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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.b. Metropolitan Council Regional Growth StrategyCITY OF ROSEMOUNT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ACTION CITY COUNCEL MEETING DATE: November 19,1996 AGENDA ITEM: Metropolitan Council Regional Growth Strategy AGENDA SECTION: New Business PREPARED BY: Dan Rogness, Community Development Director AGENDJxQ-- TEM # 8 B. ATTACHMENTS: Outline of Issues; Met Council Information APPROVED BY: W --J1 e 11 The Metropolitan Council recently issued all cities the new regional growth strategies for the Twin Cities metro area. I have reviewed most of the information, and I have attempted to summarize its content and some proposed responses from Rosemount. At the council meeting, I will provide an overview of the planning documents and some impacts on this city, especially as it relates to population and household projections. The Met Council will hold a series of public hearings, one that will be at Burnsville City Hall the day after the council meeting (November 20). If you would like to make an official statement from the City, now is the time to do so. RECOMMENDED ACTION: MOTION to Provide Comments to the Metropolitan Council Regarding the Proposed Regional Growth Strategy. 11 COUNC ACTION: MET COUNCIL'S GROWTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ISSUESIRESPONSES FROM ROSEMOUNT --- `1996 &BACKGROUND: 1. Reaidnai Senkes The Met Council will continue to oversee operations related to transportation, aviation, water resources and recreational open space in the region (referred to as metropolitan systems). The Council is amending existing policy plans and adding new ones to guide future growth and development. Orderly growth (timed and staged) is necessary to achieve cost effective infrastructure investment and maintenance. 2. Reabnal-Growth The growth management strategy's "policy areas" identify seven geographic areas: (a) Urban Core ... Minneapolis and St. Paul; (b) Urban Area ... land within the 2000 MUSA; (c) 2020 MUSA ... to be defined by each city in the 1998 Comprehensive Guide Plan review process; (d) Urban Reserve ... urban expansion from 2020 to 2040; (e) Rural Growth Centers ... freestanding outlying cities; (f) Permanent Agricultural Area ... 1 house per 40 acres; and (g) Permanent Rural Area ... density of 1 house per 10 acres. 3. Blue.print Goals The Regional Blueprint is the Council's action plan for the region, with short- and long-term strategies that will help guide decision making. The Met Council will work toward the following six goals in order to make this area one of the most "livable" regions in the country: (a) encourage economic growth; (b) foster investment; (c) expand life -cycle housing; (d) strengthen the sense of community; (e) preserve the natural environment; and (f) provide financially sound public facilities. B. ROSEMOUNT IS: e a city of 36 sq.mi. at the boundary of urban and agriculture * a city having 11,720 people in 1995, an increase of 600/yr. since 1990 * a city expected to have 34,000 people by 2020, an increase of 900/yr. since 1995 • a city with 25% of its land within the 2000 MUSA • a city with 35% of its land within the 2020 MUSA • a citywith 100% of its land within the 2040 MUSA * a city with heavy industry (e.g., Koch Refinery) on its east side * a city with many rural lot subdivisions (600+ on-site septic systems) o a city outside the existing/future primary transit zone(s) C. LOCAL ISSUESIRESPONSES: 1. Partnerships. The Met Council identifies "joint planning" as an action step in order to promote a flexible process that allows cities to work jointly with other governmental entities to resolve issues of regional concern. The Council further identifies a list of "council actions" and "partnership actions" to achieve this objective. Rosemount strongly endorses this process in order to recognize local government interests as well as the Council's regional interests. Suburban communities have unique geographical and political conditions that reflect societal desires for open space, safety, quality schools and secure housing investments. 2. De The Met Council identifies its role to "make more efficient use of local/regional infrastructure by working with local governments and the private sector to selectively increase density of development -- for example, intensifying development along certain transportation corridors or filling in vacant land parcels". Rosemount has a varied housing character, including rural lot subdivisions, older small -lot housing, and newer mid -priced subdivisions. The Council must recognize the varied landscape of cities in relationship to density and provide incentives for higher density infill development within targeted regional locations. 3. Com ' prehensive Guide Plans The Met Council is giving stronger emphasis to urban staging that will define the next MUSA boundary for 2020. The Council's role is defined as establishing guidelines that address shared public services, coordinated development with infrastructure investments, housing diversity, environmental and agricultural preservation, economic development, and the interrelationship of jobs, housing and transportation. Rosemount's comprehensive guide plan was recently updated in 1993 due, in part, to market changes that were impacting urban staging. In essence, urban staging must reflect regional investments while working within the local community's market conditions and the city's development objectives. 