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02/10/1998 - City Council Special MEMO city of eagan TO: HONORABLE MAYOR& CITY COUNCILMEMBERS FROM: CITY ADMINISTRATOR HEDGES DATE: FEBRUARY 6, 1998 SUBJECT: SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING/FEBRUARY 10, 1998 A Special City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 1998 at 5:00 p.m. in the Community Room for the main purpose of sharing the progress of the Joint APC/CC Subcommittee that has been reviewing the comprehensive guide plan update. The entire Planning Commission has been invited to the meeting. Also, members of the APrC and EDC will be present at their respective times on the agenda. Following the joint meeting with the Advisory Planning Commission, City Councilmember Awada has asked that the City Council discuss changing municipal elections from even years to odd years. The City Administrator will share information regarding the procedure for making a change if that is the desire of the City Council. Attached are memos from the City Administrator providing a progress report on the comprehensive plan update and also a memo from Julie Farnham, Planner, that reviews the goals and policies that will be presented at the meeting on Tuesday. /S/ Thomas L. Hedges City Administrator AGENDA SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND ADVISORY PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday February 10, 1998 5:00 P.M. Municipal Center Community Room I. 5:00 ROLL CALL& ADOPTION OF AGENDA H. 5:05 VISITORS TO BE HEARD M. 5:10 INTRODUCTION OF GREG INGRAHAM (planning consultant) IV. 5:15 PARKS AND RECREATION GOALS AND POLICIES NATURAL RESOURCES GOALS AND POLICIES (Advisory Parks Commission) V. 5:45 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND POLICIES (Economic Development Commission) VI. 6:30 RESIDENTIAL GOALS AND POLICIES VII. 7:15 MEETING SUMMARY—NEXT STEPS VIII. OTHER BUSINESS IX. 7:30 ADJOURNMENT CITY OF EAGAN MEMO TO: CITY COUNCIL AND ADVISORY PLANNING COMMISSION FROM: TOM HEDGES, CITY ADMINISTRATOR DATE: FEBRUARY 4, 1998 RE: COMP PLAN UPDATE—PROGRESS REPORT Work Program Update In May 1997 the City Council directed staff to begin working on the Comprehensive Guide Plan Update and indicated that the APC should take a lead role in the process. Since then, work has progressed on the new Comp Plan as follows: Land Use Inventory/ Housing Conditions Survey — Field data on existing land uses on all properties and on conditions/maintenance of homes built before 1985 in the City has been collected and entered into a GIS database. Staff is currently cross-checking the data and field verifying if necessary. D-II Study — Staff has met with most of the owners of property guided for D-II land uses to discuss their potential development plans and reactions to reguiding and/or rezoning. Further discussions on whether or not to change land uses will occur during a series of neighborhood meetings to discuss potential land use changes. Goals and Policies — Last summer a subcommittee of the APC began reviewing the residential goals and policies in the existing Comp Plan. The APC suggested that Council members should also be part of the subcommittee and the Council concurred. The Comp Plan Update Subcommittee, consisting of two members of the Council and APC, plus alternates, began meeting in September. To date, they have reviewed goals and policies relative to residential land use, economic development, parks and recreation, and natural resources. Where appropriate, draft goals and policies were reviewed by other subcommittees and commissions (EDC, APrC) prior to forwarding to the Comp Plan Update Subcommittee. 4 Staff Organization The Comp Plan Subcommittee is being assisted by staff from various departments, with coordination being done by Planning staff. Since the departure of Lisa Freese, former Senior Planner (a position that will not be replaced), Julie Farnham, Planner has assumed the major coordination role. She works with staff from other departments as necessary to prepare materials for the Comp Plan Subcommittee to review. Since December, a decision was made to retain the services of Ingraham & Voss to assist with the preparation and facilitation of the Comprehensive Guide Plan update. Julie is also the "point person" to the City's planning consultant — Greg Ingraham. If you have any questions or comments regarding the Comp Plan update process feel free to contact my office or Julie directly at 681-4698. What's Next • The Comp Plan Subcommittee will be reviewing the remaining goals and policies over the next month or two. Hopefully, they will be prepared to forward them to another joint meeting of the Council and APC in early April. • The land use inventory data will be used to analyze inconsistencies between existing zoning, actual land use, and guided land use (Land Use Map designation). Where inconsistencies occur, the City will need to determine whether or not the land use should be changed on the new land use map to be consistent with the actual use and/or zoning. For purposes of analysis, the City has been divided into 10 "planning areas" that will be evaluated • individually for land use inconsistencies and other issues. Neighborhood meetings for each of the planning areas will be held to provide property owners an opportunity to react to potential land use changes and other area specific issues. Staff anticipates being ready to begin conducting these meetings in late Spring. • Once input is received from property owners, the City should adopt a draft Land Use Map depicting the proposed fixture land uses. This draft map will then be used as the basis for projecting future traffic volumes and sewer capacity needs. Staff notes that the draft land use map must be determined before substantial work can begin on updating the Transportation Plan and the Sewer Plan sections of the Comprehensive Guide Plan. CITY OF EAGAN MEMO TO: CITY COUNCIL AND ADVISORY PLANNING COMMISSION THROUGH: TOM HEDGES, CITY ADMINISTRATOR FROM: JULIE FARNHAM, PLANNER DATE: FEBRUARY 4, 1998 RE: JOINT MEETING — COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE: