HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/05/16 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - Planning Commission - Study SessionAGENDA
PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
6:00 P.M.
MAY 16, 2018
STUDY SESSION
1. Comprehensive Plan – Review Comprehensive Plan draft Goals and Strategies
If you cannot attend the meeting, please call the Community Development Office, 952.924.2575.
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call 952.928.2840 at least 96 hours in advance of meeting.
Planning Commission
Meeting Date: May 16, 2018
Study Session Item 1
1.
Comprehensive Plan – Draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan Goals and Strategies
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Discuss the draft Goals and Strategies of the various sections of
the St. Louis Park 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
SUMMARY: Attached are the draft Goals and Strategies by section of the proposed St. Louis
Park 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Goals and Strategies that are new and/or revised goals are
highlighted; these are the ones we would like to specifically discuss with the Planning
Commission.
NEXT STEPS: Please see the attached schedule for additional upcoming Comprehensive Plan
discussion and action items.
Attachments: Draft Goals and Strategies of the proposed Comprehensive Plan
2040 Comprehensive Plan Outline
Tentative Schedule – Review of 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Prepared by: Meg McMonigal, Principal Planner
St. Louis Park 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Proposed Goals and Strategies
Goals: shown in bold
Strategies: shown lettered A, B, C, etc.
Highlighted Goals and Strategies are for discussion at meeting
Areas covered (in order):
- Land Use
- Economic Development and Redevelopment
- Housing
- Mobility
- Parks, Open Space and Natural Resources
- Climate and Energy
- Solid Waste
- Water System
- Sanity Sewer
- Surface Water
- Public Health
- Police Department Services
- Fire Department Services
- Race and Equity
2040 Comprehensive Plan
Land Use Goals and Strategies:
HIGHLIGHTS:
Create new Transit-oriented Development (TOD) land use category for LRT station areas; increase density
in residential areas to allow additional types of housing, including accessory housing units and duplexes
in low density areas. Add strategies to explore Form-based and Transitional Industrial zoning.
Livable Communities Goals
Provide attractive public streets, spaces and facilities that contribute to creating connections, a
strong sense of community, and opportunities for community interaction.
A. Establish unique and cohesive street character for major community streets, emphasizing safe
and comfortable pedestrian and bike connections, landscaping, lighting, and seating areas for the
use and enjoyment of the public.
B. Create well-defined community gateways at appropriate points where major streets cross the
City’s municipal boundary, using location appropriate signage, public art, public plazas, and
architecturally significant buildings.
C. Incorporate “complete streets” design principles into future improvements of the community’s
streets to implement planned multi-modal transportation networks and to help achieve the city’s
goals to reduce vehicle emissions and provide a more equitable system of transportation options.
D. Provide pedestrian and bicycle pathways that connect key departure points and destinations
throughout the City and require installation of identified connections during the redevelopment
process.
E. Promote high quality design of public and private open spaces that will benefit anticipated users
with proper consideration given to use, design, maintenance, appearance, location, and
accessibility of the space.
F. Encourage placement of artwork and amenities throughout the City to help increase civic
prominence and a unique sense of place where appropriate.
G. Continue to use appropriate outdoor lighting for illumination of streets, parking lots, and other
public and private areas.
H. Incorporate “living streets” design principles into future improvements of the community’s
streets in order to enhance the corridors’ appearance and environment.
I. Continue to reduce the level of obtrusive signage within the City by promoting a balance between
aesthetics, safety, and communication needs.
J. Work with internal and external partners to ensure that roadway and pedestrian facilities,
including bridges, located in the City are functionally and aesthetically
K. Continue to achieve high quality design standards for the exterior appearance of public
structures.
L. Establish a timetable and implementation strategies to bury utilities. Continue to require the
undergrounding of utilities in all new developments and redevelopment projects.
Promote building and site design that is creates a connected, human scale, multi-modal,
and safe environment for people who live and work here.
A. Encourage quality design in new construction such as building orientation, scale, massing, and
pedestrian access.
B. Encourage new buildings to orient to walkable streets with appropriate building height to street
width ratios.
C. Revisit the City’s architectural control ordinance ensuring that it provides clear direction to
developers and enhances the visual quality and livability of the City.
D. Require parking lots to be separated from sidewalks and roadway facilities with appropriate
landscaping, street walls or berms, and curbs.
E. Continue to enforce parking lot standards that address surfacing, light standards, tree canopy,
and heat island reduction.
F. Incorporate Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles and practices
into building and site design to maximize visibility and eyes on the street.
Commercial & Office Land Use Goals
Preserve and enhance community commercial centers that offer desirable and
complementary commercial retail and services for the community’s residents, workers, and
visitors
A. Minimize the adverse impacts associated with large community commercial centers
using design, performance standards, site planning techniques, minimizing surface
parking, buffering, and traffic management.
B. Ensure that community commercial centers contribute to an aesthetically positive
identity for the community.
C. Integrate community travel routes within commercial centers in order to improve
overall multi-modal safety, access and circulation around and through the centers.
D. Encourage infill development and aesthetic improvements to commercial surface
parking lots in order to enhance adjacent public streets and sidewalks and more
efficiently utilize commercial land.
E. Promote the inclusion of office employment uses within or adjacent to large commercial
developments to strengthen the functionality and vitality of community commercial
centers.
Create commercial corridors that are functional, vibrant, environmentally sustainable, and
present an aesthetically positive identity for the community
A. Minimize the adverse impacts associated with commercial corridor development using
design, performance standards, site planning techniques, and buffering.
B. Enhance commercial corridors’ compatibility with nearby residential areas.
Preserve, revitalize and foster neighborhood commercial nodes that provide essential
neighborhood commercial services, unique neighborhood identity, and neighborhood
gathering opportunities
A. Encourage infill and redevelopment in neighborhood commercial nodes that is
neighborhood scale in building size, architecture, and orientation to the street.
B. Implement convenient pedestrian access to and within the neighborhood commercial
nodes from adjacent neighborhoods and transit stops.
C. Re-guide or rezone targeted commercial nodes in order to require a mix of commercial
and employment or residential uses when they redevelop.
D. Consider rezoning certain commercial areas or small commercial sites that abut
residential properties from General Commercial to Neighborhood Commercial to reduce
the potential size and intensity of future buildings and commercial uses.
E. Re-guide under-performing commercial nodes to medium or high density residential to
encourage redevelopment.
F. Prepare small area plans for commercial nodes and corridors where the appropriate
future land uses are unclear, where significant changes are anticipated, and where
additional guidance is needed.
Preserve and enhance office/medical centers to retain and grow the community’s
employment opportunities, tax base, and convenient access to desirable services
A. Support expansion of existing medical centers and supportive uses.
B. Support new and expanded office development.
C. Re-guide or rezone targeted commercial corridors from general commercial to office in
order to promote redevelopment.
D. Integrate community travel routes within office and medical centers in order to improve
overall multi-modal safety, access and circulation around and through the centers.
Industrial & Business Park Land Use Goals
Protect and enhance the viability of the City’s designated industrial and employment areas
through reinvestment in long-term industrial areas, and adaptive reuse and eventual
redevelopment in transitional industrial areas
A. Protect planned industrial areas from encroachment by non-industrial and incompatible
uses.
B. Encourage and support the appropriate evolution and expansion of individual industrial
businesses.
C. Support new industrial land uses that are able to minimize negative environmental
impacts and nuisances to surrounding land uses.
D. Promote and support the transition and eventual redevelopment of physically and
economically obsolete or underutilized industrial properties.
