Community Programs & Services

Coordinating local and regional planning

Cities, townships and counties in the seven-county area are required by the Metropolitan Land Planning Act to prepare comprehensive plans for the future of their communities. These plans show how the community will meet its needs in the coming years for transportation facilities, wastewater service, natural resource protection, parks and housing. 

The Council helps communities meet state requirements as they plan for the future. The Council provides information and assistance to coordinate communities’ comprehensive plans with regional transportation, wastewater and park systems and other regional policies.
 

Council staff

• Coordinate review of local comprehensive land use plans and environmental documents

• Provide professional planning and technical assistance

• Offer cities assistance for implementing local plans and programs, and help in resolving issues 

Meet the staff

See brief video interviews with some Council staff who assist communities in their planning, support people seeking affordable housing, and more. 
 

Resources for communities

The Council provides communities with extensive tools to help them plan their future. The tools include: 

• Local Planning Handbook 

• Staff support from sector representatives and technical staff

• Guide for Transit-Oriented Development

• Customized 'system statements' for each community

• Community profiles with demographic, housing and other data.

Support, resources, coordination

In addition to providing planning assistance, the Council:

• Supports communities in cleaning up polluted sites for redevelopment, expanding affordable housing, and carrying out their development plans through the Livable Communities program. 

• Plans and administers funds for the region’s nationally renowned system of regional parks and trails.

• Coordinates affordable housing opportunities for low-income individuals and families. 

• Compiles and analyzes data about the region’s demographics, its economy, development trends, and Census information. 

• Provides data from a geographic information system (GIS) on Minnesota Geospatial Commons, a collaborative of local, regional and state governments that promotes sharing of geographic data.