Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 02/08/2018

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Chapter Six: Management Procedures Amending the Policy Plan The Council will amend the 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan only for a substantial revision. A substantial revision is defined by the Council as (1) a proposed revision that is intended to or could have the effect of changing the direction or intent of adopted Council policy; (2) addition or deletion of a policy; or (3) addition or deletion of a system element. An amendment request initiated by the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission should include documentation to substantiate that it constitutes a substantial revision as defined here. A Council decision to amend the plan on its own initiative or that of the Commission will be preceded by a finding that a substantial revision is proposed. When amending the policy plan, the Council will conduct a public hearing in accordance with Minn. Stat. 473.147 and adopted Council policy. Updating the Policy Plan Minnesota law requires the Council to conduct a comprehensive review of the Regional Parks Policy Plan at least every four years (Minn. Stat. 473.147). However, over a four-year period, changes occur in population, acquisition, development, and system use. Updating the data and factual information to keep the policy current with new trends and conditions is not a substantial revision to the policy plan, and will be accomplished through the ordinary process of consideration and approval by the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission, the appropriate Council committee, and the full Council. The regional park implementing agencies will receive formal notice of any proposed update prior to consideration by the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission. System Plan The Council has the responsibility to prepare a system plan for the Regional Parks System. The system planning process begins with the Council identifying "generally the areas which should be acquired," as required by the 1974 Metropolitan Parks Act. The Regional Parks Policy Plan includes the system plan, which identifies the regional parks and trails that are included in the Regional Parks System. The Council reviews the system plan portion of the Regional Parks Policy Plan every four years as part of the policy plan revision process and may add or delete planned elements to the system. Additions or deletions to the system proposed outside the regular plan review process are substantial revisions to the policy plan. Identification of specific boundaries and detailed planning for individual units of the system are addressed in master plans for each unit. The master plans are prepared by the regional park implementing agencies. Minn. Stat. 473.351 limits regional parks funding to regional park implementing agencies and defines them to be as the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Ramsey, Scott and Washington; the City of St. Paul, the City of Bloomington, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board; and the Three Rivers Park District. Figure 6-1 shows the Regional Parks System process. Regional park implementing agencies prepare a master plan for each Regional Parks System component within their respective jurisdiction consistent with the Council's Regional Parks Policy Plan, These master plans are reviewed by the Council for consistency with the system plan and, when approved by the Council, constitute an element of the system plan.