Best Practice Action 6.4
GreenStep City Best Practices: Land Use
Comprehensive, Climate and Energy Plans No. 6
Build public support and legal validity to long-term infrastructural and regulatory strategy.
Best Practice Action Detail
Best Practice Action 4
Include ecological provisions in the comprehensive plan that explicitly aim to minimize open space fragmentation and/or establish a growth area with expansion criteria.
- Fragmentation and other aspects of protecting and enhancing natural system functioning - such as providing wildlife corridors and habitat to enhance local biodiversity - are addressed in Natural Resources Performance Standards in the 2009 Minnesota Model Ordinances for Sustainable Development. See also state pollinator resources from the MN Dept. of Natural Resources.
- How to Enhance the Urban Canopy Through Ordinance & Collaboration for Comprehensive Plans (ORANGE Environmental: 2017) was prepared for the Metropolitan Council and covers urban forestry inventories and plant diversity goals, the development review process, and the Emerald Ash Borer infestation.
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For cities adjacent to undeveloped land, establish a growth area with staging criteria that reflects projected population growth (projected no more than ten years in the future) and, if applicable, is subject to an orderly annexation agreement and planned extension of municipal services. OR, conduct a natural resource inventory (NRI) and incorporate the results into your comprehensive plan or long-term city vision. Report adoption of an urban growth boundary under BPA 10.2; ag/forest preservation zoning under BPA 27.1. |
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Prioritize the NRI results through a natural resource assessment (NRA) involving the public so as to minimize the fragmentation and development of agricultural, forest, wildlife, pollinator habitat, and high quality open space lands in and around the city. |
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Identify priority natural resource protection areas in the comprehensive plan and recommend strategies for integrating protection into the development process; identify connections between natural resource protection areas and developed or developing areas of the city, particularly those areas with less access to parks and natural areas. Report Parks/Trails Plans under BPA 18.2; report connections implemented under BPA 18.1. |
Who's doing it
Burnsville -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Burnsville has conducted an NRI and the results are incorporated in the Natural Environment Plan of the Comprehensive Plan (Ch. VI). The results of the NRI are prioritized through an NRA. Natural resource protection areas have been identified and strategies for their long-term protection have been developed (Ch. VI, Section 4 Natural Resources Management Plan).
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://www.ci.burnsville.mn.us/index.aspx?NID=434
For more information contact:
Sue Bast (City staff) | basts@ci.burnsville.mn.us | 952-895-4524
Partners:
Duluth -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2006
Implementation details:
Page 131 of Duluth's Comprehensive Land Use Plan describes the design of the conceptual staging map, which separates developable land into three categories based on the order in which the city wishes to develop it. The highest priority is infill of previously developed land; order of development is designed to "retain the integrity of the City's green infrastructure".
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Adam Fulton (City staff) | afulton@hermantownmn.com | 218-729-3618
Partners:
Faribault -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2003
Implementation details:
In 2002, the City of Faribault conducted a Natural Resources Inventory (NRI). The Comprehensive Plan took information from the NRI into consideration when planning for use and preservation of environmental resources. Greenway and habitat corridors were identified and highlighted as areas to be maintained and specific policies outlining environmental resource use and preservation were created.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links: http://www.ci.faribault.mn.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/368
For more information contact:
Dave Wanberg (City staff) | dwanberg@ci.faribault.mn.us | 507-333-0350
Partners:
Farmington -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
One of the guiding principles in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan is to "Protect and Conserve Natural Resources" and one of the overarching goals of the plan is to "Ensure that the community’s significant natural resources are preserved, protected and enhanced as part of the community’s growth, creating connected open space corridors where feasible."
The 2040 plan includes a future land use plan that takes into consideration MUSA staging and sustainable development patterns. The land use plan reflects the large amount of land designated for parks and open space, including the Dakota County Greenway, that will help preserve and connect natural areas as the city develops. The 2040 plan also references a Natural Resources Inventory that was done in 2011 and policies that have come from that including the Woodland and Tree Preservation Ordinance.
Protection of environmentally sensitive areas during future development is a key priority for the city.
The 2040 plan includes a future land use plan that takes into consideration MUSA staging and sustainable development patterns. The land use plan reflects the large amount of land designated for parks and open space, including the Dakota County Greenway, that will help preserve and connect natural areas as the city develops. The 2040 plan also references a Natural Resources Inventory that was done in 2011 and policies that have come from that including the Woodland and Tree Preservation Ordinance.