REVIEW OF GOALS AND POLICIES CC: APrC, EDC, Tom Hedges, Mike Ridley, Jon Hohenstein, Pam Dudziak, Ken Vraa, Dorothy Peterson, Greg Ingraham • Meeting Summaries Enclosed, on pages__L through -L-, are the meeting summaries of the last two Comprehensive Plan Update Subcommittee meetings on December 11, 1997 and January 29, 1998. Introduce Greg Ingraham In December, the City Council approved hiring of Ingraham & Voss, Inc., planning consultants, to assist with the update of the Eagan Comprehensive Guide Plan. Greg Ingraham, Principle Planner with the firm, will be working with City staff to complete the update of the Comp Plan. Included on pages -3 through 5� is a memo from Greg outlining some initial thoughts he had upon reviewing the existing Comp Plan and some questions he has regarding how the City would like to utilize the Comp Plan. This information was shared and discussed with the Comp Plan Update Subcommittee (see 1-29-98 Meeting Summary). Parks & Recreation and Natural Resources Goals and Policies Review At their regular meeting on January 15, 1998, the APrC recommended approval of a Final Draft of goals and policies for Parks & Recreation and Natural Resources. The Final Draft was the result of initial review of the existing goals and policies by Planning and Parks staff and the Land Acquisition/Development subcommittee of the APrC. This Final Draft was reviewed, and accepted, with minor modifications, by the Comprehensive Plan Update Subcommittee at their meeting on January 29, 1998. The Final Draft presented on pages through—kZ---reflects the Comp Plan Subcommittee modifications denoted by strike-outs (recommended deletions) and bold italics (recommended additions). Economic Development Goals and Policies Review At their regular meeting on December 8, 1997 the EDC recommended forwarding a Final Draft of the Economic Development Goals and Policies, including a vision statement, to the Comp Plan Subcommittee for review. That Final Draft was developed by a subcommittee of the EDC who met 5 times to review the existing goals and policies as well as the 1993 Economic Goals/Targets, and develop new and/or revised goals and policies. The EDC Final Draft was reviewed, and accepted, with minor modifications, by the Comprehensive Plan Update Subcommittee at their meeting on December 11, 1997. The Final Draft presented on pages —0 through reflects the Comp Plan Subcommittee modifications denoted by strike-outs and bold italics. Residential Land Use Goals and Policies Review At their meeting on December 11, 1997 the Comp Plan Subcommittee accepted the Final Draft of Residential Land Use Goals and Policies as presented on pages through Z7/. The Comp Plan Subcommittee met several times during the Fall to review the existing goals and policies relative to residential land uses. In their review of the existing goals and policies, those that were considered out-dated or obsolete were deleted and those still considered valid were • integrated in the new draft. Summary/Next Steps These goals and policies will be revised as necessary based on comments made during the joint Council/APC meeting. They will then be subject to public review via a public hearing. This could occur in conjunction with public review of the entire Comprehensive Guide Plan or a separate meeting could be held just to review the goals and policies section of the new Plan. In either case, the public hearing should occur prior to forwarding the new Comp Plan to the Metropolitan Council for review and comment. Final adoption by the City Council would occur after the Met Council review. Staff notes that there are other goals and polices (e.g. airports/aviation, community services and facilities, housing, and transportation) currently being reviewed by staff and the Comp Plan Subcommittee that should also be reviewed at another joint meeting of the Council and APC prior to the public hearing process. It is possible that the Comp Plan Subcommittee could complete their review of the remaining draft goals and policies by the end of March. In that case, another joint Council/APC meeting could take place in April to complete the review of all the goals and policies to be included in the new Comp Plan. MEETING SUMMARY City Council/APC Joint Subcommittee Meeting Goals and Policies December 11, 1997 PRESENT: City Councilmembers—Bea Blomquist and Pat Awada APC members—Paul Bakken and Jerry Segal City staff—Tom Hedges, Julie Farnham, Pam Dudziak, Jon Hohenstein Other- Lisa Freese, Consultant City Administrator Tom Hedges gave a brief introduction and discussed progress toward retaining a consultant to continue work on the Comprehensive Plan. The subcommittee briefly reviewed the residential goals and policies and suggested minor changes. They then moved on to discuss the goals and policies completed by the joint EDC/APC subcommittee, and forwarded by the full Economic Development Commission. Under Diverse Tax Base, policy#1 was reworded to "monitor the business environment to identify potential industrial opportunities"; policy#6 was reworded to remove legislative terminology(i.e. reference to the "but for"test for TIF); policy#7 was discussed and the subcommittee agreed that the home businesses are changing and becoming more prevalent and the City needs to be prepared for it. Under Services, Bea wanted to add something specifically about taxes. The • others were more cautious about including any specific mention of taxes, but agreed to add a more general statement to the goals about providing services efficiently. Under Image, Bea said she prefers the word "vital" instead of"attractive" in goal #1, and the group agreed to have the wording reconsidered by the full APC, EDC and CC. Policy#1 under Image, was changed to reference "communication"rather than "media" tools and to delete the parenthetical list of examples. Julie Farnham gave a summary of progress on other sections of the comprehensive plan. She has been working with Parks Dept. staff on draft goals and policies which will be forwarded to the APrC for review in January. The land use section is progressing and once a consultant