HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.a. Response to Draft Dakota County Comprehensive PlanCITY OF ROSEMOUNT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ACTION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: December 15, 1998
AGENDA ITEM: Response to Draft Dakota County Comprehensive
Plan --- 2020
AGENDA SECTION:
Dept. Report
PREPARED BY: Dan Rogness, Community Development Director
AGEM 5
ATTACHMENTS: Proposed Letter to Lynn Moratzka; Executive
APPROVED BY:
Summary of the Draft Plan
Staff has spent some time reviewing Dakota County's draft Comprehensive Plan that will be submitted to the
Met Council for review. The county is requesting a 60 -day extension in order to allow additional input on the
Hwy. 42 Corridor Study to be incorporated into the county's plan.
Please review the attached letter, which will be discussed further at the council meeting.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to Send a Letter to Dakota County with Comments on its Draft
Dakota County Comprehensive Plan --- Dakota County 2020.
COUNCIL ACTION:
ROSEMOUNT
Everything's Coming Up Rosemountll
December 15, 1998
Ms. Lynn Moratzka
Office of Planning
Dakota County Western Service Center
14955 Galaxie Avenue
Apple Valley, MN 55124
RE: Draft Comprehensive Plan
Dear Ms. Moratzka:
CITY HALL
2875 — 145th Street West
Rosemount, MN
55068-4997
Phone: 651-423-4411
Hearing Impaired 651-423-6219
Fax: 651-423-5203
Please accept the following comments from the City of Rosemount related to the Draft Dakota
County Comprehensive Plan --- Dakota County 2020:
The city's forecast for population and households is less than those provided to you by
the Metropolitan Council (see enclosed Section 2.2 from Rosemount's draft plan).
2. The county's forecasted land use change from 1995-2015 (Figure L-5) identifies areas for
urban residential growth in Rosemount that are not deemed feasible in our draft plan (see
enclosed draft 2020 Land Use Plan map). These areas include land south of Hwy. 42
currently owned by the University of Minnesota and land north of 135th Street directly
west of Akron Avenue.
3. Rosemount has identified a greenway corridor that is different than the location(s) shown
by Dakota County (Figure E-16), including one from Diamond Path through the Kelley
Trust property and downtown Rosemount to the University's property and east along
Hwy. 42 to Spring Lake Park.
4. The city supports the "Rosemount option" as the preferred route for a South Urban
Regional Trail as identified in Figure P-13. This option would extend along the greenway
corridor mentioned above in #3.
5. Although a wide corridor is identified for a future north -south arterial, the city does not
support Trunk Highway 3 being redesignated from a Minor Arterial to a Principal
Arterial, due primarily to expected impacts on the city's downtown commercial area.
6. The city supports funding formula changes for county roadway improvements, including
the county's funding of lighting, landscaping and storm sewers, as well as "off-road"
systems that relieve traffic on CSAH 42. In addition, roadways designated as Principal
Arterials should not require local funding due to the functional classification.
Dakota County Comprehensive Plan
December 15, 1998
Page 2
Please don't hesitate to contact me at 651-322-2006 if you have further questions regarding these
comments.
Sincerely,
Thomas D. Burt
City Administrator
Enclosure
2.2 Projections and Forecasts
Population, Household, and Employment Projections
City of Rosemount
Source: 1995 projections are from the Metropolitan Council. Employment -
projections are from the Metropolitan Council. Population and household
forecasts for 2000, 2010, and 2020 are from the City of Rosemount.
Figure 2.2-A
Increases (Number)
1995
2000
2010
2020
Households
3,783
4,735
6,830
9,380
Population
11,721
14,250
18,600
25,500
Employment
5,345
6,800
8,300
9,900
Source: 1995 projections are from the Metropolitan Council. Employment -
projections are from the Metropolitan Council. Population and household
forecasts for 2000, 2010, and 2020 are from the City of Rosemount.
Figure 2.2-A
Increases (Number)
Figure 2.2-13
Increases (Percentage)
2000-2010
2010-2020
1995-2020
Households
2,095
2,550
5,597
Population
4,350
6,900
13,779
Employment
1,500
1,600
4,555
Figure 2.2-13
Increases (Percentage)
Figure 2.2-C
2000-2010
2010-2020
1995-2020
Households
44.2
37.3
148.0
Population
30.5
37.1
117.6
Employment
22.1
19.3
85.2
Figure 2.2-C
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
DAKOTA COUNTY 2020
Early in 1997, 875 randomly selected residents of Dakota County were asked the question: 'How
would you rate your current quality of life in Dakota County?" More than 9 out of 10 of these residents
rated their quality of fife as 'excellent" or "good." No one called it 'poor.'
The 1997 finding is important. It
is encouraging. But, the challenge is to
sustain and improve this rating into the
future. Dakota County is rapidly
changing. In 1997, there were 155,000
more people in Dakota County than there
were 20 years before. Between 1995 and
2020, Dakota County is expected to add
another 140,000 people. Dakota County
2020 is a plan of action to sustain and
improve the quality of fife in Dakota
County as the County continues to grow.
The Metropolitan Land Planning Act requires local governments in the seven -county Metropolitan
Area to develop comprehensive plans. Dakota County 2020 is Dakota County's comprehensive plan. -it
revises and replaces a comprehensive plan developed and approved by the Board of Commissioners in
1982.
MEETING EXPECTATIONS
Dakota County 2020 is guided by two sets of expectations. One set of expectations has been
created by the Board of Commissioners in establishing a mission and goals for Dakota County
government. A second set of expectations for the future of Dakota County have been shaped by the
Views and ideas of citizens of Dakota County. Through citizen surveys, focus group discussions, advisory
committees, and a Citizens Jury®, expectations and ideas for the future were obtained from a cross
section of County residents.
The Board of Commissioners expects Dakota County government to be efficient, effective, and
responsive. In October 1997, the Board of Commissioners defined a set of goals for achieving its vision
for the future of the County. Goals related to the Comprehensive Plan include:
• Vigorous economic development
• A healthy, sustainable environment
• Safe, efficient movement of people and goods
• Ample opportunity for recreation and enjoyment
• Accessible, affordable housing
• Quality public services
Dakota County Comprehensive Plan - FX0CudVe summary
Dakota County 2020 proposes policies and implementation steps to respond to the Board's expectations.
The Board of Commissioners also has defined the full involvement of people and communities in
County activities as a primary goal of Dakota County. Dakota County 2020 has sought to involve citizens
and communities throughout the planning process. The key planning issues identified through citizen
involvement in the planning process outline citizen expectations.
Managing growth. When asked what they feel is the most important issue facing Dakota
County today, more respondents identified 'growth' than any other issue, including taxes,
crime, and schools. Moreover, when asked what they feel is the most important issue the
County will be facing in the next 20 years, 'growth' became an even stronger concern. The
principle policy statement adopted by the Citizen Jury stated that Dakota County should
'encourage policies that manage growth so that we can keep pace with our ability to provide
a supply of quality resources.' A major conclusion from focus group sessions is that
residents are concerned about growth in their County.
In a response to the 1997 Residential Survey, most residents (53%) found that the rate of
population growth in their area is "about right,' but about 42% concluded that it is 'too fast.'
Many in the focus groups saw 'overdevelopment' as a threat and expressed concerns with
the loss of'space.' Focus groups, Citizens Jury®, and Planning Commission members all
focused comments on preserving agricultural land and maintaining agriculture as an industry
in Dakota County.
Protection and preservation of natural areas. Two-thirds of the residents who participated
in focus group sessions indicated a desire for programs and policies to protect environment
and natural resources. After water pollution,' County residents believe that 'land
preservation' is the most important environmental issue facing Dakota County today. An
action step proposed by the Citizens Jury® is 'acquiring/purchasing remaining natural areas
for purposes of protection/preservation.'
A transportation system to meet needs associated with assumed growth. Three out of
four participants in focus groups supported actions to address transportation needs in Dakota
County. Those who endorsed changes in the transportation system were particularly drawn
to transit options. Similarly, 47% of respondents to the Residential Survey felt there is `too
Tittle' transit service and too few park-and-ride lots and car pool lanes in the County. The
Citizens JuryO supported similar themes, encouraging Dakota County to 'look at the big
picture' in transportation planning. The Citizens Jurye supported planning and building
roadways to meet long-range needs (i.e., beyond the assumptions of 2020).
Citizen respondents expressed caution with respect to roadway expansion as the sole tool for
meeting future transportation demands.
Measures to develop parks and protect open space. The majority of participants in focus
groups wanted to see more measures taken to establish parks and protect open space.
