Agenda - Planning Commission - 03/06/2014

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The region's highway investments are part of a coordinated, interconnected, and multimodal regional transportation network that safely, reliably and affordably connects people and freight with destinations in the region and beyond. In fact, the vast majority of the region's freight moves by truck. The Council works with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, counties and local units of government to preserve and improve these roadways. To make the regional highway system more efficient, the Council and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are building managed lanes—MnPass lanes —which provide a congestion -free alternative for transit users, carpools, and those willing to pay. This market -based solution allows auto drivers and small trucks to price the value of their time spent in congestion and pay for a faster alternative. These managed lanes also create more capacity for larger trucks in the general highway lanes during peak traffic periods. Employers locate worksites to maximize their accessibility and proximity to the workforce they need. We must compete with regions around the globe for attracting talented young workers who are necessary to meet the needs of the region's growing economy and replace retiring baby boomers. To compete successfully for this generation, our region must provide the housing, transit, transportation and quality of life amenities that will continue to attract the talent needed by employers in our region —including an exceptionally high concentration of corporate headquarters and business service firms. The region's transportation system, including highways, transit and the emerging bicycle network, provides our residents options for commuting to their workplaces. Accessibility to transit is of particular interest to office -based employers because transit reduces both employer costs of providing parking and employee transportation costs. Employers are also interested in locations that are proximate to housing options affordable to their employees. To plan for and invest in the infrastructure, amenities, and quality of life the region needs to be economically competitive, the Council will: • Plan for the efficient and multimodal movement of freight globally, nationally and regionally to support the region's industries; • Continue to provide cost-effective and efficient wastewater treatment at wholesale rates that are as much as 40% lower today than in comparable regions; • Contribute to a quality of life and cost of living that attract and retain a talented workforce; • Focus expansion of transit service to and within existing and emerging high -density job and activity centers; • Construct and support park and rides to provide access to transit in less dense residential areas; • Encourage workforce housing that is affordable to a variety of income levels across the region, especially in proximity to job centers and transit; • Plan for adequate capacity at Minneapolis -Saint Paul International Airport, and maintain, improve and preserve our system of reliever airports; • Use its authority and provide technical assistance to protect and preserve compatible land uses around resources such as airports, railroads and industrial land; • Conduct a metrowide inventory and analysis of industrial land to assess the supply of and demand for industrial land with freight access; • Investigate and assess cost-effective options for regional water supply infrastructure. DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Last revised: February 21, 2014 17