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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />~ <br />~~HILLS <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />DATE: <br /> <br />March 9,2006 <br /> <br />Agenda Item 6.F <br /> <br />TO: Mayor and City Council <br /> <br />FROM: Karen Barton, Community Development Dircctor <br /> <br />SUBJECT: BlueCross BlueShieJd Comprehensive Plan Update Grant Opportunity <br /> <br />Met Council requires jurisdictions to submit a Comprehensive Plan outlining their policies and <br />objectives related to land use and zoning. This plan is required to be updated every 10 years, <br />with the next update being due in 2008. <br /> <br />Last wcck staff became aware of an opportunity to obtain funding assistancc for the update of <br />our Comprehensive Plan through BlueCross BlueShield ("BCBS"). The grant is intended to <br />assist municipalities to integrate active Jiving principles into their communities. Specifically, <br />this funding opportunity is dcsigned to support communities in preparing/revising their <br />comprehensive development plans and identifying relevant ordinance subsections for <br />modification in keeping with the new plans. <br /> <br />Thc tcrm "active living" denotes a way of life that intcgrates physical activity into daily routines, <br />not just for rccreational purposes, but also for utilitarian purposes such as elTands, trips to the <br />grocery store, commuting to work, etc. Communities can influence the choices their residents <br />make concerning physical activity through land use policies, transportation systems, and the <br />availability of walking paths/greenways, etc. Research shows that cities can have a positive <br />impact on rates of physical activity through planning and policy. <br /> <br />The grant would provide funding up to $75,000, as well as providing technical assistance and <br />training opportunities. <br /> <br />BCBS requires that all interestcd communities submit a Notice of Intent to Apply, no later than <br />March 17, 2006. <br /> <br />Staff is recommending that Council authorize staff to submit the Notice ofIntent to Apply. <br /> <br />Page 1 of1 <br />