2025.11.03 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Meeting Minutes for November 3, 2025 Page 5 of 8 Discussion on Met Council System Statement Community Development Director Rachel Juba reported that the Metropolitan Council had completed system statements for all communities within its seven-county jurisdiction. The system statement initiates the preparation of the City’s 2050 Comprehensive Plan, which is due in December 2028. The current Comprehensive Plan guides development through 2040. As required by state law, the system statement provides a framework for communities to review prepare their 2050 Comprehensive Plan. Juba explained how Hugo is affected by the Metropolitan Council’s policy plans related to regional transportation, aviation, water resources, and parks and open space. She noted that the City’s population forecasts appear to be underestimated. The City has 60 days to review the system statement and may initiate a dispute process, which could result in a hearing. She reviewed land use designations within the system statement. The western portion of Hugo is identified as “Suburban Edge” within the Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA) and is guided for low to medium density residential development with some industrial and commercial areas. The Metropolitan Council increased the minimum average residential density for this area from three to 3.5 units per acre. Juba commented that achieving this density may be difficult due to floodplains, wetlands, shoreland, and protected natural resources but noted the Metropolitan Council indicated some flexibility may be available. The eastern portion of the City remains designated as “Diversified Rural” and outside the MUSA, with growth limited to four units per 40 acres, consistent with Hugo’s 2040 Plan. Juba outlined the population, household, and employment forecasts used by the Metropolitan Council for regional planning. She noted that Hugo’s actual growth since 2020 is on track to exceed the 2030 forecast of 18,500 residents well before submission of the 2050 Plan. The Metropolitan Council indicated that communities affected by the White Bear Lake lawsuit may have reduced or held population forecasts, though Juba stated it was unclear why this would apply to Hugo since water supply is not a Metropolitan Council system. She added that the City has planned for higher growth than reflected in the forecast and that exceeding that would require a Comprehensive Plan amendment. Although the Metropolitan Council previously stated that sewer service capacity was sufficient for a population of 40,000, the forecasts remain low. The City continues to work with its Council sector representative and staff to resolve the issue and may later request formal Council action to dispute the system statement. Juba reviewed additional topics covered in the system statement. The City is required to plan for 418 affordable housing units in the next Comprehensive Plan and designate appropriate land uses to meet this target. The transportation section has minimal changes from the 2040 Plan, other than removal of a proposed fixed rail transit line. The transit market continues to reflect low population and job density. She noted no changes to current or long-term sewer services. While the City has no regional parks, it includes two regional trails: the Hardwood Creek Trail and the planned Glacial Hills