4. Im ' pact Ana&wls. The Met Council says that it will develop criteria in partnership with cities regarding impact analysis in order to review projects (e.g., roadways, housing, commercial centers) from a physical and economic perspective. Rosemount feels that this is critical in order for all cities to work toward long-term fiscal responsibility. Much better information is needed in order to assess whether or not one particular development is truly a positive factor for the city and the region. Examples of development impacts, both good and bad, would be a useful tool toward achieving some of the Council's goals and objectives. 5. Growth Distribution The Met Council's projections for growth through 2020 assume that two-thirds (2/3) of that will be absorbed within the existing 2000 MUSA, while the other one-third (1/3) will be within the new 2020 MUSA. For households, this means 220,000 within the existing MUSA and 110,000 within the proposed MUSA. In Rosemount, 8,700 households will be formed from 1995-2020, or an annual average of 350 new households (last 1 0 -year average = 200 new housing units/year). Based on the assumptions, nearly 6,000 new households should be added within Rosemount's 2000 MUSA and 3,000 within the expanded 2020 MUSA. Actually, these numbers will probably reverse due to the vacant acreage with Rosemounts existing MUSA. Metropolitan Council Preliminary Forecasts of Population, Households and Employment Regional Growth Management Strategy, October 1996 Rosemount 11,980 102% 22,280 190% 4,715 125% 8,715 3 0 0 230% 0 Dakota Co. 89,630 28% 143,340 45% 42,460 37% 71,190 0 62% 2 0 Metro Area 393,800 16% 648,160 26% 188,975 20% 319,1975 0 d34% 0 1995 2010 1995 2020 1995 2010 1995 2020 Rosemount 3.7% % of Co. Total 3W16 3.7% 7.4% 3.3% 5.4% 3.3% 6.7% Rosemount .48% % of Metro Total */o .0727, .48% 1.10% .40% .75% .40% .99% Rosemount - % of Co. Change 13.4% 15.5% - 11.1% 12.2% Rosemount - % of Metro Change 3.0% 3.4% - 2.5% 2.7% Co.% of - Metro Change 22.8% 22.2% - 22.5% 22.2% 0 * Complied by Rosemount Community Development Int8m- 11/96 Iq4; oe4 1111 Z9 317805" W"CR5 VACANT LAND SUMMARY --- ROSEMOUNT, MN MUSA Designation Acres Housing Units ----- — ---- — --------- — ------------------- --- - — --------- --- Phase 1, final platted lots 50 130 Phase 1, prelim. platted lots 180 450 Phase 1, concept approval 100 250 Phase 1, vacant with no plans 390 710 ------- ---- --- 720 1540 Phase 11, vacant with no plans 670 1270 Phase 111, vacant 485 920 ------- ------- TOTAL 1875 3730 Note 1. Phase I MUSA current 1996 designation 2. Phase 11 MUSA year 2000-2005 designation 3. Phase III MUSA year 2006-2013 designation 4. Assumed 2.5 units/acre for platted/concept property; assumed 1.9 units/acre for non -planned property. ------------------------------------------------ Therefore, based on a projected increase of 4,715 housing units in Rosemount from 1995-2010 (or 315 units/year), the current Comprehensive Guide Plan MUSA designation will be short by nearly 500 acres. Using the 2020 growth estimates, Rosemount will need another 2,500 acres in MUSA between 1995-2020 for housing in order to accomodate the expected increase of 8,715 units during that 25 -year period. How to manage growth? The Council proposes a strategy It takes mere seconds to ask the question: "Where should the new development coming to the region locate?" The right answer takes a little longer. Its the question the Council posed 18 months ago when its staff forecast a growth of 650,000 people and 330,000 households between now and the year 2020. The region's population will increase to just over 3 million and its households to 1. 3 million. Where should they live in the Twin Cities region? Where should their jobs be located? The elusive a nswers may be at hand. In early October, the Council gave its preliminary nod to a growth management strategy, triggering a series of public hearings. The goal is to adopt a the end of the year. 57- 7 ,, -, For Council watchers, parts of the prop(;i;�'�;99'a_vi a familiar ring to it That's because the ftLe F77 reflects key goals of the Council's Bluepria. Other parts, however, are ne Blueprin4 completed in 1994, did not contain - physical development plan for the regiohA-h�'ii� strategy does. be staged over the next 40 years to accommodate part of the expected growth. • Pledges to increase housing density throughout the urban part of the region and in the new reserve area. Increased density is necessary to accommodate the new growth, to lower infrastruc- ture costs on the edge and to achieve d- more eM- cient and serviceable land use pattern. • Encourages higher -density development alo .99 transportation (particularly transit) corridors and within activity centers (nodes)'within.the,c brridbrs, especially those withi n the Interstate Hwy. 4944 -t -N' -------- --- beltway. • Promotes job concentrations- inactivity centers along the corridors. • Defines an "urban coreff a'M;iiii�i.q a. reinvestment priority. • Bases city -level forecast5 of-' tation,�� housiA _6�1 s 111ron. LJ. -zi 41 lv� opo e Here's a snapshot __ Jhiior sed deve' C 1"teE" 111K. h' n of th rr, 'three growth o ions t, e The proposed strategy: est characteristics from t. h es • Identifi good agricultural lands in dhp.re' bI iscussi Of ,gion- a411.7' oUnkil devdooedlo stimulate pu to -term preservation'o weighs in on the side of long B agricultural land and open space. q�vo_-iC4 T�P' 311�.