HomeMy WebLinkAbout2C, 2012 Work Plan and Project Priorities Discussion EN HILLS
Request for Council Action 2C
Prepared By: Meagan Beekman, City Planner Work Session Date: March 19, 2012
2012 Work Plan and Project Priorities Discussion
Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: funding Source:
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Discussion Topic:
The Council is being asked to review the Planning Commission's suggested project list for 2012, and
provide direction, and provide feedback to the Planning Commission on their roles and responsibilities.
This is also an opportunity for the Councilmembers to bring up topics related to the Planning Commission
for discussion.
Supporting Documents:
1. Memorandum from Meagan Beekman, City Planner, dated March 19,2012
,fiIPENJ�HILLS
MEMORANDUM
DATE: March 19, 2012
TO: City Council and Planning Commission
FROM: Meagan Beekman, City Planner
SUBJECT: 2012 Work Plan and Project Priorities Discussion
Requested Action
The Council is being asked to review the Planning Commission's suggested project list for 2012,
and provide direction, and provide feedback to the Planning Commission on their roles and
responsibilities. This is also an opportunity for the Councilmembers to bring up topics related to
the Planning Commission for discussion.
Backl1round
The City Council aims to meet with each commission and committee once a year to discuss
priority projects, roles, and responsibilities of the various groups. The purpose of the joint work
session is to give the City Council and Planning Commission an opportunity to discuss project
priorities for 2012, review the Planning Commissions roles and responsibilities, and share
expectations.
City of Arden Hills
Planning Commission Meeting for March 19, 2012
P:I PlanninglCity Council Memos12012W-19-12-PC and CC Joint Work Session-2012 Goals and Project Priorities-Memo.docx
Page 1 of 4
Discussion
2012 Goals and Project Priorities
The Planning Commission differs from the City's other committees and commissions in that the
purpose and scope of the Commission's work is largely determined by State Statute. The review
and evaluation of the City's various Land Use Applications,Zoning Code Amendments, and other
planning related projects takes up the vast amount of the Commission's focus and time. For the
most part, Planning Commission agendas are filled with these items, and Planning Staff spends
most of their time preparing and evaluating these projects to be brought before the Planning
Commission. The Bethel University Wellness Center is an example of a planning case which is
anticipated in the upcoming year, and will likely take a considerable amount of Staff and Planning
Commission time.
That being said,there are occasions when it is appropriate for the Planning Commission and Staff
to step back and evaluate the efficacy of our processes and ordinances. A number of suggestions
for improvements to the Zoning Code have come up over the last year, both from Commissioners,
Councilmembers, and Staff. If planned out appropriately, it may be possible to prioritize these
items and time them throughout the year to assure that the Planning Commission and Staff can
give them proper review and evaluation.
The Planning Commission met on March 7, 2012,to generate ideas and suggestions. In addition,
it is anticipated that the Council will have items to add to this list. A discussion of these items
with the City Council is necessary to prioritize and identify a list of three or four projects. The
scale and amount of work that could potentially go into each of these items differs, and should be
part of the discussion.
1. Adoption of wetland setbacks within the Zoning Code
2. Develop a Parks and Open Space Zoning District and rezone the City's park areas and the
balance of the TCAAP and AHATS property
3. Revise the City's bike parking requirements
4. Proactive implementation of the B-2 implementation plan
City of Arden Hills
Planning Commission Meeting for March 19, 2012
P:WlanninglCity Council Memos12012W-19-12-PC and CC Joint Work Session-2012 Goals and Project Priorities-Memo.docx
Page 2 of 4
5.
6.
7.
8.
Planning Commission and City Council Training Opportunities
As part of the 2011 goals, there was discussion about training opportunities for Councilmembers
and Planning Commissioners regarding land use planning and the law.
The League of MN Cities offers an e-learning land use series as part of their loss control program.
All of the Planning Commissioners and Councilmembers were signed up to participate. To date
there are still some that have not completed the course. The League, which provides liability
insurance to Arden Hills,has found that cities that have Commissioners and Councilmembers who
are educated about land use law and make sound rulings are less likely to be sued, or to lose
lawsuits when they are filed. The website-based training is designed to make land use decisions
less confusing, and will help cities avoid expensive land use claims and lawsuits. If you have not
taken the online course please do so.
Government Training Services (GTS) also offers land use planning courses. Additional
information regarding dates and locations for that series have been emailed out to the City Council
and Planning Commission. These courses are designed for Councilmembers and Planning
Commissioners, and are typically offered in full and half day sessions throughout the Twin Cities.
The courses are very well done and provide a wealth of information regarding land use
fundamentals. Several Planning Commissioners have already signed up for upcoming GTS
courses. Planning Commissioners are required to participate in at least one of the GTS courses
during their term in order to be appointed to a subsequent term.
Planning Commission Roles and Responsibilities
At their March 7, 2012, work session,the Planning Commission identified topics for discussion at
the March 19th joint work session. One topic the Planning Commission expressed an interest in
City of Arden Hills
Planning Commission Meeting for March 19, 2012
P:IPlanninglCity Council Memos12012W-19-12-PC and CC Joint Work Session-2012 Goals and Project Priorities-Memo.docx
Page 3 of 4
was getting feedback from the Council on their role as a project review body. More specifically,
the Commission would like to know if the Council has thoughts or concerns about the process by
which the Commission conducts their review and decisions.
Requested Action
The Council is being asked to review the Planning Commission's suggested project list for 2012,
and provide direction, and provide feedback to the Planning Commission on their roles and
responsibilities. This is also an opportunity for the Councilmembers to bring up topics related to
the Planning Commission for discussion.
City of Arden Hills
Planning Commission Meeting for March 19, 2012
P:WlanninglCity Council MemosQ01203-19-12-PC and CC Joint Work Session-2012 Goals and Project Priorities-Memo.docx
Page 4 of 4