is on board, work on the commercial and industrial land use goals and policies will proceed. The comprehensive plan also has a housing section, separate from residential land use. Lisa Freese added that the housing plan is required more if the city is participating in Livable Communities, but Eagan will want to have its own housing plan even if the Metropolitan Council does not require it since Eagan opted out of Livable Communities. She also mentioned that the City will need to deal with fiscal policies and public infrastructure policies. The subcommittee set the next workshop meeting for January 15, 1998 beginning at 5:00 p.m. They agreed that a joint workshop of the full City Council, APC and EDC should be held in January to review both the residential and economic development goals and policies drafted by the subcommittees. The subcommittee also asked that an outline for the entire Comprehensive Plan be prepared to share with the two Commissions and Council at that workshop. MEETING SUMMARY • City Council/APC Joint Subcommittee Meeting Goals and Policies January 29, 1998 PRESENT: City Councilmembers—Bea Blomquist and Pat Awada APC members—Paul Bakken and Jerry Segal City staff—Tom Hedges, Julie Farnham, Pam Dudziak, Jon Hohenstein Other—Greg Ingraham, Consultant Julie Farnham gave a brief introduction of Greg Ingraham,the consultant retained by the City to assist with the Comprehensive Plan update. Greg Ingraham introduced himself, and shared some of the questions that the City needs to answer during this comprehensive planning process, and also shared some of his observations and ideas for Eagan's plan and planning process. The subcommittee discussed with Greg their ideas and concerns about the planning process including the purpose of the comprehensive plan which the subcommittee stated should serve as a working tool to guide policy, a statement of the city's vision, and a regulatory device. Topics discussed included the purpose of a comprehensive plan, the city's need to plan for redevelopment, areas of inconsistency between zoning and land use, providing for transitions, many-to-one versus one-to-one relation between land use and zoning. The subcommittee then reviewed the goals and policies drafted for parks, recreation and natural . resources. The subcommittee approved of these goals and policies with some minor changes. The changes made were largely aimed at qualifying the statements regarding the city's intent to acquire property, limit development, or provide programs. Jerry Segal mentioned the need for consistency in use of the terms parkland and recreational facilities. He also suggested that the city should consider the implementation of plowing program to facilitate winter recreational use of some of the trails in the City within parks. The subcommittee postponed review of the Plan format and outline until the next workshop, which was scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 1998. The joint meeting with the full Council, the EDC, the APC and the APrC will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 1998. 2 • • Land Use Planning 8 Design City Planning Landscape Architecture Pork Planning January 20, 1998 City of Eagan Comprehensive Plan Subcommittee c/o Julie Farhnam, City Planner Re: Eagan Comp Plan - Initial Thoughts and Plan Intent Dear City Council and Planning Commissioners: As you may know, I have recently been hired by the city to assist with the update of the Comprehensive Plan. My main duties are related to the Land Use Plan, Housing Plan, . meeting facilitation and assistance with the plan preparation and coordination. I look forward to working with you and will provide you with a brief summary of my background at the January 291h meeting. I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with my initial impressions of Eagan's land use situation and relationship to the Comprehensive Plan and to discuss the City's desired intent and uses of the Plan with the Sub-Committee. Sincerely, X7"--JrL— Greg Ingraham, AICP President and Principal Planner cc: Tom Hedges Jon Hohenstein Mike Ridley 7373 West 147th Street Suite 140 Apple Valley, MN 55124 (612)431-4401 rerepnone (612)431-4602!acsnide 3. Ingraham& Voss Inc. 2 Eagan Comprehensive Plan Update 01/20/98 • Plan Intent I view the Comprehensive Plan as a guide to public and private sector investment decisions. As such, my philosophy is to create a plan that will act as a tool to assist in decision making. While the State and the Met Council require cities to update their plans, I feel the focus should be on preparing a plan that meets local needs and desires and one that can help the city obtain it's desired future. To act as a guide or tool, the community must define where it is going and how to use the plan to get there. I know that some discussion has occurred on this issue, but it should be beneficial to me and to the plan process to discuss the following questions: • What does the city want from the plan? How should it be used? • Should it act as a general policy guide, a regulatory device, or as the city's vision? • Should it be designed to meet the minimum Met Council requirements while retaining a general approach to goals and policies or should it contain more specific actions and performance measures? • Should it be used to create more desirable developments, redevelopments and public improvements? If so "desirable" qualities must be defined and specific actions or performance measures chosen to insure desirability. Ingraham& Voss Inc. 3 Eagan Comprehensive Plan Update 01/20/98 Initial Impressions My impressions of Eagan's land use situation and the implications (in Italics) are: • Most of the City is well planned, has excellent access and amenities and is healthy from a community and economic perspective. Stay the course. No need for wholesale changes in the land use plan. • The growth boom has peaked. Eagan is becoming a fully developed community. The city should shift it's focus over the next ten years toward property maintenance and neighborhood improvements and redevelopment. • Remaining undeveloped land is in high demand. Eagan