%,n Tw, at • Creates an "urban reserve" with a 40 -"year The sev en geographical areas identified in the strategy boundary line beyond the edge of to(jays urb�n­ —""are,shown on the map on pages 4-5, along with a' brief service area. Development in the reserve would desdription of each areas' characteristics and how the (Continued page 2) 9-k It ­ . a IL I ItMetropolitan Council WorkbVjbr the Reg(= Pknningfor the Future A Summary of Proposed Amendments to Metropolitan Council Policy Plans/Metropolitan Development Guide Chapters Regional Blueprint Transportation Water Resources Management Aviation Recreation Open Space Proposed amendments approved for public hearing purposes by the Metropolitan Council October 10, 1996 Overview This document summarizes proposed amendments to three Metropolitan Council policy plans/Metropolitan Development Guide chapters. They are the Regional Blueprint, Recreational Open Space and Aviation. The document also summarizes the Council's proposed new Transportation Development GuidelPolicy Plan and a new Water Resources Management Development Policy Plan. The policy plans are intended to replace existing Council policy documents in its Metropolitan Development Guide. The Council is holding a single set of hearings and discussions on these changes to: • Better integrate the Council's system plans with its Regional Blueprint, especially the proposed regional growth management strategy; • Move expeditiously to approve policies and guidelines that will help guide local governments prepare their comprehensive plans; and • Provide opportunities to members of the public, local governmental officials and others to comment on the proposed changes in a way that is economical of their time. Schedule for Discussion and Adoption The Council approved the proposed amendments and the proposed new entire chapters on Oct. 10, 1996, so the documents could be distributed to all interested parties for review and comment The Council will consider any revisions that might be suggested through the public review process and adopt the new plans or plan amendments by the end of 1996. Final Council Action The Council wants to take formal action on the plans by the end of 1996 so local governments can use the Council's most current policies and its most recent forecasts as they update their local comprehensive plans. Under state law, local government need to complete their updates by the end of 1998. Open Houses- and Public Hearings The Council. will hold one set of hearings on the five policy plans on November 19 and 20 to get public comments. It is doing so because the proposed Blueprint amendments and the new Transportation and Water Resources Management policy plans are closely interrelated. In addition, communities with comments pertaining to several of the chapters can present the comments at one meeting. The hearing dates and locations: Nov. 19, Metropolitan Council Chambers, Mears Park Centre, 230 E. 5th St., St. Paul, 2-5 p.m., continued at 6:30 p.m. 1 Nov. 20, 6 p.m. - Burnsville City Hall Council Chambers, 100 Civic Center Pkwy., Burnsville - Oakdale City Hall Council Chambers, 1584 Hadley Av., Oakdale - New Hope City Hall Council Chambers, 4401 Xylon Av. N., New Hope In addition, the Council will hold three open houses. The open houses provide an opportunity to learn more about the proposals and to discuss them informally. The open houses will begin at 6 P.M. - Oct. 22, Burnsville City Hall Council Chambers, 100 Civic Center Pkwy., Burnsville - Oct. 23, Oakdale City Hall Council Chambers, 1584 Hadley Av., Oakdale - Oct 24, New Hope City Hall Council Chambers, 4401 Xylon Av. N., New Hope Providing Commen to the Metropolitan Council The Council will accept written comments from the open houses that are mailed, faxed or e-mailed. Persons who have oral comments based on the open house discussions can record statements on the Council's Public Comment Line. (See below for mailing and e-mail addresses, as well as fax and Comment Line numbers.) All interested persons are encouraged to attend the hearings and provide comments. People may register in advance to speak by calling 291-6536 or 291-0904 (fTY). Upon request the Council will provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. Special accommodations should be requested by November 8, 1996. All commena must be received by 4.-30 p. nL, Friday, December 6, 1996. Comments may also be submitted as follows : Send written comments to: Metropolitan Council Regional Data Center, 230 E. Fifth St., St. Paul, MN 55101 FAX comments to: 612/291-6464 Record comments on the Council's Public Comment Line: 612/291-6536 Send comments via e-mail to : data-center@metc-state.mnus Free copies of the public hearing documents will be available from the Metropolitan Council's Regional Data Center on October 16, 1996. Call 291-8140 or 291-0904 (TTY) to request copies. The public hearing documents are: (1) Regional Blue ,print amendments, (2) revised Transportation Policy Plan, (3) revised Water Resources Policy Plan, (4) Aviation Guide ents and (5) Recreational Open Space amendments. At the close of the public comment period, a hearing report will be prepared. To request a copy of the hearing report, call 291-6536 or 291-0904 (TTY). Authority for Plan Preparation The Metropolitan Council is directed by Minn. Stat. 473.145 to prepare a comprehensive development guide for the metropolitan area. This development guide consists of a compilation of 2 policy statements, goals, standards, programs and maps that provide guidance for the orderly and. economical development of the metropolitan area. The development guide, as it is currently being implemented, consists of the Regional Blueprint and four system plans related to the transportation, aviation, wastewater and regional recreation open space. Mimi. Stat. 473.146 provides the direction to the Council to adopt these comprehensive policy plans for transportation, airports and wastewater treatment as portions Of the metropolitan development guide. Additional direction is provided in the legislation for each of these system plans. Legislation related to metropolitan land