Municipal Consent
Local input creates a better project
On light rail transit projects, state law requires the Met Council to send Preliminary Design Plans to the cities and county on the route. They are required to review the major physical design components (e.g. track and station locations) of the project in a process often referred to as municipal consent. The Blue Line Extension project office has worked closely with city officials for several years to collaborate on designs and resolve issues.
The Metropolitan Council, the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA), Hennepin County and the cities along the METRO Blue Line Extension route (Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Robbinsdale, and Minneapolis) will hold public hearings and receive comments on preliminary design plans during the municipal consent process, as set out in Minnesota Statutes Sec. 473.3994.
After reviewing the plans and receiving comments, Hennepin County and the city governments will vote to approve or disapprove the revised plans by October 10, 2024. These revised preliminary design plans show the general dimensions and location of the light rail tracks, stations, and other components. Cities may choose to approve the designs as they are presented with a city council resolution. Not voting also serves as an approval of the design. Cities may also choose to disapprove the preliminary design, and then must suggest changes to the major physical design components they would like to see. Those suggestions are then reviewed by the Metropolitan Council before moving forward.
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Timeline
The local review and approval of preliminary design plans is expected to be complete by October 10, 2024.