E. Consider creating a Transitional Industrial zoning district and rezoning suitable
redevelopment properties to Transitional Industrial.
F. Enhance industrial areas’ compatibility with nearby residential neighborhoods.
G. Prepare small area plans for both reinvestment industrial areas and transitional
industrial areas where significant changes are anticipated.
Promote the development of business park land uses in designated employment areas as a
way to expand the City’s employment base and opportunities, increase the City’s tax base,
and meet the changing market and technological needs of the business sector
A. Promote business park developments that utilize more efficient land use and building
designs than traditional industrial development, such as multi-story buildings, multi-
tenant buildings, and structured parking.
B. Encourage and support new business park developments that are designed as
employment centers that are integrated into the community with strong connections to
adjacent public streets and spaces, natural features, transit, and other community
amenities.
C. Require that new business park developments provide efficient and attractive parking
designs, appropriate landscaping, and high quality building architecture.
D. Allow limited commercial and service uses that provide valuable services to, and extend
hours of activity within, employment centers without eroding the employment focus of
these areas, sites and buildings.
Residential Land Use Goals
Create a mix of residential land uses and housing types to increase housing choices, including
affordable housing, and increase the viability of neighborhood services through
redevelopment or infill development
A. Engage the community to determine how to allow a broader range of housing types and
densities within and adjacent to existing low density residential neighborhoods that are
complementary and compatible with the existing neighborhood character.
B. Promote and support the development of medium and high density residential land
uses near commercial centers and nodes.
C. Ensure that new and redeveloped medium and high density residential land uses are
located within walking distance of transit and commercial services.
D. Engage the community to explore how to increase the mix of housing types near transit
corridors, parks and commercial nodes/corridors.
Preserve and enhance the livability and unique character of each neighborhood’s residential
areas
A. Promote maintenance and reinvestment of existing residential land uses that have
experienced deferred maintenance, deteriorating property values, high vacancy rates,
or reuse opportunities.
B. Require the creation of appropriate and effective buffer or transition areas between
different land use types.
Public Land Use Goals
A. Ensure access to public land, parks, open space and facilities by the entire community,
including children, adults, the elderly, those in multi-family housing, people of color, and
those with mobility challenges.
B. Maintain accessibility to community facilities and public places consistent with the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
C. Consider increasing natural environment areas on public land.
Mixed-Use Goals
Continue to enhance the Park Commons area as St. Louis Park’s “town center”
A. Promote and support the redevelopment of the remaining designated redevelopment
sites in the Park Commons area with mixed-use buildings to strengthen the area’s
function as the “town center.”
B. Ensure that future redevelopment provides similar building forms and densities that will
complement the character of the “town center.”
C. Require that future redevelopment is designed with buildings that are oriented to the
public streets and spaces that are the heart of the “town center.”
D. Encourage integrating community travel routes within the area in order to improve
overall multi-modal safety, access and circulation around and through the area.
E. Engage the community to update the Park Commons West Master Plan and
implementation strategies.
Pursue redevelopment of future light rail transit station areas as transit-oriented, high
density, well-connected, mixed-use centers
A. Promote and support the Wooddale Station Area as a transit-oriented mixed-use
neighborhood.
B. Promote and support the Beltline Station Area and Louisiana Station Area as primarily
transit-oriented, mixed-use employment centers.
C. Require transit-oriented development on properties near future light rail transit stations
consistent with station area framework plans.
D. Consider adopting form-based codes or similar zoning amendments to help implement
station area framework plans.
Expand the development of mixed-use districts within St. Louis Park to create a more livable
and connected community
A. Encourage and support mixed-use infill and redevelopment when compatible with
existing or surrounding planned land uses.
B. Expand the distribution of mixed-use redevelopment in neighborhood commercial
nodes and along commercial corridors to the broader community.
C. Promote and support reinvestment in the Historic Walker-Lake area as a mixed
commercial/industrial district that is compatible with its unique character and scale.
D. Complete a small area plan for the Historic Walker-Lake area.
E. Promote and support mixed-use redevelopment in The West End to strengthen its role
as a unique and dynamic place to live, work, shop, and play in the metropolitan area.
Economic Development and Redevelopment
Goals and Strategies
HIGHLIGHTS:
Continue to encourage development and redevelopment; added considerations on Climate Action
Plan, housing; added a new section to assist the startup, growth, diversification, and expansion of
the city’s small businesses.
Encourage economic development and redevelopment activities that enhance the overall
livablity and vitality of the community
A. Maintain and promote economic development financing policies and programs to assist
with redevelopment and revitalization of the city’s commercial, office, and industrial
areas.
B. Encourage sustainable building projects consistent with the city’s Green Building Policy
energy savings and water conservation targets, Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) standards, State of Minnesota B3 Guidelines, or comparable green
certification applicable for each project’s particular development type.
C. Encourage efficient, compact redevelopment that results in the highest and best land
uses so as to minimize energy and infrastructure costs.
D. Encourage economic development and redevelopment that incorporate Livable
Communities planning principles as established in the Land Use section of the 2040 Plan.
E. Encourage the development of new market rate and affordable housing which will
provide residents with additional housing options, assist in retaining and attracting talent
for area employers, and further support local commercial businesses.
F. Encourage redevelopment that incorporates efforts to achieve the goals of the Climate
Action Plan, such as renewable energy resources, on-site solar energy, participation in
community solar, purchase of renewable energy credits through electric utility programs,
and other such efforts that reduce energy usage.
Foster the expansion, redevelopment and revitalization of the city’s commercial, industrial
and business park areas
A. Balance available land resources and future growth demands to ensure that the city has
an adequate amount of land guided for commercial, office, and industrial uses to
maintain a healthy tax base, offer adequate high-quality employment opportunities, and
provide desirable goods and services.
B. Encourage and support expansion, redevelopment and revitalization that contribute to a
diverse and healthy mix of desirable commercial, office and industrial development
types.
C. Maintain and expand public infrastructure systems (e.g. streets and utilities) that provide
adequate connections and capacities to meet the future needs of the city’s business
areas.
D. Undertake redevelopment planning studies to explore options and establish plans for
redevelopment and revitalization of identified redevelopment study areas.
E. Collaborate with property owners and developers in SWLRT station areas to intensify or
redevelop business areas consistent with Transit Oriented Development best practices
and the city’s LRT station area plans.
F. Collaborate with property owners to provide new services, amenities and land uses that
strengthen their business area or creatively reuse underutilized business areas.
Retain and foster the growth of St. Louis Park’s existing high-quality businesses
A. Promote strong relationships between existing businesses, government, and
neighborhoods to promote a healthy and compatible working and living environment.
B. Support the expansion of existing high-quality businesses that have an environmentally
sound track record, provide desirable goods and services, and offer quality jobs (e.g.
stable employment and/or attractive wages and benefits).
C. Provide public financing policies and programs that assist existing businesses with
remaining and/or expanding in St. Louis Park (e.g. tax increment financing, private
activity bonds, revolving loan fund).
D. Collaborate with agencies that provide education, skill training and job placement to
ensure that St. Louis Park provides a sound base of qualified employees for its
employers.
Assist the startup, growth, diversification, and expansion of the city’s small businesses
A. Continue to link small businesses with resources and organizations that provide
information and financial assistance needed for the retention and growth of small and
locally-owned businesses.
B. Enhance opportunities for partnerships between public and private entities that promote
economic vitality of small businesses.
C. Continue to assist small businesses in identifying appropriate locations within the city.
D. Promote small businesses with an emphasis on women, minority and veteran owners to
diversify and further strengthen the economic fabric of the city.
