Prospective new rules that could affect the shape of development in the city of Duluth for years to come will be publicly unveiled and discussed today.
The city requests public input as it seeks to revamp rules designed to protect water quality, improve the sustainable design of the community, establish building size guidelines and set landscaping standards for new development.
Duluth's steep terrain, its perch on the shores of Lake Superior and its many waterways -- including 16 designated trout streams -- require a delicate approach to development, City Planner Jenn Reed Moses said.
"Development can be a challenge here in Duluth, but we do have an opportunity to make a big difference by doing things right," she said.
"We want to apply new rules in a way that preserves water quality and reduces runoff but still remains flexible enough to allow for future development in the city," Moses said. "We certainly don't want development to come to a screeching halt."
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While it's often hard to slow the flow of water off hilly areas of the city, Moses said there are opportunities to impound, filter and control the release of water from less steep terrain, and Duluth is establishing new rules that recognize the stormwater management techniques best suited for the situation on the ground at different sites.
The city also is working to promote sustainable design by awarding developers points for certain standards such as high-
efficiency design, incorporating solar or wind energy into a project, installing green (or vegetated) roofs, adopting certain landscaping techniques, using pervious paving materials and other earth-friendly building methods.
After taking public comment on the proposed new rules and guidelines, which are part of the proposed Unified Development Chapter of Duluth's legislative code, city staff will present recommendations to the Duluth Planning Commission for its consideration, before the matter is forwarded to the Duluth City Council.
If all goes according to schedule and the City Council embraces the proposed changes, new rules could go into effect by early summer, Moses said.