Protection of environmentally sensitive areas during future development is a key priority for the city.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jared Johnson (City Staff) | jjohnson@farmingtonmn.gov | 651-280-6824
Partners:
Golden Valley -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2002
Implementation details:
The City updated its 2002 natural resource inventory in 2013 and used it to develop a Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP) which was adopted in 2015. The NRMP incorporated feedback from a survey that was distributed to residents which included questions about level of satisfaction with the quality of nature areas and open spaces and what changes could be made to improve and protect them.
The 2040 comprehensive plan, to be adopted in 2018, will incorporate the NRMP into the Parks and Open Space chapter which will identify natural resource protection areas and recommend strategies for integrating protection into the development process as well as utilizing the NRMP to evaluate land management decisions made by the City.
The 2040 comprehensive plan, to be adopted in 2018, will incorporate the NRMP into the Parks and Open Space chapter which will identify natural resource protection areas and recommend strategies for integrating protection into the development process as well as utilizing the NRMP to evaluate land management decisions made by the City.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Eric Eckman (City staff) | eeckman@goldenvalleymn.gov | 763-593-8084
Partners:
Grand Rapids -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2022
Implementation details:
GROW Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 7, Natural Environment
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Molly MacGregor (Community Volunteer) | dakise53@gmail.com | 12182567646
Partners: Itasca County
Inver Grove Heights -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2010
Implementation details:
The 2030 Comprehensive Plan (2010) promotes Low Impact Development (LID) in the Northwest Area. As development continues in this area, the Comprehensive Plan states that opportunities for expanding open space areas should be explored and that open space preservation is needed to protect existing natural resources identified and prioritized in the Northwest Area’s NRI (2003). The Northwest Area Ordinance (2008) requires at least 20% of a PUD to be preserved as open space/natural areas, and at least 75% of this open space area to be contiguous. Additional, at least 50% of the PUD’s required natural area should be kept in a natural state with native vegetation.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Ally Sutherland (City Staff) | asutherland@invergroveheights.org | 651-604-8511
Partners:
Kasson -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: Ongoing
Implementation details:
Kasson's comprehensive plan places an emphasis on preservation of greenway corridors to provide for connected open space and habitat corridors (See Figure 4.4 and page 4.9 of the comprehensive plan and goal 4.5 and related policies). These policies are implemented during development review processes and are integrated into the updated zoning ordinance. (see Comprehensive Plan under 6.1)
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Minimizing open space fragmentation and establishing growth areas.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Nancy Zaworski (City staff) | financedept@cityofkasson.com | 507-634-6321
Partners:
Maplewood -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Chapter 6 discusses the importance of open spaces to the city of Maplewood's natural beauty and what measure the city is taking to protect and preserve these areas.
Chapter 7 of the comprehensive plan discusses the environmental impacts that the city has on the local flora and fauna, it also discusses measures that are currently in use or proposed to minimize fragmentation and re-establish growth areas.
Chapter 7 of the comprehensive plan discusses the environmental impacts that the city has on the local flora and fauna, it also discusses measures that are currently in use or proposed to minimize fragmentation and re-establish growth areas.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=1482
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
Partners:
Moorhead -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City's attached 2009 Comprehensive Plan Addendum contains Growth Management as a Strategic Initiative. It starts on page 64 and continues on page 103.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Dan Mahli (City staff) | dan.mahli@cityofmoorhead.com | 218-299-5314
Partners:
Sartell -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2016
Implementation details:
Sartell has an Environmentally Sensitive ordinance which outlays areas included under the Natural Resource Inventory setting forth areas subject to additional protection/regulation (E.g. woodlands).Sartell also has an orderly annexation agreement with LeSauk Township and Sauk Rapids Township which includes a map of the areas subject to the agreement. Another map is included in the Comprehensive Plan which shows the primary and secondary growth areas of the City charting a course for future development.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://www.sartellmn.com/Websites/sartellmn/images/Planning_/FLU_2015_-_Growth_Areas.pdf
For more information contact:
Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Partners:
Woodbury -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The 2030 Comprehensive Plan addresses this in the Parks Trails and Open Space section, 8-8. In 1997, the city conducted an NRI that evaluated and ranked natural resources according to quality. In 1998, voters approved a $5 million bond issue for preservation of open space. Over 300 acres of open space was acquired through this initiative. In 2005, voters approved a second $9 million bond issue that included $6 million for the preservation of recreational open space.
