HomeMy WebLinkAbout20080204 - VIII-B-2VIII-B-2
Memo
To: Mayor Hicks and City Council
From: ,lohn Hinzman, Planning Director
Date: February 4, 2008
Subject: Comprehensive Plan -Draft Land Use Plan
REQUEST
The City Council is asked to review the attached draft Land Use Plan section of the 2030
Comprehensive Plan. The plan incorporates the comments and direction of the
Comprehensive Plan Committee.
No formal action is needed on the plan at this time. Upon consent of the City Council,
the draft plan will be posted on the City's web site. Staff would also provide an update of to
neighboring communities.
Staff wilt present a brief presentation of the plan at the Council Meeting.
ATTACHMENTS
• Draft Land Use Plan
8 January 2008
land Use Plan
The City of Hastings Land Use Plan guides public and private actions in regard to the
pattern of land use and development and expresses ideas from other plan chapters as they
relate to land use. Its purpose is to encourage the orderly development of Hastings,
create an attractive and efficient urban environment and protect key natural resources.
This chapter includes:
1. Objectives for land use
2. Policies to guide land use and eornmunity design decisions
3. A map of the desired future pattern of land use.
The land use plan is the central element of the Hastings Comprehensive Plan, and many
people will think of this chapter as ``the comprehensive plan." Although there are other
plan chapters, they are each related to the land use plan as they each have a geographic
component. Consequently, there is some overlap, and other elements provide more detail
on certain subjects mentioned in this chapter. The key provisions of other chapters of
the Comprehensive Plan critical to the physical development of Hastings are integrated
into the Land Use policies.
The Land Use PIan translates the community vision for growth and conservation into a
recoirirriended physical pattern of neighborhoods, commercial and employment areas,
road and parks. Land use policies seek to influence the location, types, amount and
timing of fi.iture growth through private real estate development, public investment in
infrastructure and community facilities, and conservation of natural areas.
The Land Use Plan will be used by the City in making decisions about private
development proposals, and the location, size and timing of public improvements. The
chapter may also be the basis for preparing more specific sub-area or sketch plans for
smaller subsections of the community such as the central business district or a future
residential neighborhood.
The objectives and policies of this chapter are expected to be implemented through the
City's Land use ordinances including zoning and subdivision, which may be amended
after the adoption of this plan, and through the administration of those ordinances by City
staff, the Planning Commission and the City Council.
However, the Land Use Plan should not be construed as a final blueprint for specific site
development nor a prospective zoning map. The identification of preferred land uses
does not imply that rezoning a specific should be immediately considered. Factors
including the timing of zoning decisions, availability of similar land and the impact of a
rezoning decision on other City objectives and policies must be considered prior to a
rezoning.
8 January 2008 Page i of 31
Land Ilse Pian
The Land Use Plan maybe amended occasionally as circumstances warrant. However,
the City hopes that the policy direction of this plan will be relatively consistent over time.
Guidelines for reviewing and updating the plan are included in the Plan Implementation
chapter of this comprehensive plan.
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8 ]anuary 2008 Page 2 of 31
Land Use Plan
Key Land Use Planning Issues
The major land use issues are described below.
1. Fringe Development Pattern: What should be the pattern of land use on the
City's perimeter?
2. Extent of Perimeter Growth: How far should this plan allow development to
occur between now and 2030? What factors should be considered in detern-ining
the extent of growth (natural resources, public service availability, and
infrastructure?) Should the City plan to extend public sewer and water services
beyond the easterly bluff line?
3. Development Staging: What should be the sequence of new neighborhood
development on the perimeter of the City?
4. Rate of Growth: How fast should the City grow? How should the volume of
growth be regulated?
5. Type of New Housing: Should the City regulate the proportion of new single-
family housing versus multiple-family housing?
6. Appearance of New Multi-Fatuity Housing: Should the City attempt to
influence the exterior appearance of future multiple-family housing?
7. Downtown: To what degree should the City promote and assist redevelopment of
downtown? What role should the City play in implementing the Heart of Hastings
downtown plan for intensive, urban retail, offices, housing and mixed-use
buildings?
$. Riverfronts: How should public access to the riverfront be prioritized.
To what extent should the City strive to provide or require public access to the
riverfront during property development and redevelopment?
9. New Neighborhood Design: Should the City require that new residential areas
be designed with many of the features of the older neighborhoods such as
sidewalks, street trees, a mixture of housing types, narrow streets, short front
setbacks and garages located to the rear?
10. t_and Use in the Highway 55 Corridor: What should be the pattern of land use
in the Highway 55 corridor west of Cub Foods?
11. Vermillion Street Corridor Improvements: What should be the pattern of Land
use in the Vermillion Street corridor? What should be done to improve the urban
image of the corridor?
12. Next Major Employment Center: Should the City plan a location for the
coordinated development of industry and offices? If so, what is the preferred
location? What types of businesses or industries should be targeted for such a
location? Should the City impose design requirements through its zoning
ordinance? Should the City be the developer?
