HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 2017 Packet
City of Falcon Heights
Planning Commission
City Hall
2077 W. Larpenteur Avenue
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
7:00 p.m.
A G E N D A
A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL: Chair Larkin ____ Samatar ____
Murphy ____ Stemper ____
Williams ____ Kotelnicki ____
Sunderland ____
Council Liaison Harris ____ Staff Liaison Moretto ____
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES for May 23 and June 27, 2017
D. AGENDA
1. Selection of the Secretary
2. Discussion – Comprehensive Planning
E. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
F. ADJOURN
If you have a disability and need accommodation in order to attend this meeting,
please notify City Hall 48 hours in advance between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30
p.m. at 651-792-7600. We will be happy to help.
City of Falcon Heights
Planning Commission Minutes
May 23, 2017
PRESENT: Commissioners Williams, Larkin, Murphy, Stemper, Kotelnicki
ABSENT: Commissioners Samatar, Sunderland, Liaison Harris
The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by Chair Larkin.
The minutes of the April 25th, 2017 meeting of the Planning Commission were approved.
AGENDA
1. Hearing Good Acre Phase II –
The Planning Commission opened the hearing to adopt Ordinance No. 17 – XX
(Draft) change the PUD Section 113-209.
Chair Larkin requested an introduction to the hearing topic from Liaison Moretto.
Liaison Moretto (staff) read the submitted staff report outlining the facts of the case and
all attachments.
Staff recommended approval of the submitted ordinance.
Staff read the proposed ordinance out loud before all in attendance.
Liaison Moretto shared the public notice that was given to all properties within 500 feet
and was also posted in the local newspaper, in addition to a posting at City Hall.
Finally, staff introduced a parking analysis, maps, a letter of Compliance from the
Metropolitan Council, and a submission from the Kelly Brothers Ltd (applicant)
concerning egress and a private easement.
After the staff report, Peter Austin and Jim Kelly, representatives from Kelly Brothers
Ltd, presented the project before the Commission and provided details about the future of
the project.
Commissioners asked questions about parking and other items of possible concern.
Chair Larkin opened the floor for public comment. After three request for public
comment the Chair closed the public comment section.
Staff introduced a letter submitted by Commissioner Sunderland.
Chair Larkin requested to include the letter in the minutes.
The Commission agreed. (Included at the end of these minutes)
Commissioner Murphy asked about density and the number of units.
Mr. Kelly stated that they focus on apartment complexes that cater to senior/independent
living clients. The previous plans called for fewer units but the previous plans proposed
three beds units. The new plan does not. In Mr. Kelly’s experience 80% of residents have
cars. This is in line with their other units.
Mr. Stemper asked about the other properties Kelly Brothers have and any parking issues
they have experienced.
Mr. Kelly responded that they have access to on-street parking available in St. Paul and
in general parking is not an issue.
Chair Larkin asked about removing affordable housing language but not including senior
housing.
Liaison Moretto stated that because the applicant did not request senior housing language
it was not included in the proposed PUD. This language could be included if the
Commission wanted it in. It was request by the Planning Commission.
Commission Murphy asked about housing controls concerning senior housing.
Mr. Kelly said generally it is not required, but if funding is received by specific sources it
could include the requirement that the building remain senior housing.
Chair Larkin asked for any other comments.
There being none, the Chair asked for a motion to recommend approval of draft
Ordinance 17-XX.
Commissioner Stemper motioned to approve the recommendation.
Chair Larkin, Commissioner Williams, Stemper, and Kotelnicki were in favor.
Commissioner Murphy abstained.
The motion passed 4 – 0 with 1 abstention.
INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Community Forum: None
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:20p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________ ______________________________
Paul Moretto John Larkin
Community Development Coordinator Chair – Planning Commission
City of Falcon Heights
Planning Commission Minutes
June 27, 2017
PRESENT: Commissioners Williams, Larkin, Murphy, Stemper, Kotelnicki, Sunderland,
Liaison Harris
ABSENT: Commissioners Samatar, Kotelnicki
The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by Chair Larkin.
The minutes of the May 23th, 2017 meeting of the Planning Commission were tabled for
next meeting.
Community forum was moved to the start of the meeting as requested from the Chair.
Community Forum:
Mark Miazga, Chair of the Environmental Commission voiced a letter of support for developing
a vacant housing ordinance for the health, safety, and beauty of the environment.
Peg Shearen (1348 California) was concerned about 1354 California as vacant home. She was
worried about vacant buildings gas buildup. She would like external gas relief. She is also
concerned about noxious weeds and other items. She is overall concerned about the community.
Greg Weyandt (1364 California) is also concerned about the property at 1354 California. He
applauded the commission for working on an ordinance. He would like aggressive enforcement.
He met with the Mayor and others from the city but has not seen results. He is worried about
home values. He wants aggressive enforcement. He wants the city to hire an attorney to go after
the home owner.
William Conroy (1358 California) is the next door neighbor of the property at 1354 California.
He wants us to enforce section 108.2, 108.3, 108.4, 110.3. He believes these should be able to
start the demolition. He thinks it is time for a plan or timeline. He wants some structure and
enforcement.
Commissioner Murphy asked if there are ordinance that applied to vacant homes why do we
need new ordinances?
Council Liaison Harris did not know and referred to Staff Liaison Moretto.
Staff Liaison Moretto stated that we do not have a vacant home ordinance that provides a
rigorous process for identifying vacant homes and how to achieve compliance. The vacant home
discussion for the planning commission meeting today is to identify possible ideas and bring that
back to staff.
Commissioner Murphy stated that a new ordinance isn’t going to change that. The ordinance
proposed puts transients and criminals in the same category.
Liaison Moretto stated that this is not the proposed code but an example to model off and change
as we see fit. Liaison Moretto references St. Paul’s vacant building process which is much more
through than that of Crystal.
Council Liaison Harris asked if we have abated issues on 1354 California.
Staff Liaison Moretto stated that there is continual abatement.
A speaker from the audience asked if demolition costs would be placed on the property and the
financing associated with that processes would be the cost to the city.
Staff Liaison Moretto suggested that could be the case.
Elizabeth Brodeen kuo (1355 Idaho) lives behind 1354 California. She has lived there one year.
She has two small kids and does not feel comfortable near that home. Would like a vacant
building ordinance. She does not think removal would work. Worried about an empty lot. She
would like a well thought out process.
Council Liaison Harris asked if anyone as inspected inside the house.
Staff Liaison Moretto stated no one has entered the house as we have not received an
administrative warrant. We would have to have grounds.
Commissioner Sunderland said that this is a problem of a lack of process. If there was a better
process then there would be more teeth to the ordinance. The Commission stated that he Fire
Marshal has the power to enter the building for a variety of reasons.
Greg Weyandt ask if the city as perused a warrant for her arrest. He wants a stronger ordinance.
He want something to happen at 1354 California. He also wants a stronger overall ordinance.
Council Liaison Harris did not know we were going to discussion a particular property and she
would like more background on this property.
Peg Shearen stated she knows the background information of the property. She wanted to
reiterate the need for a process. She referred to the St. Paul code.
Commissioner Murphy said after 10 years I would not wait for an ordinance. He would demand
something be done.
Commissioner Sunderland said there seems to be opportunity to look into detail.
Council Liaison Harris asked about the history of 1354 California.
Staff Liaison Moretto offered to take this subject to Workshop.
Chair Larkin stated that we are starting to get off track. He understand the concerns. He wants to
discuss if we should look into an ordinance. He feels like there is a want for a new process. He
asked about the item included in the packet.
Staff Liaison Moretto asked to acknowledge that Commissioner Samatar had arrived. (7:45pm)
Staff Liaison Moretto introduced the Vacant Building Ordinance from the City of Crystal.
Commissioner Sunderland said that we don’t need to spend time talking about details here. We
need a process of escalation. He asked how long and how many times that has been an issue
(1354 California).
Peg Shearen stated that the met with the City Administrator and the Mayor a few years ago. They
were told not to take care of the property. They have email and called many times. There are
many weeds and other items, specifically Canadian Thistle. She called Ramsey County Noxious
weed unit. It has been 10 years.
Commissioner Murphy says they need to go City Council.
Chair Larkin asked if Council as addressed it.
Council Liaison Harris said this is a staff issue. It is not something the City Council would do.
Commissioner Sunderland said the missing link is what do you do when the processes is
followed and when do you go to the lawyers.
Council Liaison Harris was not prepared to address this issue and we have never taken it this
(process) far on any property. This is a staff issue and not a City Council issue.
Commissioner Sunderland stated that we are not prepared and we should be prepared and do
some research. Investment properties might be related and we can possibly look at how we
address all these issues.
Council Liaison Harris stated that we might have a process.
Peg Shearen said that Sack (Administrator) had been in the area as well as Tim (Public Works
Director).
Chair Larkin had asked staff for a recommendation. He sees a couple of options. One is to draft
an ordinance. The other is to look at current ordinance and see how this fits.
Staff Liaison Moretto asked if the Commission would like to take this to workshop and requested
a motion to do so.
Commissioner Sunderland asked if this would be tonight and requested a different day. He also
wanted more working sessions. He also wanted to know how to work on this without quorum.
Council Liaison Harris wanted staff to create the proposal and report back concerning this issue.
Commissioner Sunderland wanted to have a working meeting to discuss this.
Commissioner Williams asked if current ordinance could be replaced.
Staff Liaison Moretto suggested it could be modified and enhanced with a process.
Commissioner Sunderland said we do have ordinance that applies but something is missing. The
process is unclear.
Commissioner Samatar said when she was a planner citizens would come in she would go out
and check and could go to the lawyer and send a letter. Then the housing inspector would go in
and check. She states that the property has been vacant for a long time, 10 years, and that is a
health and safety issue. She said that it is better to have a vacant lot then a building where there
are issues. Anything could be happening. Has anyone been in there?
Staff Liaison Moretto stated that the building inspector has not entered the building.
Commissioner Samatar said that when she was a planner when a neighbor called we would
immediately respond. What would it take to get in there.
Staff Liaison Moretto said that the administrator could order the inspection through an
administrative warrant issued by the courts.
Commissioner Samatar said that needs to be done.
Commissioner Sunderland asked staff if currently a file on this property?
Staff Liaison Moretto has a file for various violations and abatements. He said he does not know
why other staff members in the past have not gone through the condemnation process.
