public as well as guests of the hotel.
Fitness 101. A fitness and exercise club operates from the Otsego Marketplace
commercial building in northeast Otsego offering workout equipment, instruction
and classes.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 142
Future Parks and Trails Plan
This section provides an analysis of future park, trail and open space needs for the City
of Otsego along with recommendations for addressing these needs. These
recommendations relate to park, trail and open space policies and classification
standards outlined previously to the growth and land use expectations identified in the
Land Use Chapter. In analyzing future facility needs, consideration was given to the
following factors:
Comparison of growth against national park standards.
Continued integration of school facilities within the City’s parks and trails system
to avoid duplicate investment in park and recreation facilities.
Continued improvement in trail system to improve access to City parks. This will
serve to expand the service areas of existing facilities.
Integrate the analysis of park needs with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan to
identify park, trail and open space needs based on future land use, population
growth and distribution, transportation planning, sewer service staging, and
environmental protection.
Park Needs Based on National Standards
The City of Otsego has approximately 443 acres of active and passive park land. This
figure is comprised of two community parks (122 acres), one community playfield (80
acres), seven neighborhood parks (36 acres), two schools (30 acres) and two
conservation areas (202 acres). Usable, active park area is reduced in most parks due
to a variety of constraints. Otsego is no exception. The effective, usable area in virtually
all of the City’s parks must take into consideration natural limitations including wetlands,
drainage basins, steep slopes and wooded areas. These factors obviously contribute to
park aesthetics and provide passive conservation areas for the community. The table
below lists per capita park acreage norms for active use purposes within a municipal
park system. These standards indicate a range of park acreage for such active uses as
ball fields, athletic facilities, play equipment, parking and similar developed uses.
Passive or inactive conservation parcels are not considered by these standards and
these respective use acreages should be subtracted from total areas before any
comparisons are made.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 143
PER CAPITA PARK ACREAGE
STANDARDS FOR ACTIVE USE PARCELS
Acre/1,000
Population
(minimum to desirable)
Mini-Park 0.25 - 0.5
Neighborhood Park 2.5 – 3.5
Athletic Field 2.0 – 2.5
Community Park 5.0 – 8.0
Total 9.75 – 14.5
Source: NRPA
Based on these standards, Otsego’s overall system has adequate existing park facilities
for the current population of 13,571 people. Future park needs are outlined in the
following table based upon the growth projections described in the Land Use Plan. The
table outlines national standards for each park classification. These standards indicate
a range of park acreage intended for active uses such as ballfields, playfields, play
equipment, parking and similar uses.
PARK AREA ANALYSIS
2010-2030
Community
Parks
Community
Playfields
Neighbor-
hood Parks
Total
Acres
Acres/1,000 Population 5.0–8.0ac. 2.0–2.5ac. 2.5–3.5ac.
Existing Active Facilities:
City Parks: 63 37 100
County Parks: 59 59
Existing Schools: 20 20
Other Active Areas: 33 33
Total Existing Acres: 122 53 37 212
2010 Acreage Needs
Population: 13,571
68 27 34 129
Net Minimum Acres: +54 +26 +3 +83
2020 Acreage Needs
Population: 19,040
95 38 48 179
Net Minimum Acres: +27 +15 -11 +31
2030 Acreage Needs
Population: 28,000
140 56 70 276
Net Minimum Acres: -18 -3 -33 -54
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 144
Community Park Needs
Otsego has two established community parks taking advantage of unique natural
settings within the community. A need has been identified for expanded community
park active areas for the City’s growing population after 2010 based on national
standards. Geographic service areas also indicate a need for additional community
park facilities in the west and southeast areas of the City and continued population
growth also supports the need for additional community park areas. To address current
and future community park needs, the following recommendations are offered:
Continue improvements within Prairie Park in accordance with its master plan to
expand the active play areas to address needs for additional playfield and
expand recreational opportunities.