The City also adopted a Greenway Corridor Policy 9/26/12. The city’s greenway corridor plan strives to identify and connect Woodbury’s natural systems and areas.
The City also adopted a Greenway Corridor Policy 9/26/12. The city’s greenway corridor plan strives to identify and connect Woodbury’s natural systems and areas.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Jennifer McLoughlin (City staff) | jmcloughlin@ci.woodbury.mn.us | 651-714-3522
Partners:
Wyoming -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2009
Implementation details:
The descriptive file contains the portion of the City Comprehensive Plan that minimizes open space fragmentation.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Frances Duncanson (City staff) | fduncanson@wyomingmn.org | 651-272-5504
Partners:
Bloomington -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of Bloomington has a MN River Valley Strategic plan and contracted Great River Greening to develop a MN River Valley Natural Resources plan. The plan inventories the MN River Valley's ecological features and the Planning Department and Sustainability Commission are currently reviewing the plan to set priorities for maintenance, enhancement and restoration.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/cob/minnesota-river-valley-planning
For more information contact:
Steve Gurney (City staff) | sgurney@BloomingtonMN.gov | 952-563-4606
Partners:
Hastings -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Included. Hastings Comprehensive Plan – Land Use Plan – Objective 2
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
John Hinzman (City staff) | jhinzman@hastingsmn.gov | 651-480-2378
Partners:
Isanti -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City Council recognizes that it is essential to the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the City of Isanti that the character and quality of the natural environment be of major importance in the planning and development of the City, both now and into the future. The preservation of land for public use as parks (active and passive), recreational facilities, playgrounds, trails, wetlands, natural and scenic areas, and public open spaces; are essential for maintaining a healthful and desirable environment for the citizens of the community. The City must provide these amenities, to not only present residents, but future residents that may choose to live, work, and recreate within the community. It is recognized by the City Council that the need for these amenities and natural areas are directly related to the density and intensity of population and development permitted within the City. Increased population, intensity of uses, and the types of development permitted result in greater demands for these types of amenities and facilities. To disregard these principles would result in the deterioration of public spaces, facilities, and the natural environment; which would diminish the quality of life that residents have come to expect within the community.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Isanti has 206 acres of park land, recreation and natural resource areas within City limits; there are also over 29 miles of trails and walkways
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links: http://www.cityofisanti.us/govt/comprehensive-plan
For more information contact:
Sheila Sellman (City staff) | ssellman@cityofisanti.us | 763-444-5512
Partners:
Oakdale -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Chapter 6 of the Comprehensive Plan outlines the findings of the city's Natural Resources Inventory and coordinates them with the goals set for open space acquisition and wetland preservation.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jen Hassebroek (City staff) | jen.hassebroek@ci.oakdale.mn.us | 651-730-2723
Partners:
Saint Paul -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The Parks and Recreation section of the City’s Comprehensive Plan speaks specifically to open spaces and natural-resources protection. The exact language says:
3.10. Pursue opportunities and partnerships to acquire land specifically for
open space and natural-resource protection, especially:
• Areas containing species included on the State or Federal list of
endangered or threatened species;
• Areas representing significant landforms, native plant
communities, or sensitive habitat;
• Areas that connect existing components of the open-space
network; and
• Areas adjacent to existing parkland/open space.
3.10. Pursue opportunities and partnerships to acquire land specifically for
open space and natural-resource protection, especially:
• Areas containing species included on the State or Federal list of
endangered or threatened species;
• Areas representing significant landforms, native plant
communities, or sensitive habitat;
• Areas that connect existing components of the open-space
network; and
• Areas adjacent to existing parkland/open space.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Kurt Schultz (City staff) | kurt.schultz@ci.stpaul.mn.us | 651-266-6590
Partners:
Stillwater -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2010
Implementation details:
In the 2030 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 3- Natural Resources the first goal stated is to create a natural resource open space system that preserves protects or restores environmental resources within the city.
In The 2030 Comprehensive Plan it calls to maintain inventory of all ravines and remnant lands in the existing city and develop a policy regarding ravine management that balances ravine usage amongst natural resource protection, public utility and open space/recreation opportunities.
