In This Issue:
- Join Us to Discuss Draft Regional Density Policy Recommendations
- Metropolitan Council Committee Discusses Density Recommendations
- 2024 Metro Cities Policy Committees
Join Us to Discuss Draft Regional Density Policy Recommendations
Metro Cities is hosting two opportunities for city officials and staff to learn about minimum density recommendations that may be proposed for the next regional development guide. These conversations will include information from the Metropolitan Council about density policy approaches under consideration and an opportunity for questions and feedback. These forums are virtual and are being held ahead of the public comment period that will begin in August.
City elected officials and staff are welcome to attend. Two dates are offered - July 9th from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm or July 16th, from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. Below are links to the draft land use policy chapter as well as a 2050 density analysis report, for background information and context.
• Draft 2050 Land Use Policy
• Density Analysis for Imagine 2050
• Qualitative Density Analysis
Please email Jennifer Dorn at [email protected] if you would like to attend and on which of the two dates you plan to attend. A Zoom link will be sent to you in advance.
Metropolitan Council Committee Discusses Density Recommendations
On Monday, the Metropolitan Council’s Community Development Committee heard a presentation from Council staff on the Imagine 2050 density analysis, as well as a report and staff recommendations for density policy and practices.
Council staff presented potential density approaches, including new density policy, administrative practices and guidelines. The draft density policy includes increased minimum density requirements that can be found on slide 15 of the presentation. Staff also recommend changing Community Designations from five to four designations, which you can see on slides 15 and 17.
Other density policy recommendations relate to establishing criteria for establishing Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA) expansions and evaluating the feasibility of demand and development of land uses. One approach would be to have density calculations include all land guided to support growth within the planning period; calculating density requirements per decade rather than over the planning horizon; and exploring ways to apply performance-based flexibility while advancing regional goals.
Council Members asked questions and discussed the proposed community designations for 2050 and the draft density policy recommendations.
Metro Cities is hosting two online meeting opportunities for city officials and staff to learn more about the density recommendations (see separate article and RSVP information in this newsletter). If you have any questions, please contact Ania McDonnell at [email protected].
2024 Metro Cities Policy Committees
Metro Cities policy committee process will begin in July, and four committees will recommend the association’s legislative policies for 2025. Participation is open to member city elected officials and staff. Committee descriptions and dates are on the website. Please be sure to sign up for the committee(s) you wish to attend. We look forward to seeing you this summer!