Planning Commission Agenda Packet 09-19-1995AGENDA
SPISM41, IIIgST1Q G - MONrICgLLO PLANNING C MMUS ION
Tueofty, September 18,1985 - 7 p -m -
Members: Dick Frie, Richard Carlson, Jon Bogart, Rod Drageten, Dick Martie
1. can to order.
2. Comprehensive Plan Update --review material from the City Planner
outlining potential policies and atrategies for inclusion in the comprehensive
>laiL
S. Adjonm.
Special Planning commission Agenda - 8/19/95
a
crag
For your convenience, I have attached a copy of the information you received
with the last agenda packet regarding the comprehensive plan update.
Goals and PbUdes
'ibis section is stnuoued to smte an wetall goal for each ca ftcay of planning issues, then provide
policy dbeetioo which help apply the goal. Tho Saab and policies am compiled from the various
discussions between staff, Planning Commission, City Council, joint meetings between various
Croups in the City (including both municipal and non -municipal groups), as well as a series of
meednga with community residents and busiads people.
The application of the foilowfng policies will often mean a chop in the way the community
reviews its new development proposal, or in the activities whicb the City undertakes itself. The
&planation under each policy statement is not intended to cover all of the possible applications
of the stdeancat, but ather, is provided to illustrate how the policy would apply in a paniwlar
circumstance- The City will find other sppliatinm in its routine activities, and must make policy
review a pant of those activides in ander to keep the policies fresh, as well as to be confit that
the City's activities are in line with a catislant policy direction When the City finds that its
activities do Got coincide with the policy statement, this is a signal that either the policy is no
loom valid and should be changed, or that the activity should be mavaluatcd. Regular policy
review Is, an ipart of the City's routine decision a ud* process.
HOUSMg
Goals
Housing In Monticello has traditionally provided shelter for members of the local community in
the flrllnt sense. In its tole as a sub -regional service center, local residents were primarily
employed locally, and these resldemlemployees provided commercial serviw to a relatively well
defined —A- ane. Since 1980, the City has aces dramatic housing growth. mach of which has
been for commuter residents sacking less mWensive land, small town environment. but convenient
access to the Irvin Cities employment cum. This demand has resulted in a significant level of
moderately priced bouafng which has the potcmW to straha the City's services at relatively low
WE rates.
Moreover, eommmer residoam am mare Rely to have commerce attsclm e m s to tion local
brmsinesso. Who the business community does not expand commensurate with the resideadal
community, rho City does not capture the full rup of tax revenue envisioned by the State's
p operty ro: struct ue. As a rewb, Ufmdce& is go alrfirJam houdq pion wiU be to monk
toward hourtng p qtw Mich are dedVW to bemer lnregrote the new, nesldentr Into the fidl
mmmunlry. This don not repo that commuter ftddeata will be discouraged, but that the
neighborhoods in which all maldem a live ate deaigoed to paesem the benefits of the small town
tavimnmeat which has contributed to the awacUom of Monticello'& growth.
C�
Pallet. >E Is a support system for the primary City lbacelom.
The tpplicetion of this Policy atesru that City decision making will review honaiog proposals, and
land use planning relating to residential use, as to bow they relate to the City's primary goals and
objectives. When lousing is viewed as a support system, as opposed to an essential function of
active City involvement, housing projects much show that they help implement. or at least fn into,
the City's planning and development environment.
In Mondoello, a few of the primary goals an efiicient and effective public service delivery, and
active promotion of business and economic development To mea this Policy in light of these
goals, a prospective housing project should be able to sow that it futthas these goals. These may
relate to project V allay or subdivision dolga whish affects public services, or a consideration of
the future residents of the psojea as both (1) customers of the Monticello business community,
W (1) labor supply for local business.
Polley: Us City dwWd ssonloor bosefng ' , „ ,, , In an Wart to prvdde a tall
rants of houdq choice.
An unbalanced housing supply leavas pp In the community's social structure. whether it is In
affordable mots housing the City's lndtLOW labor supply, moderate family housing, or higher end
housing providing mov&V opportudttes for mamdng families and residents. The City has
h OmWeBy applied the Iowa two-thirds of the housing madmt, leaving the upper�end market to
other locations, commonly rural large lot 'development. This gap results to the loss of
eommstalty members just as they begirt to aecuumIM wealth and leisure time, a significant impact
an the demographic make up of the City.
At she same time, ntlfirlal limbs an other housing opportunities can have impacts which are felt
by other community goals. One of the primary ..,,,,.......... of a strong economic development
program is the ready supply of wcU educated workers, and appropriate bouslog for tho expansion
of that labor resourro. 716does not meso, however. that houatog maybe made affordable by
lessening the Quality of W design or conuruetlon. 7betefare, it Is the policy of the City of
Monticello that housing programs, pwjecu, and developments will be reviewed with an eye
toward how the marbet is addressing all level of housing. The City will take Creative steps to
attract high quality development in all ranges, and the review of development proposals will
htchHm this criterion.