The 2030 Comprehensive Plan further talks about how the city can use the NRI information as a basis for updating its current environmental ordinances as necessary, or for developing new approaches for protecting and enhancing its natural resources from future growth, changes in land use, and development of infrastructure.
In The 2030 Comprehensive Plan it calls to maintain inventory of all ravines and remnant lands in the existing city and develop a policy regarding ravine management that balances ravine usage amongst natural resource protection, public utility and open space/recreation opportunities.
The 2030 Comprehensive Plan further talks about how the city can use the NRI information as a basis for updating its current environmental ordinances as necessary, or for developing new approaches for protecting and enhancing its natural resources from future growth, changes in land use, and development of infrastructure.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.ci.stillwater.mn.us/vertical/Sites/%7B5BFEF821-C140-4887-AEB5-99440411EEFD%7D/uploads/2030_Comprehensive_Plan.pdf
For more information contact:
Bill Turnblad (City staff) | bturnblad@ci.stillwater.mn.us | 651-430-8821
Partners:
Winona -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2009
Implementation details:
Chapter 7 of the City of Winona's comprehensive plan addresses environmental protection. There are four specific goals and objectives to chapter 7: Protect key resources, maintain and enhance open space connections, protect water quality and aquatic resources, and to foster stewardship. All these goals further ecological protection.
The comprehensive plan goals are expressed through a bluffland protection ordinance (City Code 43.02.32 Bluffland Protection Overlay District) that protects the natural bluffs from development.
The comprehensive plan goals are expressed through a bluffland protection ordinance (City Code 43.02.32 Bluffland Protection Overlay District) that protects the natural bluffs from development.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
John Howard (City staff) | jhoward@ci.winona.mn.us | 507-457-8273
Partners:
Austin -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Minimize fragmentation: This is in our Land Use Plan, enforced with Community Development, ºfutureº adopted new development in current Comp. Plan arrowing requests.
Adjacent to undeveloped land: Currently addressed in our Comp. Plan future land use map with development sites designated & orderly annexations in place
Adjacent to undeveloped land: Currently addressed in our Comp. Plan future land use map with development sites designated & orderly annexations in place
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Janet Anderson (Community volunteer) | janetanderson2840@gmail.com | 5072190680
Partners: Craig Hoium
Bemidji -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
Bemidji’s comprehensive plan references smart growth to promote mixed land use, compact building design, preserve open space, and many other objectives. Smart growth also was added into the comprehensive plan in order to reduce urban sprawl and open space fragmentation.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Michelle Miller (City staff) | michelle.miller@ci.bemidji.mn.us | 218-759-3561
Partners:
Eagan -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The Comprehensive Plan includes by reference the City's Parks and Open Space Plan and its 2020 Vision for Parks and Open Space. The City implements this individually and in cooperation with other agencies including the Dakota County Greenway project and similar programs.
Ongoing:
Transit availability has been increased; City works with Dakota County and Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) and other agencies to plan for and provide transit opportunities and expansion of services, including Cedar Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Corridor and Robert Street Corridor Transit Study. City approved Community Transportation Trail System Policy 12-13-04. GreenSteps encourages written policies with numerical targets. With a detailed policy and documented actions, the City Council complete this best practice.
Ongoing:
Transit availability has been increased; City works with Dakota County and Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) and other agencies to plan for and provide transit opportunities and expansion of services, including Cedar Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Corridor and Robert Street Corridor Transit Study. City approved Community Transportation Trail System Policy 12-13-04. GreenSteps encourages written policies with numerical targets. With a detailed policy and documented actions, the City Council complete this best practice.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jenna Olsen (City Staff) | jolsen@cityofeagan.com | 651/675-5330
Partners:
Elko New Market -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Terms regarding the development of land and growth area with staging criteria that reflects projected population growth are provided per the terms of an orderly annexation agreement. The Comp Plan does list natural resource protection areas, such as the Vermillion River Watershed
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://www.mba.state.mn.us/Scans/OA-1594_Original_Agreement.pdf
For more information contact:
Jake Skluzacek (City Staff) | jskluzacek@ci.enm.mn.us | 952-461-2777
Partners: Town of New Market
Granite Falls -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2016
Implementation details:
The City recently approved the Memorial Park Master Plan. Over the years the park has suffered ecological degradation as invasive species have proliferated. A strong piece of this plan is to design a program for ongoing maintenance of invasive species. Certain areas of the park are specially marked to preserve unique plant species. Different kinds of plants have been identified in the plan. Invasive cattail has also been addressed.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
The City has been awarded a grant to start implementing the master plan
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Crystal Johnson (City staff) | crystal.johnson@granitefalls.com | 320-56-3011
Partners: RDC, and a consultant assisted
Jordan -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The 2008 Comprehensive Plan's purpose section points 2 and 3 address growth and the environment. Also of use are the ecological sites map(2.3) and the future land use map with transportation overlay (6.2).
