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Metropolitan Agencies <br /> • Require entities, such as private businesses, nonprofits, or local units of government, <br /> among others, whose actions could adversely affect a comprehensive plan, to be <br /> subject to the same qualifications and/or regulations as the city. <br /> 4-H Comprehensive Planning Process <br /> Metro Cities supports an examination of the comprehensive planning process to <br /> make sure that the process is streamlined and efficient, so as to assist in alleviating <br /> excessive cost burdens or duplicative or unnecessary planning requirements by <br /> municipalities in the comprehensive planning process. Metro Cities supports <br /> resources to assist cities in meeting regional goals as part of the comprehensive <br /> planning process, including planning grants and technical assistance. Grants and <br /> other resources should be provided to all eligible communities through a formula <br /> that is equitable, and recognizes varying city needs and capacities. <br /> 4-1 Comprehensive Planning Schedule <br /> Cities are required to submit comprehensive plan updates to the Metropolitan Council <br /> every 10 years, the most recent of which was due in 2008. A city's comprehensive plan <br /> represents a community's vision of how the city should grow and develop or redevelop, <br /> ensure adequate housing, provide essential public infrastructure and services, protect <br /> natural areas and meet other community objectives. <br /> Metro Cities recognizes the merit of aligning comprehensive plan timelines with the <br /> release of census data. However, the comprehensive plan process is expensive, time <br /> consuming and labor intensive for cities, and the timing for the submission of <br /> comprehensive plans should not be altered solely to better align with census data. If <br /> sufficient valid reasons exist for the schedule for the next round of comprehensive plans <br /> to be changed or expedited, cities should be provided with financial resources to assist <br /> them in preparing the next round of plans. <br /> Metro Cities opposes cities being forced into a state of perpetual planning as a result <br /> of regional and legislative actions. Should changes be made to the comprehensive <br /> planning schedule, Metro Cities' supports financial and other resources to assist <br /> cities in preparing and incorporating policy changes in local planning efforts. <br /> Metro Cities supports a 10-year time frame for comprehensive plan submissions. <br /> 4-J Local Zoning Authority <br /> Local governments are responsible for zoning and local officials should have full <br /> authority to approve variances to remain flexible in response to the unique land use needs <br /> of their own community. Local zoning decisions, and the implementation of cities' <br /> comprehensive plans, should not be conditioned upon the approval of the Metropolitan <br /> Council or any other governmental agency. <br /> 2017 Legislative Policies 44 <br />