E. Research, develop and implement innovative and creative programs in which to assist
entrepreneurs and small businesses to expand and/or locate in St. Louis Park (i.e.,
affordable rent programs, grants, loans, incentive programs, etc.).
Recruit new businesses that are compatible with and complementary to St. Louis Park’s
existing businesses
A. Promote St. Louis Park’s strategic benefits as a prospective business location including: its
first ring location in the Twin Cities metro area, convenient transportation access
including easy highway access and the future SWLRT line, a high- quality workforce, and
many community amenities.
B. Focus the City’s business attraction efforts on industry sectors with a track record of
environmental sensitivity and provision of quality jobs (i.e. stable employment and
attractive wages and benefits). Such industries include: headquarters and business
services, financial services and insurance, health and life sciences; advanced
manufacturing and technology.
C. Encourage and support the assembly of smaller obsolete business sites into larger sites
that can accommodate the development of new buildings to fit contemporary business
needs and standards and will attract new businesses to St. Louis Park.
2040 Comprehensive Plan
Housing Goals and Strategies:
HIGHLIGHTS:
Allow Accessory Housing Units and two-family units in low-density residential areas. Address rental
housing stock. Continue to develop additional strategies to ensure long term housing affordability.
The City of St. Louis Park will promote and facilitate a balanced and enduring housing stock
that offers a continuum of diverse life-cycle housing choices suitable for households of all
income levels including, but not limited to affordable, senior, multi-generational, supportive
and mixed-income housing, disbursed throughout the City.
A. Create a broad range of housing types to provide more diverse and creative housing
choices to meet the needs of current and future residents.
B. Review existing policies, programs and regulations to remove barriers to innovative and
creative housing options.
C. Ensure new housing policies promote fair and equitable housing choices.
D. Use data and research to guide and evaluate housing priorities, policies, and programs.
E. Use infill and redevelopment opportunities to assist in meeting housing goals.
F. Create policies, tools and strategies to promote the goals of the city’s Climate Action
Plan, encouraging energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption in residential
properties.
G. Create senior housing opportunities: both market rate and affordable, homeownership
and rental, and active and supportive.
Single Family Homes: The city is committed to creating, preserving, and improving the city’s
single-family housing stock.
A. Promote the creation of family-sized, owner-occupied, single-family homes that meet
the needs and desires of current and future residents through the expansion of existing
homes and through construction of new homes.
B. Proactively address substandard housing properties through code enforcement and
public or private redevelopment activities such as acquisition, demolition and housing
replacement.
C. Promote high-quality architectural design standards of homes through the use of good
design practices which are complementary and compatible with the neighborhood,
utilizing quality materials and superior construction.
D. Allow for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in all low-density residential areas.
E. Allow for two-family dwelling units (twin homes and duplexes) on appropriately-sized
lots in low density residential areas.
Multi-Family: The city is committed to promoting quality multi-family developments, both
rental and owner occupied, in appropriate locations, including near transit centers, retail and
employment centers and in commercial mixed use districts.
A. Promote the preservation and maintenance of existing multi-family housing stock.
B. Promote high-quality architectural design in the construction of new multi-family
developments.
C. Be proactive in analyzing and guiding redevelopment opportunities for multi-family
developments.
D. Increase densities and housing options on high-frequency transit routes and near rail
stations.
Residential Rental Housing: The city is committed to creating, preserving and improving the
city’s rental housing stock.
A. Ensure rental housing is well-maintained and safe through policies and programs for
property owners including building inspections, education and rehabilitation resources.
B. Promote the inclusion of family-sized units (2 and 3 bedroom) in newly constructed
multi- family developments.
C. Minimize the involuntary displacement of people of color, indigenous people and
vulnerable populations, such as low-income households, the elderly and people with
disabilities from their communities as neighborhoods grow and change.
Home Ownership: The city is committed to promoting home ownership, including affordable
homeownership options and exploring traditional and non-traditional owner-occupied
housing options such as: row houses, courtyard housing, high-rises, live-work units, 3-story
homes, co-housing, Land Trust, Habitat sponsored homes, and multi-generational housing.
A. Promote and facilitate a balanced and sustainable housing stock to meet diverse needs for
today and in the future.
B. Continue promoting first-time home buyer, homeownership counseling, down payment,
and other assistance programs.
C. Expand homeownership opportunities and improve access to homeownership,
especially for low-income residents, people with disabilities, and people of color.
D. Explore strategies and tools to prevent loss of affordable homeownership opportunities,
especially near light rail transit station areas.
Affordable Housing: The city is committed to promoting affordable housing options for low-
and moderate-income households.
A. Ensure affordable housing is disbursed throughout the city and not concentrated in any
one area of the city.
B. Continue to support the preservation of naturally-occurring affordable housing.
C. Promote the inclusion of affordable housing opportunities in new developments,
including in developments located near the Southwest Light Rail Transit Corridor and
other transit nodes, retail and employment centers and commercial mixed-use districts.
D. Pursue policies, tools and programs to ensure long-term housing affordability for
households at or below 30, 50, 60 and 80% of AMI.
E. Pursue innovative housing strategies to maximize the creation and preservation of
affordable housing:
o Continue the implementation of the Inclusionary Housing Policy.
o Support shallow rent subsidy programs to promote the ability of rental
households to secure and maintain stable housing (such as Kids in the Park).
o Develop additional strategies to ensure long-term housing affordability, such as
the city’s Tenant Protection Ordinance, non-discrimination of rental subsidy,
reductions in fees, incentives, and others.
o Expand landlord participation in the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
o Continue and strengthen partnerships with local nonprofits who are addressing
housing needs and challenges in St. Louis Park, including St. Louis Park
Emergency Program, Community Action Program-Hennepin County, Project for
Pride in Living and others.
§ Partnership support may include funding to carry out the tasks of the
Housing Authority or city to preserve housing & avoid displacement of
citizens.
o Continue acceptance and support of transitional and supportive housing
programs for specialized groups and affordable multifamily housing providers.
o Promote safe, stable and affordable housing opportunities and strategies for
homeless youth, singles, and families. Continue to support households who are
homeless or at risk of homelessness, through programs such as the Stable HOME
program and STEP Emergency Program.
o Continue to engage in regional dialog and collaboration to expand and maximize
affordable housing resources and tools at the local, regional, state and federal
levels.
F. Continue successful administration of the Housing Authority’s core federally funded
rental assistance programs, including maximizing program utilization, ensuring sound
fiscal policies, securing renewal funding through the submission of competitive grant
applications, and maintaining and improving the Public Housing properties.
Preservation, Safety and Sustainability: The city is committed to ensuring all housing is safe
and well maintained.
A. Strengthen the city’s single- and multi-family home maintenance and rehabilitation
programs.
B. Preserve and enhance housing quality and design through code enforcement and the
promotion of housing improvement programs related to home rehabilitation, design
and housing safety.
C. Encourage the use of green building practices, energy-efficient products, and
sustainable methods in both single-family and multi-family housing construction.
D. Proactively address health hazards in housing and advance design that supports physical
and mental health.
E. Strengthen neighborhoods and neighborhood amenities to encourage residents to stay
and reinvest in St. Louis Park.
2040 Comprehensive Plan
Mobility Goals and Strategies:
HIGHLIGHTS:
Emphasizing a priority change to prioritize walking first, followed by biking and transit, and then motor
vehicles.