PoDW blondeatlo will atli * otilite m =atm power to accomplish Ib koala.
Monticello will apply many tools in order to accomplish ler goal of boudng which builds
wmmunity, ether than merely Dt+ildiog population. Among tbese, zoning !s one of the moa
comprehensive and powerful. Through zoning, the City can be a partner in the pmovWon of
houring which meets its goals and policies. Creativity In bousiog design and construction an be
eneoaeaged Waugh flexible zoning qqnacbes. The establishment of zoning standards which are
�0-
ngomw and detailed will permit housing developers to lmow on the front end what is expected
of them.
Rubility mews that the City will encourage creative approaches to housing development. But
it also means that any modification of its zoning standards will be more than offset by an
inprovomem in the quality of a proposed project. Ibis policy states that the City is confident of
its maiag standards, and flexibility will be applied when the end product is measurably better at
achieving the communities housing goals and policies than the strict application of the zoning
regukdws. Fk3tibility will not be considered as a mere trade off of quality 'A' for quality W.
ECOwade Devdlopment
Goal:
A smite of pride in the community, economic d., .'........... has been a succeasfld element of the
commtm(ty's dram for sevesl years. 'ibis includes both public and private ventures, sepawtely
and in partaenhip. The City has been able to taloa advantage of iter seeress to the Interstate
highway system, the Win Cities metropolhdo arm quality labor supply, solid imfmsttuctum, and
affordable land without the negatives of mcuo-lilm congestion and costs. As the community
grows, do succad l condor adon of these programa will depend an the City's ability to avoid
than negatives, and continuo capitalising on the positives.
Ono of the palmary goals of the City of Aiello Is the continued emphasis on economic
dowJapment pmgmm& Successful economic development enhances the City's industrial diversity
and the City's tax baso. Tbess are critical advantages for the community as the City
loops down the road at an unce tahn finure for the NSP nuclear power phut.
The ....; .. „ of this Baal will depend upon the addevemem of several smaller steps. As noted
above, a suooasfnl economic development ptognm relies on many fhetots. no failure of any
of tM= can cripple the ov=U program, partigdady in an eovltonmemt of stiff competition for
im u mid development. As the fimaaeW tools which cities may tree for coomemie development
purpose are limited by the state. the differences in the other factors will become even more
brtpoxUm in Wdu=W location decisions. Tbus, successful epic development is much more
than anmg 4 financing, but begins by keeping Monticello strong in all areas.
PWky: The purpm of fhs Chty's seonemie developssueat as9.Wes Is to broaden ft
City's tax base.
This L a policy which requires a long term view wbm ooasiderle assistance to a particular
itdu=W etmcem. Under cumn taut inam m fi ancing programs, the City does not realize a
ret tau pin from a now business until tea years atter construction. During that ten years, the City
carries do can of la@astucaue and other City services. ?bus. It Is critical that businesses which
locate in the consmcmity utihsring tax increment fimneing will be strong in the years following the
ten year time horizon, in order for the City to realise a return on its investment. it is not possible
to predict with certainty how a business will be doing tea years from now, however, so it
impaanut to reduce the risk by attracting the highest quality iadnstries.
It is the policy of the City's economic development programs, therefore, to reek and assist those
busies which are f caacially strong, &bow sign of growth, and contribute to the diversity of
the City's economic baso. Burinesres which are under -capitalized, or aro merely hopping from
one but7ding to amthr raise concern about their ability to commit to the community on along
term basis.
Policy: blontkello will targd high quality bestineasea for its economic devefopmea
progrum
Quality can be afetiae' in a number of ways. Icor the purposes of this policy, 'quality' will be
those factoa which are lilmly to merit in the addrament of the City's economic development
goals. The finderance of the City's goals depend an the ability to build a community which will
counm a to be oompeddve in economic development. A payspaxive bus= which puts back into
the community more than mete tax dollen, thea, will be a stronger recipient for the City's
htvcstz� As discussed in the goal statement, Monticello has been successful in this area due
to several factors. Busiaesaa which enhance of the very factor which brought them to the
community in the first place should be prime candidata for economic assistance. This is an
example of 'uutafnable' eoonomic development.
Polity: Investrned In the tradittond downtown stbouM focus on tadllrathog a
Unasyn to a recreation and .,, — ',,,,,, „t band center.
The, traditional downtown In Monticello, specifically that art's in the immediate vicinity of
Broadway and Highway 23, has suf icred from the evoluti n of shopping pattem& to larger,
regional shopping centers. ibe Increased mobility, of the populace, to well as the continuing
growth of the commuter resident sector in all Wright County communities. has resulted in a shift
away From the smaller downtown shopping aeras. Several such downtowns have been able to
capitalize an their cbasm and amblartee, bowever, by using throe amenities to anchor
entertainment and recreation ffteiUdes. Articularly in Monticello, whore the river and the two
Bridge Parka provide a un*c cavi onment, this approach can be a practical rase of the
downtown area.