Nearly three-quarters of those who participated indicated that they would support new
measures to develop parks, create recreation opportunities, and preserve open spaces in
Dakota County Comprehensive Plan - Executive Summary
Dakota County. The Citizens Jury® advocated completing the current Master Plans for
County parks, diversifying and expanding passive recreational opportunities (e.g., biking and
hiking), and creating a priority for preserving open space throughout the County. County
Residential Surveys consistently have shown parks as among the important factors to a `high
quality of life in Dakota County.
Dakota County 2020 carefully considers citizen expectations in the development of its
recommendations for the future of the County.
DAKOTA COUNTY TODAY
Dakota County is a rapidly changing and very diverse county. Its growth and diversity poses the
central challenges of providing for the County's future.
Since the initial
Comprehensive Plan was
adopted in 1982, Dakota
500,000
County has leapfrogged
Anoka and St. Louis
400,000
Counties to become the
° 300,000
third most populous
county in the State of
c 200,000
Minnesota. In the period
a
100,000
between 1995 and 2020
(the horizon for the Plan),
-
Dakota County will grow
projected Population Growth
1995 2000 2010 4W1L�
from 679/6 of the
population of Ramsey County —the State's second largest County — to almost 85it of the population of
Ramsey County. In 1980, Lakeville was the seventh largest city in the County, with a population of about
14,800. By 2020, Lakeville is expected to be the largest city in the County, with a population of 74,000.
Land Area. With only 576 square miles of space, Dakota County is smaller than all but 28 other
counties in Minnesota in terms of land area. In 1980, Dakota County averaged 337 persons per square
mile. By 1997, Dakota County hosted 578 people per square mile. However, the County's population is
unevenly distributed. Over one-half of Dakota County has a population density of under 50 persons per
square mile, while other areas of the County have population densities that exceed 4,000 persons per
square mile.
Dakota County Comprehensive Plan - Execut/ve Summary
Dakota County's predominant land use in the southem one -Half of the County is agricultural. Over
200,000 acres of the 371,200 acres of land in Dakota County (55%) is in farms. However, in 1950, about
85% of the land in the County was categorized as agricultural. In the 1990s, about 2,000 to 3,000 acres
of land per year is being converted from agricultural land to suburban uses. However, from 1990 to 1996,
the number of jobs in the agricultural sector of the County's economy grew by 37.3%. Farm cash receipts
(i.e., sale of crops, livestock, and government payments) were over $110 million in 1996.
Single-family residential use is predominant in the northern suburban areas. Over 40,700 acres
of land was used for single-family homes in the County in 1995. Between 1995 and 2015, it is projected
that an additional 16,500 acres of land will be converted to single family homes, with an additional 3,500
acres used for multi -family housing. A total of over 27,200 acres of land is expected to be converted to
other uses between 1995 and 2015.
Population. During the i990s. Dakota County annually added more people each year than any
other county in the Metropolitan Area, including Hennepin County. Each year, Dakota County averaged
adding as many people as in the total population of each of Minnesota's 11 smallest counties. The
County's growth is the equivalent of adding a city the size of Hastings to Dakota County every two years.
However, Dakota County no
longer is the fastest growing
county in the Region in 400,000
percentage terms. The
average annual growth rate in
Washington, Scott, and
Carver Counties has been
higher than in Dakota County
during the 1990s. Dakota
County is expected to
continue to grow in the next
two decades, although at a
slower rate than in the 1980s
and 1990s.
it is projected that Dakota County will add over 140,000 people between 1995 and 2020, a
44% increase in population. Dakota County is expected to continue to grow at a rate that is above the
regional average during this period. Hennepin County is expected to add more people (152,850) during
this period than Dakota County. Scott, Carver, and Washington Counties are expected to grow at a faster
rate.
In the 1990s, in -migration has accounted for 57% of the County's population growth. Natural
increases (i.e., the number of births minus the number of deaths) accounted for the remainder. In
comparison, Hennepin County had a net out -migration of -22% during the 1990s (1990 to 1995) and
Washington County grew because of an in -migration rate of 144%.
Dakota County Comprehensive Plan - Exeumve summary 4
As in the 1990s, Farmington, Lakeville, and Rosemount are expected to be the fastest grooving cities in
the County. Lakeville is expected to pass Eagan as the largest city�in the County and Apple Valley is
expected to surpass Burnsville to become the third largest city. Small cities and townships are expected
to grow slightly, but at less than
one-half of the rate for the County
as a whole.
In 1995, Dakota County's
population was younger than the
averages for the State and for the
Region. The "baby boom'
population made up the largest
percentage of the age cohorts in
the County. However, as this age
group ages, the largest age group
in the County in 2020 is expected
to be persons 55 to 59 years of
age. in 1995, senior citizens made
up only about 6.6% of the County's
population. By 2020, this share is
expected to be about 14.5% of the population.
Employment Employment in Dakota 2 800 'obs. nty has grown
ln 1990, Dakot County had aboutidly. From 1990 to , 8.0% of
employment in Dakota County grew by nearly
the jobs in the Metropolitan Area. in 1996, this share had grown to 9.1%.
The largest share of jobs in Dakota County are concentrated in retail trade and service industries,
o employment in the Count in 1996. Manufacturing employs over 22,700
accounting for 44 � of all employm Y Services (48 Sod)
persons in Dakota County, accounting for another 17% of employment in the County.
and wholesale trade (45.8%) have grown at the fastest rate in the 1990s. Due in part to the concentration
of jobs in the relatively lower paying retail trade and service sectors, wage rates for Dakota County
employers are lower than the average wage rate for the Metropolitan Area. Between 1994 and 1997,
average weekly wage rates consistently were 87°% to 88% of the regional average. on the fourth quarter
of 1997, the average weekly wage rate in Dakota County was $613 per week, compared to a regional
average of $707 per week).
• 5
Dakota Coun[y Com prehenS&q Plan - ExecuBve Summary
Over the next 25 years, Dakota County is expected to add another 57,000 jobs, or nearly 1 out of
every 7 new jobs in the Region. The County's share of the regional employment base is expected to
grow from its present 9.1 % to
102% by 2020. _...._......._................_ ...----
The County's labor force 2020
has grown, as well, during these
periods. From 1990 to 1996, the 2010
Dakota County labor force grew by
21.8% (36,150 persons), 2000
compared to a growth rate for the
Region of 12.4%. At the start of 19x5
the decade, the Dakota County
labor force was 11.2% of the 8.0% 8.5%
Region's labor pool. By 1996, this share had climbed to 122%.
force is expected to reach 16.6%.
9.0% 9.5% 10.0% 10.5%
In 2020, the County's share of the labor
Development Between 1993 and 1996, Dakota County averaged about 3,400 residential
building permits annually. In 1996, only Hennepin County issued more residential building permits than
Dakota County. For the 1993 to 1996 period, the total number of building permits averaged about 10,900
permits annually.
In 1996, Dakota County had over 122,500 housing units. Of this total, 61 % were single family
units; 36% were mufti -family units; and 3% were mobile homes. The number of housing units built in
Dakota County began rising in the 1970s and increased dramatically in the 1980s. More than 71% of the
housing units in Dakota County were built during this period. Only about 5% of the housing units in the
County were built before 1940. In 1997, there were slightly over 19,000 rental units in Dakota County and
the vacancy rate was under 2%.
Increasing prices have accompanied growth in the County. In 1990, the median sale price of a
single detached home in Dakota County was about $100,900. By 1996, the median sale price had
climbed to over $129,150, a 28% increase. During this period, the largest percentage increases in
median sales prices were in
Rosemount and Farmington, two
-- -
_._......_............._...._._.._.............-....
140000 =- = = ... �.___
of the fastest rowan
$_......:---::-......::::_ �s12s ae
growing
— - ......_:....... -_:
communities in the County. $120,000 = _---ssa
$100.000
Natural Environment $80.000
The natural environment is one of $601000
the controlling factors in why and
how Dakota County developed. 40'000
The natural environment also will 5201000
be affected by how Dakota $-
County continues to develop.
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
Dakota County Comprehensive Plan - Exewan Summary 6
The Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers form the northern boundary of the County. Extensive
floodplain border the two rivers. The floodplain are nearly level and poorly drained. Oxbow lakes and
bogs are common to the area. Most of the County's lakes are located in the hilly and poorly drained area
of the northern one-third of the County. The St. Croix River joins the Mississippi River on the County's
eastem border near Hastings. Vermillion River drain the central part of the County and the Cannon
River drains the extreme southern portion of the County. In the southern half of the County, the
topography is level to gently rolling outwash plain. Most of the areas are well drained, although some
areas in the central part of the County are poorly drained and some have large peat bogs. In the extreme
southeastern portion of the County, long, steep slopes are common.