use planning Qyfinn. Stat. 473.858) states that local comprehensive plans cannot be in conflict with the metropolitan system plans. The metropolitan system plans are defined in Minn. Stat. 473.852, Subd. 8, as "the airports and transportation portions of the metropolitan development guide, and the policy plans and capital budgets for metropolitan wastewater service, trarisportation and regional recreation open space." The Council is proposing a growth management strategy to be incorporated into the revised Regional Blueprint. An important means to ensure that the revised Regional Blueprint is implemented to reflect it in each of the system plans, since it is these system plans that will be used to determine consistency of local government plans with the system plans of the Council. Material contained in the system plans can be used to make the determination that there is a substantial impact or substantial departure from the metropolitan system plans. To that end, the Council has incorporated the revised Regional Blueprint, particularly the regional growth management strategy and forecasts in Appendix D, to implement it into each of the system plans. Proposed Plans and Amendments Regional Blueprint The amendments to the Council's Regional Blueprint, originally adopted in 1994, would add a regional growth management strategy to the document. The amendments (and a map) identify general land uses for the region by the year 2040. The desired characteristics of the rural, "urban reserve- and urban parts of the region are identified, together with the policies and action steps necessary to achieve the desired land use. Population, household and employment forecasts based on the policie§ and other factors also are included. The amendments establish the development pattern for the region well into the next century. The 1994 Regional Blueprint did not do so. The long-range perspective of the growth management strategy will help enable local governments to determine the impact of future change and development on their communities and to begin planning for options to manage those impacts. The proposed Blueprint amendments articulate the Council's preferred growth management strategy. The strategy is rooted in several goals in the existing Blueprint, including- • Planning and actions encouraging regional economic growth, • Enhancing the region's overall quality of life, and • Fostering reinvestment in distressed areas and preserving the natural environment and open space. 3 While preparing the proposed amendments, the Council had several other goals in mind for the growth strategy. They are as follows. • Maintain and enhance the region's high level of quality of life. • Contribute to economic development, job creation and the overall economic vitality of the region. • Revitalize the urban core, with Council policies contributing to revitalization. • Spend public funds for inftastructure wisely and efficiently. • Enhance the opportunity for individual homeownership and provide an adequate supply of various types of affordable housing. • Preserve public, semi-public and private open 'spaces. • Avoid excessive consumption of open land, requiring an achievable development density. • Encourage local governments to adopt plans that recognize their responsibility to contribute to regional solutions. The proposed amendments are the Council's response to its year-long effort to identify and evaluate growth options for the region. An extensive public involvement process preceded the crafting of the preferred strategy, which is a hybrid drawing from the best characteristics of the three options (Concentrated Development, Current Trend, Growth Centers) under discussion in 1996. Transportation and Water Resources The new Transportation and Water Resources plans take their land -use direction from the Regional Blueprint document as proposed for amendment. The two documents move the growth management strategy in the amended Blueprint an important step toward implementation, by identifying how the areas shown on the map will be served (or not served ) by regional sewer, transit or highway services. In addition, the two new plans contain many goals, policies and plans pertinent to transportation or water resources. Aviation The proposed Aviation plan amendments have been prepared to bring the 1995 version up to date with the recommendations of the Metropolitan Council and the Metropolitan Airports Commission to the 1996 Minnesota State Legislature. The recommendations, made law by the legislature, set a clear direction about the fiture of the region's major airport. Other proposed amen reflect the results of studies completed since 1995 and decisions about the region's smaller airports. Recreational Open Space The proposed Recreational Open Space amendments would designate two new regional park sites (the Ceridian recreation area in Denmark Twp-, Mississippi West County Park in Ramsey), give a special designation to Square Lake County Park in May Twp., and remove the proposed Rum River South Regional Park in Anoka County from the regional system. 