can insist on quality. However, this should not translate solely into exclusive high cost development. The quality standard should be reflected in the Comp Plan and the Zoning Code. • Some remaining land has not been developed due to moderate to severe development constraints (slopes, parcel shape or size, access, neighborhood hostility, etc.). Future development will be more complex, controversial and time consuming. The city should be clear in it's development expectations and stick to them. Reasonable variances or exceptions may be appropriate, but the city and public should get benefits in return. • Some older areas show signs of aging and are in need of revitalization. The city should begin to focus on renewing neighborhoods and structures that are beginning to deteriorate. These should be addressed before they effect an entire neighborhood. This translates into a more proactive role in housing and commercial property maintenance. It also means public investment in neighborhood programs and facilities. • Because of changes in the marketplace and access changes, some areas are no longer have long term economic viability. A cooperative, redevelopment plan that is market based is needed along with an active City/EDC/HRA role. It typically requires increases in land use intensity, mixed use, infrastructure improvements and lots of patience. • Transportation, aesthetics, natural resources, schools, parks and trails are/were the major attractions. Protecting and strengthening these features through creative partnerships is important. Overall, I would stress that Eagan's growth phase is slowing and the city is entering into a maintenance and refinement stage. Looking ahead ten years, the city and the Comprehensive Plan should focus on quality, revitalization and redevelopment. s. CC/APC SUBCOMMITTEE FINAL DRAFT 01/30/98 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE PARKS AND RECREATION: GOALS AND POLICIES I. LAND ACQUISITION, FACILITY DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE Goals 1. To develop appropriate park and recreation facilities to serve the existing and future needs of Eagan citizens. 2. To complete development of the parklands acquired by the City in accordance with the Parks System Plan. 3. To acquire land, where feasible, for parks in those areas of the City identified as deficient in the Parks System Plan or where expansion of an existing park is determined to be beneficial. 4. To work cooperatively with the school districts in order to maximize the joint use of facilities. 5. To develop an efficient maintenance system that maximizes the available resources and provides for high quality parks and facilities. Policies 1. The City will continue to foster efforts to retain historically significant elements within the community. 2. The City will continue to provide input to the Metropolitan Parks Commission, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding development and maintenance of Lebanon Hills Regional Park and Fort Snelling State Park. 3. The City will continue to coordinate and cooperate with adjacent communities, Dakota County, the State of Minnesota and the Metropolitan Council in park planning, programming, and development efforts. 4. The City will pursue the acquisition and development of neighborhood parks in order that each neighborhood service area, as illustrated in the Park System Plan, is adequately served with appropriate recreational facilities. 5. When appropriate, the City will submit grant applications to regional, state, and federal agencies to obtain funding assistance for park and recreation planning, administration, acquisition, physical development, and programming efforts. 1 CC/APC SUBCOMMITTEE FINAL DRAFT 01/30/98 6. The City will continue to look for opportunities to provide special use recreation facilities for broad community use. sueh as a swifliffling peei, amphitheatfe, afeaa. 7. The City will continue to research alternative means of funding in order to carry out proposed park and recreation system initiatives for the City of Eagan. 8. The City will review its park dedication requirements annually to ensure that its dedication requirements are consistent with current land values or acreage factors. 9. The City will strive to maintain and acquire, where feasible, properties that provide connections between existing open spaces and parks. 10. The City will continue to develop park and recreation facilities which minimize the maintenance demands on the City as much as possible through appropriate site planning, use of durable, quality materials, and labor-saving devices and practices, while maintaining high standards of quality of appearance and conditions. 11. The City will strive to provide a variety ofparks and recreation facilities that meet the needs of diverse age groups and ability levels. II. TRAILS SYSTEM Goals 1. To provide a citywide interconnected trail system that meets the recreational and transportational needs of the citizens of Eagan in a safe and environmentally sensitive manner. 2. To provide a citywide trail system that provides access to state and county trails, as well as trails in surrounding communities. 3. To provide a citywide trail system that minimizes potential conflicts between trail users and motor vehicles and between various trail users (i.e. pedestrians, bicyclists, in-line skaters). 4. To provide information to trail users pertaining to the citywide trail system including safe use of the trails. Policies 1. The City will pursue the development of a citywide trail system, as illustrated and described in the Park System Plan, to serve as a recreation facility and provide for alternative modes of transportation within the City. 2 CC/APC SUBCOMMITTEE FINAL DRAFT 01/30/98 2. Where feasible, the City will encourage development of trail linkages to provide safe and convenient access to and between parks, schools, neighborhoods, shopping areas, and other destinations. 3. The City will continue to review development proposals for conformance with adopted ordinances pertaining to trails and make recommendations consistent with the needs of the community. 