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LEAGUE OF <br />MINNESOTA <br />CITIES <br />INFORMATION MEMO <br />Planning and Zoning 101 <br />Learn the basics of why and how cities engage in land use planning and regulation, and why local <br />officials should take time to carefully and conscientiously create land use laws. Tools discussed <br />include comprehensive land use plans and zoning ordinances. Find a graphic to illustrating levels of <br />city council discretion to decide at various stages in these processes. <br />RELEVANT LINKS: <br />I. Land use regulation <br />City governments provide many important services, but one function stands <br />apart in its impact on future generations—the authority to engage in <br />planning and zoning of the community. Comprehensive plans and zoning <br />ordinances adopted and enforced by current officials affect the future layout <br />and landscape of a city for many years to come. Whether it is the <br />development or preservation of open space, or the redevelopment and <br />revival of existing properties, what a community will look like dozens of <br />years from now depends on decisions made today. <br />City planning and zoning took root in the early 20th century as a way to <br />minimize conflicts between incompatible land uses and to plan more <br />coherent development. People increasingly were living in built-up urbanized <br />areas, and were suffering health impacts, included reduced life span, related <br />to density and industrialization. In order to promote better health, safety and <br />welfare, cities began regulating the use, size and location of structures on the <br />land through zoning ordinances, and developing future plans for harmonious <br />and healthy land use patterns. <br />II. Conflicts and lawsuits <br />People tend to feel strongly about land use in most communities, and it often <br />goes both ways. Private property owners may feel they should be able to use <br />their land as they see fit, without government telling them what they can and <br />cannot do and where they can and cannot build. <br />On the other hand, residents may feel equally strongly about what others are <br />doing nearby, to the extent that it may injure or disturb the peace and quiet <br />of their neighborhood—hardly anyone wants to live next door to a major <br />industrial operation for example. <br />This material is provided as general information and is not a substitute for legal advice. Consult your attorney for advice concerning specific situations. <br />145 University Ave. West <br />Saint Paul, MN 55103-2044 <br />www.lmc.org <br />(651) 281-1200 or (800) 925-1122 <br />3/1/2011 <br />© 2013 All Rights Reserved <br />