SF 534

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/27/2015 09:24am

A bill for an act
relating to state government; adding urban agriculture development zones in land
use planning; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.859, subdivisions
1, 2, 5.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.859, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Contents.

new text begin (a) new text end The comprehensive plan shall contain objectives,
policies, standards and programs to guide public and private land use, development,
redevelopment and preservation for all lands and waters within the jurisdiction of the
local governmental unit through 1990 and may extend through any year thereafter which
is evenly divisible by five. Each plan shall specify expected industrial and commercial
development, planned population distribution, and local public facility capacities upon
which the plan is based. Each plan shall contain a discussion of the use of the public
facilities specified in the metropolitan system statement and the effect of the plan on
adjacent local governmental units and affected school districts. Existing plans and official
controls may be used in whole or in part following modification, as necessary, to satisfy
the requirements of sections 462.355, 473.175, and 473.851 to 473.871. Each plan may
contain an intergovernmental coordination element that describes how its planned land
uses and urban services affect other communities, adjacent local government units, the
region, and the state, and that includes guidelines for joint planning and decision making
with other communities, school districts, and other jurisdictions for siting public schools,
building public facilities, and sharing public services.

new text begin (b) new text end Each plan may contain an economic development element that identifies types of
mixed use development, expansion facilities for businesses, and methods for developing a
balanced and stable economic base.

new text begin (c) Each plan for a city with a population greater than 60,000 residents shall include
urban agriculture development zones and an approach for development and maintenance
of the zones.
new text end

new text begin (d) new text end The comprehensive plan may contain any additional matter which may be
included in a comprehensive plan of the local governmental unit pursuant to the applicable
planning statute.

new text begin (e) Cities may confer with the Minnesota League of Cities to attain model urban
agriculture ordinances for use to conform with the intent of this section.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.859, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Land use plan.

(a) A land use plan shall include the water management
plan required by section 103B.235, and shall designate the existing and proposed location,
intensity and extent of use of land and water, including lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams,
natural drainage courses, and adjoining land areas that affect water natural resources, for
agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial and other public and private purposes, or
any combination of such purposes.

(b) A land use plan shall contain a protection element, as appropriate, for historic
sites, the matters listed in the water management plan required by section 103B.235, and
an element for protection and development of access to direct sunlight for solar energy
systems.

(c) A land use plan shall also include a housing element containing standards, plans
and programs for providing adequate housing opportunities to meet existing and projected
local and regional housing needs, including but not limited to the use of official controls
and land use planning to promote the availability of land for the development of low
and moderate income housing.

(d) A land use plan shall also include the local government's goals, intentions, and
priorities concerning aggregate and other natural resources, transportation infrastructure,
land use compatibility, habitat, agricultural preservation new text begin and development new text end , and other
planning priorities, considering information regarding supply from the Minnesota
Geological Survey Information Circular No. 46.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.859, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Urbanization and redevelopment areas.

The comprehensive plans may
designate, when appropriate, five-year urbanization areas and shall specify in the capital
improvement program the timing and sequence of major local public facilities and in the
implementation program official controls which will ensure that urbanization occurs only
in urbanization areas and in accordance with the plan.

The comprehensive plans may designate, when appropriate, redevelopment areas
and may, as appropriate, specify in the capital improvement program the timing and
sequence of local public facilities and in the implementation program the fiscal devices or
official controls that will ensure that redevelopment occurs in accordance with the plan.

new text begin The comprehensive plan for a city with a population greater than 60,000 residents
shall include urban agriculture development zones; include an approach for development
and maintenance of the zones; specify in the capital improvement program the timing and
sequence of the zones; and specify in the implementation program the fiscal devices
or official controls that will ensure that redevelopment occurs according to the plan.
Additionally, the comprehensive plan will define when and where urban agricultural
development initiatives fit as a highest and best use in areas outside of designated zones.
new text end