Agenda - Council Work Session - 10/29/2013

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CC Work Session 2. 4. Meeting Date: 10/29/2013 Information Title: PLANNING COMMISSION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA): Review Preliminary Metropolitan Council Forecasts (Anticipated Start Time = 8:30 p.m.) Purpose/Background: The purpose of this case is to seek initial policy direction in order to develop a Statement of Policy to officially respond to the Metropolitan Council's Preliminary Forecasts. Minnesota Statutes Chapter 473 provides direction to the Metropolitan Council in regards to the foundation for regional planning This is the chapter that provides guidance for communities within the metropolitan area to prepare Comprehensive Plans. The Regional Planning Cycle updates once every ten (10) years following the completion of the US Census. The next stage in the Regional Planning Cycle is to prepare the 2040 Regional Development Framework. This task is completed by the Metropolitan Council and is currently underway. The current process is also known as Thrive MSP 2040. Included in the Development Framework are goals, policies, and implementation strategies for the region as a whole. The Development Framework also includes forecasts for future household, population, and employment growth. The planning period for the Development Framework will be through 2040. These forecasts and policies are important to review as they will have effects on a number of aspects for the City; development of the Comprehensive Plan Update, financing for regional systems (roads, parks, trails, sewers, etc.). The Metropolitan Council has released preliminary local forecasts for the year 2040. The Metropolitan Council has not yet released revised forecasts for the years 2020 and 2030 yet. The Metropolitan Council has released preliminary local forecasts in advance of the official review process to give local communities a chance to comment and allow the forecasting model to be re -calibrated. Ramsey's preliminary forecasts are as follows: Year (2040) Households 12,500 Population 28,400 Employment 7,000 For comparison purposes, existing estimates are as follows: Year (2012) Households 8,134 Population 23,946 Employment 5,303 The preliminary forecasts do represent continued growth and development within Ramsey through 2040. However, these forecasts do represent a reduction in forecasted growth when compared to the City's current Comprehensive Plan and growth forecasts. In response, Metropolitan Council Staff has indicated that existing forecasts in the current Comprehensive Plan would be honored; however, those ultimate growth forecasts would be anticipated to be experienced at a date beyond 2040 instead of at 2030. The existing forecasts from the 2030 Comprehensive Plan