To balance the City-wide distribution of community park facilities, the City should
consider the long-term acquisition and development of a community park in
western and south east Otsego.
Coordinate with Wright County on planned improvements to Otsego County Park
to avoid duplicate expenditures in land and facilities.
Community Playfield Needs
Otsego’s community playfields are limited to areas owned and maintained either by the
Elk River Area School District or private organizations. These facilities would meet the
current play field needs if fully utilized. However, with the forecasted need for
additional community playfield space by 2030 and limitations on the use of the existing
facilities, the City must consider playfield development improvements that can expand
the available facilities to meet growing needs of the City’s sport organizations. There is
also the potential that the VFW Fields will redevelop with commercial uses given the
site’s location and available utilities. The City will work to identify future community
playfield sites for acquisition and development as well as continue to work with both
School Districts and the VFW on shared facilities to avoid duplicate expenditures in land
and facilities, the City will continue cooperative efforts with the school districts to
develop and maintain community playfields in conjunction with school facilities.
Supplementing the community playfields are neighborhood parks that may be used for
youth recreation leagues. The City must determine the extent to which use of
neighborhood parks for active recreation league play is acceptable.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 145
Neighborhood Park Needs
Neighborhood parks are intended to provide the primary facility for neighborhood
recreation. The spatial analysis above indicates that Otsego must continue to add land
for neighborhood parks as urban residential development occurs. The distribution of
the neighborhood park facilities must also address all the growing service areas of the
City and consider access and physical barriers when determining sites. The City will
have minimum needs of 70 active acres of neighborhood parks by 2030. Play lots may
be considered only to supplement the neighborhood park system within residential
areas isolated by physical barriers or access constraints that prevent use of larger
neighborhood parks.
Greenway Corridors
The City currently has no established greenway corridors. Opportunities for these
facilities exist along the Mississippi River and Crow River, various creeks and large
wetlands and the planned 85th Street Parkway. Implementation of greenway planning
will focus on the purpose of the greenways, but also to existing property ownership
patterns and adjoining land uses. The following strategies will be outlined for the
implementation of the greenway planning:
The identified corridors will be further defined in conjunction with adjoining land
development. The size and configuration of the greenways will be reflective of
the stated greenway functions. The greenway corridor will provide both
environmental protection and recreational enjoyment. In this respect, the
greenway must include both environmentally sensitive areas and buildable
upland areas.
The City will utilize a variety of methods for preserving greenways will include:
protection through enforcement of development regulations, platting wetlands
with outlots, acquisition of greenways through developer dedication or donation,
and tax forfeiture procedures. The City may utilize park land dedication for
acquisition of buildable upland portions of the greenway.
The City will seek grants and aids available through the region and state for the
acquisition and creation of greenway amenities.
Trail design may vary within greenways to reflect the natural setting, potential
environmental impacts on the greenway, and user characteristics.
For continued community education, the City will create a community-wide
awareness of the value and importance of the proposed greenways. Land
stewardship programs and citizen volunteerism will be promoted to encourage
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 146
residents to participate in the creation, restoration and maintenance of
greenways.
Trails and Sidewalks
The trail plan is integral to both Otsego’s park system as well as transportation providing
access to scenic and recreational areas of the community and region. The trail plan
attempts to strike a balance between recreation and transportation objectives of the City
and subsequently provides a plan for a comprehensive multiple purpose trail system. In
addressing both the recreational and transportation aspects of the trail system, the
following elements were considered:
Trails must be accessible to the users. Densely populated areas of the City
should receive high priority when considering trail routes. Trail development in
areas of greatest user demand achieves the best utilization of trail facilities and
the highest return on the capital investment.
To encourage trail use, trails must be planned to connect important trail user
destinations. Popular recreational and commuter destinations include major
residential neighborhoods, school sites, park sites, shopping areas, park and ride
sites, centers of employment, and civic events and activities.
