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2030 Regional Development Framework and Policy Plans

Slowing the growth of traffic congestion and protecting water resources. More emphasis on market solutions to producing affordable housing. Specific benchmarks to measure progress toward regional goals.

These are among the new directions in the Council's 2030 Regional Development Framework, the overall growth and development plan for the region, which the Council adopted January 14, 2004.

Since then, the Council has adopted updated policy plans to implement the Framework and guide the expansion of four regional systems: transportation, aviation, water resources (including wastewater collection and treatment), and regional parks and open space.

Under the Metropolitan Land Planning Act, local communities must prepare and submit to the Council local comprehensive plans that are consistent with the Council's regional system plans. The new or updated local comp plans will be due in 2008.

The Framework has four policies that are supported by several general strategies:

• Work with local communities to accommodate growth in a flexible, connected and efficient manner.
• Plan and invest in multi-modal transportation choices, based on a full range of costs and benefits, to slow the growth of congestion and serve the region's economic needs.
• Encourage expanded choices in housing locations and types, and improved access to jobs and opportunities.
• Work with local and regional partners to conserve, protect and enhance the region's vital natural resources.

Growth

Under the growth policy, local communities would have discretion in staging growth, recognizing that development opportunities do not always occur in a contiguous manner. The strategies encourage land-use patterns that connect a variety of uses, take advantage of existing sewer infrastructure, and have convenient access to transportation corridors.

Transportation

The transportation policy gives priority to maintaining the existing metro highway system, reducing bottlenecks that impede travel, implementing new strategies to improve the system's efficiency and adding capacity where possible. It also supports the expansion of the transit system.

Housing

The housing policy emphasizes market solutions to affordable housing production. As communities work to broaden the range of housing choices, they can draw on tools already at hand-for example, comprehensive plans and local ordinances. The Council will use its programs and resources-including negotiated housing goals, planning and technical assistance, regional investments and incentive programs-to encourage communities to provide for a diversity of housing types and costs.

Natural Resources

The policy on natural-resource protection encourages the integration of natural-resource conservation strategies in regional and local land use decisions. Its emphasis on protection and management of the region's water resources are consistent with Gov. Pawlenty's initiative to protect water resources statewide. And it makes clear that preserving prime agricultural land is a local decision, not a regional priority.