Commissioner Sunderland would like to request a process, current process, and what are the
options.
Council Liaison Harris would like to know the process and what currently exists.
Commissioner Murphy said that it has been 10 years and that is a long time and we need
information.
Staff Liaison Moretto stated that we are focusing on a particular property and it is not appropriate
in this setting. We are also talking about staff internal process and not ordinance.
Chair Larkin agreed and asked for the commission to ask staff to prepare a summary of existing
ordinance and any changes that will help the process.
Commissioner Sunderland asked to add to this to focus on financial cost and how the code is
applied.
Council Liaison Harris stated in the past in some cases we have not been able to find the owners
of these properties so we can address these issues. This process would be beneficial.
AGENDA
1. Vacant Buildings – See above
2. Comprehensive Planning –
Staff Liaison Moretto stated that we are in the process of updating our
comprehensive plan. He has a meeting with the Metropolitan Council in July. We are in
talks with a consultant. There is a discussion about the level of change that will be
proposed in the next plan. This will all come to the commission. Another question is
about meetings and how many.
Commissioner Sunderland state we should have as many as is needed.
Council Liaison Harris said that when she worked on the last one we had workshop and a
consultant. She serves on a Met Council committee. We might not need an overhaul.
Staff Liaison Moretto stated we should look to clean up some of the language.
Commissioner Sunderland asked the Chair if he intends to open these meetings to the
community.
Chair Larkin ask how much needs to be open to the community, how many meetings.
Staff Liaison Moretto stated that we can have small groups or workshops. We will need
to have a hearing and go to Council. It is up to the commission.
Council Liaison Harris said that there are closed door opportunities.
Chair Larkin would like to know the scope of work.
Staff Liaison Moretto will have more information after the Met Council meeting.
INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Community Forum: None
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:20p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________ ______________________________
Paul Moretto John Larkin
Community Development Coordinator Chair – Planning Commission
REQUEST FOR PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION
Families, Fields and Fair
__________________________
The City That Soars!
Description This is a short introduction to Comprehensive Planning and the Commission’s role in that process.
Background
A Comprehensive Plan is required of all municipalities with regular updates MNSS 462.355.
Met Council Resources:
https://stats.metc.state.mn.us/profile/detail.aspx?c=02394738
https://lphonline.metc.state.mn.us/CommPage?ctu=2394738&applicant=Falcon%20Heights
Plan elements include:
Land Use
Transportation
Water Resources
Parks and Trails
Housing
Economic Competitiveness
A new section on Resilience will need to be integrated into the new Comprehensive Plan.
A comprehensive plan is document that sets forth a vision and the goals for the future of the city. State law
defines a comprehensive plan as a compilation of policies, goals, standards and maps for guiding the physical,
social and economic development, both public and private, of the municipality and its environment. The
purpose is to guide future development of land to ensure a safe, pleasant, and economical environment for
residential, commercial, industrial, and public activities. The comprehensive plan provides the overall
foundation for all land use regulation in a city. State law encourages all cities to prepare and implement a
comprehensive municipal plan. In addition, cities within the seven-county metro area are required to adopt
comprehensive plans. Under state law, a city planning commission or department is tasked with the creation of
the city’s comprehensive plan.
Planning is a professional field that encompasses a broad array of skills and techniques. In developing
comprehensive plans, many cities use educated, certified land use professionals. But at its core, planning is a
relatively straightforward three-step process:
• First, a community takes stock of where it is today.
• Second, the community generates a shared vision and goals for what the city will be like in the future.
• Third, but certainly not least, the city develops a set of specific strategies to achieve that vision over time.
There are many reasons cities create and adopt comprehensive plans. The planning process helps communities
identify issues before they arise, stay ahead of trends in land use development and redevelopment, and
anticipate and navigate change in populations and land use patterns.
A comprehensive plan also protects and makes the most out of public investment by ensuring that development
coincides with investments in infrastructure. A comprehensive plan protects and promotes the value of private
Meeting Date July 25, 2017
Agenda Item 1
Title Introduction to Comprehensive Planning
Submitted By Paul Moretto,
Community Development Coordinator
property. Finally, a comprehensive plan provides legal justification for a community’s land-use decisions and
ordinances.
Most comprehensive plans include a variety of maps, including a land use plan map that indicates how the plan
guides the future land use in different areas of the community.
State law provides certain processes that cities must follow for comprehensive plan adoption and amendment.
Prior to adoption of a comprehensive plan, the planning commission must hold at least one public hearing. A
notice of the time, place, and purpose of the hearing must be published once in the official newspaper of the
municipality, and at least 10 days before the day of the hearing. Unless otherwise provided in a city charter, the
city council may, by resolution by a two-thirds vote of all of its members, adopt and amend the comprehensive
plan or a portion of the plan. This means that on a five-member council, the comprehensive plan must receive
at least four affirmative votes.
Analysis Falcon Heights is required to update its Comprehensive Plan every ten years. The city is currently in the early
stages of this process. Staff is currently in the process of selecting a Planning Consultant to help with plan
development and public engagement process. This meeting is to introduce some of the requirements and a
checklist the Metropolitan Council produces for municipal governments.
Budget
Impact
None
Attachments Checklist
System Statement
Actions
Requested
None
2015 SYSTEM STATEMENT
System Statement Issue Date:
2015SYSTEM STATEMENT
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2015 SYSTEM STATEMENT FOR
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
September 17, 2015
Regional Development Plan Adoption
In May 2014, the Metropolitan Council adopted Thrive MSP 2040. Following adoption of Thrive, the
Council adopted the 2040 Transportation Policy Plan, the 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan, the 2040 Water Resources Policy Plan, and the 2040 Housing Policy Plan. The Metropolitan Council is now
issuing system statements pursuant to State statute.
Receipt of this system statement and the metropolitan system plans triggers a community’s obligation
to review and, as necessary, amend its comprehensive plan within the next three years, by the end of
2018. The complete text of Thrive MSP 2040 as well as complete copies of the recently adopted
metropolitan system and policy plans are available for viewing and downloading
at http://www.metrocouncil.org/Communities/Planning.aspx. Paper copies are available by calling the
Council’s Data Center at 651-602-1140.
System Statement Definition
Metropolitan system plans are long-range comprehensive plans for the regional systems – transit,
highways, and airports; wastewater services; and parks and open space – along with the capital
budgets for metropolitan wastewater services, transportation, and regional recreation open space.
System statements explain the implications of metropolitan system plans for each individual community
in the metropolitan area. They are intended to help communities prepare or update their comprehensive
plan, as required by the Metropolitan Land Planning Act:
Within nine months after receiving a system statement for an amendment to a metropolitan system plan, and within three years after receiving a system statement issued in conjunction
with the decennial review required under section 473.864, subdivision 2, each affected local
governmental unit shall review its comprehensive plan to determine if an amendment is
necessary to ensure continued conformity with metropolitan system plans. If an amendment is
necessary, the governmental unit shall prepare the amendment and submit it to the council
for review.
Local comprehensive plans, and amendments thereto, will be reviewed by the Council for conformance
to metropolitan system plans, consistency with Council policies, and compatibility with adjacent and
affected governmental units. Updated local comprehensive plans are due to the Council for review by
December 31, 2018.
What is in this System Statement
The system statement includes information specific to your community, including:
• your community designation or designation(s);
• forecasted population, households, and employment through the year 2040;
• guidance on appropriate densities to ensure that regional services and costly regional
infrastructure can be provided as efficiently as possible.
• affordable housing need allocation;
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In the following sections, this system statement contains an overview of each of the system plan
updates and specific system changes that affect your community. The sections are:
• Transportation, including metropolitan highways, aviation, and transit
• Water Resources, including wastewater, surface water, and water supply planning
• Regional parks and trails
Dispute Process
If your community disagrees with elements of this system statement, or has any questions about this
system statement, please contact your Sector Representative, Eric Wojchik, at 651-602-1330, to review
and discuss potential issues or concerns.
The Council and local government units and districts have usually resolved issues relating to the
system statement through discussion.
Request for Hearing
If a local governmental unit and the Council are unable to resolve disagreements over the content of a
system statement, the unit or district may, by resolution, request that a hearing be conducted by the
Council’s Land Use Advisory Committee or by the State Office of Administrative Hearings for the
purpose of considering amendments to the system statement. According to Minnesota Statutes section
473.857, the request shall be made by the local governmental unit or school district within 60 days after
receipt of the system statement. If no request for a hearing is received by the Council within 60 days,
the statement becomes final.
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Regional Development Guide
The Council adopted Thrive MSP 2040 as the new regional
development guide on May 28, 2014. Thrive identifies five outcomes
that set the policy direction for the region’s system and policy plans.
Building on our region’s history of effective stewardship of our
resources, Thrive envisions a prosperous, equitable, and livable
region that is sustainable for today and generations to come. The
Council is directing its operations, plans, policies, programs, and
resources toward achieving this shared long-term vision.
Three principles define the Council’s approach to implementing regional policy: integration, collaboration, and accountability. These principles reflect the Council’s roles in integrating policy
areas, supporting local governments and regional partners, and promoting and implementing the
regional vision. The principles define the Council’s approach to policy implementation and set
expectations for how the Council interacts with local governments.
Thrive also outlines seven land use policies and community designations important for local
comprehensive planning updates. The land use policies establish a series of commitments from the
Council for local governments and uses community designations to shape development policies for
communities. Community designations group jurisdictions with similar characteristics based on Urban
or Rural character for the application of regional policies. Together, the land use policies and
community designations help to implement the region’s vision by setting expectations for development
density and the character of development throughout the region.
Community Designation
Community designations group jurisdictions with similar characteristics for the application of regional
policies. The Council uses community designations to guide regional growth and development;
establish land use expectations including overall development densities and patterns; and outline the
respective roles of the Council and individual communities, along with strategies for planning for
forecasted growth. If there are discrepancies between the Thrive MSP 2040 Community Designations
Map and the Community Designation map contained herein because of adjustments and refinements
that occurred subsequent to the adoption of Thrive, communities should follow the specific guidance
contained in this System Statement.
Thrive identifies Falcon Heights with the community designation of Urban (Figure 1). Urban
communities experienced rapid development during the post-World War II era, and exhibit the transition
toward the development stage dominated by the influence of the automobile. Urban communities are
expected to plan for forecasted population and household growth at average densities of at least 10
units per acre for new development and redevelopment. In addition, Urban communities are expected
to target opportunities for more intensive development near regional transit investments at densities
and in a manner articulated in the 2040 Transportation Policy Plan.