Mobility System
Plan, design, build, and operate the city’s mobility system in a way that prioritizes walking first,
followed by bicycling and transit use, and then motor vehicle use
A. Incorporate a context-based approach when planning and designing transportation projects.
B. Implement the Living Streets Policy throughout all phases of transportation projects and
initiatives, including programming, design, and construction into all elements of the public right-
of-way.
C. Continue to explore and evaluate flexible and innovative designs and seeking guidance from
established best practices, to achieve desired outcomes.
D. Use the Capital Improvement Program to improve the pedestrian, bicycle, and transit networks.
E. Manage the right-of-way to take full advantage of a dynamic urban environment.
F. Design transportation infrastructure to support land use goals for compact, accessible, walkable
neighborhoods.
G. Promote and support adaptation of the community mobility network to take advantage of
improved technologies and mobility modes.
Ensure the quality and function of the transportation system contributes to the equitable outcomes
for all people.
A. Prioritize pedestrian needs of underserved populations.
B. Promote public awareness of the range of travel choices and the beneficial impacts travel
choices have on household finances, personal quality of life, society, and the environment.
C. Improve pedestrian, bicycle, and transit way-finding.
Eliminate fatalities and serious injuries that are a result of crashes on city streets
A. Support Minnesota “Toward Zero Death” program for all users.
B. Prioritize safety investments in line with the modal hierarchy established in the Mobility Plan -
for pedestrians first, bicyclists and transit riders second, and for people driving in vehicles third.
C. Protect pedestrians and bicyclists through design decisions that eliminate fatalities and serious
injuries.
D. Use enforcement, design decisions, and operational norms to reflect an acute awareness for
protecting all users of the mobility systems.
E. Prioritize network improvements that will help reduce injuries and deaths at intersections and
segments that have proven to be unsafe.
Pedestrian Mobility
Provide for the needs of pedestrians, removing barriers to active transportation
A. Continue to implement the Connect the Park Plan to construct and maintain a network of
sidewalks.
B. Continue to build infrastructure for active transportation in conjunction with new development
projects.
C. Evaluate the number of curb cuts that hamper pedestrian mobility. Critically consider the
designation of drop-off zones and other curb-side uses, and evaluate the pedestrian benefits as
part of the decision-making process.
D. Evaluate options for walking and bicycling year-round when designing roadway.
E. Employ traffic calming measures where appropriate.
Create a pedestrian network that connects people to their destinations
A. Prioritize mobility projects with connectivity between residential neighborhoods, employment,
businesses, and transit.
B. Continue to identify gaps in the pedestrian network and fill gaps where appropriate, prioritizing
areas of the community that need connection alternative mobility systems.
C. Continue the city’s maintenance activities to ensure the safe and comfortable use of the
pedestrian infrastructure.
D. Require pedestrian connections in all new subdivisions, on new streets, and road reconstruction
projects.
E. Improve way-finding to direct pedestrians to local destinations.
Create livable space through pedestrian-scale design of public spaces
A. Establish unique and cohesive street character for major community streets, emphasizing safe
and comfortable pedestrian and bike connections, landscaping, lighting, and seating areas for
the use and enjoyment of pedestrians and bicyclist.
B. Incorporate “living streets” design principles into future improvements of the community’s
streets in order to enhance the corridors’ appearance and environment.
Bicycle Mobility
Provide for the needs of bicyclists, removing barriers to active transportation
A. Continue to implement the Connect the Park Plan to construct and maintain a network of
bikeways.
B. Implement emerging best practices in bikeway design.
C. Address infrastructure connections for bicycling in conjunction with new development projects.
Ensure that all residents and businesses have access to a well-connected bike network that is easy to
navigate and use
A. Install way finding along trails and main bicycle routes to direct bicyclists to destinations.
B. Support the safety of year-round biking by partnering with Three Rivers Park District to facilitate
the removal of snow on the regional trails in St. Louis Park.
C. Prioritize bicycling needs of populations who may not have a motor vehicle.
Continue to look for more opportunities to expand the network and encourage more people to use
the bicycle system
A. Continue to work with St. Louis Park schools to identify and promote bike routes to students
and parents.
B. Consider expanding zoning regulations that promote bicycling, such as the provision of secured
storage lockers, and changing and shower facilities.
Transit Mobility
Ensure that the bus transit and SWLRT network to be accessible to residents and businesses,
connecting people to important local and region-wide destinations
A. Continue to partner in and prioritize the SWLRT to promote its construction and operation as
soon as possible.
B. Work with Metro Transit to continually adjust and improve bus transit service in St. Louis Park.
C. Support transit networks that promote easy access to jobs, services, churches, schools, and
grocery stores.
D. Provide comfortable, safe, and accessible transit stops for pedestrians along transit lines that
include benches, bike parking, and shelters where feasible.
E. Integrate transit through buses, light rail, bike routes, sidewalks and trails throughout St. Louis
Park.
F. Construct a walkable and connected mobility network near the SWLRT station areas, including
smaller block sizes and pedestrian and bicycle connections.
Continuously explore, research, and support ways to expand the transit network and maximize
service to the community
A. Support transit oriented development so people can live and/or work in transit served areas and
not be auto-dependent. Use travel demand management strategies to encourage more transit
usage in new developments.
B. Support efforts focused on reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips, using incentives that
encourage the use of public transportation such as Metropass and ridesharing opportunities to
increase transit use.
Roadway Mobility
Provide well-designed and well-maintained community streets that balance the needs users,
residents, businesses, and property owners.
A. Identify traffic calming measures such as Living Streets and shared streets in conjunction with
upgrades to the mobility system.
B. Support connections across freeways that include prioritizing active transportation and transit
routes.
C. Utilize the city’s Pavement Management Program (PMP) and the annual Municipal State Aid
Streets (MSAS) funding allocation to maintain the roadway network in a safe and fiscally
responsible manner.
D. Recognize the important function of alleys in the mobility network. Consider alleys, especially
continuous alleys, to be a valuable resource for access to abutting properties to load/unload,
locate utilities, and to dispose of waste.
E. Support and participate in the improvements of Hennepin County road segments, including
County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 25, Minnetonka Boulevard (CSAH 5), France Avenue (CSAH
17), and Excelsior Boulevard (CSAH 3).
F. Support implementation of Hennepin County’s Complete Streets Policy to retrofit County
arterial streets within St. Louis Park into complete streets.
Work to ensure roadways efficiently connect residents, employees, and visitors to local and regional
destinations.
A. Monitor updates to the roadway functional classification system within St. Louis Park to
maintain a balanced hierarchy of streets for distributing traffic from neighborhoods to the
regional mobility systems.
B. Consider existing gaps in the roadway network when approving development projects and
conducting area-wide planning.
C. Prioritize mobility policies that promote accessibility to jobs, services, and amenities via the
roadway network; whether it is via walking, biking, transit, or vehicle.
D. Promote and support the use of Travel Demand Management (TDM) strategies to achieve more
efficient use of the existing community mobility network and reduce congestion problems.
E. Support options for improving north-south roadway connectivity when feasible.
F. Increase capacity on roadways when needed to improve connectivity of the roadway network,
improve isolated connections to regional roadways, or where other measures are impractical to
achieve level-of-service standards.
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated as a result of the roadway network.
A. Consider design strategies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including those that reduce
vehicle miles travels, idling, and increase renewable energy use.
B. Continue to implement traffic control devices that manage congestion, reducing greenhouse gas
emissions.
C. Expand regulations that provide for electric vehicle charging ports in new developments and
public right-of-way.
D. Encourage the use of alternate fuel vehicles.
Improved Technologies and Mobility Modes
Position St. Louis Park to benefit from upcoming changes to vehicle ownership models while
supporting a shared use mobility network.