4. The City will cooperate with adjacent communities to coordinate trail system connections between the communities. 5. The City will cooperate with state, regional, and county agencies in the formulation of a comprehensive trails system that enhances access to facilities and avoids duplication. 6. The City will continue to work with Dakota County to provide trails along the major arterials within the community. 7. The City will work with the appropriate authorities to identify and utilize railroad and utility rights-of-way for trail purposes when opportunities arise. 8. The City will continue to evaluate and, when appropriate, take advantage of opportunities to acquire tax forfeit properties to utilize for trail purposes. 9. The City will periodically review its trail design standards to ensure they remain consistent with accepted design standards and accommodate user needs. 10. The City will periodically analyze the need for additional signalization, signage, or special crossing facilities to enhance trail safety at high-volume traffic intersections. 11. The City will establish a consistent trail signage and public information program. 12. The City will increase public awareness of its trail system and provide information regarding proper use and safety rules by utilizing media sources (cable tv, radio, newspapers, City newsletter, magazines,pamphlets) and community events. III. RECREATION Goals 1. To cooperate with public and private entities to provide recreation and leisure opportunities and utilize, to the fullest extent possible, the recreational facilities located within Eagan. 3 CC/APC SUBCOMMITTEE FINAL DRAFT 01/30/98 . 2. To provide a balance of recreation and leisure opportunities to meet the diverse needs of the community, including all age groups and ability levels. 3. To deliver a variety of recreation and leisure programs in a flexible manner that is responsive to the changing needs, interests, and circumstances of the community. 4. To develop recreation program budget priorities that ensure generation of revenues that narrow gaps between expenditures and revenue. Policies 1. The City will continue to cooperate with the school districts in promoting community use of school facilities (i.e. swimming pools, playfields, gymnasiums). 2. The City will continue to provide direct recreational services while at the same time encouraging and enabling programs provided by other agencies and groups. 3. The City will continue to collaborate with other agencies in the provision of recreation and leisure programs for special populations such as senior adults, teens and persons with disabilities. 4. The City will continue to recruit and utilize seasonal, part-time employees and • volunteers in order to assist in implementing the City's recreation programs. 5. The City will formalize its various recreation practices to written standards of operation for recreation programs. 6. The City will continue to monitor user satisfaction and solicit new program ideas through participant class evaluations. 7. The City will undertake entrepreneurial recreation program activities whenever feasible. 4 G CC/APC SUBCOMMITTEE FINAL DRAFT 01/30/98 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE • ' NATURAL RESOURCES: GOALS AND POLICIES NATURAL RESOURCES Goals 1. To provide for adequate protection, preservation and enhancement of natural resources within the City such as water bodies, wetlands, ground water recharge areas, scenic views, woodlands, prairies and wildlife habitat. 2. To protect, and properly manage large open space areas within the City and preserve significant elements of the City's "pre-development"natural environment and wildlife habitat by minimizing fragmentation of previously uninterrupted expanses of natural land. 3. To strive to maintain p natural corridors to foster eco-system continuity. 4. To protect and preserve rare or endangered flora and fauna within the City, where feasible, to foster the area's biological diversity. 5. To control runoff and erosion to prevent negative impacts to the City's water quality, . plant communities, and natural habitat. 6. To provide high quality opportunities for residents and visitors to experience and learn about the City's natural environment. 7. To expand knowledge and understanding of the City's natural resources and eco- system in order to protect them from detrimental impacts. Policies Resource Protection and Management 1. The City will encourage private property owners to protect and maintain natural resources on their property, emphasizing an educational approach where possible and effective. 2. The City will strive to maintain existing natural corridors connecting parks and open space. 3. The City will seafeh fe evaluate and, when appropriate, take advantage of opportunities to acquire tax forfeit properties to add to the City's inventory of natural resource-based open space as appropriate. • 1 �0 CC/APC SUBCOMMITTEE FINAL DRAFT 01/30/98 4. Eagan will continue to identify and acquire, when feasible, significant habitat areas and areas of unique plant and animal species to ensure their preservation for posterity. 5. The City will support efforts of the Metropolitan Parks Commission, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect and preserve endangered and threatened species and their natural habitat. 6. The City will continue to initiate inventories and analyses of its natural resources. 7. The City will continue to monitor the condition of priority water and forest resources at a frequency and intensity sufficient to accurately determine trends in their condition over the long term. 8. The City will develop and implement management practices as needed so that priority resources meet or surpass the quality and/or quantity objectives identified by the City. 9. The City is committed to both working under its own-initiative and with other organizational units to develop and test new techniques that will improve the effectiveness of natural resource management efforts. Development 1. The City will continue to review development proposals for conformance with adopted ordinances regarding tree preservation, water quality, wetland protection and mitigation, and shoreland protection. 