Specific strategies for Urban communities can be found on Falcon Heights’ Community Page in
the Local Planning Handbook.
Forecasts
The Council uses the forecasts developed as part of Thrive to plan for regional systems. Communities
should base their planning work on these forecasts. Given the nature of long-range forecasts and the
planning timeline undertaken by most communities, the Council will maintain on-going dialogue with
Page - 4 | 2015 SYSTEM STATEMENT – FALCON HEIGHTS TRANSPORTATION
communities to consider any changes in growth trends or community expectations about growth that
may have an impact on regional systems.
The Thrive forecasts for population, households, and employment for your community are:
2010 (actual) 2014 (est.) 2020 2030 2040
Population 5,321 5,398 5,300 5,300 5,300
Households 2,131 2,156 2,200 2,200 2,200
Employment 5,298 4,650 5,800 6,100 6,400
Housing Policy
The Council adopted the Housing Policy Plan on December 10, 2014, and amended the plan on July 8,
2015. The purpose of the plan is to provide leadership and guidance on regional housing needs and
challenges and to support Thrive MSP 2040. The Housing Policy Plan provides an integrated policy
framework to address housing challenges greater than any one city or county can tackle alone.
Consistent with state statute (Minn. Stat. 473.859, subd. 2(c) and subd. 4), communities must include a
housing element and implementation program in their local comprehensive plans that address existing
and projected housing needs.
The Council has also determined the regional need for low and moderate income housing for the
decade of 2021-2030 (see Part III and Appendix B in the Housing Policy Plan).
The Council has determined that Falcon Heights does not have a share of the region’s need for low and
moderate income housing.
Specific requirements for the housing element and housing implementation programs of local
comprehensive plans can be found in the Local Planning Handbook.
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Figure 1. Falcon Heights Community Designation
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TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
STATEMENT
City of Falcon Heights
The 2040 Transportation Policy Plan (TPP) is the metropolitan system plan for highways, transit, and
aviation to which local comprehensive plans must conform. This system statement summarizes
significant changes to these three systems, as well as other changes made to the Transportation Policy Plan since the last 2030 TPP was adopted in 2010, and highlights those elements of the system plan
that apply specifically to your community. The TPP incorporates the policy direction and the new 2040
socio economic forecasts adopted by the Metropolitan Council in the Thrive MSP 2040, and extends
the planning horizon from 2030 to 2040.
Federal Requirements
The TPP must respond to requirements outlined in state statute, as well as federal law, such as some
new requirements included in the federal law known as the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st
Century Act (MAP-21). For instance, metropolitan transportation plans must now be performance
based, so the TPP now includes goals, objectives, and strategies outlined in chapter 2. In previous
versions of the TPP the strategies were known as policies; while some are new, the wording of many
strategies are similar to the wording of policies in previous plans. Performance measurements for this
plan are also discussed in Chapter 12, Federal Requirements.
Federal law requires the long range plan to identify regionally significant transportation investments
expected to be made over the next two decades, and to demonstrate that these planned investments
can be afforded under the plan’s financial assumptions. Both costs and available revenues have
changed since the last plan was adopted in 2010, resulting in many changes in the plan. Federal law
does allow the plan to provide a vision for how an increased level of transportation revenue might be
spent if more resources become available, but the programs or projects identified in this scenario are
not considered part of the approved plan.
The TPP includes two funding scenarios for the metropolitan highway and transit systems: the “Current
Revenue Scenario” and the “Increased Revenue Scenario.”
• The Current Revenue Scenario represents the fiscally constrained regional transportation
plan, which assumes revenues that the region can reasonably expect to be available based on
past experience and current laws and allocation formulas.
• The Increased Revenue Scenario represents an illustration of what be achieved with a
reasonable increase in revenues for transportation.
Under the Metropolitan Land Planning Act, local comprehensive plans are expected to conform to the
Current Revenue Scenario, which is the official metropolitan system plan. Potential improvements in
the Increased Revenue Scenario can be identified separately in local plans as unfunded proposals. A
more detailed description of how to handle the various improvements in this category is included under
Other Plan Considerations.
In addition to reviewing this system statement, your community should consult the entire 2040
Transportation Policy Plan to ensure that your community’s local comprehensive plan and plan
amendments conform to the metropolitan transportation system plan. Chapter 3, Land Use and Local
Planning, has been expanded and all communities should carefully review this chapter. A PDF file of
Page - 7 | 2015 SYSTEM STATEMENT – FALCON HEIGHTS TRANSPORTATION
the entire 2040 Transportation Policy Plan can be found at the Metropolitan Council’s
website: http://www.metrocouncil.org/Transportation/Planning-2/Key-Transportation-Planning-
Documents/Transportation-Policy-Plan-(1)/The-Adopted-2040-TPP-(1).aspx. The format of the plan is
slightly different than past Transportation Policy Plans. An introductory Overview, Chapter 1: Existing
System and Chapter 10: Equity and Environmental Justice have been added to this version of the TPP,
in addition to the changes noted in the first paragraph. Please note some modifications have been
made to the appendices as well.
Key Changes in the 2040 Transportation Policy Plan
Adopted by the Metropolitan Council in January 2015, the revised 2040 Transportation Policy Plan
incorporates the following changes:
Metropolitan Highway System - Chapter 5
The Metropolitan Highway System is made up of principal arterials, shown in Fig 1-1 of the TPP and
also attached to this system statement. Although no new highways have been added to this system in
the 2040 TPP, the last incomplete segment of this system, TH 610, is now under construction in Maple
Grove.
• The TPP acknowledges that congestion cannot be eliminated or greatly reduced. The region’s
mobility efforts will need to focus on managing congestion and working to provide alternatives.
The majority of resources available between now and 2040 will be needed for preservation,
management and operation of the existing highway system.
• Due to increased costs and decreased revenue expectations, many long-planned major projects
to add general purpose highway lanes are not in this fiscally constrained plan. While the
preservation, safety, and mobility needs of these corridors are recognized, investments in these
corridors will be focused on implementing traffic management strategies, lower cost-high benefit
spot mobility improvements, and implementing MnPASS lanes. Some specific projects have
been identified in this plan, but funding has primarily been allocated into various investment
categories rather than specific projects. The highway projects specifically identified in the
Current Revenue Scenario are shown in Figure 5-8 of the TPP which is also attached to this
system statement.
• Modifications were made to Appendix D - Functional Classification Criteria, and Appendix F –
Highway Interchange Requests. Appendix C – Project List is new and contains all of the transit
and highway projects that have been identified between 2014 and 2023.
Transit System - Chapter 6
The transit system plan provides an overview of the basic components of transit planning, including
demographic factors, transit route and network design factors and urban design factors that support
transit usage. Local governments have the primary responsibility for planning transit-supportive land
use, through their comprehensive planning, and subdivision and zoning ordinances.
• The TPP includes updated Transit Market Areas (shown in TPP Figure 6-3, also attached) which
reflect 2010 Census information and an updated methodology that better aligns types and levels of
transit service to expected demand. These market areas identify the types of transit services that
are provided within each area.
• The TPP includes limited capital funding for transit expansion and modernization. Opportunities
primarily exist through competitive grant programs such as the regional solicitation for US DOT
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funding. These opportunities are guided by the strategies in the TPP and the various elements of
the Transit Investment Plan.
• The TPP includes an updated transitway system plan that more clearly articulates which projects
can be funded within reasonable revenue expectations through year 2040 (Current Revenue
Scenario as shown in TPP Figure 6-8, which is also attached). The plan includes five new or
expanded METRO lines, three new arterial bus rapid transit lines, and three corridors under study
for mode and alignment but identified in the Counties Transit Improvement Board’s (CTIB) Phase I
Program of Projects. This system was developed in collaboration with CTIB, a major partner in
regional transitway expansion.
• The TPP does not include operating funding for transit service expansion beyond the existing
network of regular route bus, general public dial-a-ride, and Metro Vanpool.
• The Increased Revenue Scenario (shown TPP Figure 6-9, which is also attached) illustrates the
level of expansion for the bus and support system and transitway system that might be reasonable
if additional revenues were made available to accelerate construction of the transitway vision for the
region.
• The plan includes updated requirements and considerations for land use planning around the
region’s transit system. This includes new residential density standards for areas near major
regional transit investments and an increased emphasis on proactive land use planning in
coordination with the planning of the transit system.
Aviation System - Chapter 9
The Metropolitan Aviation System is comprised of nine airports (shown in Figure 1-9 of the TPP and
also attached to this system statement) and off-airport navigational aids. There are no new airports or
navigational aids that have been added to the system in the 2040 TPP.
• The TPP discusses the regional airport classification system as well as providing an overview of
roles and responsibilities in aviation for our regional and national partners. The investment plan in
includes an overview of funding sources for projects, and an overview of projects proposed for the
local airports that will maintain and enhance the regional airport system.
• Modifications were made to Appendix I – Regional Airspace, Appendix J – Metropolitan Airports
Commission Capital Investment Review Process, Appendix K – Airport Long Term Comprehensive Plans and Appendix L – Aviation Land Use Compatibility.
Other Plan Changes
Regional Bicycle Transportation Network - Chapter 7
The 2040 TPP encourages the use of bicycles as a mode of transportation. To that end, the TPP
establishes for the first time a Regional Bicycle Transportation Network (RBTN). The goal of the RBTN
is to establish an integrated seamless network of on-street bikeways and off-road trails that
complement each other to most effectively improve conditions for bicycle transportation at the regional
level. Cities, counties, and parks agencies are encouraged to plan for and implement future bikeways
within and along these designated corridors and alignments to support the RBTN vision.
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Freight - Chapter 8
Most aspects of freight movement are controlled by the private sector, so unlike other sections of the
TPP, there is not a specific plan adopted for future public sector investment in freight facilities.
However, the discussion of the need for a safe and efficient multimodal freight system has been
updated and expanded in the TPP to recognize challenges and opportunities for freight movement as
well as the future direction of freight by mode. It acknowledges the closure of the Minneapolis Upper
Harbor in 2015, leaving St Paul and Shakopee as the region’s major barge terminal areas in the future.