A. Plan for a shared vehicle fleet and its impact on the built form, including vehicles and bikeshare.
B. Establish parking guidelines and requirements that reflect changing vehicle ownership models,
both on-street and off-street.
C. Provide for carpools, vanpools, and shared mobility vehicles in City-owned parking facilities and
encourage private parking facility owners to do the same.
D. Evaluate demographics of early adopters of new ownership models and ensure shared mobility
benefits are accessible in an equitable way.
E. Ensure the City is able to establish agreements with service providers that allow for data to be
shared in ways that support the City’s ongoing transportation (mobility?) planning work, focused
on equity and access for all.
Support the development and deployment of new transportation technologies that positions St. Louis
Park to benefit from these advancements.
A. Proactively regulate automated vehicles in St. Louis Park while ensuring equitable access to
them.
B. Proactively plan for impacts of automated and connected vehicles such as the potential need to
regulate proximate parking, design narrower travel lanes, design infrastructure with connected
capabilities, or make other adjustments to infrastructure design practices and standards.
C. Encourage and support electric vehicles by prioritizing associated public and private
infrastructure.
D. Develop policy that addresses the implications of parking, or lack thereof, in a fully automated
future, such as the potential for roving empty vehicles.
Freight Rail
Minimize impacts of railroad operations in St. Louis Park.
A. Invest in safety and crossing improvements along active railroad corridors, with particular
attention to where SWLRT, trails and at-grade crossings occur.
B. Grade separate trails and roadways near rail lines where applicable and feasible.
C. Work to eliminate blocking and switching operations and remove the switching wye in St. Louis
Park.
D. Address noise and vibration impacts by working with agencies and railroads to implement such
measures as improving the tracts, adding buffers, and using other effective measures.
Aviation
Ensure the compliance of all City buildings subject to FAA regulations concerning rooftop lighting and
coloration.
A. Protect navigational aids within St. Louis Park from physical encroachment and electronic
interference.
B. Encourage the use of noise mitigation measures in new construction, particularly in known noise
complaint areas.
C. Maintain procedures for ensuring compliance of all buildings subject to FAA regulations
concerning rooftop lighting and coloration. Maintain procedures for informing the FAA and MN
Department of Transportation of any proposals for structures over 200 feet high.
D. Maintain representation on the Noise Oversight Committee of the Metropolitan Airports
Commission.
Improve access to MSP airport for St. Louis Park residents and businesses through design and
implementation of the City’s and region’s transportation plans.
A. Continue to partner and urge implementation of the Green Line Extension/SWLRT to provide
transit access to the airport.
2040 Comprehensive Plan
Parks, Open Space and Natural Resources Goals and Strategies:
HIGHLIGHTS:
Continue high quality park system, programs and maintenance. Expanding emphasis on natural resources
strategies that increase resiliency and combat climate change. Attention to changing community
demographics and needs.
Overall Goal
Continue to provide the high quality system of parks, recreation and open space as a valuable
component of strong neighborhoods and a livable, healthy, resilient, vital and equitable
community.
Preserve an integrated and balanced system of park and open spaces including:
• Neighborhood parks to provide park and open space close to residential development.
• Community Parks for recreation activities.
• Community parks for citywide use for active and passive recreation.
• Historical Parks that preserve the history of the area.
• Indoor facilities such as the Rec Center and the ROC that provide an aquatic park, skating
rinks and meeting room space for the residents.
• Environmental areas such as the Westwood Hills Nature Center, providing places for
people to experience nature.
• Undeveloped open spaces for natural vegetation, linear trails and as a relief for storm
water storage.
• Regional and local trails.
A. Systematically upgrade existing park shelters, playground structures, trails and other park
amenities to meet the changing needs of the community, in accordance with the
improvement schedule and prioritize improvements that will have the most positive impact
on equity outcomes.
B. Provide flexible and equitable spaces to accommodate changing trends in demand for park
and open space programming.
C. Involve the neighborhoods being served and the community to help shape park facilities and
the use of open spaces within the City.
D. Continue programs to promote volunteer efforts to assist with park amenities and aesthetic
appeal.
E. Continue to support the park/school partnership and to coordinate park use with
educational providers. If in the future any private or non-profit entity no longer wants to
have the shared use park, the City should consider the opportunity to acquire the property
for City park purposes.
F. Continue to support partnerships with outside entities.
G. Implement established design standards for park buildings, and install art and educational
tools in all new and updated facilities.
H. Explore the need and options for additional dog parks.
I. Carefully evaluate options related to additional land for the park system if an opportunity to
acquire either land or a golf course becomes available.
J. Consider the opportunity to acquire the property for city park purposes if in the future any
private or non- profit entity no longer wants to have the shared use park.
Take steps to enhance and improve energy and environmental efficiency in our park areas and park
buildings to increase resiliency and combat climate change
A. Implement alternative vegetation management within the City’s park areas.
B. Periodically conduct energy audits for all park buildings. Utilize audit results when planning for
long term capital improvements to the park buildings to ensure compliance with the Energy
Action Plan and the Climate Action Plan.
C. During redevelopment of any park areas incorporate rain gardens, natural vegetative buffers, and
other stormwater management techniques best suited to that park area, where appropriate.
D. Increase environmental justice by planting more trees in areas of low income which are often
the same areas with the most impervious surfaces.
Seek permanent and reliable funding sources for parkland acquisition, capital improvements
A. Ensure park dedication or a park dedication fee is collected for all new development where
possible.
B. Use trail dedication fees and other available funds to add trail links to connect neighborhoods to
regional trail systems, parks, schools, and other destinations.
C. Maintain a 5-year Improvements Plan to implement planned park improvements.
D. Continue partnerships with youth organizations to collaborate on park improvements on a
shared-use basis.
E. Evaluate and revise the park dedication fee ordinance, and forecast park and trail dedication funds
to accurately assess opportunities for funding for capital projects and acquisitions.
Recreation Goals
Offer physical facilities and recreational, educational, athletic, and special event opportunities for all ages,
abilities, and cultural backgrounds.
Promote healthy living through the use of park and open spaces for active and passive recreation,
organized sports, picnic facilities, and environmental programs, youth and adult leagues and programs,
and special events for all, ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds
A. Educate all residents in the community on the wealth of recreational and educational
opportunities and pursuits that exist in the parks system, and identify an ongoing process to
measure cultural responsiveness to ensure the opportunities, activities, and practices are meeting
the community’s needs.
B. Market programs and facilities using brochures, cable television, the internet and other available
promotional avenues in a clear and available manner for all residents.
C. Enhance park and trail opportunities for the City with partnerships with other governmental
agencies including the Three Rivers Park District and surrounding cities.
D. Evaluate and plan for the future demand for available youth and adult park areas. Offer new ideas
and facilities that will provide the opportunity to expand entertainment programming, athletic
leagues, cultural and artistic opportunities, family schedule-friendly programs, healthy
lifestyle/holistic classes, and community wide special events.
E. Eliminate as many participation barriers (i.e. disability, financial, cultural, etc.) as possible for the
delivery of outstanding service.
F. Promote opportunities for people to build connections with their peers, neighbors, and the
greater community by supporting intergenerational and intercultural programs, activities, and
events.
Integrate the trail system through and between parks and open space within the City
A. Continue to maintain trails throughout parks in the City, and coordinate capital improvement
planning to improve pedestrian and bicycle connections to and within parks.
B. Identify high-use trails and consider appropriate trail surface materials to encourage safe,
accessible use of the trail.
C. Work with Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to develop park trails along Minnehaha Creek,
where appropriate.