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://jordanmn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Chapter-11-Implementation.pdf
For more information contact:
Nathan Fuerst (City staff) | nfuerst@jordanmn.gov | 952-492-7929
Partners: Municipal Development Group, Inc.-New Prague, MN
New Brighton -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
(4) The City of New Brighton’s Comprehensive Plan includes a chapter on Environmental Protection. This includes an inventory of natural features and patterns throughout the community, including lakes and wetlands, topography, waterways and drainage ditches, natural communities and rare species, tree canopy, and utilization of the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System. Beyond inventory of these areas, the City’s Comprehensive Plan outlines storm water protection programs, including NPDES and MS4, and many public education and outreach programs and initiatives
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Craig Schlichting (City staff) | craig.schlichting@newbrightonmn.gov | 651-638-2056
Partners:
New Hope -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
With the 1998 Comprehensive Plan update, the city reduced its front and rear setback requirements to expand the building envelope of its single-family lots and promote in-place home expansions and reinvestment in the city's housing stock.
The 2040 Comprehensive Plan supports in-place industrial and commercial expansion and the redevelopment of obsolete sites. It supports the expansion of senior living facilities in the city, such as St. Therese, North Ridge, and Good Samaritan.
The 2040 Comprehensive Plan promotes sensitive land use and development patterns that contribute toward achieving Minnesota’s adopted greenhouse gas emission goals at the regional scale and to develop local resiliency to the impacts of climate change.
The 2040 Comprehensive Plan supports in-place industrial and commercial expansion and the redevelopment of obsolete sites. It supports the expansion of senior living facilities in the city, such as St. Therese, North Ridge, and Good Samaritan.
The 2040 Comprehensive Plan promotes sensitive land use and development patterns that contribute toward achieving Minnesota’s adopted greenhouse gas emission goals at the regional scale and to develop local resiliency to the impacts of climate change.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.ci.new-hope.mn.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_9826625/File/New%20Hope%202040%20Comp%20Plan%20June%2029%202018.pdf
For more information contact:
Jeff Alger (City Staff) | jalger@newhopemn.gov | 763-531-5119
Partners:
New Prague -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2014
Implementation details:
Chapter 5 of our Comprehensive Plan emphasizes use of available sites without utility service area versus "leap frog" type development. Chapter 5 also has the goal of protecting the integrity of the natural environment in new neighborhoods by incorporating them responsibly into the developments. Finally, the Comprehensive Plan speaks extensively to our Municipal Boundary Expansions policies.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Joshua Tetzlaff (City Staff) | jtetzlaff@ci.new-prague.mn.us | 952.758.4401
Partners:
Red Wing -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The Comprehensive Plan is based on the concept of preserving the green infrastructure. The Open Space Preservation Plan uses the idea of minimizing the fragmentation of open space as a major element in its recommendations. Red Wing's approach is to infill "major activity areas" prior to expanding into new urban growth areas. (http://www.red-wing.org/comprehensiveplan.html)
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://www.red-wing.org/comprehensiveplan.html
For more information contact:
Paul Drotos (City staff) | paul.drotos@ci.red-wing.mn.us | 651-410-6744
Partners:
Rochester -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
a. Minimize the fragmentation and development of agricultural, forest, wildlife, and high quality open space lands in and around the city. The Comprehensive Plan includes growth guidelines that explicitly address preservation of resource uses including agriculture, forestry, and wildlife habitat.
b. For cities adjacent to undeveloped land, establish a growth area with staging criteria that reflects projected population growth and, if applicable, is subject to an orderly annexation agreement and planned extension of municipal services. The Comprehensive Plan has (since 1978) identified and protected an urban growth area, the size of which has been tied to projected urban population and employment growth.
c. Establish policies with numerical targets to reduce vehicle miles traveled. The Comprehensive Plan addresses reducing per capita vehicle miles of travel through shifts to non-SOV modes, continued emphasis on compact development, and mixed use development. With the population and employment growth experienced by Rochester over the past decades (growing the equivalent of three cities the size of Red Wing since 1980), an absolute decline in total VMT may be unrealistic. The numerical target for per capita VMT reduction is under development.