The City's activities In this arae must fops on stimulatlog and leveraging private investment to
be a icccut . Indeed, It is the success of private ventures which, In the long run, determine the
success of ft district as a 'city c cntee. However, the City can have a dgoilkant role through
W Investment in Infrastructure. open space, and oltepnpantkm. Redevelopment in the district
should be evaluated toward W eempllance with this land use scheme.
This policy supports the City's Economic Development Goal statement by cleating a stronger
center which can be a focus of the community's civic activities. By making use of the natural
aluactum to the area, and programming commercial uses which can thrive under these conditions,
an attractive and successful redevelopment of the downtown area is a real possibility.
Growth Managentent
Goal:
Growth Management can take both active and passive forms. The use of zoning is typically an
active growth management techakae, although shifting toning patterns which merely react to
development proposal, arggsst a more passive use of zoning. The reudu of well managed growth
are a mote eflicicut mtlimth- of scarce community reaourcm, and a inose aMMUve and aelf-
sufficlent community.
Tho goal of Monticello', powdt management activities will be to plan for,— r,.. F„ in a long
term firWioa which results in a community In its truest triose. For Monticello, this means a plan
for the community's Ind use and development which encourage an increase in community
members, taches than mere residents. Since an approprisoe land use pamcm mint go head in hand
with iihuUucMm development, ft is impottaot to develop long term pum for both which
coordhM with each other, and which work to achieve the community's common objectives.
Insolkr a, the Wftasmaure plana can r - I I to dwW In land use pattem aid market, and such
changes mast be evahuted as to their efforts an the overall community goals.
Phil): Mom will diced the pattern of growth through land use planing and
inhmtrueture der4opmeat.
Inftastructno useful life is often 40 at 50 years or more. As a result, decisions on the location
and Installation of new investments in infmsUucmte have long lasting effects. It b MICUlt, and
costly, to change tonne once pipe i, in We ground. and streets and built. Thus, We City must
develop comprehensive aid long tam guides for land use. since iefeMgn=M investments ate
dependent upon land use pattern and liteaaity. In addidoi, the city must regularly monitor its
Land use plans in view of the market to any changes can be programmed as early u possible.
Naturally, the ttetter Ute land use plan reflects the amid growth, the mom e8icfem the City will
have bees with iu infrastructure developmaq. The community invests large amts of scarce
resources in providing teMow to the laid uses it fares= in Its plea. Thus, changes to the plat
should be scrutinized thoroughly, and any increased costa which result from a change should be
allocated to the parties which will benefit.
Fdky: 1U Chy will —ft os, but trot pais, growth and dmslopmeaL
0
The marketplace is the most efficient allocator of new development. When viewed over a long
time period, diffueat hued uses at71,t.,.:.,., *,.. - doting different years. The primary role for the
City in planning for new development will be to provide properly mend and serviced land to
accommodate current [weds. This policy states that the desired balance will be achieved as the
market acts to meet needs and demands.
Commgnity Fwffldes
Goal:
A City exists to provide a defined range of governmental services to its residents and property
ownem The nme related to these mivioes is one of scope 7be physical aspect to the scope issue
is referred to bete as •community facllltiea•. In other words, what racilltles does the City have
to build in order to provide the palette of services demanded by the community members? Mic
answer to this gaesum must bogie with a definition of the scope of the City's services. Clearly,
that amp --hwios sanitary sewer and water puovision, streets, fire protection, parts, and various
administrative services. Recently, that mem has been expanded to include more comprehensive
Man water control and pathways as a component of the parts system.
71m City needs to understand the demands of its eltimaa in order to provide the services
effectively. Mont cello's goal In the arcs of community facilities will be to address the
community's demand for services in an efficient balancing these demands with the
community's demand for low Cost.
PaUgt Tim City of Monticello, will dmiop ot®mlty facilities which serve to
aftaoe and achieve the community's othw goals and objudvm
One of the ways which an investment in community f ellitles is made efficient is to achieve
muff goal. 7bus, pnd= to be considered by the City should be avaluatod as to their effect
an the om m ity's meds m a wbob, not /net ou cost. This plana a premfom on thinking about
hdhs taciute as an 'investment" rather than as a 'cost•. It a project enhances the City's ability
to do its job, and adds to the attraction of Monticello as a community, it may very Well be worth
the a cpmse, both from a tangible and an intangible viewpoint.
This view requires the City to broaden its definition of lofrasaructu e. Often, infastrt>cture is
thought of as sewer pipe and streets. However, iahaatntcune includes part lands ad
1..,,. , ,.,. , pathways, wad omnmudry bttildhtgt. These Lauer fat:Wties are en importune to the
City's *quality of Ute as are the former, yet may be relegated to an inferior stems u non-
essential. 'he aced for a part or community building should be evaluated. however, as to
wbether it efficiently finders the community's goals, and provides valuable benefits
commenauaro with its costs.