Implementation Plan

The City has adopted and does enforce the following ordinances, among others.  The ordinances and official controls listed in this section will continue to be enforced in order to implement this Plan. 

1. The Zoning Ordinance, as amended from time to time and incorporated by reference herein, implements the primary elements of this Plan by establishing the type, location, and intensity of uses throughout the city as prescribed by this Plan.
2. The Shoreland Management Ordinance, as amended from time to time and incorporated by reference herein, protects wetlands, water bodies and water courses throughout the City as prescribed by this Plan.
3. The Floodplain Ordinance, as amended from time to time and incorporated by reference herein, protects man-made development from floodwaters and the floodplain areas that carry and discharge regional floods by limiting development in those floodplains and floodways in the City as prescribed by this Plan.
4. The Sanitary Sewer Disposal Ordinance, as amended from time to time and incorporated by reference herein, governs the installation, inspection, and maintenance of septic systems as prescribed by this Plan. Further, the City issues septic system permits, inspects installation of all septic systems, reviews soil tests for subdivisions, issues building permits after the City has issued any required zoning use permit, and provides consultant planning services.
5. The Subdivision Ordinance, as amended from time to time and incorporated by reference herein, regulates the division of all property as prescribed by this Plan.
6. The Mining Ordinance, as amended from time to time and incorporated by reference herein, establishes uniform performance standards for sand and gravel extraction and for land reclamation as prescribed by this Plan.
7. The Lower St. Croix River Bluffland and Shoreland Management Ordinance, as amended from time to time and incorporated by reference herein, protects the natural environment and aesthetics of this wild and scenic river as prescribed by this Plan.
8. International Building Code.

In addition to these ordinances, the city utilizes and depends on the following agencies for reviews of proposed developments and advice on ordinance revisions:

1. Watershed and Water Management Organizations review all proposals within the watershed and recommend permit conditions for building within four different watershed districts within City limits.
2. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reviews and approves all developments along the St. Croix River, other public water bodies and floodplains.
3. Minnesota-Wisconsin Boundary Area Commission reviews and offers recommendations on developments along the St. Croix River.
4. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reviews and approves alterations of public water bodies.
5. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reviews feedlot permits and pollution problems.
6. Metropolitan Council reviews and approves the comprehensive development plan.
7. Lower St. Croix Valley Volunteer Fire Department recommends ordinances necessary to protect the health and safety of Afton residents, and comments on development proposals.
8. Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District reviews proposed projects and offers recommendations on slope, wetland, and fragile lands protection.
9. Minnesota Department of Transportation and Washington County Highway Department maintain and develop state and county roads.

In 1998, the City amended and recodified its ordinances to eliminate any inconsistencies and to assure conformance with the Comprehensive Plan. In addition to enforcing the existing ordinances that will implement this Plan, the city will update and revise pertinent ordinances in order to implement all of the policies contained in this Plan. As a general overview, it is the City’s intent to amend the ordinances and policies in conformance with this plan by July, 2010.