The mixture of forest, shrubland, wetlands, and prairie provided abundant wildlife and resources
to sustain pre -European populations. European settlers found the strategic location of the land and its
resources conducive to settlement. The Avers made Dakota County an important trade and travel
corridor. Adequate rainfall, rich soils, and a good source of potable water contributed to agricultural
development.
Development and population growth have had a major affect on the remaining natural areas of
the County. Prior to settlement, native prairie and forests covered the County. Today, only about 2% —
about 7,400 acres — of prairies and forestland remain. Slightly more then one-half of this land is under
public ownership or is located in areas that are not likely to be developed (e.g., because of steep slopes).
Much of the remaining acreage exists as small, isolated tracts in the southem portion of the County. Of
the County's original wetland areas, it is estimated that only about 10-20% remain.
Similarly, growth and development have affected the County's water resources. Approximately
39 million gallons of ground water are pumped each day for use in homes, businesses, and agriculture.
(Except for residents in Mendota Heights and parts of Mendota, drinking water comes from ground water
in Dakota County.) It is estimated that in the next 25 years, demand for ground water use will climb to 59
million gallons per day. For some areas of the County, additional study is necessary to assure that
ground water supplies will be adequate to meet the projected demand.
It is estimated that 20% to 30% of the County's available and viable ground water resources are
unsafe for human consumption. Most of the contaminated supply is located in surficial sand and gravel
aquifers, although well drilling advisories exist in near -surface bedrock aquifers throughout much of the
south central and southeastern portions of the County.
The quality of surface waters in the County also has declined in recent years. While there is
variation in readings, water clarity is poorer in 1997 than it was in 1988. In 1988, a Sechi Disk could be
seen 5.9 feet below the surface (on average) for the lakes in Dakota County, compared to only 4.7 feet in
1997.
1 One plant and four animal species listed as federally endangered or threatened species are found
in Dakota County. There are 39 plant and 30 animal species on the State of Minnesota's list of
endangered, threatened, or special concern species.
r
7
Dakota County Comprehensive Plan - Executive Summary
Public Facilities. Public facilities in Dakota County include roads designed for safe and efficient
travel; parks and trails for recreation, outdoor education, and protection of special features and unique
resources; and sewer systems for the protection of water quality and public health.
Transportation. The Dakota County highway system has over 436 center -line miles of roads, with
over 1,058 lane mfles. Neatly 80% of the roadways are surfaced with bituminous or concrete. The
remainder is gravel. Another 1,398 miles of local streets and 266 miles of state highway serve the
residents of Dakota County.
Over 750 million vehicle miles of travel is currently accommodated on the County highway
system, with less than 0.5% of the system operating at unacceptable levels of congestion. The average
commuting time for residents is between 17 and 18 minutes, with over 80% reporting that their
commuting time is about
equal to or less than what
they consider to be
acceptable.
Between 1995 and
2020, traffic on Dakota
County roads is expected
to grow to nearly 1.35
billion miles annually, an
increase of 79%. Without
an expansion of the
roadway system or the
.+ 700
m
E 600
0
500
L
> 400
0 300
WE
ME..
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 -1995 1996
introduction of methods that reduce the number of automobile trips, estimates for trips within the Region
suggest that commuting time could double to about 35 minutes. The share of the County's road system
operating at unacceptable levels of congestion could increase from less than 0.5% in 1997 to over 9% in
2020.
Transit use is increasing in Dakota County. Annual ridership on two primary Dakota County
transit services — the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) and Dakota Area Resources -and
Transportation for Seniors (DARTS) —grew from just over 1 million riders in 1992 to nearly 1.5 million
riders in 1997. Metropolitan Transit Operations (MTO) serves about 4.4 million riders in northern Dakota
County cities (1993 data). However, only about 4% of County residents consider themselves to be
`frequent users of transit and transit accounts for only about 1.5% of the average daily trips in the
County.
Parks and Open Space. Dakota County has developed five parks and one regional trail to
provide for the outdoor recreation and enjoyment of County residents, as well as to preserve and protect
unique features of the County. Two of the areas are Regional Parks, Lebanon Hills and Lake Byllesby;
two are Park Reserves, Spring Lake and Miesville Ravine; one is a County park, Thompson; and one is a
Regional Trail, the Mississippi River Regional Trail. The planned areas for these six facilities is nearly
5,750 acres, of which about three-quarters (4,450 acres) has been acquired. Dakota County also
constructs a separate system of bikeways, largely in conjunction with the construction or reconstruction of
County roads. This system now totals over 65 miles of bikeways.
Throughout the 1990s, the number of visits to County park facilities has grown at a faster rate
than the rate of population growth in the County. Park use has grown frombogrowthf470,000 oei same
1990
to about 750,000 visits in 1997 (59.6%, or almost three times the rate of population
period). 25
Other Publc
Faculties. Sewage treatment
2
facilities are designed to
treat waste so that it does
v 1.5
not contaminate surface and
ground water supplies. Such
Z 1
facilities are provided
M
S
through centralized and
0'S
individual collection systems.
Most of the citizens of
o
Dakota County are served by
1990 1991 1992 1993 199-4 7b'-'* 'Z"'
sewage treatment at Ilan
centralized locations operated as part of a regional treatment County has centralized collection systems
Council. However, only about 30% of the land area
available. The remainder of the area of the County is served by on-site (or individual) sewage treatment.
Centralized treatment is provided to Dakota County residents by plants in St. Paul, Rosemount,
Eagan, and Empire Township.
Over the last 20 years, the number of on-site sewage treatment systems have increased by about
one-third in Dakota County, from about 12,000 systems in 1997 to 16,000 systems today. These systems
are regulated under state law and County ordinances. Special rules apply to systems in shoreland and
floodplain areas.
A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
with more than 9 of 10 citizens rating
Dakota County today offers its citizens a high quality of life, 2020 is to
their quality of life in the County as `excellent' or'good ' The challenge for Dakota County
maintain and improve the quality of fife in the County in the face of continued growth and development.
Dakota County's vision for its future is a County that is a premier county in which to live and
work. Dakota County 2020 is a plan of action to achieve the part of this vision that can be achieved
of
through land use policies, protection of the environment and natural resources of the
County.
nty. provision
parks and open spaces, and the availability of an adequate transportation system
ic
facilities. The plan of action will pursue the Board of Commissioners' goals of:
vigorous economic development
A healthy, sustainable environment
Safe, efficient movement of people and goods
Ample opportunity for recreation and enjoyment
9
Dakota County Comprehensive Plan - Execuff" Summary
• Accessible, affordable housing
• Quality public services
The foundation of Dakota County 2020 is the plan's vision in six key areas — land use, housing,
environment and natural resources, parks and open space, transportation, and public facilities. The
visions for Dakota County's future are of a County in which:
• The economic and cultural environments are preserved and protected through orderly
development, sustainable land use patterns, and the preservation of agricultural land
and farming.
• Residents will be afforded the opportunity to obtain and retain decent, safe, and
affordable housing.
• Sustainable use is made of resources, sensitive natural areas are preserved and
protected, and opportunities to enhance the quality of the natural environment are
pursued.
• An integrated, multi -modal transportation system connects people to work and one
another by safe travel on routes with minimal congestion and provides a choice of
options in the mode of travel to reduce automobile traffic demands, especially during
peak periods
• The transportation system contributes to the economic vitality of the County by
providing for the efficient movement of goods to markets.
• Lives are enriched by the provision of high quality recreation and education
Opportunities in harmony with natural resource preservation and stewardship.
• Public facilities efficiently serve the needs of residents.
Dakota County 2020 identifies a series of major goals, policies, and strategies as.a plan of action
for achieving the visions for the future of the County. Five themes dominate the plan of action:
• Preserving the investments that Dakota County has made.
• Managing resources and facilities to avoid premature investments in the future.
• Improving natural systems and infrastructure investments.
• Expanding systems, as necessary and feasible.
• Cooperation and coordination with other units of government and partnerships with the
private sector.
The first four themes also define a hierarchy for Dakota County investments.
Dakota County Comprehensive Plan - Execuffm Summary 10
ACHIEVING THE VISION
Dakota County 2020 is a plan of action to achieve the expectations and visions of the Board of
Commissioners and citizens of Dakota County. The steps to achieve the visions within the planning
horizon of Dakota County 2020 (.e., from the present to the year 2020) are outlined below.
1. MANAGING GROWTH: A LAND USE POUCY PLAN
Background studies and analysis reveal that:
• Dakota County is expected to add an additional 140,000 people and nearly 71,200 additional
households by the year 2020.
• In the 1990s, over 3,000 housing units per year were built in the urban areas of the County at
densities of about two to three units per acre. This residential development consumed over
1,000 acres of land per year.