The trail system is intended to promote recreational use as well as offer an
alternative mode of transportation. To accomplish this objective, the Trail
System Plan recommends multiple purpose trails and trail routes that divert from
the adjacent to streets to take advantage of natural areas or unique vistas that
may improve the recreational experience of the trail system users. Through the
coordination of trails adjacent to and off of street corridors and implementation of
a complete trail system plan, the City will meet the needs of both the commuter
and recreational trail user.
Trail user protection is another important concern when determining the route
and type of trail. To provide the utmost protection to the trail user, trails
separated from the street corridor by boulevard are preferred whenever possible.
It is this plan’s intention to provide routings which will not burden the City with
high acquisition and construction costs. Trail rights-of-way will be acquired as
part of the dedication process of a subdivision or included as streets are built or
improved within the City right-of-way.
Establishment of trails in conjunction with park development can expand the
service area of neighborhood parks through improved access making trail
planning integral to future neighborhood park development.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 147
Otsego’s local trail system will be integrated with adjoining communities and the
County trail system to gain access to destinations beyond the City’s boundaries.
In that the trail system is in process of being developed, there are segments that
need to be completed to make connections to neighborhoods or between
destinations to make the network more functional and useable for recreation
purposes. The Parks and Recreation Commission should identify these critical
trail sections and incorporate their construction as part of the annual review of
the Capital Improvement Plan.
The City will continue to require provision of sidewalks within residential
neighborhoods and commercial areas. These sidewalks provide for non-vehicle
connections within neighborhoods and commercial areas as well as provide
access to the City’s trails system.
Vision of the Future Parks and Trails System
The following map provides a vision of the City’s future park, trails and open space plan.
This graphic plan, in conjunction with the policy plan, system recommendations, and the
land use plan is intended to establish the framework for decision-making on future
system improvements. No timeframe is established for implementation of the Future
Parks and trails System Plan in that development of these facilities is anticipated to
occur simultaneously with urban growth.
94
101
39
37
42
19
36
18
37
FUTURE PARKAND TRAIL SYSTEM00.55 1.10.275
Miles
LEGEND
Future Bituminous Trail
Future Greenway Corridor
Existing Trail
Existing Sidewalk
Future Neighborhood Park
River Access
Park Service Area
Park
K:\cad_eng\PROJECTS\GIS\TPC\Otsego\Comprehensive Plan 2012\Future Parks and Trail System
DISCLAIMER:This product is for informational purposes and may not have beenprepared for, or be suitable for legal, engineering, or surveyingpurposes. Users of this information should review or consult theprimary data and information sources to ascertain the usabilityof the information.
ADOPTED: 10 December 2012
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2012
TPC
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 151
Administration
A last element of the comprehensive planning process is establishment of official
controls and other devices needed to implement the policies and plans established by
the Comprehensive Plan.
Communication
Dissemination of information and inviting participation in the planning process and
during consideration of development requests in Otsego is critical for successful
implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. Otsego will implement the following
strategies to provide information and encourage participation in the planning process:
1. Public hearings required for proposed development applications shall be
conducted by the Planning Commission in accordance with the procedures
established by the Zoning Ordinance and/or Subdivision Ordinance and as
required by Minnesota Statute.
2. Prior to public hearings, the City shall encourage developers to host
neighborhood meetings with residents, businesses and property owners in the
area to provide information regarding a proposed project.
3. Otsego will continue to include news releases and a City newsletter in the official
newspaper related to on-going planning related activities and development
proposals.
4. The City website is an emerging media tool that Otsego continue to use and
enhance to make information regarding planning and development review
activities more readily available and accessible to the public.
5. The City will consider conducting community surveys to solicit input from
residents, businesses and property owners regarding the character of the
community, potential issues to address and satisfaction with the City’s
administration, services and facilities.
