Agenda - Planning Commission - 04/20/2015 - Joint with EPB

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RELEVANT LINKS: Minn. Stat. § 462.351. Minn. Stat. § 462.352, subd.5. Learn more about planning commissions in LMC information memo, Planning Commission Guide. Land use disputes tend to arise most often when a city is applying laws, rather than when making law. But a city usually has less ability to address the root of the dispute when applying the law, than it would when making the law in the first instance. When acting legislatively, a city council can engage in far-ranging policy discussion, and sort through competing views about what plans and laws would be in the best interest of the city. Although not everyone may be on board with the outcome, the more public participation in the law -making stage, the better the understanding among the public of why the city has a particular plan or law in place. IV. The comprehensive plan A comprehensive plan is document that sets forth a vision and the goals for the future of the city. State law defines a comprehensive plan as a compilation of policies, goals, standards and maps for guiding the physical, social and economic development, both public and private, of the municipality and its environment. The purpose is to guide future development of land to ensure a safe, pleasant, and economical environment for residential, commercial, industrial, and public activities. The comprehensive plan provides the overall foundation for all land use regulation in city. State law encourages all cities to prepare and implement a comprehensive municipal plan. In addition, cities within the seven -county metro area are required to adopt comprehensive plans. Under state law, a city planning commission or department is tasked with the creation of the city's comprehensive plan. Planning is a professional field that encompasses a broad array of skills and techniques. In developing comprehensive plans, many cities use educated, certified land use professionals. But at its core, planning is a relatively straightforward three-step process: • First, a community takes stock of where it is today. • Second, the community generates a shared vision and goals for what the city will be like in the future. • Third, but certainly not least, the city develops a set of specific strategies to achieve that vision over time. There are many reasons cities create and adopt comprehensive plans. The planning process helps communities identify issues before they arise, stay ahead of trends in land use development and redevelopment, and anticipate and navigate change in populations and land use patterns. League of Minnesota Cities Information Memo: 3/1/2011 Planning and Zoning 101 Page 3