• During the same period, about 100 houses per year were constructed in the townships and
rural cities of the County, but on larger lots. As a result of the lower densities of development
in the rural area, scattered rural development uses up an amount of land comparable to that
used for suburban development.• expected to be
During the period from 1995 to 2015, a total of over 27,200 acres of land is
converted to other uses.
e Most citizens polled believe that the County is growing `about right,' but many believe that it
is growing too fast. Preserving agricultural land and agriculture as an industry is a -priority for
many.
A core challenge in Dakota County during the next two decades is to address land use issues brought on
by rapid growth and change.
Dakota County govemment has a limited set of tools to employ in directly affecting land use
change. Most of the tools for the direct control of land use reside in the authorities of cities and
townships. The Dakota County Land Use Policy Plan does not propose to change this balance of
authority.
The Dakota County 2020 Land Use Policy Plan is based on a vision of the future in which:
The economic and cultural environments of Dakota County are preserved and
.the
protected through orderly development, sustainable land use pafte ' and
preservation of agricultural land and fanning.
Preservation of these environments will continue to support the County's goat of vigorous economic
development, assuring that such development is environmentally and culturally sustainable.
11
Dakota County Comprehensim Plan - Executive Summary
To achldve this vision for the future of the County, Dakota County will pursue the following goals
and strategies:
• Support and encourage orderly development Dakota County will support sustainable
urban communities and neighborhoods through the provision of County facilities such as
roads, parks, transit facilities, and buildings that complement land use planning. The County
will discourage large lot residential development in transitional areas through its review
authorities and will plan and require right-of-way dedication for roads consistent with County
forecasts and long-range planning. Dakota County will support the planning and zoning
efforts of townships and rural cities to restrict rural residential development in long-term,
permanent agricultural areas and to direct rural residential development to rural cities with
urban services.
• Preserve agriculture and land and fanning. Dakota County will promote planning efforts to
preserve agriculture as a permanent land use and support means to preserve agriculture as a
viable economic activity. Dakota County will continue its practice of paving roads in rural
areas where traffic reaches appro)amately 300 average daily trips (ADT), but will not build
roads that serve more than agricultural use and density or that promotes growth in rural
areas.
• Promote land use patterns that value and sustain the natural environment Dakota
County will protect shoreland and floodplain areas to preserve and enhance surface water
quality, prevent economic loss, and conserve the natural environment. The County will
support actions by local governments to preserve the Mississippi River Critical Area, using
local planning and zoning authorities. Dakota County will seek to preserve environmentally
pristine, sensitive, or unique areas and will seek to set aside other open spaces that are
highly valued by the County's residents to assure that they are not lost to development.
• Encourage land use patterns and community design that support pedestrian -friendly
and transit -oriented development With authorities available to the County, Dakota County
will encourage land use patterns that support development and use of transit. Dakota County
will work with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority and cities to locate senior housing
near transit hubs. The County will encourage cities within the Metropolitan Urban Services
Area (MUSA) to include transit -friendly land uses and designs in planning for development or
redevelopment.
• Measure and evaluate development trends in Dakota County and the Region to
determine that land use goals and policies are being achieved in Dakota County.
The stretch of the Mississippi River and a short segment of the Minnesota River were designated
as a State 'Critical Area' under the Critical Areas Act adopted in 1973. The Land Use Policy Plan also
includes the County's first Critical Areas Plan for the corridor in Dakota County. The Plan applies to areas
adjacent to the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers from Mendota Heights to Hastings. However, Dakota
County's authority for land use planning and zoning in the Critical Area is limited to the shoreland and
floodplain areas of Nininger and Ravenna Townships. The goals of the Critical Areas Plan focus on
protecting and preserving the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers; unique and valuable natural resources in
Dakota County Compmhenslve Plan - Executive Summary 12
, and
the corridor, the biological and ecological functions of the corridor, and aesthete es the end cal
values
values of the corridor. The County's Shoreland and Floodplain Ordinance pro
for
implementation. Dakota County will enter into written agreements with Nininger and Ravenna Townships
to coordinate the administration of zoning requirements � C�� inconsistent f actions a� protection
on
the Critical Area. In addition, Dakota County will review
their implementation programs to assure consistent protection within the Critical Area.
Based on forecasts and with the implementation of the strategies to achieve the goals of the Land
Use Policy Plan it is anticipated that:
The rate of growth in Dakota County will
to the presentslowed in the �T� from result9s consistent with the
95 to 2020,
compared to growth in the period from
expectations of citizens for management of growth in the County.
The land required for future growth can be accommodated within the urban services area
defined by the Metropolitan Council and local governments for the year 2020. This result will
provide for orderly development and the preservation of agricultural land and natural areas.
The measurement and evaluation of development trends will provide the Board of Commissioners with
the ability to assess development trends and propose policies to correct directions that are not consistent
with planning goals.
2. MEETING HOUSING NEEDS: A HOUSING POLICY PLAN
Between 1993 and 1996, Dakota County averaged about 3,400 residential building permits
annually. In 1996, only Hennepin County issued more residential building perms than Dakota County.
The total number of building permits averaged about 10,900 for the 1993 to 1996 period. The vacancy
rate is low for all types of housing units (5°k, based on the 199Census) and s expelled toarly low grow by nearior y�
units (less than 1%, based on 1998 data). The number of households
71,200 households between 1995 to 2020.
The core challenges for Dakota County are:
Providing of decent, safe, affordable housing opportunities to the residents of Dakota County.
Assuring a variety of housing types and at costs that meet consumer demand to meet
changing needs and preferences.
• Assisting cities to achieve their development and redevelopment goals with respect to
densities and mixed use housing.
• Avoiding concentrations of low-cost and/or substandard housing.
13
Dakota County Compmhensive Plan - Executive Summary
The Dakota County 2020 Housing Policy Plan envisions that all residents of Dakota County
will be afforded the opportunity to obtain and retain decent; safe, and affordable housing
To achieve this vision for the future, Dakota County will:
Seek to preserve the existing supply of housing in Dakota County. Through the
Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Dakota County null support (1) homeowner
rehabilitation and improvement programs that assist low and moderate income residents with
the financial means to maintain and improve the quality of their homes and (2) programs that
provide affordable financing options to owners of rental housing to maintain, improve, and
upgrade existing rental housing. Educational programs that provide residents with
information on how to rehabilitate, improve, and upgrade their homes will be encouraged.
Strive to assure that affordable housing is available in the County, To achieve this goal,
the Dakota County Housing and Redevelopment Authority will support first-time homebuyer
financing programs to assist residents with the purchase of an affordable first home. Dakota
County will encourage and support expanding the supply of affordable rental housing,
particularly to meet the needs of senior citizens, and support providing rental assistance
programs for low-income residents. The construction of new affordable rental housing
developments of less than 50 units on the same site for families will be supported.
The Dakota County Board of Commissioners and the Dakota County Housing and
Redevelopment Authority have worked in partnership to provide nearly 500 units of senior
subsidized housing (plus 39 affordable market rate units) in the past decade. The Board and
the HRA are continuing this partnership with a plan to complete 420 additional units by 2004.
Beyond 2004, the Board and the HRA will explore further partnership opportunities.
Support the provision of low -rent scattered site housing that promotes the
deconcentration of affordable housing. Dakota County will support Housing and
Redevelopment Authority ownership of scattered site properties that integrate affordable
housing opportunities within existing neighborhoods. Dakota County will evaluate housing
acquired by the County, such as existing housing within parks, for use as scattered site
housing.
Support fair housing practices, including educational programs and information on fair
housing and the avoidance of housing discrimination and cooperation with the Minnesota
Department of Human Rights and the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development in investigating and enforcing fair housing requirements.
A number of strategies will be implemented through the Dakota County Housing and
Redevelopment Authority to achieve policy goals.
Financing. Financing for the purchase of approximately 150 first-time homebuyer program
units will be provided, with funding provided by mortgage revenue bonds from the Dakota
County Housing and Redevelopment Authority's bonding allocation and refunded bonds.
Dakota County Comprehensive Plan - Executive summary .0
HOME program funds will be used to provide downpayment assistance for qualified persons
participating in the HRA's first-time homebuyer program.
partnership. The Dakota County Housing and Redevelopment Authority will work with the
Dakota County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity to acquire suitable sites for new construction
of homes forquarfied homebuyers and to purchase and rehabilitate existing homes. The
Housing and Redevelopment Authority will work with local not-for-profit organizations to
acquire HUD homes in order to preserve transitional housing opportunities for the homeless
and other special needs populations. As noted above, the Board of Commissioners and the
HRA are working in partnership to provide senior subsidized housing units and will explore
further partnerships for the future.
