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Once the Council completes its review and authorizes a community to place its plan into effect, <br />the local community adopts its plan and then proceeds to update its zoning ordinances, fiscal <br />devices, and other official controls to be consistent with the newly adopted comprehensive plan <br />(Minn. Stat. 473.858; 473.865). Any local ordinance or other local control that conflicts with the <br />community's local comprehensive plan or metropolitan system plans must be brought into <br />conformance with the plan within nine months of comprehensive plan adoption (Minn. Stat. <br />473.865). <br />Technical Assistance <br />The Council offers assistance to communities as they update, amend, and implement their local <br />comprehensive plans. <br />Sector Representative Program <br />This program is staffed by experienced and knowledgeable planners familiar with the Council, <br />its programs, and with local planning processes. Sector Representatives provide planning and <br />technical assistance to cities, townships, and counties across the region and are the main point <br />of contact for local staff for their planning needs. They keep abreast of local governmental and <br />agency activities and participate in meetings, technical advisory committees, and other working <br />groups to provide regional perspective. Sector Representatives also foster cooperative <br />relationships with governmental units and other organizations in the region to achieve local and <br />regional goals. Sector Representatives are also available to assist communities in completing <br />some of the statutorily required elements of local comprehensive plans. <br />Tools and Resources <br />The Council's Local Planning Handbook guides communities through the Council's <br />comprehensive plan review process. The Council will update this handbook to incorporate new <br />Thrive and systems and policy plan directions. In addition, the updated handbook will <br />incorporate a variety of tools and resources developed both internally and by other <br />organizations, such as best practices, model ordinances, development guides, and local <br />examples. <br />Workshops <br />As was offered for the 2008 comprehensive planning process, the Council will again offer a <br />workshop series for local planners on incorporating regional policy and system plans into local <br />comprehensive plans. These workshop series, coordinated by the Council's Sector <br />Representatives, will include a range of topics including, but not limited to, planning for water <br />resources, transit, transportation, and affordable housing. <br />Planning Grants and Loans <br />The Council has established a planning assistance fund to make grants and loans available to <br />local governments to assist them in preparation of local comprehensive plan (Minn. Stat. <br />473.867). The Council will work through its Land Use Advisory Committee to develop eligibility <br />criteria, funding availability, and an application process to assist in the 2018 round of local <br />comprehensive planning. The Council will communicate with local governments about the <br />availability of those funds and the application procedures and deadlines. <br />DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT <br />Last revised: February 21, 2014 118 <br />