Agenda - Council Work Session - 02/19/2008 - Joint with Planning Commission

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Topic Report: Joint Discussion with Planning Commission Regarding Draft Goals and Policies for 2008 Update of Comprehensive Plan By: Breanne Dames, Associate Planner Background: The City of Ramsey has embarked on the 2008 update of the Comprehensive Plan. Since May of last year, planning staff and Bonestroo (planning consultants) have been collecting community input with regard to the goals and policies for the Comprehensive Plan. As part of the }Zamsey3 planning initiative, 2 two- day public visioning sessions using Open Space Technology (OST) were conducted, which led to the need for 7 additional, topical planning sessions that served as the "task force" for the Comprehensive Plan. OST is an innovative public participation process that requires the participants to set the agenda, convene working groups, arrive at consensus, and present their ideas and findings to all participants. The OST process was highly effective in focusing discussion on areas of interest and resulted in a set of extensive notes that were utilized directly in formulating the goals and policies. Many residents expressed satisfaction with the process, and commented that this is the first time they feel like the City is actually listening to them. These notes from the seven OST sessions are reflected in the attached materials. After conducting these topic sessions, planning staff and consultants drafted a set of prelunu7ary goals and policies. Staff and the consultants also included additional goals and policies that were not discussed at the planning sessions but are critical to include in the Comprehensive Plan. Two additional community meetings were held to discuss the draft goals and policies; these meetings served as a "check-back" with the community to ensure the goals and policies were in line with-the community's priorities, concerns, and input from the previous OST sessions. While attendance at these last two sessions was light compared to earlier OST sessions, the two meetings resulted in a set of goals and policies that all attendees could support. These goals and policies are attached, with the supporting OST comments included. Staff also sought input from the Environmental Policy Board, Economic Development Authority, and Parks Commission, and these comments are also attached Phil Carlson from Bonestroo will be present at the joint work session to review the Comprehensive Plan process to date and the draft goals and policies, and answer any questions. Attachments: 1) OST notes from seven Comprehensive Planning sessions; 2) set of draft goals and policies, with supporting OST comments; 3) comments from other commissions and boards. Action Statement: Provide input on the draft goals and policies, and direct planning consultants to move forward with a draft Comprehensive Plan, based on these goals and policies. Reviewed By: // City Administrator (`~ Interim CD Director Interim Asst. CD Director COWS: 2.19.08