Rehabilitation. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds will provide low-
interest/deferred rehabilitation loans for qualified homeowners. Minnesota Housing Finance
Agency low-interest loans and other MHFA programs will be used to fund rehabilitation of
housing by homeowners for affordable housing.
Rental housing. CDBG and HOME funds will be used for the purchase of land for new
construction of affordable senior housing units. CDBG and HOME funds also will be used for
the acquisition of land for development of affordable large family rental units. The Dakota
County Housing and Redevelopment Authority will provide rent assistance to income eligible
persons.
In addition, Dakota County will support policies designed to encourage the development of
rental housing in the County. The County's policies will emphasize additional incentives for
rental housing, including more supportive state and federal tax policies; more equitable
distribution of state funding assistance for affordable housing; and designation of an
adequate supply of land for affordable housing units through local planning and zoning.
Providing decent, safe, affordable housing opportunities and assuring a variety of housing types
and at costs that meet consumer will assist in achieving Dakota County's goal of vigorous, sustainable
economic development.
3. A SUSTAINABLE, HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT: AN ENVIRONMENT AND
NATURAL RESOURCES POLICY PLAN
Development and population growth have had a major affect on the natural areas and
environment of Dakota County. Prior to settlement, native prairie and forests covered the County.
Today, only about 2% — about 7,400 acres — of prairies and forestland remain. Slightly more than one-
half of this land is under public ownership or is located in areas that are not likely to be developed (e.g.,
is tracts the southern
because of steep slopes). Much of the remaining acreage exists as small, ih t�abouttl5%% remain.
portion of the County. Of the County's original wetland areas, it is estimated only
Is
Dakota County Comprehensive Plan - Exeuufive Summary
Similarty, growth and development have affected the County's water resources.
• Approximately 39 million gallons of ground water are pumped each day for use in homes,
businesses, and agriculture. (Except for residents in Mendota Heights and parts of Mendota,
drinking water comes from ground water in Dakota County) It is estimated that in the next 25
years, demand for ground water use will climb to 59 million gallons per day. The adequacy of
ground water supplies to meet this projected demand is unclear for some areas of the
County.
An estimated 20% to 30% of the County's available and viable ground water resources have
become unsafe for human consumption. Most of the contaminated supply is located in
surficial sand and gravel aquifers, although well drilling.advisories exist in near -surface
bedrock aquifers throughout much of the south central and southeastern portions of the
County.
The quality of surface waters in the County also has declined in recent years. While there is
variation in readings, water clarity is poorer in 1997 than it was in 1988. In 1988, a Sechi Disk could be
seen 5.9 feet below the surface (on average) for the lakes in Dakota County, compared to only 4.7 feet in
1997.
Core challenges for Dakota County in the next two decades include:
• Protecting environmentally sensitive areas in Dakota County.
• Protecting the supply and quality of the County's water resources.
• Effectively managing solid and hazardous wastes to protect public health and the natural
environment.
• Developing partnerships, providing guidance and support, and implementing necessary
controls to protect remaining high value natural areas and resources of Dakota County.
• Encouraging individual initiative to protect the natural environment through expanding the-
knowiedge and understanding of the environment and natural systems.
The Dakota County 2020 Environment and Natural Resources Policy Plan is designed to meet these core
challenges.
The Environment and Natural Resources Policy Pian is designed to achieve a vision for the future
of Dakota County through which:
Sustainable use is made of resources, sensitive natural areas are preserved and
protected, and opportunities to enhance the quality of the natural environment are
pursued. (~Sustainable use' means using resources in a manner that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.)
The Environment and Natural Resource Policy Plan envisions a sustainable the rational use,
protection, preservation, and enhancement of the County's natural resources, which includes agricultural
land, undeveloped natural areas, surface water and ground water, green space and open space, and
significant scenic and scientific areas.
Dakota County Comprahensin Wan - Exacudys Summary is
To achieve this vision, Dakota County will:
• integrate natural resource protection in all of its land use decisions and will base its
decisions on the best scientific information available within practical parameters.
•
provide for the protection of the plant and wildlife habitat: promote the health of
ecosystems, protect the supply of ground water, and safeguard the public against
chronic and acute health problems related to exposure to contaminated water through
its programs and policies.
• Provide for the protection and management of natural resources in a sustainable
manner without infringing on the legal rights of property owners to use their property
or a community's vision for the community.
• Direct natural resource programs and policies toward the protection of the soil and
water resources needed to maintain a viable agricultural economy and toward the
protection of the remaining high quality natural areas in the County.
The principle strategies proposed to implement the Environment and Natural Resources Policy
Plan are to:
Encourage individual initiative to protect the environment and natural resources. This
strategy will include public education, technical assistance, non -County grant and cost share
funds, and other voluntary programs directed at landowners and businesses in the County.
identify environmentally sensitive areas and develop strateg►es to protect these areas.
Inventories and assessments of potential contaminant sources, refinement of existing models
and databases, and identification and assessment of important natural areas will be an
important element of this strategy. Protection of environmentally sensitive areas such as
ground water recharge areas, wellhead protection zones, rare or endangered natural
communities, and prime agricultural land is envisioned.
Protect the supply and quality of ground and surface water. This strategy will be
implemented through a coordinated approach of public education, community involvement,
technical assistance, plan review, permitting, and enforcement of existing rules and
regulations. Dakota County will continue to work to keep Watershed Management
Organizations (1NMOs) in place. If necessary, alternatives to improve the management of
surface water resources in the County will be assessed. (The County has the responsibility
for surface water planning and management in the absence of a Watershed Management
Organization.)
Provide guidance and support to local communities and develop partnerships with
cities, townships, foundations, private non-profit organizations, state and federal
agencies, and businesses for the protection of remaining high value natural areas and
green space, including those areas with limited scientific value, but of local importance.
17
Dakota County Comprehamtm Plan - Executive Summary
• Develop controls, programs, and Incentives to ensure achlevement of County goals`
This strategy recognizes that the County's authority is limned Controls proposed will have
broad enough standards to be enforceable, yet provide the flexibility necessary to meet the
unique conditions and needs of a particular location.
To implement the principle strategies, major policies and implementation steps are identified in
the Environment and Natural Resources Policy Plan with respect to:
Biological Resource Protection and Management To protect and manage biological
resources, the Policy Plan proposes steps to protect (1) the remaining undisturbed natural
areas of the County; (2) natural areas with scientific, cultural, and local significance; and (3)
the ecological diversity of the County. A primary goal is to support cities and townships in
establishing a connected system of open space, outdoor recreational amenities, and cultural
resources through a Countywide greenways and natural areas network. Development of a
population with the knowledge, skills, and commitment to work collectively and individually
toward sustaining natural resources is important to goals for biological resource protection
and management, and implementation steps are proposed to develop such an awareness
among Dakota County residents.
Ground Water Protection. Dakota County will promote practices to protect sensitive ground
water areas and critical resources. Ground water quality will be protected through policies
and strategies that encourage local governmental units to adopt land uses that will not affect
ground water. The available supply of ground water will be protected through strategies that
encourage the sustainable use of ground water and attempt to ensure an ample ground water
supply to meet the projected demand for drinking water. To effectively manage ground water
resources, Dakota County will regularly review ground water protection and management
regulations; explore ways of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of County programs;
improve coordination among County, State, and local protection efforts; and routinely gather
and analyze information with respect to ground water quality, potential contamination
sources, the availability of ground water supplies to meet future demand, and hydrologic
characteristics of aquifers serving the County.
Surface Water Management The County's vision for the planning and implementation of
water resource plans is to support watershed organizations (Watershed Management
Organizations and Watershed Districts) and local governments to build and apply a
watershed -based approach for planning and programming. This approach encourages a
partnership between the units of govemment, as well as between the public sector and the
private sector, non-profit organizations, and citizen volunteers to create goals and policies for
a watershed that best meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of
future generations. The County will (1) encourage watershed organizations, cities, and
townships to promote sustainable, watershed/ecosystem-based surface water management;
(2) support the management of surface water runoff that reduces rate and volume of water
before the runoff leaves an area and that protects water qualriy; (3) implement strategies to
protect the remaining wetlands in the County; and (4) work with cities and townships to
provide for public education with respect to water resource protection and management.
Dakota County Comprehensive plan. Execuave SummaryI 18
i' —)
ate^ �
Prepared by: Dakota County office of Planning.
Source: Dakota County Geologic Atlas, 1990.
