Greetings,

The City of Medina’s updated Comprehensive Plan allows flexibility within the Staging Plan which guides when development would be allowed on different properties. We are now investigating options to regulate this flexibility. We would like to create a “point system” to rate the level to which projects meet City objectives (natural resource/open space protection, affordable housing, high quality design, and other amenities which exceed general City requirements) in order to determine if they would be able to develop sooner than otherwise allowed.

If any colleagues know of any examples or have any experience in this type of system, I would appreciate any assistance.

Thanks everyone,
Dusty Finke
City Planner
City of Medina
dusty.finke@ci.medina.mn.us
Direct line: (763) 473-8846

The City of Norwood Young America is considering a veteran’s memorial park. If any of you have a park like this in your community and would be willing to share some photos to help us narrow our focus it would be greatly appreciated! Photos can be mailed to calger@cityofnya.com. Thank you!
Chelsea Alger
Community Development Director
City of Norwood Young America
PO Box 59
10 First Ave NE
NYA, MN 55368
Tel. (952) 467-1806  Fax (952) 467-1818
calger@cityofnya.com

The Scott County Association for Leadership and Efficiency is researching and exploring alternative approaches to obtaining or preserving right-of-way for collector and arterials roadways, and is interested in obtaining examples of local ordinances that provide for street fees for new development.

Michael Leek, Esq.
Shakopee Community Development

Hello,
I will be taking the AICP exam in May and I am looking for a study
group. I would prefer to meet weeknights 5-7 times between now and the
May exam. Please contact me at 612-963-7315 or via email.

Thanks,
Dan Kalmon
Planner and Program Manager

Mississippi Watershed Management Organization
1224 Marshall Street NE, Suite 201
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413-1036

Greetings all.

I am interested in your position on fees for service. In Brainerd, staff proposed fee increases for Building, Planning and Fire Department related permits. Many Planning Department fees have not been updated in years (e.g. a sign permit is $10, a preliminary plat fee is $50 plus $2/lot and a final plat fee is $10). At its last meeting the City Council denied the fee increases. The opinion of some of the City Council is that there should no fees at all. The position being that the public should not have to pay for a service that city staff is already being paid to provide.

I understand we can charge a fee that is commensurate with the service provided. However, I am interested in reasons to justify charging fees for services.

Thank you for any insights you are willing to provide.

Mark Ostgarden AICP

The P&Z commission wants to look into adding wind turbine regulations to the ordinances. If anyone has adopted or is considering adopting language on regulating wind turbine and would be willing to share it I would appreciate it. Also I’d be interested to hear what the experiences, roadblocks, etc. where in the process.

Thanks,
Austin Bleess
Community Development Director
City of Wells
ableess@cityofwells.net
Direct Dial: 507-553-6373
Fax: 507-553-5126

Does anyone have ordinance suggestions to make attached garages a less
dominant feature of the home ? 
 
Dan Olson
City of Northfield
dan.olson@ci.northfield.mn.us
507-645-3056

Two planners in greater MN will be studying for the May AICP. Matthew Dyrdahl and I, Rita Albrecht will be meeting weekly in Bemidji to study together. We have tentatively set our regular meeting time at 7:00-10:00pm on Wednesday evenings at the Bemidji State University Library. Please contact me at ritaalbrecht@midco.net if you would like to join us. Rita Albrecht

Rita C. Albrecht

1911 Norton Ave NW
Bemidji, MN 56601

ritaalbrecht@midco.net
Home 218-751-0197
Cell 218-760-8715
Web http://bemidjibits.blogspot.com/

If you are asking questions about alternative energy and how communities can
promote solar energy, please join Solar Cities Minnesota for a FREE training
on:

Clean Energy Financing Tools for Local Government
Friday, February 19, 2010
9:00 – 11:00 am
League of Minnesota Cities
145 University Ave West, Saint Paul

The next AICP exam window is May 10-24. Studying with a partner or a group has been very useful for many people. It can be difficult to find study partners, particularly outside of the Metro.

If you are planning to take the exam and would like to find a study partner, maybe this forum can be a connection point. Let people know here on the forum and they can contact you.

Jeff Smyser, AICP
MnAPA Professional Development Officer
City Planner, City of Lino Lakes
651-982-2425
651-982-2499 fax
jeff.smyser@ci.lino-lakes.mn.us