D. Review trails throughout the parks system and consider if connections to the regional trail system
or to other parks may be appropriate.
E. Provide additional trail connections to major destinations and areas of recreation.
F. Provide adequate lighting in parks and on trails.
Natural Resource Goals
Preserve and improve the natural, ecological and scenic resources within the park and open space system,
including water quality, vegetation, wildlife and other environmentally sensitive resources.
Establish, retain and maintain parks or open space along and adjacent to lakes, ponds and wetlands for
public access, storm water detention, and resource protection
A. Make habitat modifications and improvements that will benefit fish, wildlife, and native plantings
within the City’s park and open space areas.
B. Use Best Management Practices (BMP’s) to buffer lakes, ponds, wetlands and streams with native
grasses and other ecologically appropriate plant species. Where possible, use buffers on public
lands where appropriate to encourage residents, business owners, and developers to emulate
best practices.
C. Develop a natural resources inventory for the City’s system of parks and open spaces.
D. Continue to increase pursuit of ecosystem approach to natural resource management.
Enhance use of Westwood Hills Nature Center
A. Maximize opportunities for enjoyment, educational opportunities, study and observation of
nature.
B. Minimize disruption to the park to preserve the character of the park’s habitat and associated
native flora and fauna.
C. Implement the Westwood Hills Nature Center Master Natural Resource Management Plan.
D. Construct a new Westwood Hills Nature Center building to meet the current and future needs of
the community.
Recognize Minnehaha Creek as a shared community asset
A. Acquire and maintain public ownership of the banks of the creek and parks along the creek
throughout the City where possible.
B. Maintain high quality canoe landings and seek to maximize use and access at strategic locations.
C. Retain and improve the natural vegetation and amenities along the creek by working with the
Minnehaha Creek Watershed district to protect it and provide a natural setting for its enjoyment
and use.
D. Restrict future development from the shoreline in order to protect the integrity of the creek and
natural vegetation.
E. Support shared property ownership agreements, including conservation easements, in locations
where property owners are interested in improving public access to the Creek.
F. Educate the public about the Creek by providing information on its course from Lake Minnetonka
to the Mississippi River, the location of access to recreational opportunities on the Creek, and
methods to improve its ecological health.
Collaboratively maintain the natural environment of the City
A. Protect, maintain, diversify, and expand the city’s tree canopy, and continue boulevard tree
planting and replacement programs.
B. Continue injurious pest sanitation efforts and program and develop partnerships and future
invasive pest management plans.
C. Continue planting native plant species, including the restoration of wooded and native shorelines,
throughout city and in all city park and landscaping efforts.
D. Continue the boulevard and park pruning and maintenance plan on a 7-10 year rotation.
E. Offer community gardening opportunities as need and interest arises.
F. Partner with other public projects to improve the city’s natural resources (Bass Lake Preserve,
Minnehaha Creek re-meander).
G. Continue to support policies for pollinators throughout the city, and encourage edible and
pollinator-friendly landscapes on residential properties.
H. Implement tree protection and replacement policies that seek to achieve a one-for-one
replacement for trees on private property.
I. Periodically revise and update the city’s management and implementation procedures for
invasive species.
J. Incorporate diverse cultures into natural resources through community gardens, the summer
playground program, FIN program, tree planting and creek clean-up events and presentations at
schools and community events.
Support policies and practices that will create a more resilient natural environment to combat climate
change
A. Pursue invasive species management with other organizations and cities.
B. Reduce ornamental plantings and plant more native varieties and begin to plant varieties for
southern growing hardiness zones.
C. Reduce mowing and increase areas of native forbs and grasses.
D. Promote alternative and native vegetation planting on residential lots.
2040 Comprehensive Plan
Climate and Energy Goals and Strategies:
HIGHLIGHTS:
Implementing the Climate Action Plan goals; secondarily creating an overall Sustainability Plan.
OVERALL GOAL:
Achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 by pursuing the following goals in the Climate Action Plan:
Climate Action Plan Goals:
• Reduce energy consumption in large commercial and industrial (C/I)
buildings by 30% by 2030, as compared to the business-as-usual
forecast.
• Reduce energy consumption in mid-size commercial buildings by 30%
by 2030, as compared to the business-as-usual forecast.
• By 2030, design all new construction to be net-zero energy (NZE).
• Reduce energy consumption in residential buildings by 35% by 2030, as
compared to the business-as-usual forecast.
• Achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
• Reduce vehicle emissions by 25% by 2030, as compared to the
business-as-usual forecast.
• Achieve a 50% reduction in waste by 2030.
Pursue the 2040 Climate Action Plan (CAP) goals, by taking such steps including (partial list from CAP)
A. Promote and support retrofitting existing buildings to increase energy efficiency.
B. Promote and support updating of building operations to use best management practices for
increasing building energy efficiency.
C. Engage building occupants and homeowners in sustained behavior changes that increase energy
efficiency.
D. Strengthen the city’s Green Building Policy and expand the number of new and renovated
buildings that are constructed to achieve the Green Building Policy standards.
E. Encourage and incentivize community stakeholders to purchase solar power or other renewable
purchasing options offered by utilities or developers or install on-site solar energy systems.
F. Grow environment and sustainability awareness/outreach for residents and businesses.
G. Reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by encouraging residents and businesses to replace existing
vehicles with more fuel-efficient models, including electric vehicles (EVs), and by expanding EV
charging infrastructure.
Pursue the 2040 Climate Action Plan (CAP) Advanced Strategies
A. Explore opportunities for combined heat and power or using thermal energy grids as power
supplies.
B. Encourage fuel switching from fossil fuels to renewable sources or buying carbon offsets.
C. Consider including Scope 3 emissions in future emissions inventories and plan revisions.
Develop a 2040 Sustainability Plan that broadens the scope of the Climate Action Plan
A. Conduct a sustainability assessment of the city’s existing natural environment, built
environment, economic and social systems’ conditions, policies/programs, and
interconnections.
B. Establish the city’s sustainability vision, guiding principles, and goals.
C. Identify key sustainability indicators and measures.
D. Create a sustainability plan as a stand-alone plan or integrated into the Comprehensive Plan that
establishes sustainability policies/strategies and actions.
2040 Comprehensive Plan
Solid Waste Goals and Strategies:
HIGHLIGHTS:
Increase reduction of solid waste through education to reduce waste, increase recycling and zero waste
packaging, using pay-as-you-throw rates, and adopting a waste reduction plan by 2020.
Continue to Provide Education & Outreach to Community
A. Incorporate recycling and reduction education programs that include innovative or
non-traditional methods to reach community members.
B. Create and provide multi-lingual education.
C. Focus education on event recycling for users of city owned properties.
D. Identify opportunities for internal education.
Support and Increase Waste Reduction
A. Continue to improve and enforce the City’s zero waste packaging ordinance.
B. Adopt a waste reduction plan by 2020.
C. Continue to adjust city solid waste rates to support pay-as-you-throw rate model.
D. Continue to explore deconstruction opportunities in residential and commercial
construction and demolition projects.
Support Repair/Reuse/Recycling/Composting Markets
A. Ensure that city purchases include recycled content.
B. Work toward a requirement that Grade 2 compost is used for city parks, roads, private
development, and construction projects.
C. Develop and implement a soil management policy for any construction projects
(public/private) to improve organic content of soil through the use of compost.
Increase Recycling & Organics Recycling
A. Increase residential organics recycling participation to 80% by 2040.
B. Continue to support multi-family recycling by identifying properties to include in
residential collection program and research the feasibility of incorporating small
dumpster service in future city contracts for small to mid-sized multi-family buildings.