Geologic Sensitivity
Very High (hours to months)
High (weeks to years)
High -Moderate (years to decades)
Moderate (serveral years to decad
Low -Moderate (several decades)
>:. Low (several decades to a century
Very Low (more than a century)
Water
Dakota County Environment and Natural Resources (DRAFT)
Figure
Sensitivity of the Prairie du Chien / Jordan Aquifer to Pollution
June
The Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act (Minnesota Statutes, Section 10313.201)
delegates the responsibility for surface water management to the County where a Watershed
Management Organization does not exist. If Dakota County is not successful in its efforts to
maintain WMOs through support for the organizations or in resolving issues that may cause
WMOs to fail, the County will evaluate options and management alternatives to assure
continued protection of the watershed.
Solid Waste Management Dakota County will strive to reduce and manage solid waste to
protect human health and mitigate the impact of waste disposal on natural resources and the
environment. The management strategy will be defined in the 1998 revisions of the Dakota
County Solid Waste Management Master Plan that is being developed contemporaneously
with Dakota County 2020 and in coordination with Metropolitan Area counties through the
Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board. Solid waste management policies direct
Dakota County to manage solid waste in accord with regional strategies and to regulate solid
waste in accord with the Dakota County Solid Waste Management Ordinance (Ordinance
Number 110) and the periodic amendments to the Ordinance.
Dakota County has over 1,700 solid waste, hazardous waste, and contaminant release sites
that have been inventoried. Of these, nearly 450 are listed as priority, potentially
contaminated sites. Development or redevelopment of these sites is often delayed or
abandoned in favor of developing "pristine" farmland or previously undeveloped land. Dakota
County 2020 seeks to protect agricultural land from development and to preserve agriculture
as an industry in Dakota County. To address the issues associated with contaminated sites
and the potential that their continued existence poses for a conflict with long-range policy, the
County will pursue the identification of contaminated sites, determine the nature and extent of
contamination associated with these sites, and facilitate their dean up and restoration for use
as an alternative to development of previously undeveloped land.
Environmental Health. The Environment and Natural Resources Policy Plan incorporates
.public health goals and policies that are included in the Dakota County Public Health Plan.
The County's goal is to protect the health and safety of citizens by identifying and mitigating
environmental health risks. To accomplish this goal, the County will implement
environmental health programs in accordance with the goals, objectives, and implementation
strategies contained in the Dakota County Public Health Plan.
Through the implementation of the Environment and Natural Resources Policy Plan, Dakota County
expects to ensure:
• Sustainable use is made of resources;
• Sensitive natural areas are preserved and protected;
• Surface and ground waters are -protected from degradation; and
• Opportunities to enhance the quality of the natural environment are pursued.
Dakota County Comprehensive Plan - Executive Summary 19
4. SAFE, EFFICIENT MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE AND GOODS: A TRANSPORTATION POLICY PLAN
Between 1995 and 2020, traffic on Dakota County roads is expected to grow to nearly 1.35 billion
miles annually, an increase of 79%. Without an expansion of the roadway system or the introduction of
methods that reduce the number of automobile trips, estimates for trips within the Region suggest that
commuting time could double to about 35 minutes. The share of the County's road system operating at
unacceptable levels of congestion could increase from less than 0.5% in 1997 to over 9% in 2020.
Transit use is increasing in Dakota County, but stili only accounts for about 1.5% of the average
daily trips in the County. Only about 4% of County residents consider themselves to be `frequent' users
of transit.
Dakota County has identified several core challenges and opportunities for the transportation
system in the County. These challenges and opportunities are:
• Maintaining safe travel on increasingly used routes.
• Minimizing congestion.
• Providing a choice of travel options that create alternatives to single occupant vehicle use.
• Creating a multimodal transportation system.
• Providing a transportation system that supports the continued economic vitality of Dakota
County.
To meet these challenges and address opportunities, the Dakota County 2020 Transportation
Plan envisions:
An integrated, multi -modal transportation system connecting people to work and one
another by safe travel on routes with minimal congestion, providing a choice of
options in the mode of travel to reduce automobile travel demand, especially during
peak periods
• A transportation system that is efficient and effective in the movement of goods, and
maintains the economic vitality of Dakota County.
To achieve this vision Dakota County will provide and maintain:
Roads and bridges that connect state and regional roadwaysystems with cities and
major activity centers.
• Multi -use trails and bikeways (including pedestrian use).
• An improved transit infrastructure and expanded transit options
These transportation systems will enhance the safe travel and mobility of County residents; meet the
needs of County businesses, and allow flexibility in the choice of modes of travel by individuals.
Dakota County Comprehensive Plan - Exeeubfve summary 20
In achieving the vision, Dakota County will:
• Be sensitive to the environment and considerate of natural resources
• Make decisions in partnership with cities and townships and in coordination with the
state and region.
Assure that proposed projects will be open to the comments and concerns of
residents and businesspersons that they affect
Five primary strategies guide the Transportation Policy Plan. The strategies include:
Preserving investments that Dakota County has made in its roadway system. Included
are actions for preserving existing roads through pavement resurfacing, reconditioning, and
replacement; bridge maintenance and repair, and repairs to other physical elements of the
transportation system.
Managing the existing system to increase its efficiency and delay the need for expansion
of the system wherever possible. Management altematives include transportation system
management (e.g., coordinating traffic signals and access management), travel demand
management (e.g., carpooling, telecommuting, and use of intelligent transportation systems,
such as SMART DARTS), and jurisdictional reassignments.
Providing transportation alternatives The role of the County in providing transportation
alternatives for choices in transportation modes (and to reduce congestion) will be
significantly expanded through implementation of the Transportation Policy Plan.
Transportation altematives include transit (e.g., bus, light rail transit or commuter rail, or
carpooling), bikeways and walkways. The County will increase its involvement in transit
alternatives and transit support (e.g., dedicated trans'rtways and authorized bus shoulder
use).
improving the system to address emerging deficiencies. This action step includes the
reconstruction of some roads on new alignments, realignments of existing roadways, and
replacement of deteriorated bridges. The focus will be on replacing existing roadway
infrastructure and upgrading geometrics, rather than expanding capacity by adding through -
lanes to the roadway.
Expanding transportation corridors to address future roadway capacity deficiencies
and to increase the capacity of the roadway system to meet future needs. Approximately 75
additional miles of expanded roadways are needed by 2020 to meet projected deficiencies
resulting from increased traffic volume. There will be a continuing need to invest in the
Improvement and development of road infrastructure in Dakota County.
Dakota County Comprehensive Plan - Execudve Summary 21
Major new initiatives and policies to carry out the above strategies include:
• Preserving the System. The most effective way to preserve the roadway investment is to
continually monitor and evaluate the existing road system. Dakota County will develop and
implement a pavement management program to guide the maintenance and preservation of
the system. Road resurfacing and reconditioning, bridge repair, pavement management,
and other infrastructure repair will be used to preserve existing investments.
• Managing the System to Increase Efficiency._ The principal objective of managing the
existing system to increase its efficiency is to obtain as much performance from the roadway
network as possible through effective management. Initiatives in the plan. include:
Access management. Management of access maximizes the efficiency and safety of the
roadways and delays the need for expensive expansions. Highway access control will be
accomplished through actions such as restricting median cuts or crossings; restricting land
access points; and building grade separated interchanges, where necessary. In general, the
fewer the access points on a highway, the higher its capacity and the lower its accident rate.
Dakota County will follow a policy to achieve the dual roadway functions of mobility and
access for the County highway system.
Travel demand management (TDM). The goal of TDM is to provide incentives that reduce
the number of vehicles on the roadways during peak hour travel periods and to increase
travel safety (by decreasing accidents). The TDM program will focus on reducing the number
of people that drive alone and increasing the use of higher occupancy modes of travel in
peak periods. By reducing congestion, air quality will be preserved and/or improved.
Funcfional classifications. As Dakota County grows in population, highways with greater
capacity are needed to accommodate additional drivers. Principal arterial roads provide the
greatest degree of mobility in the roadway hierarchy. Examples of recommended new or
extended principal arterial roadways are TH 13, CSAH 23, CSAH 32, and CSAH 42.
In addition, corridor studies for two new principal arterial highways are recommended. These
studies are for.
• A new east -west principal arterial in the corridor between CR 46 on the north and
CSAH 70 on the south and from 1-35 on the west to TH 52 on the east. The main
area of focus of the study is providing transportation connections for the urbanizing
areas of Lakeville and Farmington and linkages to Scott County to the west.
• A north -south principal arterial serving the central portion of the urbanized area of
Dakota County. This study will focus on the TH 1491 TH 3 corridor from 1-494 to
CSAH 42. The corridor study would evaluate options for a principal arterial in this
corridor. (Such a study might be prepared in connection with east -west corridor
improvement studies also recommended in the Policy Plan. Improvement studies for
CSAH 32 and CR 28 are recommended in the Policy Plan.)