The plan also acknowledges the increase of trains since 2010 carrying oil from North Dakota on BNSF
and CP rail tracks, which is expected to continue into the future. Although railroad trackage in the
region was significantly decreased over the last 20 years to “right size” the system after federal
deregulation, communities should not expect much additional rail abandonment. Many tracks that
appear to be seldom used are owned by the smaller Class III railroads that serve local businesses by
providing direct rail connections from manufacturing and warehousing/distribution facilities to the major
national railroads. The major Class I railroads are approaching capacity and actually adding tracks in
some locations.
System Plan Considerations Affecting Your Community
Falcon Heights should consult the complete 2040 Transportation Policy Plan in preparing its local
comprehensive plan. In addition, Falcon Heights should consult Thrive MSP 2040 and the current
version of the Metropolitan Council’s Local Planning Handbook for specific information needed in its
comprehensive plan. Specific system plan considerations affecting Falcon Heights are detailed below.
Metropolitan Highways
There are no principal arterials located within Falcon Heights.
Transit System
Falcon Heights includes the following Transit Market Areas:
Transit Market Area Market Area Description and Typical Transit Services
Market Area II Transit Market Area II has high to moderately high population and employment
densities and typically has a traditional street grid comparable to Market Area I.
Much of Market Area II is also categorized as an Urban Center and it can support
many of the same types of fixed-route transit as Market Area I, although usually
at lower frequencies or shorter service spans.
Falcon Heights should identify and map existing transit services and facilities in the local
comprehensive plan. Falcon Heights should also work with transit providers serving their community to
identify potential future transit service options and facilities that are consistent with the TPP and the
applicable Transit Market Areas. Communities can find further maps and guidance for transit planning
in the Transportation section of the Local Planning Handbook.
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Transitways
Current Revenue Scenario Transitways
Falcon Heights should acknowledge in your local comprehensive plan the transitway investments
planned for your community in the Current Revenue Scenario (TPP Figure 6-8). Falcon Heights
includes the following transitway in operation or with a mode and alignment adopted in the TPP:
• A Line (mode and alignment adopted)
Falcon Heights should also identify potential stations along planned transitways (once identified) and
adopt guiding land use policies, station-area plans, and associated zoning, infrastructure, and
implementation tools that support future growth around transit stations consistent with Chapter 3 - Land
Use and Local Planning from the TPP and consistent with the project phase of development.
Communities can find further guidance for station-area planning in the Transportation section of
the Local Planning Handbook and the Transit Oriented Development Guide. The Transportation section
of the Local Planning Handbook also includes a map of existing, planned, and proposed transitway
stations throughout the region and the planning status of these stations that should be reflected in
Comprehensive Plans.
Increased Revenue Scenario Transitways
The TPP Increased Revenue Scenario shows additional transitway corridors beyond the scope of the
plan’s adopted and fiscally constrained Transit Investment Plan (the Current Revenue Scenario). These
corridors are listed on page 6.63 of the TPP, and TPP Figure 6-9, which is attached, shows the
complete transitway vision for the region.
If Falcon Heights believes it might be directly impacted by transitways in the Increased Revenue
Scenario (for example, because they are participating in transitway corridor studies or feasibility
analyses), the transitways may be acknowledged in the Comprehensive Plan. These additional
corridors are or will be under study for mode and alignment recommendations, but they are not
included in fiscally constrained plan. However, they should be clearly identified as not funded within the
currently expected resources for transitways. The Council recognizes the important planning work that
goes into a corridor prior to it becoming part of the region’s Transit Investment Plan, especially if
increased revenues were to become available.
Similar to Current Revenue Scenario Transitways, communities should identify known potential stations
along planned transitways and consider guiding land use policies, station area plans, and associated
zoning, infrastructure, and implementation tools that support future growth around transit stations.
These policies can also influence station siting in initial planning phases of transitway corridors and
influence the competitiveness of a transitway for funding. Communities can find further guidance for
station area planning in the Transportation section of the Local Planning Handbook and the Transit
Oriented Development Guide.
Aviation
All communities must include an aviation element in the transportation sections of their comprehensive
plans. The degree of aviation planning and development considerations that need to be included in the
comprehensive plan varies by community. Even those communities not impacted directly by an airport
have a responsibility to include airspace protection in their comprehensive plan. The protection element
should include potential hazards to air navigation including electronic interference.
Falcon Heights is not in an influence area of a regional airport. Airspace protection should be included
in local codes/ordinances to control height of structures.
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Other Plan Considerations
Regional Bicycle Transportation Network
TPP Figure 7-1 shows the RBTN as established for the first time in the 2040 TPP. The network consists
of a series of prioritized Tier 1 and Tier 2 corridors and dedicated alignments (routes). The process
used to develop the RBTN, as well as the general principles and analysis factors used in its
development, can be found in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Chapter of the TPP.
The RBTN corridors and alignments make up the “trunk arterials” of the overall system of bikeways that
connect to regional employment and activity centers. These are not intended to be the only bicycle
facilities in the region, and local units should also consider planning for any additional bike facilities
desired by their communities. RBTN corridors are shown where more specific alignments within those
corridors have not yet been designated, so local governments are encouraged to use their
comprehensive planning process to identify suitable alignments within the RBTN corridors for future
incorporation into the TPP.
In addition, agencies should plan their local on and off-road bikeway networks to connect to the
designated Tier 1 and Tier 2 alignments, as well as any new network alignments within RBTN corridors
to be proposed in local comprehensive plans. Bikeway projects that complete segments of, or connect
to, the RBTN are given priority for federal transportation funds through the Transportation Advisory
Board’s biannual regional solicitation.
Figure 7-1 shows that your community currently has one or more RBTN corridors and alignments within
its jurisdiction. The Council encourages local governments to incorporate the RBTN map within their
local bicycle plan maps to show how the local and regional systems are planned to work together. An
on-line interactive RBTN map, which allows communities to view the RBTN links in their community at a
much more detailed scale than Figure 7-1, can be found in the Transportation section of the Local
Planning Handbook. The handbook also includes best practices, references, and guidance for all local
bicycle planning.
A Minor System / Functional Classification
The TPP has always recognized the A minor arterial system as an important supplement to the regional
highway system, and the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) continues to maintain the official
regional map of these roads. The 2040 TPP does include an updated functional classification map (Fig.
1-2 in Chapter 1) and a modified Appendix D - Functional Classification Criteria. Communities should
consult the Local Plan Handbook for more information on functional classification, how to reflect the A
minor arterial system in their plan, and how to request functional classification changes if necessary.
Freight
The Council encourages all local governments to plan for freight movement in their communities.
Trucks are the major mode of freight movement in the region and across the nation to distribute
consumer goods as well as move manufactured goods and commodities, and they operate in every
community.
Communities with special freight facilities shown on TPP Figure 8-1, Metropolitan Freight System,
(attached) should also include those additional modes and facilities in their local plan, and plan for
compatible adjacent land uses.
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Figure 1-1 of the TPP
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Figure 1-2 of the TPP
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Figure 5-8 of the TPP
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Figure 6-3 of the TPP
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Figure 6-8 of the TPP
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Figure 6-9 of the TPP
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Figure 7-1 of the TPP
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Figure 8-1 of the TPP
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Figure 9-1 of the TPP
Page - 21 | 2015 SYSTEM STATEMENT – FALCON HEIGHTS WATER RESOURCES
WATER RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS/
WASTEWATER SYSTEM STATEMENT
City of Falcon Heights
The 2040 Water Resources Policy Plan includes policies and strategies to achieve the following goal:
To protect, conserve, and utilize the region’s groundwater and surface water in ways that protect
public health, support economical growth and development, maintain habitat and ecosystem health, and provide for recreational opportunities, which are essential to our region’s quality of life.
The Policy Plan takes an integrated approach to water supply, water quality, and wastewater issues.
This approach moves beyond managing wastewater and stormwater only to meet regulatory
requirements by viewing wastewater and stormwater as resources, with the goal of protecting the
quantity and quality of water our region needs now and for future generations.
The Policy Plan includes policies and strategies to:
• Maximize regional benefits from regional investments in the areas of wastewater, water supply
and surface water.
• Pursue reuse of wastewater and stormwater to offset demands on groundwater supplies.
• Promote greater collaboration, financial support, and technical support in working with partners
to address wastewater, water quality, water quantity and water supply issues.
• Implement environmental stewardship in operating the regional wastewater system by reusing
wastewater, reducing energy use and air pollutant emissions, and reducing, reusing, and
recycling solid waste.
Key Concepts in the 2040 Water Resources Policy Plan
Adopted by the Metropolitan Council in May 2015, the 2040 Water Resources Policy Plan is the
metropolitan system plan for metropolitan wastewater services with which local comprehensive plans
must conform. The Policy Plan incorporates the following changes:
• Centers on and around an integrated approach to water supply, wastewater, and surface water
planning.
• Promotes the investigation of the issues and challenges in furthering our work in water conservation,
wastewater and stormwater reuse, and low impact development practices in order to promote a
more sustainable region.
• Promotes the concept of sustainable water resources where, through collaboration and cooperation,
the region will take steps to manage its water resources in a sustainable way aimed at: o Providing an adequate water supply for the region
o Promoting and implementing best management practices that protect the quality and quantity of
our resources o Providing efficient and cost effective wastewater services to the region
o Efficiently addressing nonpoint and point sources pollution issues and solutions, and, o Assessing and monitoring lakes, rivers, and streams so that we can adequately manage, protect,
and restore our valued resources.
• Continues the Council’s position that communities that permit the construction and operation of
subsurface sewage treatment systems and other private wastewater treatment systems are
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responsible for ensuring that these systems are installed, maintained, managed and regulated
consistent with Minnesota Rules Chapter 7080-7083.
• Includes requirements in Appendix C for comprehensive sewer plans, local water plans, and local
water supply plans.
• Establishes inflow and infiltration goals for all communities served by the regional wastewater
system and requires all communities to include their inflow and infiltration mitigation programs in
their comprehensive sewer plan.
• Works with the State to attempt to (1) make funds available for inflow and infiltration mitigation, and
(2) promote statutes, rules, and regulations to encourage I/I mitigation.
Falcon Heights should consult the complete Policy Plan in preparing its local comprehensive plan. In
addition, Falcon Heights should consult Thrive MSP 2040 and the Local Planning Handbook for specific
information needed in its comprehensive plan.
