Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: 6/8/2026 <br />Regular <br />Item #: 4c Public Hearing <br />Motion <br />TO: Planning Commission <br />FROM: Nathan Fuerst, Consulting City Planner <br /> Jason Stopa, Community Development Director <br />REVIEWED BY: Sophia Jensen, Senior City Planner <br />AGENDA ITEM: PUBLIC HEARING – 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update for Community Forecasts <br />CORE STRATEGIES: <br />☐ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community <br />☒ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance <br />☒ Managed Growth <br />☐ Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☐ Balanced Finances now and future <br />☐ Resilient Infrastructure <br />BACKGROUND: <br />The Met Council releases system statements containing community forecasts based on regional population <br />models. After release, communities have 60 days to appeal. Historically, Met Council staff have been willing to <br />work with communities to amend population forecasts periodically, including outside of the comprehensive <br />planning process, where there may be inconsistencies between the regional population model and local <br />realities. <br />The White Bear Lake lawsuit has caused the Met Council to take a new position on water that was not <br />understood during the review period for system statements. In a White Bear Lake Methodology Memo (“WBL <br />Memo”) the Met Council states that it will effectively cap population forecasts based on availability of water. <br />This has complicated the City’s review and would have likely resulted in a different determination on how to <br />proceed regarding its system statement. <br />Staff are proposing a Comprehensive Plan Amendment that will create realistic household and population <br />forecasts for the upcoming 2050 Comprehensive Plan Update. To do this, the City must modify the 2040 <br />Comprehensive Plan household and population forecasts. <br />ISSUE BEFORE COMMISSION: <br />How should the City Council proceed with the Comprehensive Plan Amendments proposed by Staff? <br />DETAILS/ANALYSIS: <br />Timeline