b. For cities adjacent to undeveloped land, establish a growth area with staging criteria that reflects projected population growth and, if applicable, is subject to an orderly annexation agreement and planned extension of municipal services. The Comprehensive Plan has (since 1978) identified and protected an urban growth area, the size of which has been tied to projected urban population and employment growth.
c. Establish policies with numerical targets to reduce vehicle miles traveled. The Comprehensive Plan addresses reducing per capita vehicle miles of travel through shifts to non-SOV modes, continued emphasis on compact development, and mixed use development. With the population and employment growth experienced by Rochester over the past decades (growing the equivalent of three cities the size of Red Wing since 1980), an absolute decline in total VMT may be unrealistic. The numerical target for per capita VMT reduction is under development.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jeff Ellerbusch (City staff) | ellerbusch.jeff@CO.OLMSTED.MN.US | 507-328-7132
Partners:
Rosemount -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Rosemount's 2030 Comprehensive Plan explicitly aim to minimize open space fragmentation and establish a growth area with expansion criteria in Chapter 6 (Environment and Natural Resources) and Chapter 7 (Land Use).
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://tinyurl.com/7d5c9xk
For more information contact:
Julia Hogan (City Staff) | julia.hogan@ci.rosemount.mn.us | 651-322-2052
Partners:
Saint Cloud -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2001
Implementation details:
The City of St. Cloud adopted The Natural Areas Inventory and Planning Framework in 2001. The comprehensive plan includes in its long-term vision for St. Cloud the preservation for naturally sensitive areas and the protection of environmental features. The Natural Areas Inventory and Planning Framework, The Riverside Regional Park Plan, The Lake George Master Plan, The Plum Creek Regional Park Master Plan, The Source Water Protection Plan, several Mississippi River plans, and other existing plans dedicated to natural resources are also referenced in the comprehensive plan.
Priority environmentally sensitive areas (ESA) are identified in the comprehensive plan to provide protection to areas of the city deemed susceptible to damage by growth and development. ESA are regulated to ensure prioritization of resource protection and aid developers and city staff in management of development that may affect the areas.
Priority environmentally sensitive areas (ESA) are identified in the comprehensive plan to provide protection to areas of the city deemed susceptible to damage by growth and development. ESA are regulated to ensure prioritization of resource protection and aid developers and city staff in management of development that may affect the areas.
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Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/DocumentCenter/View/909/St-Cloud-Natural-Areas-Inventory-and-Planning-Framework-2001-Addendum
For more information contact:
Liz Kramer (City staff) | elizabeth.kramer@ci.stcloud.mn.us | 320-255-7226
Partners:
Sauk Rapids -
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Chapter 9 of the City’s 2005 Comprehensive Plan addresses the environment. This chapter includes a strategy to “create natural corridors that link environmentally sensitive areas, habitat, streams and river, trails, institutions, parkland and neighborhoods” with the goal to “protect, conserve and enhance natural resources and environmental features within the city and its planned growth areas for the community’s long-term environmental and economic benefits.”
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For more information contact:
Marilyn Patterson (Community volunteer) | mpp03@charter.net | 320-258-5300
Partners:
Stacy -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
Pages 14-24 of Stacy's Comprehensive Plan describe staging criteria for undeveloped land that reflects the projected population growth. On page 24 the Carlos Avery Wildlife area is identified as a priority natural resource protection area that will not be developed.
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Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.stacymn.org/vertical/sites/%7BB7BD3B55-4DA4-4D8F-8799-2CE9D031ECCF%7D/uploads/Comprehensive_Plan_Revised_March_2020.pdf
For more information contact:
Angie Comstock (City Staff) | deputycityclerk@stacymn.org | 651-462-4486
Partners: Stacy Planning Commission
Warren -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2014
Implementation details:
- Warren established a growth area utilized in its 2014 comprehensive plan with expectations of limited growth by 2024.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
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For more information contact:
Shannon Mortenson (City staff) | shannonm@warrenminnesota.com | 218-745-5343
Partners:
Greenstep Advisor
Suzanne Rhees, AICP, Special Projects Coordinator, MN Board of Water and Soil Resources: 651/875-1345, suzanne.rhees@state.mn.us