4 Executive Summary of Proposed Amendments to the Regional Blueprint The proposed amendments to the Regional Blueprint, taken as a whole, constitute the Council's regional growth management swategy- (The Blueprint identifies key goals for the growth and redevelopment of the region and, as well, action steps to reach the goals.) The strategy involves selecting an urban growth and development pattern for the seven -county Twin Cities region as well as identiPling wide ranging policies and actions needed to carry it out The intended result is to accommodate the 330,000 additional households and 650,000 more people the Council expects in the region in the next 25 years in a way that meets the economic, reifivestment, environmental and other goals in the Regional Blueprint. The recommended strategy is a hybrid option. It emerged from three growth options (Current Trend, Concentrated Development, Growth Centers) the Council developed and brought to the community for public discussion and evaluation during 1996. The strategy incorporates the best combination of characteristics from the three options. The amendments designate and map the general location of land uses in the region to the year 2040 and beyond. The map (see page 7) identifies an urban service area and a rural area, and subareas within them. -fhe emphasis in the permanent agricultural area and the permanent rural area is on preservation and permanence. The areas would not be developed for urban uses. e In the permanent agricultural area (the area with the best land for agricultural purposes), the standard would be no more than one dwelling unit per 40 acres. Ihe permanent rural area would have a mix of farm and nonfarm uses. The standard would be up to (a maximum of) one dwelling unit per 10 acres. Clustered housing would be encouraged to protect the rural character, natural resources and open space. Clustered housing involves locating rural housing in close proximity so most of the land in the development remains in open space. The am would be planned so it would never need urban services. 0 The "urban reserve" is a new concept added to the Blueprint. It is a reservoir of land established to accommodate the region's need for urbanization to the year 2040. 0 The urban reserve would ring today's urban area in all parts of the region. Its outer edge would become the Twin Cities area's urban growth boundary. The boundary is based on watersheds, which allows the area to be served by more economical gravity sewers. Gravity sewers carry wastewater "downhill," reducing pumping costs. e The Council would plan its regional sewer and transportation services and facilities based on the map. The Council plans and builds the large intercommunity sewer pipes; operates the public =nsit system; and in partnership with other units of government, plans the regional highway network. The Council would size new wastewater facilities for the entire urban growth area. Communities at the growing edge of the region would define and stage their 2020 Metropolitan Urban Service Area, or MUSA, within the urban reserve in collaboration with the Council. The MUSA is the part of the region with urban -scale development and services. The area in the urban reserve but outside the new 2020 MUSA would be planned so short-term development decisions are consistent with eventual full urbanintion. • There is a policy emphasis on increasing the housing density in the newly urbanizin areas as well as in current urban areas so the urban reserve can meet housing needs for 40 years or beyond. The desired density would be closer to historic trends, which are higher than today's typical density in the newly developing areas of the region. • in the urban area, the focus would be on jobs and economic develqpment activities within and around the interstate Hwy. 494/694 beltway, with particular emphasis on the urban core (see map) and the nodes and corridors connected to it The ft-msportation system, especially transit, would be used to help bring about job concentrations. High levels of transportation services would be maintained in and around the major concentrations. The Council would offer transit service and other incentives to encourage higher -density housing and business concentrations in the corridors. • Redevelopment of housing and business properties throughout the area would be encouraged. Ways to accomplish this include Livable Communities grants and polluted -site cleanup. • The "urban core" of the region would be a major focus of reinvestment and redevelopment The core area is limited to the areas in and adjacent to the two downtowns and in the corridor along University Av. between them. Job concentrations and development nodes will be encouraged in the urban core area, and brownfield sites (polluted former industrial sites) in the urban core would be prime targets for reinvestment and tax-basedevelopment Access to job opportunities for core residents throughout the region would be increased. The urban core would be a priority for Council investments and incentives. The programs would aim at improving economic opportunities for residents and to improve the area, s physical characteristics. The Council would use all of the tools at its disposal (such as Livable Communities grants and transit) to unprove conditions in the core area, recognizing that its tools are limited. o In the counties adjacent to the Twin Cities, the proposed policies support requiring long- range planning in communities with a population of over 5,000 people or where 50 percent of the residents commute to the Twin Cities to work. The policies support growth management and transportation planning, as well as steps toward economic self sufficiency. The adjacent counties are encouraged to coordinate their planning with the Council's planning. o The emphasis in the permanent agricultural area and the permanent rural area is on preservation and permanence. The areas would not be developed for urban uses. e The amendments focus on physical form and related policies. Some implementation steps are identified, but more specific tools will be needed. Guiding principles to bring about the strategy are a commitment to incentives/disincentives and pricing mechanisms, rather than governmental regulation. 