System Plan Considerations Affecting Your Community
Metropolitan Sewer Service
Under state law (Minn. Stat. 473.513) local governments are required to submit both a wastewater plan
element to their comprehensive plan as well as a comprehensive sewer plan describing service needs
from the Council. Specific requirements for the sewer element of your comprehensive plan can be
found in the Water Resources section of the Local Planning Handbook.
Forecasts
The forecasts of population, households, employment, and wastewater flows for Falcon Heights as
contained in the adopted 2040 Water Resources Policy Plan can be found
at: http://www.metrocouncil.org/Wastewater-Water/Planning/2040-Water-Resources-Policy-Plan.aspx
and on your Community Page in the Local Planning Handbook. These forecasts are for sewered
development. The sewered housing forecasts were estimated using SAC data, annual city reports,
current trends, existing and future local wastewater service areas and other information relating to your
community. The wastewater flows are based on historical wastewater flow data, future projected
wastewater generation rates, and the projected sewered population and employment data.
The Council will use these growth and wastewater flow forecasts to plan future interceptor and
treatment works improvements needed to serve your community. The Council will not design future
interceptor improvements or treatment facilities to handle peak hourly flows in excess of the allowable
rate for your community. Falcon Heights, through its comprehensive planning process, must decide the
location and staging of development, and then plan and design its local wastewater collection system to
serve this development. The Council will use its judgment as to where to assign growth within your
community to determine regional system capacity adequacy. If Falcon Heights wishes to identify
specific areas within the community to concentrate its growth, it should do so within its Comprehensive
Sewer Plan.
You should also note that urban development at overall densities that are substantially lower than those
identified for your community in the Community Designation Section of this Systems Statement will also
be analyzed by the Council for their potential adverse effects on the cost of providing metropolitan
sewer service.
Description of the Metropolitan Disposal System Serving Your Community
Figure 1 shows the location of the Metropolitan Disposal System (MDS) serving your community.
Wastewater flow from Falcon Heights is treated at the Metropolitan WWTP.
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Description of the Regional Inflow/Infiltration (I/I) Program
The 2040 Water Resources Policy Plan states that the Council will establish I/I goals for all
communities discharging wastewater to the MDS. Communities that have excessive I/I in their sanitary
sewer systems will be required to eliminate excessive I/I. The Council will continue the implementation
of its on-going I/I reduction program. Communities identified through the program as needing to
eliminate excessive I/I will be required to submit a work plan that details work activities to identify and
eliminate sources of I/I. The Council can limit increases in service within those communities having
excess I/I that do not demonstrate progress in reducing their excess I/I. The Council will meet with the
community and discuss this alternative before it is implemented.
It is required that those communities that have been identified as contributors of excessive I/I, and that
have not already addressed private property sources, do so as part of their I/I program. Significant work
has been accomplished on the public infrastructure portion of the wastewater system. The Council will
pursue making funds available through the State for I/I mitigation, and promote statutes, rules and
regulations to encourage I/I mitigation.
Management of Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS) and Private
Systems
The Metropolitan Land Planning Act requires the sewer element of the local comprehensive plan to
describe the standards and conditions under which the installation of subsurface sewage treatment
systems and other private wastewater treatment systems will be permitted and to the extent
practicable, the areas not suitable for public or private systems.
The appropriate density for development with subsurface sewage treatment systems depends on the
suitability of the soils to treat wastewater and whether space is available for a primary and back up
drainfield. It is the Council’s position that all municipalities and counties allowing subsurface sewage
treatment systems should incorporate current MPCA regulations (Minn. Rules Chapter 7080-7083) as
part of a program for managing subsurface sewage treatment systems in the sewer element of their
local comprehensive plan and implement the standards in issuing permits.
Falcon Heights should adopt a management program consistent with state rules. An overview of Falcon
Heights’s management program must be included in the community’s local comprehensive plan update.
If adequate information on the management program is not included; the comprehensive plan will be
found incomplete for review until the required information is provided to the Council. Specific
requirements for the local comprehensive plan can be found in the Local Planning Handbook.
Small private treatment plants are located throughout the Metropolitan Area serving such developments
as individual industries, mobile home parks, and other urban type uses. The Council’s position is that
such private wastewater treatment plants should be permitted only if they are in areas not programmed
for metropolitan sewer service in the future and they are provided for in a community’s comprehensive
plan that the Council has approved. Furthermore, the community is responsible for permitting all
community or cluster wastewater treatment systems consistent with Minnesota Rules Chapter 7080-
7083 and MPCA standards. The Council will not provide financial support to assist communities if these
systems fail.
Falcon Heights should include in the sewer element of its local comprehensive plan the conditions
under which private treatment plants or municipal treatments would be allowed, and include appropriate
management techniques sufficiently detailed to ensure that the facilities conform to permit conditions.
Falcon Heights is responsible for ensuring that permit conditions for private treatment plants are met
and financial resources to manage these facilities are available.
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Surface Water Management
In 1995, Minnesota Statutes Section 473.859, subd. 2 was amended to make the local water plan
(often referred to as local surface water management plans) required by section 103B. 235 a part of the
land use plan of the local comprehensive plan. Minnesota Rules Chapter 8410, updated in July of 2015,
includes the requirements for local water management plans. The main change that you need to be
aware of is that all communities in the metropolitan area must update their local water plan between
January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018. This means that Falcon Heights must update its local water
plan as part of the comprehensive plan update. The community’s updated local water plan should be
submitted to the Council for its review concurrent with the review by the Watershed Management
Organization(s) within whose watershed(s) the community is located. Failure to have an updated local water plan will result in the comprehensive plan being found incomplete for review until the required plan is provided to the Council.
Local water plans must meet the requirements for local water plans in Minnesota Statutes, section
103B.235 and Minnesota Rules Chapter 8410. In general, local surface water plans need to include a
summary of the priorities and problems in the community; structural, nonstructural and programmatic
actions to take to address the priorities and problems; and clearly identified funding mechanisms to fix
the problems.
More detailed guidance for the local water plans can be found in Appendix C of the Council’s 2040
Water Resources Policy Plan and in the Council’s current Local Planning Handbook.
In addition, the Council has also updated its priority lake list that was first developed in the 1980s as
part of the Water Resources Policy Plan update. Figure 2 shows the priority lakes for Falcon Heights.
The Council uses the priority lake list to focus its limited resources. The list is also used in the
environmental review process. Where a proposed development may impact a priority lake, the project
proposer must complete a nutrient budget analysis for the lake as part of the environmental review
process.
Also included on Figure 2 is the watershed organization(s) that Falcon Heights is part of and a list of
impaired waters in the community for use in development of your local water plans.
Other Plan Considerations
Water Supply
Local comprehensive plans also address water supply (Minn. Stat., Sec. 473.859). For communities in
the metropolitan area with municipal water supply systems, this local comprehensive plan requirement
is met by completing the local water supply plan template, which was jointly developed by the
Metropolitan Council and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource (DNR).
FOR COMMUNITIES WITH PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS OWNED BY ANOTHER ENTITY
Because your community uses a municipal community public water supply system (PWS) that is not
owned/operated by your community, you should collaborate with the owner of the PWS to ensure their
local water supply plan reflects your water demand in a way that is consistent with your community’s
population forecast provided in the introductory section of this system statement. Potential water supply
issues should be acknowledged, monitoring and conservation programs should be developed, and
approaches to resolve any issues should be identified.
You should submit the updated local water supply plan developed by the PWS that serves your
community along with your local comprehensive plan update.
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Failure to have an updated local water plan will result in the comprehensive plan being found incomplete for review until the required plan is provided to the Council.
The local water supply plan will be adopted by your community as part of the local comprehensive plan.
Guidance and information for water supply planning can be found in the Appendix C of the 2040 Water Resources Policy Plan, the Local Planning Handbook, and the Council’s Master Water Supply Plan.
The Council’s Master Water Supply Plan provides communities in the region with planning assistance
for water supply in a way that:
• Recognizes local control and responsibility for owning, maintaining and operating water systems
• Is developed in cooperation and consultation with municipal water suppliers, regional
stakeholders and state agencies
• Protects critical habitat and water resources over the long term
• Meets regional needs for a reliable, secure water supply
• Highlights the benefits of integrated planning for stormwater, wastewater and water supply
• Emphasizes and supports conservation and inter-jurisdictional cooperation
• Provides clear guidance by identifying key challenges/issues/considerations in the region and
available approaches without dictating solutions
Figures 3-5 illustrate some water supply considerations that the community may consider as they
develop their local water supply plans, such as: aquifer water levels, groundwater and surface water
interactions, areas where aquifer tests or monitoring may be needed to reduce uncertainty, regulatory
and management areas, and emergency interconnections.
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Figure 1. MCES Sanitary Sewer Meter Service Areas
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Figure 2. Surface Water Resources
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Figure 3. Surface water features and interaction with the regional groundwater system, and state-protected surface water features
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Figure 4. Availability of MN Department of Natural Resources groundwater level and MN Department of Health aquifer test data
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Figure 5. Municipal public water supply system interconnections and regulatory management areas
Page - 31 | 2015 SYSTEM STATEMENT – FALCON HEIGHTS REGIONAL PARKS
REGIONAL PARKS SYSTEM
STATEMENT
City of Falcon Heights
The Regional Parks System includes 62 regional parks, park reserves, and special recreation features,
plus more than 340 miles of regional trails that showcase the unique landscapes of the region and
provide year-round recreation. The Regional Parks System is well-loved by our region’s residents and
attracted over 48 million annual visits in 2014.
The organizational structure of the Regional Parks System is unique, built upon a strong partnership
between the Council and the ten regional park implementing agencies that own and operate Regional
Parks System units. The regional park implementing agencies are:
Anoka County Ramsey County
City of Bloomington City of Saint Paul
Carver County Scott County
Dakota County Three Rivers Park District
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Washington County
The 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan was developed based on furthering the Thrive MSP 2040
outcomes of Stewardship, Prosperity, Equity, Livability, and Sustainability. Thrive MSP 2040 states that
the Council will collaborate with the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission, the regional park
agencies, and state partners to:
• Expand the Regional Parks System to conserve, maintain, and connect natural resources
identified as being of high quality or having regional importance, as identified in the 2040
Regional Parks Policy Plan.
• Provide a comprehensive regional park and trail system that preserves high-quality natural
resources, increases climate resiliency, fosters healthy outcomes, connects communities, and
enhances quality of life in the region.