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8 January 2008 Page 3 of 31
Land Use Plan
Land Use Goals
1. Small Town Character: Protect the look and feel of the older districts and seek to
extend traditional neighborhood design principles into new areas-
2. Fringe Growth: Adopt and follow a plan for perimeter growth and protect
perimeter locations for efficient, compact neighborhood expansion.
3. Neighborhood Protection and Improvement: Keep older neighborhood
attractive and vital through improved streets, parks and services, code enforcement,
design standards and selective redevelopment.
4. Natural Environment: Protect and enhance the major natural features of
Hastings such as wooded hillsides, wetlands, fIoodplains and waterfronts.
Land Use objectives
Objective 1 -Land Needs. Plan for urban growth to accommodate the regional
forecast of population, households and jobs plus some additional land for market
flexibility.
Objective 2 -Sustainable Growth. Grow by investing in established areas, carefully
planning new neighborhoods, providing attractive public amenities and protecting
environmental resources.
Objective 3 -- The Land Use Plan Map. Regulate land use consistently with the Land
Use Plan Map, Figure 2.5 and the policies of this plan-
Objective 4 -Perimeter and Regional Growth. Achieve efficient and cost-effective
perimeter growth for the long-term future.
Objective 5 -Residential Neighborhoods. Reinforce or create neighborhoods with a
variety of housing styles, attractive public spaces, compatible land uses and a sense of
identity.
Objective 6 - Riverfronts and Stream Corridors. Guide riverfront land use for
parks, housing, offices, hospitality businesses and, of course, marinas.
Objective 7 -- Major Roadway Corridors. Plan land use along the major road
corridors in a manner supportive of the fiznctional classification of the road.
Objective 8 -- Environmental Resources: Safeguard and improve environmental
features for their innate qualities as well as means of promoting efficient urban
development, revitalization and quality of life.
Objective 9 - Redevelopment: Restore underutilized urban and riverfront properties
to viable commercial, residential or recreational opportunities-
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Land Use Plan
Objective i0 -Incompatible Land Use: Reduce land use conflicts through
redevelopment of blighted, vacant or underutilized properties, enhanced buffering or
screening, and improved building and site design.
Objective it -- Municipal Expansion: Work to maintain a well-planned and fiscally
sound community by carefully considering aruiexations that are consistent with the goals
and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan_
Objective 12 -- Locat and Regional Investments. Invest in public facilities so as to
maximize their impact, minimize duplication and advance the other objectives of the
comprehensive plan.
Objective 13 -- Land Use Plan Implementation: Use this plan as a basis for
reviewing development applications, as a guide for neighborhood or district plans, and as
the foundation for amending the City's zoning and subdivision ordinances_
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8 January ZOOS Page 5 of 31
Land tJse Plan
Land Use Policies
Objective 1-- Land Needs
Plan for urban growth to accommodate the regional forecast of population,
households and jobs plus some additional land for market flexibility.
Policies:
1. Growth Rate: Plan for sufficient land development to accommodate the number
of additional households forecast by the Metropolitan Council for the periods 2006
to 2030 plus a commensurate amount of commercial and industrial development.
To meet the regional housing forecast, there would have to be approximately 157 new
housing units built annually in Hastings.
The high pace of approval activity during the 2000 through 2004 period has left Hastings
and its builders with more housing supply than can be absorbed in the short term but
which wilt eventually be consumed. At an average annual rate of 200 new units,
Hastings had a four year supply of approved but unbuilt-upon lots or unbuilt attached
housing units as of December 31, 2006. In addition, planned but unplatted or unapproved
lots or units totaled another three years. A supply of about 2 to 3 years of approved lots
or units would be appropriate for a healthy housing market.
The following table indicates the approximate number of acres of land development
needed in and around Hastings to accommodate forecasted housing growth plus related
commercial, industrial and other urban needs.
Table 2. I S suggests that over the period from 2005 to 2030, Hastings could witness
approximately 1,700 acres of urban development. Approximately 400 of those acres are
existing and serviced properties while another 1,300 would be perimeter growth.
Table 2.15
Land Needs to Accommodate Forecast Growth
2006-
2010 2011-
2015 2016-
2020 2020-
2025 2026-
2030
Total
Households Growth 220 1,100 1,100 750 750 3,920
Housing Units Growth 227 1,133 1,133 773 773 4,038
Units per
Net Acre
Acreage for Detached Urirts 3.5 0.5 32 162 162 110 I10 577
Acreage for Attached Units 8 0.5 14 71 71 48 48 252
Total Net Housing Acreage 47 233 233 259 159 829
Total Acreage Needed Assuming that Housing = 50 Percent of La nd Needs:
Residential Acres (net) 0.50 47 233 233 159 159 829
Retail & Service Acres 0.10 9 47 47 32 32 166
Industrial & Office Acres 0.13 12 60 60 41 41 216
Other Acres* 0.27 25 126 226 86 86 448
Total Development Acres 1.00 93 465 465 317 317 -;a`` 1;.658..;
Undeveloped but Serviced Land in Hastings 400
Net Additional Acreage Needed On Hastings Fringe 1,258
Factor for Market Choice 0.25 23 116 116 79 79 4I5
Total Fringe Acres to Include in the Land Use Plan 1,673
"Other Acres" includes street and road ROW, parks, floodplain, wetlands, schools and other public lands.
