Staff Update

The following is a brief summary of approvals given in December that may be of interest to the Planning Commission :

• Consider Request for CUP for Motor Vehicle Sales in the B-2 Highway Business District at 8175 Riverdale Dr NW; Case of Quality RV.
• Consider Request for HOP for Youth Camp in the R-1 Residential (Rural Developing) District at 7202 181st Ave NW; Case of Robin Veach Fitzgerald (Second Chance Youth Ranch).
• Consider Request for Vacation of Drainage and Utility Easement and Right-of-Way at 14241 Fluorine St NW; Case of the City of Ramsey.
• Consider Modifications to Tax Increment Financing Districts (TIF) #1 and #2.
• Adopt Ordinance Establishing 2012 Rates and Fees (including land use application and development fees). 

Metropolitan Council Announces Creation of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Grants as part of the Livable Communities Act (LCA) Program.  The Metropolitan Council has created a new grant category as part of the LCA program open to certain areas near transit facilities.  With the approval of the Northstar Commuter Rail-Ramsey Station, areas within one-half (1/2) mile of the station are eligible for this new grant opportunity.  The first round of applications are now open and due on February 15th.  Planning Staff is in the process of preparing three (3) applications approved by City Council (Sunwood Drive realignment, Center Street constructions, and Highway 10 Pedestrian Overpass plan preparations).

The American Planning Association Minnesota Chapter Announces Special Membership Rate for Planning Commissions.  APA/Mn has provided the following announcement.  Please direct Staff to explore further if the Planning Commission is interested.  This will open up special rates for training sessions and additional resources for the Planning Commission with a membership. 

Do you have a need to know what is going on with planning in Minnesota? Do you wish the opportunity to attend seminars or Brown Bag Lunches or conferences at a reduced rate to help you with your work as a commissioner? As we have done in the past few years, APA Minnesota is again offering a reduced membership fee for your entire planning commission or board. The usual fee of $150 dollars is being reduced until February 29, 2012, and instead, the fee will be only $100 dollars for the registration of your entire planning commission. (Or an individual Planning Commissioner can become a member for $30 dollars.) This limited membership will also give our Minnesota Citizen Planners a chance to attend our educational events and conferences. In addition, if your commission is new to our chapter, you will receive free a CD with the latest version of our Citizen Planner Handbook. If you are a returning commission, you will receive any updates from 2011 to add to the Handbook you received last year. Anyone interested in this membership, please contact the APA Minnesota office at mnapa@buffleheadweb.net or call 1-888-882-5369 for an application.