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

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RELEVANT LINKS: Minn. Stat. § 462. 353, subd 2. Minn. Stat. § 462.353, subd. 3. See LMC information memo, Competitive Bidding Requirements in Cities. American Institute of Certified Planners. Minn. Stat. § 462.355, subd 1. Minn. Stat. § 462.355, subd 1. Minn. Stat. § 462. 353, subd 2. Minn. Stat. § 462.355, subd 2. Sample: Newsletter Article on Comprehensive Planning. The plan may be prepared and adopted in sections, each of which relates to a major subject of the plan, or to a major geographical section of the municipality. Cities are authorized to collect and analyze data; prepare maps, charts, tables, and other illustrations and displays; and conduct necessary studies when developing a comprehensive plan. Cities also may hire planning consultants and other experts to assist in drafting their plan. a. Consultants and public input (1) Professional planners Cities may hire planning consultants and other experts to assist in drafting their plan. Preparing a comprehensive plan is a large undertaking. While a planning commission can and should do most of the job, many communities have found they also need professional assistance from a professional planning consultant or a competent person on the staff of the city, county, regional development commission, or neighboring city. Cities may solicit a planner through a request for proposal. While state law does not require planners to be licensed or certified, many cities prefer to hire planners with professional certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). In order to be certified by the AICP, planners need to pass an exam and meet continuing education requirements. (2) Other consultants In drafting the plan, the planning commission must consult with other city departments and agencies (for example, the city's economic development authority). In drafting a comprehensive plan, the planning commission must consider the planning activities of adjacent units of government and other affected public agencies. The commissioner of natural resources must provide natural heritage data from the county biological survey, if available, to each city for use in the comprehensive plan. b. Public input Cities are required to hold at least one public hearing prior to adopting a comprehensive plan. However, most cities find it helpful to hold a series of public meetings to educate residents about the comprehensive plan, and to solicit citizen input. Some cities even develop extensive public relations campaigns to create excitement about and compliance with the city's comprehensive planning activities. League of Minnesota Cities Information Memo: 1/20/2015 Planning Commission Guide Page 8