2. The City will work with developers to provide permanent open space areas in development plans. 3. On public parklands, the City will utilize site planning, construction, and maintenance techniques to minimize negative impacts on the resource base. 4. The City will utilize or specify native plant materials in projects on City property to the extent possible. Wetlands and Water Ouality 1. The City recognizes the importance of wetlands for wildlife habitat, open space, stormwater management, and aesthetics, and will pursue a policy of no net loss of wetlands within its jurisdictional limits through administration of the Minnesota Wetlands Conservation Act. 2. The City will increase its emphasis on minimizing runoff volumes through implementation of infiltration and other practices where these practices are environmentally acceptable and both technically and financially feasible. 2 it. CC/APC SUBCOMMITTEE FINAL DRAFT 01/30/98 Tree Preservation ' 1. The City will continue to take a pro-active approach in efforts to identify and treat diseased trees in a timely manner through implementation of the City's Shade Tree Disease program. 2. The City will provide assistance to private property owners and other governmental agencies to facilitate diseased tree control efforts. 3. The City will work with private property owners and developers to encourage preservation of significant vegetation and reforestation. Environmental Education and Awareness 1. Where appropriate, the City will plan and del seek out opportunities to provide cost-effective environmental education programs to school children, adult residents, businesses, and other target groups to increase knowledge about, and awareness of, the City's natural resources and to enlist the participation of these groups in protecting these resources. 2. The City will continue to-werk share it's knowledge and expertise with the school districts to e*pafld enhance school based environmental education programs. 3. The City will conduct ongoing public awareness and education programs to enhance knowledge of the City's natural resources and environment. 3 CC/APC SUB-COMMITTEE FINAL DRAFT 12/17/97 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VISION STATEMENT: To foster a strong and diverse tax base, broad employment opportunities, appropriate services, a high quality of life and an attractive City image. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT— PROPOSED GOALS AND POLICIES Diverse Tax Base Goals 1. To encourage a broad range of businesses in terms of size, type and market emphasis to protect the community against economic cycles. 2. To be proactive and responsive to economic development opportunities. 3. To foster businesses that produce goods and services for regional, statewide, national and international markets. 4. To take reasonable actions to allow for ample land designated for industrial and commercial ventures. 5. To reasonably protect land values through public investment in infrastructure, services, and code enforcement. 6. To encourage the development of venture capital and access to capital for business development and retention. Policies 1. The City will monitor the existing businesses environment and the indust6al uses to ae identify potential ebselete uses and industrial growth sectors. 2. As the City approaches full development, the city should continue to look for redevelopment opportunities in areas where existing uses are obsolete, underutilized or inappropriately located. 3. The City will strive to retain, expand and diversify retail and service opportunities for Eagan residents, employees, and businesses. 4. To support interstate and international trade, the City will support initiatives by the State legislature and Department of Trade and Economic Development . 1 13 - CC/APC SUB-COMMITTEE FINAL DRAFT 12/17/97 5. The City will serve as a conduit for local businesses to take advantage of State programs that can help leverage capital. 6. The City will consider participation in the costs of redevelopment through the use of tax increment financing and other similar programs only if it Teets-t e "-test would not occur without assistance. 7. The City recognizes the trend toward home-based businesses and will strive to minimize barriers to their establishment and expansion, provided they are compatible with the surrounding residential character. 8. To support development and retention of a broad range of business, the City will continually compile and coordinate information about land availability, demographics, employment, and work force. Broad Employment Opportunities Goals 1. To support broad employment opportunities for all residents of the City. 2. To support the development of a work force that has the skills needed to meet existing business needs. 3. To promote employment opportunities that relate to regional, state, national and international economies. Policies 1. The City will encourage networking with local civic and service organizations and educational institutions to provide access to information on employment opportunities, vocational and job-skills training. 2. Recognizing that not all employees will live in Eagan, the City will strive to provide a complete network of roads and public transit service to link employees to employers. 3. The City will work with the Chamber of Commerce, Eagan Convention and Visitors Bureau, Eagan Small Business Association, and other organizations to foster linkages between employers and employees. Services Goals 1. To ensure that all businesses have access to the appropriate public services to meet their business and security needs. 2 �'`_ CC/APC SUIS-COMMITTEE FINAL DRAFT 12/17/97 2. To ensure businesses have access to appropriate physical infrastructure to meet their business needs. 3. To strive to provide public services and infrastructure in the most efficient and cost- effective manner possible. Policies 1. The City will continue to work with County, State and Federal agencies to ensure the major roadway network is adequately maintained and new key links are constructed and coordinated with the existing transportation system. 