5.7.
Regular Planning Commission
- Meeting Date:
- 10/15/2015
- By:
- Tim Gladhill, Community Development
Information
Title:
Receive System Statement from the Metropolitan Council
Purpose/Background:
The purpose of this case is to receive a copy of the City's 2015 System Statement from the Metropolitan Council. The purpose is to determine whether or not the City desires to dispute the content of the System Statement for further discussion. The intent of this evening's discussion is not necessarily to discuss each individual component of the System Plan, but direct Staff on whether a formal dispute is desired within the 60 Day Window to dispute.
The intent is to introduce the topic. Future agendas will begin to review this document in more detail for additional follow up.
The intent is to introduce the topic. Future agendas will begin to review this document in more detail for additional follow up.
Notification:
Notification is not required.
Observations/Alternatives:
According to the Metropolitan Council:
This System Statement begins the official process for updating the City's long term land use vision for the community.
Metropolitan system plans are long-range comprehensive plans for the regional systems – transit, highways, and airports; wastewater services; and parks and open space – along with the capital budgets for metropolitan wastewater services, transportation, and regional recreation open space. System statements explain the implications of metropolitan system plans for each individual community in the metropolitan area. They are intended to help communities prepare or update their comprehensive plan, as required by the Metropolitan Land Planning Act:
Within nine months after receiving a system statement for an amendment to a metropolitan system plan, and within three years after receiving a system statement issued in conjunction with the decennial review required under section 473.864, subdivision 2, each affected local governmental unit shall review its comprehensive plan to determine if an amendment is necessary to ensure continued conformity with metropolitan system plans. If an amendment is necessary, the governmental unit shall prepare the amendment and submit it to the council
for review.
Local comprehensive plans, and amendments thereto, will be reviewed by the Council for conformance to metropolitan system plans, consistency with Council policies, and compatibility with adjacent and affected governmental units. Updated local comprehensive plans are due to the Council for review by December 31, 2018.
Within nine months after receiving a system statement for an amendment to a metropolitan system plan, and within three years after receiving a system statement issued in conjunction with the decennial review required under section 473.864, subdivision 2, each affected local governmental unit shall review its comprehensive plan to determine if an amendment is necessary to ensure continued conformity with metropolitan system plans. If an amendment is necessary, the governmental unit shall prepare the amendment and submit it to the council
for review.
Local comprehensive plans, and amendments thereto, will be reviewed by the Council for conformance to metropolitan system plans, consistency with Council policies, and compatibility with adjacent and affected governmental units. Updated local comprehensive plans are due to the Council for review by December 31, 2018.
This System Statement begins the official process for updating the City's long term land use vision for the community.
Funding Source:
This case is being handled as part of normal Staff duties.
Recommendation:
Staff acknowledges various objections to the approved System Plans based on previous City Comments and Planning Commission Review, which are now reflected in this System Statement for Ramsey. However, Staff desires to complete preliminary citizen engagement in early 2016 before requesting an amendment to the System Statement, if so desired.
The City has commented on the various System Plans previously adopted by the Metropolitan Council (Housing, Parks/Recreation/Open Space, Transportation, and Water Resources). Primarily, the City noted concern about the rate of forecasted growth in households, population, and employment, noting that these forecasts may be aggressive. Additionally, the City noted a lack of investment in System Plans for Parks, Transportation, and Water Resources as a contributing factor to a future reduction in growth if investment is not made.
That being said, there is no penalty for not reaching forecasted growth. This is an estimate of growth patterns based on known variables at the time of development. The City's current Future Land Use Map can sustain the forecasted growth, and actually provides for growth beyond the 2040 planning period. The City has received no formal requests to amend our Comprehensive Plan in a manner that would be inconsistent with the current System Plan. It is possible that there are requested revisions to the Comprehensive Plan during citizen engagement that may influence the City's final response.
Finally, it is noted that this is not the only opportunity to request a change to the System Statement. As the City embarks on a broader Citizen Engagement Framework beginning in 2016, the City will learn additional detail that may influence a desire to amend the System Plan. It is that time that Staff would feel more comfortable requesting an amendment to the System Plan as compared to disputing the System Plan today. It is noted, however, that the current window is the official dispute period, if so desired. While it is possible to amend the System Statement at a later date, this would follow a slightly different process.
The City has commented on the various System Plans previously adopted by the Metropolitan Council (Housing, Parks/Recreation/Open Space, Transportation, and Water Resources). Primarily, the City noted concern about the rate of forecasted growth in households, population, and employment, noting that these forecasts may be aggressive. Additionally, the City noted a lack of investment in System Plans for Parks, Transportation, and Water Resources as a contributing factor to a future reduction in growth if investment is not made.
That being said, there is no penalty for not reaching forecasted growth. This is an estimate of growth patterns based on known variables at the time of development. The City's current Future Land Use Map can sustain the forecasted growth, and actually provides for growth beyond the 2040 planning period. The City has received no formal requests to amend our Comprehensive Plan in a manner that would be inconsistent with the current System Plan. It is possible that there are requested revisions to the Comprehensive Plan during citizen engagement that may influence the City's final response.
Finally, it is noted that this is not the only opportunity to request a change to the System Statement. As the City embarks on a broader Citizen Engagement Framework beginning in 2016, the City will learn additional detail that may influence a desire to amend the System Plan. It is that time that Staff would feel more comfortable requesting an amendment to the System Plan as compared to disputing the System Plan today. It is noted, however, that the current window is the official dispute period, if so desired. While it is possible to amend the System Statement at a later date, this would follow a slightly different process.
Action:
Motion to recommend that the City Council adopt/not adopt a resolution disputing the 2015 Metropolitan Council System Statement for the City of Ramsey.
Attachments
- System Statement
- Previous Response to Regional Development Framework
- Previous Response to Housing Policy Plan
- Previous Response to Housing Policy Plan Amendment
- Previous Response to Parks Policy Plan
- Previous Response to Transportation Policy Plan
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Hagen | Tim Gladhill | 10/14/2015 01:57 PM |
- Form Started By:
- Tim Gladhill
- Started On:
- 10/14/2015 12:14 PM
- Final Approval Date:
- 10/14/2015