Agenda - Council - 02/08/2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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the City at 665 to 2430. In December the City Council adopted the Housing Action Plan which lays out how the City can expect to achieve its goals over the next ten years. 2030 Comprehensive Plan Update With approval of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, the City spent time staging implementation of the Plan through ordinance amendments as required by Minnesota Statutes through the Metropolitan Council. Necessary amendments to the City's zoning code should be complete in the early months of 2011. DNR Rulemaking for Shoreland Overlay, Wild and Scenic Overlay, and MRCCA Overlay The City participated in monitoring of several rulemaking procedures with the DNR, most notably the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA). In 2009, the state legislature directed the DNR to commence rulemaking on this 72 -mile corridor along the Mississippi River. Through Executive Orders and Minnesota Statutes dating back to 1972, the City is required to implement ordinances that are in substantial compliance with minimum rules along the corridor. The Legislature directed the DNR to update these rules in order for consistency along the corridor and to clarify many of the standards that meet the intent of the original executive order. The City expressed concern with existing rules, potential for additional non - conforming structures, and lack of background data to support the need for updated rules. Ultimately, the DNR was not successful in meeting the statutory deadline to implement the updated rules, and the process remains in limbo at this point. It is unclear to date as to whether the DNR will ask for an extension. The status is similar for the Shoreland /Wild and Scenic process as well. Miscellaneous In addition to the projects described above, the Planning Division received several land use applications including: • Seven (7) Site Plans • Seven (7) Subdivisions • Six (6) Variances • Fourteen (14) Conditional /Interim Use Permits • Four (4) Home Occupations • One (1) Comprehensive Plan Amendments • Two (2) Easement Vacations • One (1) Zoning Amendment The Planning Division also processed several City Code Amendments, including a revised off - street parking ordinance, a revised sign ordinance, a revised subdivision ordinance related to individual water services, a revised rental housing ordinance, and revisions to zoning standards and setbacks for The COR. The off - street parking ordinance was amended to limit the number of items a parcel could sustain while clarifying numerous design standards related to off - street parking. The sign ordinance provides for additional permanent signs for commercial properties fronting two or more roadways and better enforcement capabilities for temporary signs. A revised subdivision ordinance was needed to address shared utilities and associated safety concerns due to vacant units in cold weather conditions. Finally, additional flexibility in setbacks was provided in The COR in the downtown area. The Planning Division continues to support strengthening the City's mapping and GIS capabilities, participating in LOGIS GIS planning meetings. gGov, was integrated into the City's new website in 2010