2. The City will continue to support and improve access to alternative means of transit (e.g. bus, car-pooling, trails and sidewalks, dial-a-ride, circulators) where appropriate. 3. The City will continue to work with public utilities to facilitate appropriate support for communication technology infrastructure. 4. The City will ensure adequate utilities are provided to support commercial and industrial development through its subdivision and zoning requirements. 5. The City will work to keep the costs of providing water and sewer services at a competitive level. 6. The City will ensure that new development pays for the cost of developing infrastructure to serve its needs through its assessment procedures and fee structure. Quality of Life Goals 1. To foster a mix of commercial retail uses to meet the needs of City residents and employees of Eagan businesses. Such uses will be encouraged in convenient locations that provide nodes of complementary businesses and support variety and,, choice for consumers. 2. To encourage a diverse range of public and private recreation and entertainment opportunities and gathering places for all segments of Eagan's residential, workforce, and visitor population. 3. To strengthen a sense of community and ensure safe, attractive neighborhoods. 4. To support efforts that strengthen schools and other educational opportunities. 5. To ensure a balance between natural resource protection and development needs for commercial and industrial uses. 3 �5. CC/APC SUB-COMMITTEE FINAL DRAFT 12/17/97 Policies 1. The City will support partnerships between schools, government, and the business community to provide mentoring and internship programs. 2. The City will foster and support opportunities for community events and celebrations focused on local interests or achievements. 3. The City will encourage preservation of the city's natural amenities through sensitive site design and the application of appropriate code standards. 4. The City will encourage trail and sidewalk connections within and between developments. Ima e Goals 1. To promote a positive, attractive[vital?]image of Eagan as a desirable place to live, work, conduct business and recreate. 2. To clearly communicate the City's development processes, services, and regulations, and ensure the timely processing of development applications. 3. To ensure that the appearance of commercial and industrial development will enhance property values of adjacent areas rather than become a distraction or detriment. Policies 1. The City will utilize existing fnedia communication tools , eto to promote the City and expand awareness of community assets. 2. The City will work to improve outreach efforts to the Chamber of Commerce, Eagan Convention and Visitors Bureau, Eagan Small Business Association, and other organizations, through the Economic Development�Commission's joint communications efforts, business calls, and participation in other activities. 3. The City will work with local service organizations and realtors to promote the City's image. 4. The City will strive to improve public awareness of development activities and encourage public participation in the development process. Tools to be used will include the City newsletter, public notification, local media, civic organizations, and through the use of electronic and emerging technologies. 5. In order to provide excellent customer service, the City will routinely identify and analyze its customers, their needs, and means to meet them. 4 CC/APC SUB-COMMITTEE FINAL DRAFT 12/1797 6. To enhance the appearance of commercial and industrial development, the City will encourage the formation of business associations, in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, and as a last resort, utilize regulatory mandates. 7. The City will Te promote a sense of community and community identity through recognition of the City Eagan as an economic activity center and the business community of choice for corporate headquarters. 5 t'7. CC/APC SUB-COMMITTEE FINAL DRAFT 12/11/97 PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL GOALS AND POLICIES . Quality of Housing and Living GoALs 1. To maintain and enhance the quality of existing and future housing and preserve residential land values. 2. To ensure a community of well-maintained and safe housing and neighborhoods. 3. To encourage (the provision of) appropriate recreational, educational, health and other supportive services for all residents. 4. To coordinate residential development with other surrounding land uses. 5. To ensure the provision of adequate municipal services and infrastructure. 6. To preserve and enhance the natural environment. 7. To create strong neighborhoods with individual identities. POLICIES A. Amenities 1. The City will encourage quality residential development through its requirements for landscaping, maintenance of landscaped areas, development of compatible architecture and other amenities. 2. The City will encourage the preservation or provision of amenities such as lakes, parks, vegetation and similar features in residential developments. 3. The City will encourage the provision of private amenities within neighborhoods or subdivisions to be maintained by private property owners or associations. B Maintenance and Properly Value 1. The City will consider implementation of housing maintenance standards to ensure the housing stock is maintained in a safe and sound condition that contributes to the continued value of the property and its surroundings. 2. The City will review zoning standards periodically to ensure that they promote development or redevelopment that protects housing values. • 1 CC/APC SUB-COMMITTEE FINAL DRAFT 12/11/97 3. The City will continue to monitor residential development trends and housing values. 4. The City will explore rental housing rehabilitation program options with the Dakota County HRA. 5. The City will cooperate with and support efforts by the local real estate profession to promote Eagan. C. Services 1. The City will require new development to provide municipal services, such as sewer, water, city standard streets, and sufficient roadway access. 