C. Educate and enforce the commercial and multi-family recycling requirements of Solid
Waste Ordinance.
D. Improve public spaces event recycling through increasing availability of recycling
containers, improved signage, mobilize volunteers and other best management
practices.
2040 Comprehensive Plan
Water Supply Goals and Strategies:
HIGHLIGHTS:
Continue to provide an uninterrupted supply of safe, high quality water. Build on reducing water usage
efforts through continued conservation and education in the community.
Provide an uninterrupted supply of safe, high quality water to St. Louis Park customers through proper
operation and maintenance of the water supply system
A.Continue the current preventive maintenance on all water supply and treatment equipment to
prevent unexpected breakdowns.
B.Continue to evaluate the basic maintenance and operational guidelines to provide responsive and
cost-effective maintenance of the Water Supply System.
C.Continue to implement the Wellhead Protection Plan.
Provide for the treatment and delivery of water in the most energy efficient manner
A. Continue to participate in the Xcel Energy time-of-day energy program.
B.Conduct periodic reviews of the energy use to insure the energy saving equipment is operating at
peak performance.
C.Continue to research energy conservation techniques that may apply to the water treatment and
delivery system.
D.Continue to install variable frequency drives at wells and high service pumps to conserve energy
and enhance operational control.
Encourage reduced water consumption
A.Utilize the water conservation pricing in the rate structure.
B.Continue to enforce the mandatory sprinkling restriction through education and enforcement.
C.Continue the system-wide leak-detection program.
D.Continue education programs related to responsible personal use of water.
E.Continue to enforce the installation of water saving fixtures.
Provide education to consumers on water supply, treatment and conservation
A.Continue presentations to community groups and schools, facility tours, and community events.
B.Continue other outreach efforts such as consumer confidence reports, billing inserts, distribution of
information through social media.
C.Continue to partner with local and national organizations that specialize in water related education.
2040 Comprehensive Plan
Sanitary Sewer Goals and Strategies:
HIGHLIGHTS:
Continued emphasis on operation and maintenance of the local sanitary system, specifically addressing
its structural integrity and reducing volume of inflow and infiltration.
Provide the community a municipal sanitary sewer collection system that will enable optimum
transportation of sewage with minimum interruption
A. Continue the four-year cleaning and maintenance program on the main sewer lines and bi-
annual maintenance program on the sanitary sewer lift stations.
B. Continue to evaluate the basic maintenance and operational guidelines to provide responsive
and cost-effective maintenance of the Sanitary Sewer System.
Provide current information on the Sanitary Sewer System infrastructure through video inspection
A. Continue to evaluate the sanitary sewer lines for structural integrity, inflow and infiltration, using
the process to establish a proactive CIP to correct any deficiencies through the most effective
methods. Televise every 4 years.
B. Incorporate the inspection process with an efficient maintenance program.
Continue to Mitigate Inflow and Infiltration in the Sanitary Sewer System
A. Implement on-going I/I Mitigation Plan included in this plan.
B. Continue to systematically investigate areas of concern identified through flow monitoring.
2040 Comprehensive Plan
Surface Water Management Goals and Strategies:
HIGHLIGHTS:
Proactively work to reduce pollutants from storm water runoff. Enhance floodplain management to better
identify flood risks in the community.
Proactively work to reduce pollutants from storm water runoff
A. Identify and construct regional treatment facilities.
B. Incorporate treatment and Best Management Practices (BMP’s) in pavement
management projects.
C. Promote and fund water treatment and infiltration projects through the Rainwater
Rewards program.
D. Partner with private landowners and redevelopment projects to construct regional
treatment facilities.
Provide education and outreach to community
A. Educate and ensure that every person understands the stormwater and natural systems
and where stormwater goes.
B. Promote the Rainwater Rewards Program.
C. Continue to work with Westwood Hills Nature Center programs.
D. Sponsor clean up and planting events near surface water resources.
.
Enhance floodplain management to better identify flood risks
A. Delineate floodplain using Atlas 14 rainfall data in stormwater modeling.
B. Utilize stormwater models to predict and identify at risk properties and categorize the
level of risk.
C. Identify regional storage and management solutions.
Expand city’s role in erosion and sediment control
A. Enforce city rules and requirement for erosion control on both public and private
construction projects.
B. Continue to maintain and repair existing BMP’s as necessary.
C. Enhance the current street sweeping program by increasing frequency and efficiency of
sweeping techniques.
D. Continue to implement BMPs in all parks and public works maintenance activities.
Continue partnerships with Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and the Bassett Creek Water
Management Organization on stormwater management
2040 Comprehensive Plan
Public Health Goals and Strategies:
HIGHLIGHTS:
Revamped to address physical, social and mental well-being. Note a number of recent and new initiatives
and partnerships with other organizations and levels of government.
Support social and mental wellbeing initiatives that span age and culture
A. Prioritize programs that promote health equity for all in the Healthy Living Grant program.
B. Continue to support opportunities for children and youth to gain skills, increase self-esteem, and
envision a positive future through partnership with organizations such as Children First.
C. Engage older residents in community conversations and volunteer opportunities so that they
can find fulfillment in ways that benefit themselves and the community.
D. Promote volunteerism and community service among people of all ages and cultures by creating
and communicating volunteer opportunities within the city.
E. Continue to promote opportunities for people to build connections with their peers, neighbors,
and the greater community by supporting activities, and events through the support of
neighborhood organizations, the neighborhood grant program and the Healthy Living Grant
program.
F. Continue to celebrate young people’s accomplishments, and promote activities for children and
youth to increase their participation in the community through volunteer programs such as the
junior naturalist and junior park leader volunteer programs.
Support physically healthy communities that span age and culture
A. Continue to partner with the school district and support nutritional changes and education in
the schools and across the community.
B. Conduct a study of food accessibility and security in the community.
C. Continue to support community nutrition education through the Healthy Living Grant program.
D. Continue to seek ways to offer healthy nutritional options in municipal buildings.
E. Continue to engage with the community on needs and desires pertaining to physical wellbeing.
F. Continue to seek ways to implement initiatives that support physical activity in St. Louis Park
through walking and biking in all parts of the community.
G. Continue to support efforts led by the Health in the Park Champions that strengthen the ability
of children, youth, families, seniors and people of all ages to participate in their physical health,
wellness, and education, and to contribute to the development of a vibrant, growing
community.
H. Continue to support efforts to reduce exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke in outdoor areas,
particularly where vulnerable populations, such as children and seniors, are likely to be present.
Continue the Health in the Park initiative to support healthy growth, healthy aging, and healthy
lifestyles for all
A. Continue to grow the Health in the Park Champion Program, engaging with community
members to adopt healthy and active lifestyles to improve their general physical and mental
health and well-being and to promote healthy aging for all ages.
B. Promote access to affordable opportunities for people to participate in fitness and recreational
activities and to enjoy the outdoors.
C. Support connections and opportunities that serve the homeless, mentally ill, and chemically
dependent populations through the Health in the Park program.
D. Continue to grow the Health in the Park initiative in partnership with the school district and
other community organizations who wish to advance the wellbeing of those in the city.
E. Expand reach of the Health in the Park program ensuring equitable communication and
opportunity for participation.
Consult the Climate Action Plan to increase resiliency and adaptability to the health effects of climate
change
A. Address prospective health concerns related to climate change and the impact of extreme
weather conditions on community members.
