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Request for Action <br />To <br />Item Number <br />Mayor and City Council <br />7.1 <br />Agenda Section <br />Meeting Date <br />Prepared by <br />Public Hearing <br />September 20, 2021 <br />Zack Carlton, Planning Manager <br />Item Description <br />Reviewed by <br />2021 Comprehensive Plan Update <br />Cal Portner, City Administrator <br />Reviewed by <br />Action Requested <br />Adopt, by motion, a resolution approving and adopting the 2021 Comprehensive Plan (requires four -fifths <br />approval) . <br />Background/Discussion <br />The City of Elk River's Comprehensive Plan establishes the goals and vision for development of the community <br />for the next 20 years. From this document, the zoning ordinance is developed, and land use decisions are made. <br />Municipalities periodically review their plan to ensure the existing conditions, vision, and goals are consistent with <br />the community's desires. Elk River last updated its Comp Plan in 2014, and since then has seen business and <br />residential growth, along with major roadway projects that will permanently shape development patterns. <br />In August of 2020, the city began the process of updating its plan with community outreach and the formation of <br />a Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC). The CPAC includes two residents at large, board and <br />commission, Council, Sherburne County, and the Chamber of Commerce representatives. They met periodically to <br />discuss the various components of the plan and provide perspective from their varied organizations. <br />Throughout the Comp Plan process, numerous opportunities for community input were available. We also <br />periodically solicited input from various groups in the process. Public outreach included: <br />■ Stakeholder meetings with 12 individuals that work or live in the community. The group represented the <br />school district, the YMCA, Sherburne County, developers, business owners, realtors, and residents. <br />■ Due to COVID restrictions, a virtual open house held via zoom. The meeting was advertised on social <br />media to solicit input at the plan kick-off. <br />■ A round table discussion with elected and appointed officials. <br />■ An online questionnaire and mapping application that allowed residents to identify concerns and <br />community assets. <br />A business roundtable discussion reviewing the unique challenges of the business community. <br />Presentation of the draft plan at the city's farmers market throughout the month of August. <br />■ An in -person public open house that was advertised on numerous platforms, including: <br />o Direct mailing of postcards to every address, residential and business, throughout the community. <br />o Two articles in the Star News reviewing the plan and identifying the dates for the meetings. <br />o A social media campaign noting dates and times of the various meetings and events for public <br />participation. <br />The Elk River Vision P 0 W E e E 0 0 V <br />A welcoming community rvitb revolutionary and spirzted resourcefulness, exceptional INATUREJ <br />service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperz1 Updated. August 2020 <br />