6 Growth Management Strategy Policy Areas Urban Core Urban Area Illustrative 2020 MUSA* Urban Reserve S... T.p. Rural Growth Centers ;,*;,z1 Pennanent Agricultural Area Pennanent Rural Area ANO U .. ...... .. . /V 2000 MUSA Boundary (as of 1995) 2040 Urban Reserve Boundary Ig. Municipal Boundary County Boundary Major Highway The official Z020 MUSA will be determined by local governments ind the Cwncil as part of the 1997-98 Comprehensive Planning process. M W X., - 43 s co -rT 1*P Cd. T.q. LLL Twin Cities 7 -County Metropolitan Area N 2L Metropolitan Council 0 5 10 Geographic Information Systems 5 15 Miles October 10, 1996 Executive Summary of Proposed Transportadon Development GuidelPoficy Plan Background Large growth and new economic development are forecast for the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area over the next 25 years. Nearly 650,000 new residents, about 400,000 new jobs and almost 3 50,000 households are projected. The Metropolitan Council's objective in accommodating this growth is to revitalize and promote economic development in the core area while encouraging orderly suburban development The Council also wants to encourage higher d6sities, particularly along established transportation corridors. The large amount of growth forecasted for the next 25 years will have a significant impact on the regional transportation system since little roadway expansion is planned. If current transportation investment levels and priorities are extrapolated to 2020, congestion on major metropolitan roadways, a barometer of the ability of the system to meet travel demand, is expected to increase from 100 miles in 1995 to 220 miles in the year 2020. Regional accessibility to various destinations (i.e., work, business, education, recreation) win deteriorate significantly. Today, it is possible to access almost any point within the region in less than 60 minutes during the peak hour. This makes it possible for the region to function as a well - interconnected economic entity. In 2020, only 60-70 percent of the metropolitan area will be accessible within 60 minutes from any point in the region. This constraint in the movement of people and goods will result in lost economic productivity, higher overall cost of doing business and decreased regional competitiveness in the world economy. Key Transportation Policy Directions The transportation policy direction provided in this plan will help implement the Regional Blueprint. The plan proposes five major transportation strategies to mitigate some of the negative consequences of a severely constrained tramportation system and to preserve, to the greatest extent possible, current levels of regional accessibility with the limited resources available. The plan, however, acknowledges that the region cannot build its way out of congestion. The environmental, social, financial and political impacts would be too severe. I.Reduce Travel Demand The main objective of this strategy is to encourage behavioral and land use changes that will result in fewer vehicle trips, particularly during rush hours. Societal and technological changes and proactive planning by the private sector and the development community are critical in implementing this strategy. Examples of initiatives that may help reduce travel demand are: Promote a better balance of jobs and housing Promote transportation modes other than the single occupant vehicle (e.g., transit, ridesharing, bicycles, walking) Promote pedestrian- and transit -friendly land uses Use pricing incentives/disincentives Increase telecommu"g opportunities Encourage staggered work hours 2 Increase Transportation Capacity Through Better SYSIem Management The main objective of this strategy is to better utilize the existing capacity of the transportation system and improve traffic flow. Examples of initiatives in this category are: 9 Better traffic signal timing 0 More ramp meter bypasses for vehicles with two or more occupants 0 Increased enforcement of HOV facility use 0 Faster removal of stalled vehicles and accidents Enhanced traveler information systems about alternate routes Better roadway access control Most of these initiatives will increasingly rely on advanced Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technology. 3. Replace and Improve the Existing Highway System The main objective of this strategy is to replace and improve the existing system without a major corridor capacity expansion. Examples of projects included under this strategy are: Removal of bottlenecks 0 Bridge replacement 0 Pavement reconstruction 0 Intersection and interchange construction/reconstruction 0 Safety improvements 4. Improve the Transit System The main objectives of this strategy are to: alleviate growing traffic congestion, provide better accessibility to jobs, promote higher density development and revitalize the core area of the region. Key components of this strategy are: Develop a network of dedicated transitways to support an effective express transit route system Redesign and restructure existing services to provide a broad range of transit service options that better match land use and socioeconomic conditions Promote competition in the delivery of transit services Enhance coordination of services Encourage cities to create more pedestrian- and transit- oriented land uses Encourage more local involvement in transit decisions Improve safety and security for passengers and transit employees 9 Implement transit related Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technologies 5. ExpandHighmv Capacity The objective of this strategy is to provide some additional capacity on the Metropolitan Highway System, a 657 mile network of freeways and expressways. This system carries the majority