Agenda - Council Work Session - 10/29/2013

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it expects and/or encourages growth at a higher rate than an average of 150 houesholds per year, that the City's Statement of Policy should recommend a change to the preliminary forecasts. There is additional time and process associated with Comprehensive Plan Amendments if the City wants to adjust those in the future. As previously stated, a number of factors will have an impact on future growth. For purposes of this preliminary review, Staff has focused on two (2) major topics that could restrict future growth if left un-addressed: 1. Transportation Capacity (Highway 10/Highway 47) 2. Water Supply Capacity (Groundwater Supply/Surface Water Supply) Transportation Capacity Staff recommends that the City comment on the capacity of Highway 10 and Highway 47 as part of the response to the preliminary forecasts. Although future growth forecasts are lower than what is in the current Comprehensive Plan, the City should acknowledge that both systems currently have capacity and congestion issues. Staff recommends that it is important that regional policies address capacity of these systems, even if no growth were experienced, based on existing levels of service. (NOTE: the current Comprehensive Plan classified Highway 10 as Level of Service 'F' at current levels over the entire stretch through Ramsey. Level of Service scoring ranges from A-F, with F being the lowest score possible). Water Supply Capacity The City fully acknowledges the need to address water supply issues for future growth. The City currently derives its municipal water supply from a series of groundwater wells and pump houses. Based on water supply availability and historical usage data, it will be important to continue to address water conservation and alternative supply issues in the near future. Staff recommends that the City comment on the City's previous policy statements for a need to address water supply issues on a regional issue, not as a local issue. Staffs preliminary analysis of documents used in the preparation of the preliminary forecasts indicate at least a note that this is an issue that will need to be addressed on a regional level. Staff will need additional time to fully analyze to what level this may occur. Timeframe: Responses to the Preliminary Forecasts are due by December 1, 2013 in order to be included with the 're -calibrated' forecasts. Once re -calibrated, these forecasts will be the foundation for the development of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update. The Regional Framework will be developed based on these forecasts through 2014. The Regional Framework will then lead to System Plans (Land Use, Transportation, Wastewater, Parks and Open Space). The System Plans then lead to Local System Statements that will be the driver of the City's 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update and will be available in late 2015. The 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update will be due December 31, 2018. Funding Source: Review of the Metropolitan Council's Preliminary Forecasts is being handled as part of normal Staff duties. Responsible Party(ies): The responsible parties for this case are the Community Development (Development Services Manager) and Planning Commission. Outcome: The desired outcome of this case is to seek initial policy direction in order to develop a Statement of Policy as an official response to the Metropolitan Council's 2040 Preliminary Forecasts. Based on discussion this evening, Staff will develop this Statement of Policy and bring forward to the November Planning Commission. To best assist Staff in formulating a recommendation, Staff is seeking general policy direction as to how the City should approach future growth: 1. Actively pursue growth and economic development opportunities