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 152
Official Controls
The Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance are the primary regulations
governing land use and development in Otsego. The Zoning Ordinance establishes an
official Zoning Map for Otsego to define the location and boundaries of the various
districts established therein. Following adoption of the Comprehensive Plan update, an
update of the Zoning Ordinance and/or Subdivision Ordinance will be initiated to review
each document implementing changes resulting from the Comprehensive Plan update,
incorporating new Statutory requirements and/or addressing housekeeping issues
related to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance being working documents.
Capital Improvement Plan
Otsego has established a five-year Capital Improvement Plan to provide a long range
improvement program to meet the service and infrastructure needs of the growing
community. The Capital Improvement Plan is reviewed annually and updated to identify
the City’s development objectives, infrastructure needs and allocation of financial
resources providing City officials and the community with a strategic approach to
implementation and administration of construction projects. Continued management of
investments in facilities, infrastructure and equipment through the Capital Improvement
Plan is a critical component in implementing the City’s growth management policies
established by the Comprehensive Plan.
Amendment
The Otsego Comprehensive Plan is adopted pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 462.355.
In implementing the Comprehensive Plan, new development proposals or unanticipated
situations may arise that require consideration of. The City Council, Planning
Commission or any person owning real estate within the City may initiate a request to
amend the Comprehensive Plan. The processing of a request to amend the
Comprehensive Plan shall follow the procedures set forth by the Zoning Ordinance for
amendments and the requirements of Minnesota Statues 462.355. Approval of an
amendment to the Comprehensive Plan shall be approved by resolution of the City
Council requiring a vote of four-fifths of its members. Consideration of a proposed
amendment is to be based upon, but not limited to, the following criteria:
City of Otsego, Minnesota Comprehensive Plan
Parks and Trails Plan
Page 153
1. The proposed action's consistency with the specific policies and provisions of the
Otsego Comprehensive Plan.
2. The proposed use's compatibility with present and future land uses of the area.
3. The proposed use's conformity with all performance standards contained within
the Zoning Ordinance and other provisions of the City Code.
4. Traffic generation of the proposed use in relation to capabilities of streets serving
the property.
5. The proposed use can be accommodated by existing public services and
facilities and will not overburden the City's service capacity.
RESOLUTION No.. 2012-81
CITY OF OTSEGO
WIGHT COUNTY, MINNESOTA
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN UPDATE of THE OTSEGO COMPREHENSIVE FLAKY
WHEREAS, the City of Otsego has the authority and responsibility under Minnesota
Statutes 402 to prepare and adopt comprehensive plans for the purpose of guiding and
directing future growth and development of the community; and,
WHEREAS, the City last adopted the Cast complete update of the Otsego
Comprehensive Plan on 22 November 2004; and,
WHEREAS, the City has determined that new planning and growth management
ent
issues have emerged in the community that require review and establishment of new policy
and plans; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council authorized preparation an update of the Otsego
Comprehensive Plan; and,
WH EREAS, an update of the Com prehensi a Plan dated 10 December 20 0 has
been drafted; and,
WHEREAS, a duly noticed public hearing on the update of the Otsego
Comprehensive Plan was held by the Planning Commission on 19 November 2012 to
solicit public commentand input on the proposed goals, policies and plans outlined therein;
and,
WHEREAS, the Otsego Planning Commission, following the close of the public
hearing, recommended mended by a 4-0 vote that the City Council approve the update of the
Otsego Comprehensive Plan as presented; and,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Otsego
that the update of the Otsego Comprehensive Pram dated 10 December 2012 is hereby
approved, adopted and in full force and effect.
MOTION Y: cm Ha NER
1
ECO BY: CM SC ESE
ALL IN FAVOR: MAYOR TOKAMP: CM SCSI DE) CM HEIDNER AND CM DARKEN AL
THOSE OPPOSED NONE
ADOPTED the City Council of the City of Otsego this 10th day of December,
201 211
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ATTEST: —rn .
Ti Loff# City Clore
CITY of OTSEGO
BY: . 0 kAk i
L. Sto r m , mayor
ON