• Promote expanded multimodal access to regional parks, regional trails, and the transit network,
where appropriate.
• Strengthen equitable usage of regional parks and trails by all our region’s residents, such as
across age, race, ethnicity, income, national origin, and ability.
Key Concepts in the 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan
The 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan includes the following policies, each with specific associated
strategies:
• Recreation Activities and Facilities Policy: Provide a regional system of recreation
opportunities for all residents, while maintaining the integrity of the natural resource base within
the Regional Parks System.
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• Siting and Acquisition Policy: Identify lands with high-quality natural resources that are
desirable for Regional Parks System activities and put these lands in a protected status so they
will be available for recreational uses and conservation purposes in perpetuity.
• Planning Policy: Promote master planning and help provide integrated resource planning
across jurisdictions.
• Finance Policy: Provide adequate and equitable funding for the Regional Parks System units
and facilities in a manner that provides the greatest possible benefits to the people of the region.
• System Protection Policy: Protect public investment in acquisition and development by
assuring that every component in the system is able to fully carry out its designated role as long
as a need for it can be demonstrated.
The 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan is the metropolitan system plan for regional recreation open
space with which local comprehensive plans must conform. This system statement highlights the
elements of the system plan which apply specifically to your community. Find the complete text of the
2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan on the Council’s website.
2040 Regional Parks System Facilities
The Regional Parks System is comprised of four main types of facilities: regional parks, park reserves,
special recreation features and regional trails.
Regional Parks
Regional parks most notably contain a diversity of nature-based resources, either naturally occurring or
human-built, and are typically 200-500 acres in size. Regional parks accommodate a variety of passive
recreation activities.
Park Reserves
Park reserves, like regional parks, provide for a diversity of outdoor recreation activities. One major
feature that distinguishes a park reserve from a regional park is its size. The minimum size for a park
reserve is 1,000 acres. An additional characteristic of park reserves is that up to 20 percent of the park
reserve can be developed for recreational use, with at least 80 percent of the park reserve to be
managed as natural lands that protect the ecological functions of the native landscape.
Special Recreation Features
Special recreation features are defined as Regional Parks System opportunities not generally found in
the regional parks, park reserves or trail corridors. Special recreation features often require a unique
managing or programming effort.
Regional Trails
Regional trails are classified as 1) destination or greenway trails and 2) linking trails. Destination or
greenway trails typically follow along routes with high-quality natural resources that make the trail itself
a destination. Linking trails are predominately intended to provide connections between various
Regional Parks System facilities, most notably regional parks or park reserves.
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2040 Regional Parks System Components
The 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan identifies six components which together comprise the vision for
the Regional Parks System in 2040, as described below.
Existing Regional Parks System Facilities: include Regional Parks System Facilities that are
open for public use. These facilities include land that is owned by regional park implementing agencies,
and may include inholding parcels within the boundaries of these parks and trail corridors that have not
yet been acquired. Existing regional trails may include planned segments that will be developed in the
future.
Planned Regional Parks System Facilities (not yet open to the public): include Regional
Parks System Facilities that have a Council-approved master plan and may be in stages of acquisition
and development, but are not yet open for public use.
Regional Parks System Boundary Adjustments: include general areas identified as potential
additions to existing Regional Parks System Facilities to add recreational opportunities or protect
natural resources. Specific adjustments to park or trail corridor boundaries have not yet been planned.
Regional Park Search Areas: include general areas for future regional parks to meet the
recreational needs of the region by 2040 where the regional park boundary has not yet been planned.
Regional Trail Search Corridors: include proposed regional trails to provide connections between
Regional Parks System facilities where the trail alignment has not yet been planned.
2040 Regional Trail Search Corridor System Additions: include regional trail search corridors
that were added to the Regional Parks System as part of the 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan.
Key Changes in the 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan
Adopted by the Metropolitan Council in February 2015, the 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan
incorporates the following changes:
Identify all proposed regional trails as regional trail search corridors
All proposed regional trails that are not yet open to the public and do not have a Metropolitan Council
approved master plan are represented as a general regional trail search corridor. The 2030 Regional
Parks Policy Plan depicted these trails with a proposed alignment. The alignment of these regional
trails will be determined in the future through a planning process led by the regional park implementing
agency. The alignment of these trails is subject to Metropolitan Council approval of a regional trail
master plan.
Acquire and develop ten new regional trails or trail extensions to meet the needs of the
region in 2040. The 2040 Regional Trail Search Corridor Additions include:
Carver County:
• County Road 61
• Highway 41
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Three Rivers Park District:
• CP Rail Extension
• Dakota Rail Extension
• Lake Independence Extension
• Lake Sarah Extension
• Minnetrista Extension
• North-South 1
• North-South 2
• West Mississippi River
The 2040 Regional Parks System Plan Map is depicted in Figure 1. Falcon Heights should consult the
complete 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan in preparing its local comprehensive plan. In addition,
Falcon Heights should consult Thrive MSP 2040 and the current version of the Metropolitan
Council’s Local Planning Handbook for specific information needed in its comprehensive plan.
System Plan Considerations Affecting Your Community
Regional Parks System Components in your community
The following Regional Parks System Components within Falcon Heights as identified in the 2040
Regional Parks Policy Plan are listed below.
Regional Trails
Mississippi-Como Regional Trail Search Corridor: The regional trail search corridor travels through
Saint Paul and Falcon Heights as it connects Mississippi Gorge Regional Park to Como Regional Park,
Zoo, and Conservatory. Ramsey County will lead a planning process in the future to determine the
alignment of the regional trail. When preparing its comprehensive plan, Falcon Heights should verify
whether a master plan has been approved by the Metropolitan Council. If a master plan has been
approved, the planned regional trail alignment should be acknowledged in the comprehensive plan.
Otherwise, the general search corridor as shown in Figure 2 should be acknowledged in the
comprehensive plan.
Please contact Ramsey County for more information regarding Regional Parks System Components in
Falcon Heights.
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Figure 1. 2040 Regional Parks System Plan Map
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Figure 2. Regional Parks System Facilities in and adjacent to Falcon Heights
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Print Date: 3/10/2016 Checklist of Minimum Requirements for Falcon Heights
CHECKLIST OF MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR FALCON HEIGHTS
The checklist below was compiled from information on the Plan Elements pages in the Local Planning Handbook under the
“Minimum Requirements” sections of the respective topics. Please note that this information is subject to change. The most
current information can always be found on the website. Also, please remember that additional information may be requested
during the review process for clarification and accuracy by the Technical Review staff. If you have any questions, please contact
your Sector Representative.
LAND USE
Forecasts and Community Designation
□ Include a table of forecasted population, households, and employment for 2020, 2030, and 2040, consistent with the
Council’s forecasts.
□ Remember, Council forecasts must be used consistently throughout your entire comprehensive plan.
□ Your transportation plan needs to allocate forecasts to transportation analysis zones (TAZs).
□ Your water and wastewater plans need to reflect forecasts to plan for urban services.
□ Your land use plan must reflect and be coordinated with your forecasts.
□ Include a map acknowledging your regional Community Designation(s) and acknowledge the overall density expectations
for your Community Designation(s).
□ Each Community Designation identifies both Council and Community Roles in Thrive’s land use policy section. Plans must
be consistent with Community Roles for your Community Designation(s) as well as Community Roles that apply to
everyone.
Existing Land Use
□ Provide an Existing Land Use Map with a land use legend.
□ Provide an Existing Land Use Table. Calculate total acres and percent of total acres for each land use category.
□ Land uses categories on the map and in the table, as well as any text references must all be consistent with one another.
Future Land Use
□ The Future Land Use plan must be consistent with the Council’s forecasts of population, households, and employment and
identify sufficient land to support your community’s forecasted growth.
□ Provide a Future Land Use Map and land use legend, including density ranges for all land uses that allow residential
development.
□ Provide a Future Land Use Table. Calculate total acres and percent of total acres for each land use category for each 10-
year planning period (2020, 2030, and 2040).
□ Define each land use category shown on the Future Land Use Map. Land use categories must be used consistently
throughout your plan.
□ Land use categories must include types of allowed uses and the minimum and maximum densities (“the allowable density
range”) for all categories that allow residential uses. Allowed uses should include a description of allowable housing types
such as single family, detached, duplexes, townhomes, etc.
□ For each “mixed use” category, define an expected share of individual land uses and identify the permitted density range for
residential uses. For example, Mixed Use Downtown might have an expectation of 30% commercial, 40% office, and 30%
residential with a density of 10-15 units per acre.
□ Acknowledge Council-approved master plan boundaries of regional parks, park reserves, and special recreation features by
guiding the properties with a land use of “Park” (or your equivalent) on your Future Land Use Map.
For Communities within the Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA) and Rural Centers:
□ Identify employment locations and provide a measurement of intensity of planned employment. Employment locations
are typically the areas guided for commercial, office, industrial and institutional uses. Acceptable measurements of
intensity include Floor Area Ratio (FAR), building footprint or impervious coverage. Ranges for measuring intensity are
acceptable.
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For Communities with Special Resources:
□ In order for properties to be enrolled in the Agricultural Preserves Program, the Future Land Use Map must reflect an
Agricultural land use designation with a maximum density of 1 unit per 40 acres at the time of plan adoption, as
required by state law.
□ Identify aggregate resources in your community on the Future Land Use Map.
□ See the Special Resources section within the Land Use Plan Element for requirements for Critical Area Plans, Historic
Preservation, and others.
Density Calculations
□ Identify where forecasted residential growth will happen on your Future Land Use Map. Show expected new development
and re-developed areas.
□ Identify what density range is expected for each residential land use in your community.
□ Identify when residential development or redevelopment is anticipated to happen. See the Handbook section on Staged
Development and Redevelopment.
□ The average net residential density for your community must be consistent with the density requirements for your
community designation.
□ Provide a minimum and maximum value for each residential density range. (Zero is not an acceptable minimum. The
maximum value must be a whole number.)
□ Use the lowest allowed residential density from land use ranges in your calculations. For example, a land use that permits a
density range of 3-5 units per acre must use 3 units per acre in all density calculations for this land use. This ensures that
even at the lowest permitted density, the community will be developing at densities that meet overall density expectations.
□ Focus on areas of change. Show us which planned land uses have changed from your previously approved plan and where
new land uses (change or development intensity) is planned/expected.