of vehicle travel in the region, the longest trips at higher speeds and accommodates the movement of both people and goods. Examples of projects included in this strategy are: Building some of the unfinish d segments of the metropolitan highway system Rebuilding some expressways to freeway design Add one or more traffic lanes (mixed -traffic use, HOV or transitway) to better serve redevelopment of the core and intensification of employment nodes Financial Outlook This plan acknowledges the need for additional transportation resources to adequately address regional transportation needs. Existing and currently projected transportation funding levels will not be sufficient to adequately serve the travel needs projected due to regional growth, even with aggressive implementation of the strategies described earlier. The transportation impacts caused by additional development will be mitigated but not eliminated. Current levels of regional accessibility will not be preserved, even if significant behavioral changes and maximum use of technological advances occur. The existing system can be preserved and maintained adequately but the expansion of transit and highway capacity will be very limited unless additional transportation resources are made available. Less than 15 percent of the total projected transportation investment are identified for highway capacity expansion. For over 30 years, the federal government provided funds for the construction of the Interstate System. Federal funding levels no longer provide for major system expansion now that the Interstate System has been completed. In addition, state highway ftmding sources have not been increased since 1988. The transit system desperately needs a stable, dedicated fimding source. Transit funding is overly dependent on regional property tax levies for both operations and capital investments. Federal fimding for transit operations has been drastically reduced and is expected to be eliminated. A great deal of pressure is placed on general fund appropriations and passenger fares just to preserve the existing system. The financial plan recognizes that alternative funding sources must be pursued in addition to increases in traditional sources of transportation revenues. Toll roads, congestion pricing and parking surcharges are examples of alternative funding sources generated by users who directly benefit from the service or facility provided. 10 Executive Summary of Proposed Water Resources Management Policy Plan Our water resources have sustained this region for millennia, and our wise use of this natural wealth can ensure a water -rich ft=e for generations to come. Achieving sustainable water resources calls for a multifaceted regional strategy that draws on the Council's development and environmental goals of its Regional Blueprint and a range of supporting elements. All together, the elements of the water resources strategy present a broad front to deal with issues of water quality, wastewater service and water supply. In these efforts, the Council intends to pursue cooperative, productive relationships with other jurisdictions, as well as education and information -sharing among public officials, the private sector and the general public. The Council's approach to water quality concerns relies on a watershed focus to control pollution from point (specific) and nonpoint (diffuse) sources, bringing together agencies and organizations in partnerships for collaborative planning and implementation. Watersheds offer the best opportunities for dealing comprehensively with water quality issues, with a strong emphasis on management of nonpoint pollution sources. A mix of techniques will provide optimum, cost- effective benefits. An Upper Mississippi River Basin plan, incorporating the watersheds lying within the metropolitan area and beyond, will provide the focus for watershed -based activities. Local initiatives supporting regional water quality goals can expect continued support from the Council. Pollution control is one of the key goals of the metropolitan wastewater treatment system. The system will continue to meet strict discharge permit conditions and experience continued reductions in the amount of toxic materials and other pollutants in its processes. Education of homeowners and support for state and locally initiated programs form the core of the Council's approach to on-site sewer systems. Water quality is so critical to the region's well-being that the Council intends to develop a program of baseline data and measures to mark the progress in meeting water quality objectives. Collaborative goal -setting, joint action and coordination will make water quality efforts a truly region -wide partnership. Within the framework of the Regional Blueprint's regional growth management strategy, the metropolitan wastewater treatment system is also a crucial factor in the region's future development. Metropolitan service is focused on the urbanized area of the region to keep costs within reasonable bounds, although it can be extended into the rural area under special circumstances to remedy pollution problems. Rural treatment plants, both public and private, are the responsibility of the local government, which needs to provide for such plants in its comprehensive plan. Implementing the growth management strategy will require further study into the question of whether the rural growth centers will be able to provide the wastewater services necessary for expected future growth. The Council sees its responsibility as providing an interceptor connection to a municipality's border, rather than at several points or to an area within the border. Comections beyond this basic 11 service would need to be the subject of a cost-sharing agreement between the Council and the municipality based on the guidelines in the Regional Blueprint. 