Improve regional collaboration around health and human services
A. Continue to be a member of county-wide initiatives such as Active Living Hennepin Communities
and seek ways to collaborate across communities on healthy living activities and initiatives.
B. Support and make connections with community organizations and other jurisdictions that
advocate for strong health, human service, and public safety systems, including services for
mental health and substance abuse in partnership with the Health in the Park initiative.
C. Continue to address health issues in the community, with attention to helping provide
information on resources for seniors, and vulnerable and isolated populations.
2040 Comprehensive Plan
Police Services Goals and Strategies:
HIGHLIGHTS:
Continue to use Community Oriented Policing to emphasize safety and prevent crime through building
relationships and assisting people in making connections to needed services.
Continue to emphasize safety and the prevention of crime and disorder through the use of
the Community Oriented Policing philosophy
A. Develop crime prevention partnerships with our schools, businesses, neighborhoods
and places of worship.
B. Continue employee development in Fair and Impartial Policing and Procedural Justice.
Build problem-solving relationships with people in the community. Continue to encourage
neighborhood involvement and partnerships to promote a safe and healthy community
A. Provide education on the role of the police department in the community through the
New Americans Academy, Citizens Academy, and School Resource Officers.
B. Building strong neighborhoods through National Night Out, Neighborhood Watch
programs and the Neighborhood Associations.
C. Enhanced Community engagement activities such as Coffee with a Cop and our Cops N
Kids programming.
D. Continue to partner with Hennepin County in the Joint Community Police Partnership
to enhance communication and understanding between law enforcement officers and
multicultural residents.
Expand the ability of city staff to solve problems, decrease incidents of crime and disorder
and assist people in making connections to needed services
A. Identify and address quality of life issue in the community through community surveys
and neighborhood meetings.
B. Engage other City departments, community members, and local businesses to assist in
crime prevention.
2040 Comprehensive Plan
Fire Department Goals and Strategies:
HIGHLIGHTS:
Continue emphasis on fire prevention and risk reduction. Address community health issues to connect people to services,
and reduce costs and inefficiency.
Build a resilient St Louis Park through an emphasis on prevention and community risk reduction
A. Continue as an active participant to advance racial equity within St Louis Park by training and the
continued use of tools to ensure consistency and effectiveness in providing the best service in the
most equitable way.
Protect the community and maintain a healthy, safe environment for city residents and businesses
A. Continue to provide leadership, mentorship and accountability that is flexible to meet changing
community needs, focused on developing and preparing new leaders for the future while
maintaining accountability to the community.
B. Maintain sufficient emergency response equipment, apparatus and staffing levels to ensure
community protection, provide for firefighter safety and wellbeing and plan for changes in demand
for service.
C. Continue to respond to and address health issues in the community. Pilot cost saving projects in
the rapidly growing field of mobile integrated healthcare. Improve access to health care for all
residents, lower the costs, and use the appropriate care for the type of call.
D. Use all-hazards approach to emergency management and crisis in order to be prepared for any
variety of incidents and disasters. Plan and prepare to be able to provide appropriate response and
be resilience when the community is most vulnerable.
Encourage and promote cost-effectiveness and efficiency in our service delivery and eliminate redundancy
when appropriate
A. Training
Provide oversight and management for all Fire Department training and educational programs to
ensure that the local, state, and federal mandates are met.
B. Revenue Enhancement
Identify and implement available sources of revenue in order to fund operational and structural
improvements, and to lessen the burden on taxpayers. Seek to capture additional revenues through
the expansion of contract services, enhanced reimbursable services and development of new value-
added services for other public and private sector entities.
C. Technology
Continue to leverage technology in in fire services to help keep our community and staff safe.
Continue to build relationships within the community and promote neighborhood involvement
and partnerships to promote a safe and healthy community
A. Collaborate and cooperate in a positive manner with the community as a whole. Continue
to capitalize on employing the abundance of healthcare resources in our service to the
community.
2040 Comprehensive Plan
Racial Equity Goals and Strategies:
HIGHLIGHTS:
New section to create a just and inclusive community for all; ensure racial equity in city service and
programs; and increase opportunities in the city for communities of color and indigenous people.
Break down barriers in creating a just and inclusive community for all
A. Continue and expand pipelines and programs for communities of color and indigenous people to
be involved in and take on city leadership roles.
B. Consider people of color-owned and indigenous-owned small businesses and services in city
purchasing practices and contracts where possible.
C. Expand racial equity conversations within all areas of city business.
Ensure racial equity in city services and programs to make a tangible difference for all
A. Apply a racial equity lens to all city work and city decisions.
B. Build a city workforce that reflects the racial make-up of our community at all levels in the
organization.
C. Support city work areas and departments with new resources to engage and expand
understanding and skill sets around racial equity.
D. Establish a racial equity assessment program to review the city’s racial equity work.
Continue to create opportunities to build social capital through community engagement
A. Foster and facilitate transparency between community and the city.
B. Build strategies and opportunities to reach historically unheard voices and unseen communities
within St. Louis Park.
C. Build trust and deeper connections through outreach and community engagement within
communities of color and indigenous people.
D. Connect and engage with St. Louis Park School District and other community organizations to
meet the needs of current and future community.
E. Encourage Neighborhood Associations to deepen their reach and connections within the
community.
2040 Comprehensive Plan Update St. Louis Park May 8, 2018
St. Louis Park 2040 Comprehensive Plan Outline
CHAPTER
Goals and Strategies
I = Information
X = Goals and Strategies
Included in Council
Report
Vision St. Louis Park
• Strategic Directions
• Key Themes
I
Who We Are - Demographics I
Why We Are A Livable Community
A. Planning Context I
B. Land Use Plan X X
C. Economic and Redevelopment X X
D. Housing Plan X X
E. Historic Resources I
F. Plan By Neighborhood I
Mobility: Getting Around in Our Community X
A. Highways and Streets
B. Transit
C. Bicycles and Pedestrians
D. Freight Rail
E. Aviation
Where We Gather
A. Parks and Open Space X X
B. Schools I
C. Public Art I
Environmental and Sustainability
A. Climate and Energy
B. Solid Waste
X
X
X
X
C. Water Resources
1. Water System X X
2. Sanitary Sewer X X
3. Surface Water X X
D. Other utilities I
2040 Comprehensive Plan Update St. Louis Park May 8, 2018
How We Govern
A. City Government I
B. Public Health and Safety
1. Public Health
2. Inspection Services
3. Police Department Services
4. Fire Department Services
X
I
X
X
X
X
X
C. Race and Equity X X
D. Communications I
APPENDICES:
• Water Supply Plan
• I & I Study
• Surface Water Management Plan
• Climate Action Plan
• Neighborhood Input Report
Comprehensive Plan 2040 - Tentative Review Schedule
Date Topics for discussion
Feb 21 Land Use
March 7 Housing
March 21 Land Use and Mobility
- City Council invited
April 4 Climate and energy
Parks and Recreation
Solid Waste
- Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission and
Environment & Sustainability Commission invited
April 16 City Council Study Session
• Housing
• Land Use
April 18 Surface Water, Water Supply, Sanitary Sewer
May 2 Public Health and Safety
Plan by Neighborhood
May 14 – June 18 Additional Community Engagement Survey
May 14 City Council Study Session - Goals and Strategies
May 15 Goals and Strategies on Website; share with Commissions
May 16 Remaining sections
May 29 City Council Overall Plan Review
May 30 Planning Commission Overall Plan Review
June 6 Planning Commission recommendation to send out for review
June 18 City Council action to send out for review
November Planning Commission Public Hearing
December City Council Action to formally submit Plan to Metropolitan
Council