Agenda - Council - 08/26/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

CC Regular Session Meeting Date: 08/26/2014 By: Tim Gladhill, Community Development 4. 8. Information Title: Approve Adjacent Jurisdictional Review of a Comprehensive Plan Amendment for the Establishment of a Future Business Park West of Armstrong Boulevard. Purpose/Background: The purpose of this case is to consider authorizing Staff to distribute a Comprehensive Plan Amendment for review by adjacent jurisdictions as required by Minnesota Statute Chapter 473. The Comprehensive Plan is the guiding land use document that sets the stage and serves as the foundation for all future land use decisions. As the land use policy decisions made by local governments impact the overall regional model, Chapter 473 requires amendments of this size to be reviewed by adjacent jurisdictions including adjacent communities, school districts, watershed organizations, county -level government, etc. The requested action at this time is not a formal approval of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment. When the adjacent jurisdictional review is complete, Staff will forward a request for formal approval of the amendment to send to the Metropolitan Council and will include a more detailed application and narrative to submit to the Metropolitan Council. The proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment itself is to establish an appropriate land use for a future business park to be located west of Armstrong Boulevard, south of the Bunker Lake Boulevard extension, and west of Puma Street. It is not the purpose of this case nor this process to consider acquisition of real property nor the construction of any improvements at this time. The purpose of this case is to consider adjusting our Future Land Use Map in order to help achieve our Comprehensive Plan and Strategic Plan goals of increasing employment opportunities and improving the City's tax base. Much of the supporting information can be found in the attached documentation. Rather than repeating this information in this case cover sheet and to focus on the needs of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment itself, please review these attachments for detailed information. Notification: The Public Hearing was advertised on the Anoka County UnionHerald. Observations/Alternatives: This case was postponed on August 11 to provide Staff with an opportunity to ensure forecasts (household, population, and employment) were being properly summarized as the Metropolitan Council has now approved their year 2040 forecasts. After consultation with the Metropolitan Council, this case may proceed forward as originally drafted. The Economic Development Authority (EDA) has established a work plan goal to look at opportunities for new employment growth. The City's existing business parks lack the capacity for new development and redevelopment to respond to the market demand and the City Council's strategic goals to sustainably grow the City's tax base through new employment opportunities. The EDA has narrowed a list of several areas to focus on the next business park for the community. The EDA has identified an area west of Armstrong Boulevard along the Bunker Lake Boulevard extension near Puma Street. This site will require an amendment to the City's Comprehensive Plan, changing existing commercial (retail) and residential (medium and high density) to business park. The EDA desires to facilitate the private development of this area and ensure that the City's future land use goals and Comprehensive Plan are consistent with a potential