Minutes - Council Work Session - 01/16/2001

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Ms. Steffen replied that the Met Council believes that the ISTS is a regional issue and would appreciate having the City Attorney review the Land Planning Act regarding the requirement of the inspection. She explained that the Met Council has never passed a comprehensive plan without the ISTS tracking system included in the document and agreed to by the City. No City has ever claimed that they had to levy a half million dollars to their citizens because of the inspection policy. Councilmember Hendriksen replied that at this point he does not know if the Met Council has the authority to require the inspection. The Met Council is refusing to approve the Eagan comprehensive plan on basis that the Met Council does not have authority over. Ms. Steffen replied that there is a big difference between the City of Eagan and the City of Ramsey. There is a timing issue before the City, and the Council needs to make a decision as to which direction they want to go before January 31, 2001. If the Comprehensive Plan is disapproved, then the alignment policy goes into affect and the funds go on hold or are removed. Councilmember Kurak requested clarification of the outstanding issues. Mr. Cooper, Met Council staff, reviewed the three outstanding issues which are: 1) Establish a City ISTS tracking and notification system as part of the Comprehensive Plan and implement it by a date certain agreed to with the Met Council Environment Services Division; 2) Identify at least a 100-acre, mixed-use area in the vicinity of the proposed NCDA rail station where sufficient, high-density residential development is allowed to meet Livable Comlnunity negotiated goals. Additionally, meeting the affordable and life cycle housing goals requires that enough land be guided at sufficient densities as described in the staff memorandum dated November 7, 2000, that provides three scenarios for City consideration. For transit development to be feasible, the City would also commit to a density of at least 15 units per acre within the town center area; and 3) Finalize the Comprehensive Plan to be consistent with the Regional Blueprint (the City has been assured that Met Council staff wilt recognize some of the unique situations in Ramsey in finalizing land use areas.) Councilmember Kurak inquired if there is any way to extend the January 31, 2001 deadline. Mr. Cooper replied that a city can submit a written request for an extension. Ms. Steffen noted that the request has to include a specific reason for the extension and be time specific. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that if they were to wind the clock back thee or four years when they first met with the Met Council, two questions were asked of the Met Council; one had to do with density and the other had to do with State Statute 7080. He inquired if the City would be required to do more than what is required in State Statute 7080 and the response he received City Council/January 16, 2001 Page 3 of 6