Agenda Packets - 1999/09/20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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k In response to rapid metropolitan growth and change, seven diverse suburban commu- nities—Arden Hills,Blaine,Circle Pines,Mounds View,New Brighton,Roseville,and Shoreview—have formed a joint powers organization,the North Metro I-35W Corridor Coalition("the Coalition"). The Coalition seeks to construct an interjurisdictional plan- ning and development framework that is integrated and coordinated at the municipal level. This effort has four primary objectives: • expanding conventional land-use planning methods by applying livable community goals and objectives; • approaching physical, social, and economic development issues in an inte- grated and multifaceted manner; • working at a subregional level to bridge the gap between regional policies and local circumstances; and • implementing the policies and strategies outlined in the Metropolitan Council's Regional Blueprint. To begin this work,the Coalition launched two major initiatives: (1)development of a subregional Geographic Information System(GIS) that is accessible to member com- munities;and(2)a Comprehensive Livable Community Urban Design and Transporta- tion Study that also addresses socioeconomic and environmental implications for the subregion's residents,businesses,and educational and cultural institutions. At the heart of the Coalition's work is its concern for maintaining and enhancing quality of life in its communities as the region continues to evolve. The Coalition has bundled its activities into the following three livable community work areas that form a"Subregional Urban Design and Planning Framework." • Building Metropolitan Towns:joint actions that strengthen and create connections—physical, social, and economic—among communities. • Redefining Metropolitan Competitiveness: cooperative strategies that position the subregion to attract economic development and support a local economy that values and thrives in livable communities. • Ensuring Healthy Neighborhoods:coordinated initiatives to build neighbor- hoods that support individuals and families throughout their life cycles. Currently,the Coalition is building a common base of information and data from which it can coordinate planning and implementation programs at the subregional level. The first phase of the GIS initiative is nearly completed. This puts into place the techno- logical capability to share information across political borders and between depart- ments and agencies. The Coalition also is commissioning studies in the areas of trans- portation and land use, housing, natural resources and the environment,economic de- velopment, and community outcomes.With the information obtained from these stud- ies, along with data and appplications from the GIS initiative, the Coalition will con- tinue to refine and augment the subregional livable community urban design and plan- ning ramework and will begin to implement subregional programs and policies. 1-35W Coalition Corridor Briefing Book 1