□ Provide the net developable acreage for each residential land use. It’s OK to exclude wetlands and natural water bodies,
public parks and open space, arterial road rights-of-way, and natural resource lands protected by local plans and
ordinances (i.e. steep slopes, wetland buffers, tree preservation) from area calculations. Stormwater ponds, utility
easements, local roads, and local rights-of-way cannot be excluded from area calculations.
□ The information you develop in your land use plan carries over to other elements of your comprehensive plan. The areas
and densities in the land use plan must be consistent across elements related to forecasted growth, wastewater, water,
housing, and transportation.
For Communities with Existing or Planned Transitways or High Frequency Bus Corridors:
□ Minimum average net densities near transitway stations and high frequency bus corridors must meet the standards in
the 2040 Transportation Policy Plan (TPP). Refer to the Transportation Plan Element.
For Communities with an Affordable Housing Allocation:
□ Guide residential land at densities sufficient to create opportunities for affordable housing using one of the following
options outlined in the Housing Plan Element. Refer to the Projected Housing Need section.
Staged Development and Redevelopment
□ Identify potential local infrastructure impacts for each 10-year increment.
□ Demonstrate that the municipality is capable of providing services and facilities that accommodate its planned growth.
□ The staging plan or likely development phasing must be consistent with the volume of anticipated sewer flow identified in
your community’s Local Sewer Plan.
□ The staging plan or likely development phasing must support and be consistent with your community’s share of the
Region’s Need for Affordable Housing for 2021 - 2030.
For Urban Center, Urban, and Suburban Communities:
□ Identify and map the land areas that are available or likely to be available for redevelopment, infill development, or new
development in your community.
□ Provide a table of those areas identified that includes future land uses, acreages, density ranges, and total residential
units in 10-year increments. Use your professional judgment for estimating the timing of development for areas that are
uncertain or do not have plans in process.
Natural Resources
□ Describe your community’s goals, intentions, and priorities concerning preservation, conservation, or restoration of natural
resources in your community.
Special Resource Protection
□ All plans must include a protection element for historic sites.
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□ All plans must include policies for the protection and development of access to direct sunlight for solar energy. Solar access
is addressed in depth under the Resilience section.
□ All plans must identify whether or not aggregate resources are available within the community. For communities with
aggregate resources, additional requirements apply.
For Communities with Agricultural Preserves:
□ In order for properties to be enrolled in the Agricultural Preserves Program, the Future Land Use Map must reflect an
Agricultural land use designation with a maximum density of 1 unit per 40 acres, as required by state law.
For Communities with Aggregate Resources:
□ Identify aggregate resources in your community on the Future Land Use Map using the Aggregate Resources
Inventory.
□ You must address and minimize potential land use conflicts.
□ Identify planning and regulatory measures to ensure that aggregate resources are extracted prior to urbanization of
aggregate-rich sites.
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TRANSPORTATION
Transportation Analysis Zones
□ Include a table allocating forecasted population, household, and employment growth by TAZ for 2020, 2030 and 2040.
□ Describe how you have allocated demographic growth based on your plan’s assumptions for guided future land use (e.g.,
density, mix of uses, locations for new development, highway/transit access, redevelopment, etc.).
□ When doing your land use planning, accommodate development densities around transit consistent with density
expectations established in Chapter 3 of the 2040 Transportation Policy Plan (2040 TPP).
Roadways
□ Describe and map the functional classification of all existing and proposed roads within your community, using the
functional classification system described in Appendix D of the TPP and the roadway classification map currently
recognized in the region.
□ Maps must reflect the principal arterials adopted as the metropolitan highway system in the 2040 Transportation Policy
Plan (2040 TPP).
□ If a community determines that a change to the A-minor arterial system in the community is warranted, a request
should be made to the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) for the change, and TAB’s approval secured, prior to
reflecting the new classification in the community’s plan. Check the council’s website or contact Elaine Koutsoukos at
651-602-1717 for more information.
□ Maps should also show the streets classified by the community as major and minor collectors and local streets.
Changes to these streets from the function shown on the regional map are at a community’s discretion, and do not
need approval from TAB. However, these changes should follow the criteria laid out in Appendix D of the TPP and
maintain system continuity. A map or table highlighting any discrepancies between the community’s map and the
regional functional classification map previously referenced should be submitted to Council staff so the regional map
can be updated.
□ Include the following information for the principal and A-minor arterials:
□ Identify the existing and future number of lanes.
□ Map current traffic volumes, including heavy commercial volumes, which include both ADT and HCADT.
□ Map forecasted 2040 traffic volumes. (This should be done using the Council’s regional model, or another method with
approval from Council forecasting staff.)
□ Identify future rights-of-way that need to be preserved.
□ Identify any existing or proposed future MnPASS lanes, dedicated busways and bus-only shoulder lanes as shown in
Figure 6-6 of the 2040 TPP.
□ For other proposed interchange improvements, follow the Highway Interchange Request Criteria and Review
Procedure, which can be found in Appendix F of the 2040 TPP.
□ Incorporate access management guidelines of MnDOT, or those of the county in which your community is located, into
your comprehensive plan as well as into your subdivision and zoning ordinances.
□ Describe recommendations from recent corridor studies regarding roadway improvements, changes in land use,
and/or access.
Transit
□ The region has established Transit Market Areas to guide the types and levels of transit service that are appropriate for
efficient and effective services. Transit Market Areas are defined in Appendix G of the 2040 TPP by the demographic and
urban design factors that are associated with successful transit service. Identify your community in relationship to your
transit market area(s). Describe and map the existing and planned transit infrastructure and services in your community,
including those of Metro Transit or other regional transit service providers. Communities should include the identification of
the following basic elements of the transit system in their comprehensive plan:
□ Existing transit routes and dial-a-ride services
□ Existing and potential high-frequency transit routes
□ Existing and planned transit stations and transit centers
□ Existing and planned park-and-rides and express bus corridors
□ Existing and planned transit advantages
□ Existing transit support facilities For communities with transitways in the 2040 TPP Current Revenue Scenario with an identified mode and
alignment and for high-frequency bus corridors:
□ Describe the community’s roles and responsibilities in transitway development, including activities completed or
currently underway.
□ Describe and map these transitways in your community, including future stations identified by the end of project
development.
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□ Conduct station-area or corridor planning including an investment and regulatory framework that guides future
implementation activities.
□ Incorporate station area or corridor plans into the comprehensive plan by the end of Project Development.
□ Identify the geography of transit station areas.
□ Ensure that land guided for future residential development in station areas conforms to minimum density levels in
the 2040 TPP; and address opportunities for residential density at target density levels.
□ Plan for a total level of activity in station areas that is supportive of transitway investments; and address the
activity level guideline of a minimum combined total of 7,000 residents, jobs, or students.
□ Address access to stations by pedestrians and bicyclists.
For communities with transitways in the 2040 TPP Current Revenue Scenario prior to an identified mode and alignment:
□ Describe the community’s roles and responsibilities in early transitway development, including analysis of potential
modes, alignment, and station locations.
□ Describe and map these transitways in your community including alternative alignment(s) and station locations under
consideration.
Bicycling and Walking
□ Describe and map the existing and planned on-road and off-road bicycle facilities in your community.
□ Map and describe the Regional Bicycle Transportation Network (RBTN) within your community:
□ Show all Tier 1 and Tier 2 RBTN corridors and alignments.
□ Show the relationship of the RBTN to the local bicycle network of off-road trails and on-street bikeways including all
existing and planned connections.
□ Include locations of regional employment clusters and activity center nodes (as shown on the RBTN map) and other
local activity centers.
□ For Tier 1 and Tier 2 corridors on the RBTN, describe and map the existing or planned bicycle facility alignments that
are within the established corridors; the purpose of these corridors is as a placeholder for cities/counties to designate a
planned alignment. If there is a planned alignment that would fulfill the intent of the corridor and that lies within and in
line with the corridor’s directional orientation that the community would propose to replace the established corridor,
map that alignment and denote by indicating it as “proposed for the RBTN.”
□ Analyze and address the need for local bicycle and pedestrian facility improvements to provide connections that remove
major physical barriers (i.e., freeways, railroad corridors, rivers and streams) on the regional (RBTN) and local networks.
□ Discuss pedestrian system needs in a manner that responds to your community designation (as described in Thrive MSP
2040) and addresses the needs of your community.
Aviation
□ Identify policies and ordinances that protect regional airspace from obstructions. Include how your community will notify the
FAA of proposed structures.
□ Map any facilities such as radio beacons or other air navigation aids sited in off-airport locations and address how they will
be protected from physical encroachment and electronic interference through your local ordinance and notification
processes. Your system statement will indicate whether your community hosts one of these facilities.
Freight
□ Identify railways, barge facilities and truck or intermodal freight terminals within the community.
□ Identify other important nodes that may generate freight movement, such as industrial parks and large shopping areas.
□ Map the road network showing volumes of multi-axle trucks (also known as “heavy commercial average annual daily traffic
or HCAADT”) for Principal Arterial and A-Minor functional classifications.
□ Identify any local roadway issues or problem areas for goods movement, such as weight-restricted roads or bridges,
bridges with insufficient height or width clearances, locations with unprotected road crossings of active rail lines, or
intersections with inadequate turning radii.
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WASTEWATER
Areas Served by the Regional System
□ A table that details the households and employment forecasts in 10-year increments through 2040, based on the Council’s
forecasts and any subsequent negotiated modifications. This should be broken down by areas served by the Metropolitan
Disposal System, locally owned and operated wastewater treatment systems, and Community and Subsurface sewage
treatment systems. The forecasts used in your wastewater plan must be consistent with the forecasts used throughout your
plan, including in land use, transportation, and water supply.
□ Your wastewater plan must be designed to support these forecasts and provide any allocation breakdowns between
sewered and unsewered service for population, households, and employment.
□ An electronic map or maps (GIS shape files or equivalent must also be submitted) that show the following information:
□ Your existing sanitary sewer system identifying lift stations, existing connection points to the metropolitan disposal
system, and future connection points.
□ Local sewer service districts by connection point.
□ Intercommunity connections and any proposed changes in government boundaries based on Orderly Annexation
Agreements.
□ The location of all private and public wastewater treatment plants in your community.
□ Copy of any intercommunity service agreements entered into with an adjoining community after December 31, 2008;
including a map of areas covered by the agreement.
□ A table or tables that contain the following information:
□ Capacity and design flows for existing trunk sewers and lift stations.
