07-25-1994 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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n Coun« tl (Vntr** 111 Slrrrl ; r^r.ioi ;r.M i. l UD:'H 0.M1I MMSI ClAyoKlAll US rosiAr.r TAIl) Si Paul. MN P»»rm.lf4o 7QP9 IALO hoorse UNISTRATOR It OF ORONO ?STn bay MH 55325-0066 4492 flla'fls nt W''« poit consumpf w.isip t- e b ;s :e \e lie ne cil nd jld nt. md or les % I tCk )orr m’s 1 July 1994 • Lowering barriers to economic growth, like cleaning up polluted sites; • U sing redevelopment tools more effectively, like tax-increment financing, industrial revenue bonds, rezoning and eminent domain; • Explq property • Poss enterpris • Exp options t with jobs ar - mmm - i#» - - i i m»M • • r; i' j'--'"-"..v.i •>'< Some Council core tl economid . iraeveiopmeni.; rjyxnor* urged balanclrt^ We heeds bl centraK^ f cities and suburbs. ^ i - ' i 1 I I ring lies.- reed* cor I I Some supported limiting tax- increment financing to older areas, but others suggested using the program in suburban areas as well. Many people favored not only providing housing assistance in older areas but also using public funds to ensure affordable housing opportunities region-wide. The need to clean up polluted sites for future redevelopment was also strongly supported. I GOOD PLANNING FAVORED, BUT HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH? Comments on the Blueprint split over how carefully to plan new growth. The Blueprint’s goal is to meet residents' changing needs and provide urban services while containing infrastructure costs by: • Encouraging development to occur within on urban service area \while discouraging urban • Encouraging communities to plan together in "clusters" to solve common problems, • Fostering a range of housing types throughout the region to meet people’s life-cycle needs and incomes, and • Keeping regional system costs and debt within bounds to preserve the region’s tnple-A bond rating Some people argued for limiting expansion of the urban service area, while others said the urban service boundary should be more flexible to accommodate growth Many suggested that the Council improve its methods for calculating the amount of land available for development within the urban service area Others said the urban service area should not be expanded piece-meal, it should be determined by looking further into the future, perhaps to the years 2010 or 2020 The Council should manage development and regional infrastructure investments to better support transit development, higher densities and energy conservation, according to some comments. Support was vocal for giving older areas higher funding priorities for regional infrastructure, and for a more balanc|d development pattern arourttf^^Bg ion Several IBple said fflB SffifeprffifIV>| icortshould incorporate the principles of sustainable development, to meet present needs without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet theirs Interest was strong in clarifying how cluster planning would work. Some suggested that old and new communities could join in solving problems It’s clear that communities are already planning jointly, and that the process should be cooperative, voluntary and based on partnerships Many people called for greater coordination with adjacent counties to control leapfrog development Strong support v^as offered for measures to control large-lot residential development in rural areas, and to protect agriculture as a legitimate long-term land use Concerns were expressed that increasing the diversity of housing might rely on penalties rather than incentives, while others favored requirements that housing strategies be included in local comprehensive plans ■ BALANCE SOUGHT IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION The draft Blueprint calls for protecting the environment to enhance the region's economic vitality and livability, by. • Developing a regional water management plan. • Incorporating environmental protections in local comprehensive plans, and • Coordinating the management of the region’s major rivers — the Mississippi, Minnesota and St. Croix Many people supported strong environmental protection as part of the Blueprint’s regional economic and development strategies Some suggested that development plans be assessed to determine their "environmental suitability" and that the land's ability to support development be carefully observed to prevent environmental damage. But a significant number urged the Council to avoid duplicating the work of other agencies and to weigh the needs for protection against the costs, especially the broad goal of 4^ "no adverse impact" on the reg*^’s waters ^ Also questioned wvbs the feasibility of cooyiinaling the management of ‘ til?region’s three major rivers. OTHER TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT THE BLUEPRINT Many thoughtful suggestions were offered for clarifying the Council’s authority and role in regional housing issues The Blueprint proposes designating housing as a regional "system." Such a designation would enable the Council to require changes in local comprehensive plans to meet regional housing and development objectives Others, however, disagreed Seme argued for a regional housing policy, but did not support a system designation Others called for more clarity in describing what it would mean to make the Blueprint itself a "system" The proposed comprehensive planning requirements in the Blueprint also drew comments Some people said there’s a need for greater "teeth" in the Council's authority to ensure good local planning Others questioned this appr^ch, saying that many communijjes do not follow their own comprehensive plans1^' •m MEETING CALENDAR I The Council will consider the comments receivdb on the Blueprint and final Blueprint revisions at the meetings listed befcw. All meetings will ftie held at the Council offices Meeting times and agendas are occa^nally changed, so please call to confirm (291- 6312) I July 11 — Comnfiinity Development Cc^nmittee. noon. Conference Room 1-A: Overview of public comrynls. July 14 mmunity DevelopmeriT Committee, noon- 4 pm. Coi^rence Room 1-A; Work session to consider revisions on the ifcllowing topics: Overview. Goals. Mission - ‘Regional Economic Strategy ^ Regional Reinvestment Strategy Possible new policy on sense of community July 19 — Community Development Committee, noon- 4 pm. Conference Room 1-A: Work session to consider revisions on the following topics; Regional Strategy for Guiding Growth - Regional Strategy. Implementlii August 8 — Development 9) Conference final Blueprint ' August 9 — Co Development-Coi Conference Room 1-A: Review of final draft. Ef ■ iJiTflitlt h") August 22 — Community Development Committee, noon. Conference Room 1-A; Action on final draft August 25 — Metropolitan Council, 4 p m.. Chambers; Adoption of final draft.