2. The City will develop standards to enable the provision of communications infrastructure. 3. The City acknowledges that some unique situations exist where municipal services cannot be provided in an economical and environmentally sensitive manner, and therefore may allow exceptions to the standard requirements for provision of certain services. 4. If municipal services are made available to areas not previously served, property . owners with existing private systems that are old and in need of replacement will be required to connect to municipal services. 5. Where feasible, the City will provide pedestrian and bicycle connections to link residential neighborhoods with shopping, work places, parks, schools, and other destinations throughout the community. D. Resource Protection 1. The City will support the preservation and maintenance of significant woodlands, wetlands and other natural features within all developments in order to maintain a high quality living environment within the City. 2. The City will review preliminary residential subdivision proposals and corresponding drainage, grading, utility and similar plans to ensure that the existing environment is properly protected and preserved. 3. The City will work with developers to modify engineering standards where appropriate to ensure adequate protection of natural resources. i 2 CC/APC SUB-COMMITTEE FINAL DRAFT 12/11/97 Housing- Balance GOALS 1. To maintain a well-balanced community with a diverse mix of housing types and values in the community to accommodate the housing needs of persons of all incomes and all stages of life. 2. To maintain the City's existing"fair share"of housing to serve persons of low and moderate incomes at scattered locations throughout the community. 3. To encourage new development and redevelopment so housing options in Eagan provide a good fit for the present and projected demographic profile of our residents. POLICIES A. Tyne 1. The City will promote a diverse mix of housing types and values in the community to accommodate the housing needs of persons of all incomes and all stages of life. 2. The City recognizes the need to provide sufficient detached housing throughout the community, and therefore encourages development of additional detached housing . units. 3. So long as the City significantly exceeds metropolitan averages for percent of rental housing and attached multi-family housing, the City will not encourage additional multi-family development. 4. The City will not discriminate against any person in the purchase, sale, rental, and location of housing. 5. The City will continue to re-evaluate its housing goals on a continuing basis to determine their appropriateness. Densily 1. The City will encourage development of additional lower density, detached housing units to ensure sufficient balance of housing density throughout the community. 2. The City will only support higher density residential development in areas adequately served by municipal services, including utilities, roadways, transit, parks, and schools. 3 CC/APC SUB-COMMITTEE FINAL DRAFT 12/11/97 3. The City will only support higher density residential development where • environmental conditions can accommodate additional density and such development will enable natural resources to be better protected. Affordability 1. The City will promote an adequate supply of affordable, ownership housing through continued support of programs such as the HRA housing rehabilitation, FAA sound insulation programs, and by improving access to financing for individuals/families interested in purchasing these homes. 2. The City will only support affordable housing programs that do not create large concentrations of low and moderate income housing in any one location. 3. The City may consider a reduction in the more rigid density and setback requirements set forth in the Zoning Ordinance in order to allow the development of affordable detached housing. This will be considered on an individual project basis and accomplished through a specific plan approved by the City. 4. The City will support the efforts of the Dakota County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, and other housing agencies, in promoting and administrating programs that will meet the demonstrated housing needs of low and moderate income Eagan residents. 5. The City will explore opportunities to preserve and enhance the quality and affordability of its existing rental housing supply through CDBG, County HRA, and MHFA funding sources. Redevelopment GOALS 1. To ensure redevelopment is compatible with and does not detract from existing surrounding uses. 2. To ensure redevelopment occurs in an orderly manner and is coordinated with surrounding land uses. 3. To ensure the stability and viability of existing older residential neighborhoods. POLICIES 1. The City will only support redevelopment plans that utilize a comprehensive approach to development and prevent the isolation of small residual areas of homes among non-residential uses. 4 2(. CC/APC SUB-COMMITTEE FINAL DRAFT 12/11/97 2. The City will support redevelopment proposals that ensure compatibility with • surrounding existing land uses through the provision of adequate services, buffering and amenities. 3. The City will re-evaluate the location and quantity of existing land uses, on a continuing basis, to determine their appropriateness. If necessary, the City will consider amending its Land Use Plan and Map to reflect more appropriate land uses. Special Study Areas Area specific policies have been adopted for special study areas in Eagan. These are listed in the study area plans which are included as an addendum to this Comprehensive Guide Plan. Special study area plans with policies relative to residential development include: Lone Oak Area Plan, McKee Addition Plan, Central Area Plan, and Business Park Plan. For further information regarding development in these areas, please reference the appropriate plan(s). • 5 Z2 .