History: Minn. Stat. § 473 requires cities, counties, and townships in the seven-county metropolitan region to prepare a comprehensive plan and update that plan at least every 10 years. Local governmental units in the seven-county region are required to develop a comprehensive plan, fiscal devices, and official controls that conform to the Metropolitan Council’s development framework, Thrive 2040, and related systems plans for transportation, parks, and water resources. The region’s cities, counties, and townships are in the process of preparing comprehensive plans, which are required to be submitted to the Metropolitan Council for review by December 31, 2018.

Hennepin County’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan will serve as an overarching policy framework to ensure that the county meets its stated mission to enhance the health, safety, and quality of life of residents and communities in a respectful, efficient, and fiscally responsible way. Development of the Hennepin County 2040 Comprehensive Plan was guided by the Hennepin County Comprehensive Plan Policy Advisory Committee (PAC), an external advisory committee with members appointed by Hennepin County commissioners. The PAC met periodically from mid-2016 through 2018.

As a local unit of government, Hennepin County is required to develop a comprehensive plan that, at a minimum, responds to the system statement received from the Metropolitan Council in September of 2015. The main components of the Hennepin County 2040 Comprehensive Plan include transportation, regional parks and trails, water resources, the Mississippi River Critical Corridor Area plan, and implementation.

Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 473, the draft Hennepin County 2040 Comprehensive Plan was  shared with adjacent governmental units and affected special districts and school districts for review and comment. On June 12, 2018, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners acted to release the draft Hennepin County 2040 Comprehensive Plan for the statutory six-month jurisdictional review and comment process. On November 15, 2018, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing to received public comment on the draft Hennepin County 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

Current Request:  Authorize staff to submit the draft Hennepin County 2040 Comprehensive Plan, no later than December 31, 2018, to the Metropolitan Council for review.

Impact/Outcome:  Fulfill Minn. Stat § 473 requirement that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners submit the draft Hennepin County 2040 Comprehensive Plan to the Metropolitan Council for review no later than December 31, 2018.