11e Council is committed to maintaining the high quality of its wastewater service while maintaming a reasonable cost for service. Improved technologies and improved efficiencies will help contain costs. The Council is also committed to limiting wastewater rate increases to the rate of inflation for goods and services typically used by government organization , and to developing a rate structure with relatively stable rates and easier administration requirements. Surface and underground sources provide the region with the water it needs for daily life. Interconnections of municipal systems offer a promising solution when drought is a problem and where areas develop out of reach of the region's most productive aquifer — the Prairie du Chien - Jordan. A joint planning process is in place to protect the aquifer wellheads, with the Council and local municipal water utilities playing key roles, and a Mississippi River Defense Network will help alert the region of contamination that may affect water intakes on the river. Conservation remains the least expensive solution to maintaining a reliable water supply, and the Council supports a region -wide program of basic conservation methods. Executive Summary of Propo­ sed Amendments to Aviadon Development GuidelPolicy Plan The 1996 amendments to the Aviation Policy Plan primarily consist of changes needed to bring the document up to date with the 1996 Minnesota Legislature's decision to expand and improve Minneapolis -St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Deletions reflect repeal of Council land -use control authority concerning new major airports and major airport search area development, prohibitions on Council action concerning new airport site protection, and elimination of material on the dual -track process that is no longer relevant or is outdated. There is new text on the region's growth management strategy and Regional Blueprint objectives. Full integration of the regional growth management strategy, including updated forecasts, and the implication for the regional airport system will be evaluated as part of an overall, guide update in 1998. Descriptions of the development expected under the 20 10 Long -Term Comprehensive Plan and the 2020 Concepf Plan for MSP are included, along with updated noise policy contours for MSP and Flying Cloud airports. Airport/aircraft activity nwnbers; and planning dates also are updated where needed. One policy is deleted. The rest remain essentially unchanged. The key changes to the policy document and system plan are as follows. Adds information on the Regional Blueprint and how the aviation system infimstructure and services provide economic support to regional economic development objectives. Removes all references to repealed Council authority concerning the new major airport development area, land -use control criteria and review requirements, and also aircraft noise area determinations. 12 e Removes the Dakota major airport search area, site, and comprehensive plan information from the system plan. o Deletes dual -track "Reuse" policies for MSP since the new airport option was not selected. Describes the MSP expansion plan for 20 10 and development aspects of the year 2020 concept plan, including preliminary project cost and development phasing anticipated in future MAC capital improvement programs. incorporates a new Appendix C on the dual -track process, including. MAC and Council findings/recommendations, and a summary of 1996 legislative actions concerning metropolitan airport planning. Incorporates the West Council action reviewing the Flying Cloud Airport Long -Term Comprehensive Plan and a new noise policy contour. Updates the text on federal funding for land -use compatibility around MSP, especially the status of the FAR Part- 150 home insulation and land acquisition measures. Clarifies latest action concerning runway 4/22 implementation/litigation, and the status of the 1996 legislatively required evaluation of aircraft noise mitigation planning/fimding for areas around MSP. Updates the MSP noise policy area to retain the capability to apply "preventive" land -use control strategy by communities in the Eagan/Mendota Heights aircraft flight corridor. Executive Summary of Proposed Amendments to Regional Recreation Open Space Development GuidelPolicy Plan The Council is proposing four amendments to the plan. Two new regional park sites would be added to the regional system. One site would be removed from the system. One park would be given a special designation. The following actions are proposed: Adding the Ceridian recreation area in Denmark Twp. (Washington County) to the regional system. The 579 -acre site is for sale by its corporate owner. A portion of the site (371 acres) is proposed to be added to the regional system. It is currently developed for recreation uses. Washington County requested consideration of the addition. Estimated value of the 371 acres is $3.99 million. Adding Mississippi West County Park in Ramsey (Anoka County) to the regional system. The site is 273 acres in size and has been purchased by Anoka County. The county requested consideration of the addition. o Removing the Rum River South Regional Park in Anoka County from the system. 13 Designating Square Lake County Park in May Twp- as a regional special recreation feature. The designation would make the park eligible to receive state fimds for its operation and maintemce Washington County made the request because the county park is used by a significant number of non -county residents. 14