Dakota County Comprehensive Plan - Executive Summary 22
"
Proviofing transportation alternatives. Dakota County will encourage and facilitate the
provision of safe, timely, and efficient transit service between communities, activity
generators and employment concentrations. In pursuit of this goal, Dakota County wii
• Prepare a Transit Development Plan to serve as a guide to transit related capital
improvements within Dakota County. pital improvement budget to cover
• Establish a new "intermodal fund" in the County ca
transit support facilities and bikeway improvements.
• Participate and provide leadership in transiitway studies
• Work with providers to restructure existing regular route service to provide better
coverage and frequency of service.
Strive to expand transit services in the exurban areas.
improving the system to address emerging deficiencies. it is less costly to make timely
improvements to elements of the highway system than it is to expand or build new elements
of the system. In addition, safety and operational improvements sometimes require that
roads be built on new alignments or that existing roads be realigned. The Transportation
policy Plan places a major emphasis on improving east -west travel in Dakota County. A total
of 12.1 miles of new east -west roadway alignments rgs realignments
and 'realignments. r These include: along
with about 9 miles of north -south roadway align
• CSAH 46 from CSAH 31 to TH 52 and CSAR 48 from TH 52 to the east limits of Coates.
• CR 60 from CSAH 9 (Dodd Boulevard) to CSAH 23 (Cedar Avenue) serving in Lakeville.
• CSAH 5 from TH 13 to CSAH 32 (Cliff Road) in Burnsville.
• CSAH 5 south of CSAH 70 in Lakeville.
ton to CSAH 74.
• Extension of CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Road) from CSAH S0 in Farm
and App Valley.
• CSAH 33 from CSAH 46 to CSAH 42 on the boundary of Rosemount
• CR 71 from CR 79 (190th Street) extension to CSAH 42 in Empire Township.
• Extension of CSAH 73 to the extension of CSAH 32 in Inver Grove Heights.
In addition, the Transportation Policy Plan recommends:
A study of an east -west roadway alignment
centered
te t CSAH 2 and reduce
CSAH 71 and TH 52155. This would provide cion aftemativerou
circuitous trip movements.
A CSAH 28 corridor study in the EaganAnver Grove Heights area.
Improvements identified in the forthcoming corridor study of CSAH 42, the County's
principal east -west arterial.
The analysis of a southern bypass route for Hastings also is suggested, consistent with the
recommendations of the TH 611316 Corridor Study conducted by the Minnesota Department of
Transportation.
Expanding Transportation Corridors. In Dakota County population is growing at an
average annual rate of 1.6% per year. Vehicles are growing at a rate of 2.856 per Year, about
twice the rate of population growth. There will be a 7956 increase in vehicles mites traveled by
23
Dakota County Comprehensive Plan - Executive Summary
the year 2020. Therefore, expansion of the system W-111 be necessary to provide safe travel
with minimal congestion. The travel forecast model shows need for expansions of several
County roadways to overcome capacity deficiencies.
• East -west roadway expansion needs include CSAH 26, CR 28, CSAH 32, CSAH 42,
CSAH 60, CR 64, and CSAH 70.
• North -south roadway expansion needs are projected for CSAH 5, CSAH 9, CSAH 23,
CSAH 31, and CSAH 33.
Capacity expansion needs are scheduled in four, five-year time periods to the year 2020.
This will facilitate achieving in an orderly way the County's vision of a transportation system
that connects people to work, shopping and one another by safe travel on routes with minimal
congestion. Placement in the time period is based on anticipated time of approaching severe
capacity deficiency. In total, about 81.5 miles of new roadway is projected to be needed
within the planning period (although the precise expansions of roadways will be subject to
further study).
The Transportation Policy Plan proposes two new cost-sharing partnerships to address emerging
transportation system needs. First, the Policy Plan provides for County cost-sharing in transit -related
improvements under certain circumstances. Second, the Policy Plan provides for initiating a 'dialogue'
with cities and townships regarding County cost-sharing for road system improvements that are not part
of the County road system (e.g., city streets). For example, such cost-sharing might be appropriate
where improvements to a city street system would relieve congestion on County roads and delay the
need to invest in improvements to the County road system. County highway financing policies could be
amended in the future to include the results of such discussions.
The fiscal implications of the Transportation Policy Plan are significant for Dakota County and its
citizens. Construction costs by the year 2020 for roadway improvements and expansions are estimated
in 1997 dollars to be $96 million and $350 million, respectively. The total. is $446 million. In addition the
preservation and maintenance program is estimated to cost $63 million. Assuming the same level of
municipal participation (55%/45%) and the same level of federal and state participation in County
improvement/expansion projects, the estimated County share of the $446 million would be $148 million.
Adding the $63 million for maintenance brings the total County highway expenditure needs to $211 million
for the planning period.
Dakota County has followed a policy of providing an annual growth of 4% in the County levy for
highway projects. Assuming that the County levy continues to grow at 4% annually from 1997 to 2020, a
total of $191 million would be generated. This would result in a deficit of $20 to $21 million. Thus, the
continued growth of the County levy for roads and bridges at 4% per year would not be sufficient to cover
the projected growth in needs for the planning period. The annual deficit throughout the planning period
is estimated at $920,000 per year. (Costs for alternative modes of transportation including transit support
expenditures, bicycle and pedestrian ways, and costs related to roadway management strategies are not
be included in the cost estimates.)
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Dakota County Comprehensive Plan - EX@CtliJve Summary
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Dakota County Transportation Plan (DRAFT)
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County Road Expansion and New Alignments, 2020 Ju
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In addition to investments in the Dakota County transportation'system, Dakota County 2020
recognizes the importance of investments in the regional transportation system. The Transportation
Policy Plan supports:
Reconstruction of major bridges serving Dakota County during the planning period—The
immediate priorities for Dakota County are the 1-494 Wakota Bridge and the 1-35E Lexington
Bridge. Later in the planning period, the Transportation Policy Plan supports the
reconstruction of the TH 52 Lafayette Freeway Bridge (Ramsey County) and the TH 61
Bridge at Hastings.
• Major trunk highway system investments, including the TH 521CSAH 42 interchange, the
CSAH 70 interchange with 1-35, and the intersection of TH 52 at 117th Street, the Duckwood
interchange in Eagan, and improvements consistent with the recommendations of the TH
61/316 Corridor Study.
Consideration during the planning period of the need for a grade -separated interchange at
the intersection of CSAH 23 (Cedar Avenue) and CSAH 42 in Apple Valley and of the
potential for a Mississippi River crossing on the CSAH 32 alignment (Inver Grove Heights).
• The development of Light Rail Transit in the Hiawatha Corridor to the TH 13 intersection with
Cedar Avenue and of commuter rail routes from Northfield to Minneapolis/St. Paul and from
Hastings to St. Paul/Minneapolis.
Achieving the vision for transportation in Dakota County will result in an integrated, multi -modal
transportation system that efficiently connects people to work and one another by safe travel on routes
with minimal congestion, and effectively provides a choice of options in the mode of travel. However, it
also has significant fiscal implications for Dakota County.
5. AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR RECREATION AND ENJOYMENT: A PARKS AND OPEN SPACE
POLICY PLAN
In the 1990s, the number of visits to County park facilities has grown at a faster rate. than the rate
of population growth in the County. Park use has grown at almost three times the rate of population
growth, from about 470,000 visits in 1990 to about 750,000 visits in 1997.
The core challenges and opportunities in achieving the parks and open space vision for Dakota
iCounty are meeting:
• The need for more park and open space 'services' as population continues to grow.
• Changing citizen demands for recreational opportunities, especially for trail activities.
• The demands of increasing participation in recreation (i.e. park use is increasing faster than
the population is growing).
• The challenge of completing acquisition and development of existing parks and trail facilities.
i
i
4 Dakota County ComprehernWe Plan - Executive Summary 25
To respond to the challenges ahead, the Dakota County 2020 Parks and Open Space Plan
envisions:
A system of parks, park reserves, and trans that protect and preserve important
natura4 historic, anaVor cultural areas and landscapes; provide opportunities for the
recreation/ enjoyment and education of the public; and complement the opportunities
offered by other outdoor education and recreation providers.
• Enriching lives of citizens of the Metropolitan Region by providing high quality
recreation and education opportunities In harmony wfth natural resources
preservation and stewardship.
To achieve this vision Dakota County will:
• Focus on existing parks and trails. Dakota County will strive to complete acquisition of
remaining property within park boundaries, continue development and improvement of park
facilities, and preserve and restore natural communities within parks.
• Preserve and manage existing park and trail facilities to maintain the investments that
have been made in these facilities.
• Implement programs and develop facilities for providing outdoor education and
recreation opportunities wfthln County parks. Programs will be implemented consistent
with the Dakota County Outdoor Education Plan.
