07/24/2006 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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City of Lino Lakes Comprehensive Plan Update Proposal PROJECT UNDERSTANDING The City of Lino Lakes is required to update its Comprehensive Plan to meet the requirements of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act and the information in the Met Council system statement for the City. The City wishes to identify and comprehensively plan for growth and development in the City. This will include reviewing the land use classifications, planning for utility expansion and staging, planning to protect open space while enhancing the Cities' existing parks and trails system, and determining the character and impact of growth for the areas of the City that are experiencing new growth and development. The City is rich with potential amenities including the lakes, a growing commercial and residential base, and abundant natural resources throughout the City. Most importantly, the residents, City Council and Staff are all eager to work cooperatively to guide the form that their City will take. This planning process is unique among comprehensive planning processes. The vision, goals and policies, all critical input for the formulation of any plan, are being formulated in a comprehensive visioning process under the direction of Carl Neu of Neu & Company. These outcomes will feed directly into the formulation of the alternatives and draft plan. The alternatives developed in this plan will be used in a Resource Management Plan being developed by the Rice Creek Watershed District. Ensuring the seamless interaction and intercommunication between these processes will lead to a coordinated planning effort that is not only unique in the Twin Cities region, but has the potential to be foundational in its integration of resource protection and environmental planning into the comprehensive planning process. Using this process, the City can choose to plan efficiently for its future by promoting compact, orderly development that makes the most efficient use of existing and future infrastructure while enhancing and protecting open space and valuable natural resources. Using DSU's extensive planning experience, we will adapt the following key elements to ensure a successful planning process: • Prepare solid research, information and analysis • Assist stakeholders in articulating their vision and goals for the community • Communicate clearly and often with the community and stakeholders • Involve creative design ideas and strategies • Analyze alternative scenarios • Present information to the City Council at key points in the process to ensure their approval • Present the final plan to the Planning and Zoning Board for their review as required by State statute • Forward options and recommendations to the City Council, the ultimate decision - makers • Work with the Metropolitan Council staff throughout the process to ensure consistency with regional Goals • and Policies • Utilize state -of- the -art technology as well as old- fashioned hands -on planning and design techniques We anticipate that the key issues in the Comprehensive Planning process will include: • Building on the information, goals and visions of the previous Comprehensive Plan • The land use of the developing areas of the City • Determining the staging of future growth • Determining the character of growth throughout the City (density and development type) • Determining the appropriate amount of land for residential, commercial and industrial uses • Planning for future infrastructure needs • Updating the Parks and Trails Plan • Maximizing the protection and utilization of Lino Lakes' abundant natural resources • Providing alternative development scenarios for use the in upcoming Resource Management Plan Natural resource systems, transportation corridors, and a balanced pattern of future land uses must be woven into a strong, cohesive community design. This planning process must be open and inclusive, but it must also support clear and timely decision making by the Lino Lakes City Council. This entire process is designed to empower and support the Council. Before every key decision - making point, the Council will have the benefit of the opinions and recommendations 1 . VL 71F DSU