□ Assignment of 2040 growth forecasts by Metropolitan interceptor facility. In the absence of this information the Council
will make its own assignments for the purpose of system capacity needs determination.
□ Define your community’s goals, policies, and strategies for preventing and reducing excessive inflow and infiltration (I/I) in
the local sewer system, including:
□ Define the requirements and standards for minimizing inflow and infiltration and for the disconnection of sump pump,
foundation drain, and/or rain leader connections to the sanitary sewer system.
□ Include a copy of or reference to your local ordinance that prohibits the discharge of sump pumps, foundation
drains, and/or rain leaders to the sanitary disposal system.
□ Include a copy of or reference to your local ordinance requiring the disconnection of existing foundation drains,
sump pumps, and roof leaders from the sanitary sewer system.
□ Include a summary of activities or programs related to I/I source mitigation on private sewer services.
□ Describe the extent, source, and significance of existing I/I problems in your community.
□ Analyze the costs for remediating the I/I issues identified in your community.
□ An implementation plan that contains a program strategy, priorities, scheduling, and financing mechanisms for eliminating
and preventing excessive I/I from entering the sanitary sewer system.
For communities with new trunk sewer systems that require connections to the Metropolitan Disposal System, you
also need to include the following:
□ A table that details the proposed time schedule for the construction of the new trunk sewer system in your community.
□ Describe the type and capacity of the treatment facilities, whether municipally or privately owned.
□ Copies of the associated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) or State Disposal System (SDS)
permits.
Community and Subsurface Treatment Systems
□ Describe your community’s management program for SSTS to comply with MPCA regulations (Minn. Rules Chapters 7080-
7083).
□ Map the locations of all existing public and private treatment systems, if any, including package treatment plants and group
on-site systems.
□ Map the locations of all sub-surface sewage treatment systems. You should also identify the locations of known non-
conforming systems or systems with known problems.
□ Describe the conditions under which private, community treatment systems (ex. package treatment plants, community
drainfields) would be allowed. Examples of such conditions include:
□ allowable land uses and residential densities
□ installation requirements
□ management requirements
□ local government responsibilities
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SURFACE WATER
The items in the Minimum Requirements section below are consistent with the requirements under the new Minnesota Rules
Chapter 8410, adopted in July of 2015 and Minn. Stat. 103B.235.
Executive Summary, Water Resource Management Related Agreements, and Amendment Process
□ Provide an executive summary that includes the highlights of the local water management plan.
□ Describe the water resource management related agreements that have been entered into by your community. This
includes joint powers agreements related to water management that the community may be a party to between itself and
watershed management organization(s), adjoining communities, or private parties.
□ Include a section on amendment procedures that defines the process by which amendments may be made. The
amendment procedure must be consistent with the amendment procedures in the watershed organization(s) plans that
affect your community.
Physical Environment and Land Use
□ Describe the existing physical environment and existing land use. You may be able to incorporate data by reference if
allowed by the appropriate watershed organization(s) plan. You should be aware that not all watershed plans contain the
level of detail needed and in those cases, you will be required to provide this information directly in your local water
management plan.
□ Describe the proposed physical environment and future land use.
□ Include a map and/or description of drainage areas that includes path and flow directions of the stormwater runoff in your
community.
□ Describe the volumes and rates of flow for those defined drainage areas.
Existing and Potential Water Resource-Related Problems
□ Include an assessment of the existing water resource related problems in your community.
□ Include an assessment of the potential water resource related problems in your community.
□ Include a list or map of impaired waters within your community as shown on the most current 303d impaired waters list.
Local Implementation Plan/Program
□ Include prioritized nonstructural, programmatic, and structural solutions to identified problems.
□ Describe the areas and elevations for stormwater storage adequate to meet performance standards or official controls in
watershed organization(s) plan.
□ Define the water quality protection methods that would be adequate to meet performance standards or official controls.
□ Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the community from that of the WMO(s) for carrying out implementation
components.
□ Describe the official controls and any changes needed to official controls.
□ Include a table briefly describing each component of the implementation program that clearly details the schedule,
estimated cost, and funding sources for each component, including annual budget totals.
□ Include a table describing the capital improvement program that sets forth by year, details of each contemplated capital
improvement that includes the schedule, estimated cost, and funding source.
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WATER SUPPLY
For Communities With Public Water Supply Systems Owned By Another Entity
□ Include the updated local water supply plan developed by the Public Water Supply System (PWS) that serves your
community along with your local comprehensive plan update.
□ Collaborate with the owner of the PWS to ensure their local water supply plan reflects your water demand in a way that is
consistent with your community’s population forecast.
Assessing & Protecting Source Water
□ If the community does not have a municipal community public water supply system, include information about water supply
sources, by providing the following maps from your system statement:
□ Surface water features and their interaction with the regional groundwater system
□ The location of groundwater level monitoring and aquifer testing
□ The presence of any regulatory and management areas
□ If the community does not have a municipal community public water supply system, include information about assessing
and protecting private water supplies/water sources.
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PARKS AND TRAILS
Regional Parks and Trails
□ Describe, map, and label the Regional Parks System facilities that are located in your community.
□ Acknowledge the Council-approved master plan boundaries of regional parks, park reserves, and special recreation
features by guiding the properties with a land use of “Park” (or your community’s equivalent) on your Future Land Use map.
Local Parks and Trails
□ Describe and map your existing and proposed local parks, trails, and recreation facilities.
□ Include a capital improvement program for parks and open space facilities as part of your implementation program.
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HOUSING
Existing Housing Needs
□ Complete an existing housing assessment, including:
□ A table of existing local conditions, including the following information:
□ 1. Total number of housing units.
□ 2. Number of housing units affordable to households with incomes at or below 30% Area Median Income (AMI),
between 31 and 50% AMI, and between 51 and 80% AMI.
□ 3. Number of housing units that are owner occupied.
□ 4. Number of housing units that are rental.
□ 5. Number of single family homes.
□ 6. Number of multi-family homes.
□ 7. Number of publicly subsidized housing units by the following types: senior housing, housing for people with
disabilities, and all other publicly subsidized units. Include expiration dates of affordability requirements when
applicable.
□ Number of existing households that are experiencing housing cost burden with incomes at or below 30% Area Median
Income (AMI), between 31 -50% AMI, and 51 -80% AMI. A map of owner-occupied housing units identifying their assessed
values. At a minimum, differentiate the values above and below $211,500.
□ A narrative analysis of existing housing needs. At a minimum address the components of the existing housing assessment
within the local context of your community. Plans consistent with Council policy will clearly identify existing housing needs
and priorities for the community.
Projected Housing Need
□ Discuss how the land use plan addresses the future housing need for your forecasted growth.
For Those Communities With An Affordable Housing Need Allocation:
□ Acknowledge your community’s allocation of the region’s need for affordable housing at three levels of affordability:
<30% AMI, 31-50% AMI, and 51-80% AMI.
□ Guide residential land at densities sufficient to create opportunities for affordable housing using one of the following
options:
□ Option 1: Guide sufficient land at minimum residential densities of 8 units/acre to support your community’s total
allocation of affordable housing need for 2021 – 2030. This option may be best for communities that find it difficult
to support densities of 12 units/acre (per Option 2), or prefer simplicity over flexibility in their density minimums.
□ Option 2: Guide sufficient land at minimum residential densities of:
□ 12 units/acre to address your community’s allocation of affordable housing need at <50% AMI. This
combines your community’s allocation at <30% AMI and 31-50% AMI.
□ 6 units/acre to address your community’s allocation of affordable housing need at 51-80% AMI.
□ Option 2 may be best for communities that feel they can achieve affordable housing needs at 51-80% AMI with
less than 8 units/acre. It also allows the affordable housing need to be addressed with less actual land, as is the
case if communities choose to use even higher densities than are required. Furthermore, communities using
Option 2 may guide land to meet their allocation of affordable housing need at 51-80% AMI using a minimum
density range of 3-6 units/acre if they have demonstrated in the last 10 years the application of programs,
ordinances, and/or local fiscal devices that led to the development of housing affordable at 51-80% AMI in their
community. Examples include: density bonuses for affordable housing unit inclusion, local funding programs such
as TIF, etc.
Implementation Plan
□ A description of public programs, fiscal devices, and other specific actions that could be used to meet the existing and
projected housing needs identified in the housing element. Include in what circumstances and in what sequence they would
be used.
□ Plans consistent with Council policy will clearly and directly link identified needs to available tools. Needs are identified
within the three levels of affordability, and tools should therefore be addressed within the levels of affordability as well.
□ Plans consistent with Council policy will consider all widely accepted tools to address their housing needs. A list of widely
accepted tools is provided, however, this list is not exhaustive. Communities are strongly encouraged to include any
additional tools at their disposal when identifying how they will address their housing needs.
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RESILIENCE
Energy Infrastructure and Resources
□ Local governments in the seven-county metropolitan area are required by state law to include an element in their Plan for
protection and development of access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems.
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ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS
Redevelopment
□ Minnesota Statutes § 473.859 Subd. 1 states that local comprehensive plans “shall contain objectives, policies, standards,
and programs to guide… redevelopment and preservation for all lands and waters within the jurisdiction of the local
governmental unit”. The information provided in this section of the handbook is intended to assist communities as they
grapple with the opportunities and challenges associated with development sites that are declining in value, viability, and
marketability.
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IMPLEMENTATION
Implementation
□ Describe all public programs, fiscal devices, and other actions that your community will use to implement your plan.
□ Define a timeline as to when actions will be taken to implement each required element of your comprehensive plan.
□ Include a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for transportation, sewers, parks, water supply, and open space facilities.
Specify the timing and sequence of major local public investments.
□ The CIP must align with development staging identified in other parts of your plan and include budgets and expenditure
schedules.
□ Describe all relevant official controls addressing at least zoning, subdivision, water supply, and private sewer systems.
□ Include a schedule for the preparation, adoption, and administration of needed changes to official controls.
□ Include your local zoning map and zoning category descriptions. Identify what changes are needed to ensure zoning is not
in conflict with your new land use plan and consistent with regional system plans and policies.
□ Review and update official controls within 9 months of adopting your 2040 plan. Official controls must not be in conflict with
your updated plan. You must provide copies of all revised official controls to us.
□ The Housing Plan Element has implementation requirements as well. Refer to that section to ensure that implementation
requirements for the Housing Action Plan are met.