01. Introduction and Purpose - Laserfiche WebLink

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2001 Comprehensive Plan Amended February 26, 2002 I. INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE A. What is the Comprehensive Plan and who is it for? The Comprehensive Plan is a tool to be used by many people and organizations with an interest in the Ramsey community. First and foremost, it is for the people of Ramsey, the policy makers who represent them and the City Staff who support them. But it is also for the businesses and residents who wish to come to the community or scholars and students who might want to learn about Ramsey. The Comprehensive Plan sets out a vision for the future community, a vision that was created by the people. It contains goals that define the vision and public policy that is designed to help realize the vision. It provides an analysis of the forces that have shaped Ramsey since its beginning. Although it is heavily focused on the future physical development of the community, it also addresses the economic and social qualities of Ramsey. Finally, the plan lays out implementation strategies that best use the tax payers dollars to achieve the vital elements that make the Ramsey Community a safe, high quality, healthy place to live, work and play. B. Why do a Comprehensive Plan ? Comprehensive Planning for municipalities in the 7 county metropolitan area is mandated by State Legislature. In 1976 the Minnesota Legislature passed the Metropolitan Land Planning Act which required municipalities to develop (or update existing) Comprehensive Plans as a tool to "protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the metropolitan area and to ensure coordinated, orderly and economic development." Ramsey conformed to this request by updating its 1973 Comprehensive Plan in 1980. Piecemeal updates to this plan have occurred since 1980. Recent amendments to the 1976 Metropolitan Land Planning Act require local Comprehensive Plans to be updated by December of 1998 and reviewed at least once every ten years following that date to ensure conformance with a regional growth strategy for the entire Metropolitan Area. Ramsey is a growing community on the edge of a rapidly expanding Metropolitan Area. It is a community that faces the challenges of controlling the high demands for urban growth at the edge of a metropolitan area. It depends heavily on the regional transportation system and its ability to move people efficiently and safely. Ramsey is a community with a wealth of natural features and a strong desire to preserve, protect and enhance these features. The Comprehensive Plan is a tool that will guide the community in controlling and managing its growth. The plan will provide the community with a map to achieving "A Vision to the Year 2020." C. Who prepared it and how? In 1997, the City Council hired the planning firm of Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc. to assist the Community with preparing its plan. The City followed a process that made the public an integral part in developing the Comprehensive Plan. Throughout the end of 1997 and through 1999, a series of public meetings were held to organize the effort, establish a vision, identify and resolve issues, and review and comment on concepts and ideas. The plan was created with the assistance of the general public, a community focus group, the various boards and commissions of the City, the City Council and City Staff. 2001 Ramsey Comprehensive Plan Amended February 26, 2002 Page I-1