07-24-1984 PTRC Agenda - Minutes

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r 5.30.84 • RECREATION OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT GUIDE/POLICY PLAN ISSUES PAPER INTRODUCTION The Metropolitan Council is reviewing its Policy Plan for Regional Recreation Open Space and will adopt a revised plan by early 1985. The Council seeks com- ments about the strengths and weaknesses of the current plan and also seeks new issues which people believe should be considered in the revision. This issue paper is the first part of that public process. It has been prepared by the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission to prompt discussion at a series of public meetings in July and August, 1984. The goals from the 1980 plan, with some questions, are listed as a first issue, followed by a series of specific issues received from individuals and agencies. Issues were selected to provoke public reaction as well as to list what the commission and Council hope to hear about. The commission is confident that other issues exist and hopes they will come forward during the meetings. The meetings will also give the public a chance to speak for or against any specific or general topics they believe should be considered about the regional recreation open space system. Following the meeting, a revised draft policy plan will be developed and circulated for a public hearing, currently scheduled for November of 1984. After the hearing, a final revised policy plan will be reviewed and adopted. BACKGROUND • In 1974, following extended discussion, the Minnesota Legislature passed the Metropolitan Parks Act. The law makes the Metropolitan Council , with the advice of the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission, responsible for preparing and adopting a policy plan for a regional recreation open space system. The parks act requires periodic Council review of this policy plan. The first policy plan was adopted as a chapter for regional recreation open space in the Council-s Metropolitan Development Guide in 1974. Following extensive discussion, the plan was revised and adopted again in 1980. The regional recreation open space system is implemented by 10 agencies-- counties, municipalities and special park districts. Implementing agencies are eligible to receive grants from the Council for acquisition and development of regional parks in accord with master plans which the agencies prepare. The Metropolitan Council reviews master plans for consistency with the regional recreation open space system policy plan and then approves them. The imple- menting agencies own and operate the regional parks.