Laserfiche WebLink
RELEVANT LINKS: <br />League of Minnesota Cities Information Memo: 8/3/2018 <br />Planning Commission Guide Page 6 <br /> Local ordinance or commission policy may outline such a process. The city <br />should consult the city attorney before establishing criteria and a process for <br />removal. <br /> III. Powers and duties of the planning <br />commission <br /> State statutes vest the planning commission with certain mandatory duties. <br />In addition, state statute allows the city council to prescribe additional duties <br />in local ordinance. In most instances, unless noted in statute or ordinance, <br />the planning commission serves in an advisory capacity. <br /> A. Preparing and recommending a comprehensive <br />plan <br /> The primary duty of a newly created planning agency is advising the city <br />council on the preparation and adoption of a comprehensive plan for the <br />city. <br /> 1. Purpose of comprehensive planning <br />Minn. Stat. § 462.351. <br />Minn. Stat. § 462.352, subd <br />5. <br />Sample: Bethel <br />Comprehensive Plan, City <br />Population 502. <br />Sample: La Crescent <br />Comprehensive Plan, <br />Population 5,174. <br />Sample: Minnetonka <br />Comprehensive Plan, City <br />Population 51,519. <br />A comprehensive plan is an expression of the community’s vision for the <br />future and a strategic map to reach that vision. Comprehensive planning is <br />not mandatory in cities outside the seven- county metropolitan area. <br />However, comprehensive planning is an important tool for cities to guide <br />future development of land to ensure a safe, pleasant, and economical <br />environment for residential, commercial, industrial, and public activities. In <br />addition, planning can help: <br /> • Preserve important natural resources, agricultural, and other open lands. <br />• Create the opportunity for residents to participate in guiding a <br />community’s future. <br />• Identify issues, stay ahead of trends, and accommodate change. <br />• Ensure that growth makes the community better, not just bigger. <br />• Foster sustainable economic development. <br />• Provide an opportunity to consider future implications of today’s <br />decisions. <br />• Protect property rights and values. <br />• Enable other public and private agencies to plan their activities in <br />harmony with the municipality's plans. <br /> For many cities creating a comprehensive plan is the first step in adopting <br />zoning and subdivision regulations for the city.