• Investigate the public demand or need for additional parks, trails and open space and
evaluate potential sites or facilities for compatibility with the County's vision and mission for
its park system.
• Coorcliinate actfvftfes with cities In Dakota County, other park impiemenfing agencies,
the Region, and the State of Minnesota to provide complementary park systems and seek
partnerships with these and other groups (e.g. non -profits and corporations) for providing
outdoor education and recreation services.
The strategies for achieving the vision for parks and open space in Dakota County are organized
around five goals. These goals and strategies were developed using information from meetings with city
planning and park staff, citizen participation efforts (including a residential survey, focus groups, and a
Citizens Jury®), and Park and Recreation Advisory Committee comments and recommendations. The
five goals and primary strategies for each are to:
Assess the expectations of the public for parks and open space opportunities. Action
steps include monitoring recreational trends, conducting park user surveys, and coordinating
activities with other park and recreation providers to identify citizen demands and
expectations.
Dakota County Compmhmnive Plan - ExacuHva summary 26
uersystem of parks and trans. This goal is central to
Acquire and develop a prem
providing parks and open space opportunities for the citizens of Dakota County. While
acquisition strategies continue to emphasize a owilling seller' approach, the County's policies
will provide for the use of condemnation authorities in certain defined circumstances.
Further, to accelerate the completion of acquisition of remaining parkland, the implementation
of existing Board policies — such as establishing fife estates and pursuing rights of first refusal
—will be emphasized. Development strategies center. on the implementation of a park system
plan and individual park master plans.
Provide a safe and well-maintained park system. Strategies to implement this goal
include a park patrol focused on the safety of and assistance to users, timely upkeep and
replacement of park facilities and equipment, and regulation of commercial use for the benefit
of park visitors.
Preserve and restore natural resources within the parks. The implementation of
integrated resource management is the central focus that guides the natural resource
management strategies for the park system. Strategies for each resource area water
quality/quantity or native vegetation restoration — are coordinated within this approach.
Provide outdoor education and recreation for park vLsitor aBeyodded to the Dakota County
uisition and
development, outdoor education programs and facilities
park system to provide the park visitor opportunities for enhanced park experiences. .
Strategies in this area primarily focus on the implementation of the recommendations from
the Outdoor Education Plan.
Major new initiatives and policies proposed in the Parks and Open Space Policy Plan include:
Continuous assessments of the expectations of the public for parks and open space
opportunities. The combination of implementation of several different tools will provide a more
complete understanding of the public's interests and demands than previously has been
available. This approach is designed to recognize the `stakeholder basis' in planning for and
development of parks and open space in Dakota County.
completion of the acquisition and development a system of parks and trails. A revised
sed art of this goal. The development of a park system plan is the
acquisition policy is propo as p
core of the proposal for future park development. While acquisition strategies will continue to
emphasize a 'willing seller" approach, the County's policies will provide for the use of
condemnation authorities in certain defined circumstances. The circumstances under which the
County may consider the use of condemnation are detailed in the Policy Plan. Further, e)dsting
policies to accelerate acquisition — such as establishing life estates and pursuing rights of first
County parks and
refusal — will be emphasized. The park system plan will look at the Dakota
traits from a system -wide perspective.
Provide a safe and well-maintained park system. The development of a comprehensive
• maintenance management program for Dakota County paries and trails is recommended. The
program will plan for replacement and repair of park equipment and facilities, providing a
rr
Dakota courtly ComprsherWve Plant - ExecudVe Summary
predictive schedule to aid in budgeting for these expenses and for the consistent application of
maintenance standards to meet public expectations.
Preserve and restore natural resources within the parks. An integrated resource
management approach to preserve and enhance the natural environment within Dakota County
parks will be implemented based on a natural resources management plan to be developed for
County parks.
Provide outdoor education and recreation for park visitors. This area has become a new
focus for Dakota County in parks and open space. The most important new initiative is the
implementation of the Dakota County Outdoor Education Plan to guide the development of
outdoor education and recreation programs and the development of facilities to support them.
The Parks and Open Space Policy Plan focuses an increased emphasis of the development and
implementation of user fees and development of new sources of revenue to accelerate development
within parks. To assure the goal of continued access to Dakota County parks by all, fees will be
evaluated annually to determine that they continue to be reasonable and do not eliminate the
opportunity for everyone to enjoy Dakota County parks.
Through the implementation of the Dakota County 2020 Parks and Open Space Plan, Dakota County
expects to enrich the lives of Dakota County citizens through the opportunity to enjoy the natural
environment and through the provision of recreational opportunities.
S. SUPPLYING OTHER PUBLIC FACILITIES
Other public facilities considered in Dakota County 2020 include buildings and sewage collection
and treatment facilities. Dakota County 2020 further addresses the County's role in monitoring and
regulation of individual sewage treatment systems (.e., on-site systems).
Pubic Buildings. Dakota County is responsible for four types of public buildings: office space for
County services, County libraries, criminal justice facilities (e.g., courts and detention facilities), and
maintenance buildings (e.g., for parks and highway equipment), Dakota County's goals with respect to
these facilities are:
To provide facilities that are accessible and responsive to customer needs, sufficient in
size and flexibility to enable staff to carry out their functions, healthy to work in and safe
for staff and customers, and cost conscious solutions for the provision of public services
In 1998, Dakota County owns and operates approximately 870,100 square feet (gross) of public
buildings. About ohe-half of these area is used for office space, meeting rooms, and related public use.
In addition, the County leases about 52,000 square feet of space (1998).
Dakota County Comprehenst" Plan - Executive Summary 28
To achieve its goal, Dakota County's Long -Range Facilities Plan envisions:
Completion of new libraries in the Cities of Inver Grove Heights and Lakeville, as approved by
the Board of Commissioners; future construction of a library in the City of Rosemount; and
additions to the Burnsville and Lakeville Libraries. Additions to the Galaxie Library in Apple
Valley will be considered based on population growth in the service area. - 8
Building anew Northern Service Center to open in the year 2000; re-evaluating space needs
at all three service centers (Hastings, Apple Valley, and the Northern Service Center) to meet
needs beyond the 2002 to 2005 period; and relocating the Parks Department headquarters to
Lebanon Hills Regional Paris if funding is available.
Completion of two remaining shelled courtrooms in the Judicial Center in Hastings and
building an extra shelled courtroom in the new Northern Service Center, reviewing the need
for additional courtrooms an judges chambers in about the year 2002 as part of plans for
meeting additional space needs in the Government Complex in Hastings; and developing a
long-range plan for jail relief that includes a balance of sanction alternatives for the period
beyond 2002.
Construction of a new Highway Department maintenance facility.
Wastewater Treatment. Wastewater treatment in Dakota County is accomplished through three
different types of facilities: metropolitan sewage treatment plants, municipal treatment plants, and
individual treatment systems. For most Dakota County residents, treatment is provided by either
metropolitan or municipal sewage treatment plants at centralized locations. However, only about 30% of
the land area of Dakota County is served by central sewer lines. There are approximately 16,000 on-site
sewage treatment systems in Dakota County (1997), up about 33% from a decade earlier. Where
metropolitan or municipal treatment plants exist, Dakota County has no direct regulatory authority. The
regulation of on-site system involves the State, the County, and cities and townships.
Dakota County manages on-site systems under County Ordinance No. 113 and the Shoreland
and Floodplain Management Ordinance (Ordinance No. 50). Ordinance No. 113 sets standards that are
administered by cities and townships. Ordinance No. 50 applies only within defined shoreland and
floodplain areas within the County and is administered directly by Dakota County. In its administration of
its responsibilities with respect to on-site systems, the goal of Dakota County is:
To ensure that individual (on-site) sewage treatment systems are constructed, operated,
and maintained in an ecologically and economically responsible manner.
To achieve this goal, the County will focus its efforts on ensuring construction of on-site facilities
consistent with Ordinances No. 50 and No. 113 and the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, including
working with cities and townships to assure their action consistent with County ordinances; achieving the
replacement of non -conforming systems; providing technical assistance to local programs by maintaining
'as built' records, data analysis, and program performance monitoring; and prohibiting disposal of
septage into sensitive areas or in any manner with the potential to adversely affect public health.
29
Dakota County Comprehensive Plan - Execudve Summary
CONCLUSION '
Dakota County 2020 presents an ambitious plan of action for achieving the County's aim of being
a premier County in which to live and work. It requires a number of choices in the deployment of
limited resources in the years ahead. With its strong focus on cooperation and involvement in tackling the
challenges ahead, wise choices in the implementation of action steps in Dakota County 2020 will achieve
the County's aim with respect to its environment and resources and its physical infrastructure.
Dakota County Comprehemtve Plan - Executive Summary 30