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8 January 2008 Page 6 of 31
Land Use Plan
Objective 2 -Sustainable Growth
Grow by investing in established areas, carefuNy planning new neighborhoods,
providing attractive public amenities and protecting environmental resources.
Established neighborhoods ought to be maintained or renewed as new investments occur
in fringe locations. Growth on the perimeter of the city should be efficient and adjacent
to existing development, and some new housing or business should occur as
redevelopment. Over the next twenty-five years, Hastings will face many opportunities
to reshape or intensify_ Certain locations will likely emerge as "activity centers,"
whether they are employment nodes or shopping centers locations that need a new
purpose.
Policies:
1. Major Directions of Urban Growth: Continue to grow toward the west and
south to reduce pressure on the sensitive resources on the eastern side of the
community. PIan for and confine urban growth over the 2008-2030 time period to
the area bounded by a Line %Z mile west of Jacob Avenue and 170th Street on the
south. Maintain an open and mostly undeveloped area in the northeastern portion
of the community where the Vermillion River enters the lowlands of the
Mississippi River valley as well as east of the Glendale Road valley. (Refer also to
Objective 4, Policy 1 I, for fizrther guidance on growth in the Glendale Road
valley.)
2. Fringe Development Pattern: Regulate development to be compact and
efficient. Allow for mixtures of both detached and attached forms of housing in
neighborhoods. Include parks and off-street bicycling paths consistent with the
Parks and Trails chapter of this plan.
3. Compact and Contiguous Growth: Guide growth in Hastings to locations
either contiguous to or within presently urbanized areas_ Land use should be either
urban and compact or rural and very low density. This would serve to:
• Promote efficient use of serviced land
• Promote continued investment in older areas
• Limit public and private expenses
• Protect sensitive environmental resources
• Preserve rural character and prime farm land
• Conserve nearby fringe areas for future urbanization when public sewer and
water service become available
• Reduce driving
• Enable increased use of transit and bicycling
• Preserve the distinction between urban and rural areas
• Create a stronger sense of neighborhood and community_
4. New Neighborhoods: Provide the opportunity for a variety of housing units (both
detached and attached). Size local streets to slow traffic speeds. Include street trees
and sidewalks. Parks and greenways should be developed within walking distance
of new homes. Incorporate small commercial centers to serve residences_
8 3anuary 2008 Page 7 of 31
Land Use Pfan
5. Infitl and Reinvestment: Provide various incentives for the re-use or more
intensive use of locations that were not previously developed, locations that have
been built upon but cleared and locations that are underutilized or highly
deteriorated. Some part of the future growth in jobs and housing will be captured in
the older parts of the city to keep those areas vital and to use prior public
investments.
Incentives may include planning and zoning, buying, preparing and reselling
property, and improving roads, utilities and parks. Prime locations for infill and
redevelopment activity include riverfront areas, downtown and its edges, portions of
the older residential neighborhoods, and portions of the major road comdors such as
Vermillion Street. Examples of public improvements may include the proposed
"Bailly Parkway" or new riverfront parks.
6. Otder Neighborhoods: Keep existing neighborhoods, including residential and
commercial areas, attractive and economically vital by providing high-quality
streets, parks, street trees, fire, police and other public services, by enforcing local
ordinances related to maintenance and upkeep, by assisting redevelopment and by
requiring new development to be attractive and compatible to its neighbors.
7. Activity Centers: Work to intensify the pattern of Land use in certain parts of the
city. In those areas, apply zoning, infrastructure and incentives to create higher
density development, particularly employment, shopping and multi-fatuity housing,
served by major roads.
"Activity centers" are intended as a means of encouraging infill growth, of using
infrastructure efficiently, of reducing auto trips and creating diverse, interesting
urban locations_ The primary locations of intensified development will be:
• Downtown
• Vermillion Street comdor
• Highway 55 corridor
• The vicinity of the intersection of US Highway 61 and County Highway 316
• The location of the planned business park along Jacob Avenue north of County
Highway 46.
8. Downtown: Continue to support downtown as the historic, social and
psychological heart of the city. Promote an environment that is walkable, dense,
diverse and in keeping with its historic architectural character. Expand the range of
housing options in and around the downtown, and improve the Iinkage between
downtown and the riverfront.
9. Quality of Growth: Review all proposed residential subdivisions, site plans for
multiple-family residential, commercial, office or industrial development, and
annexation petitions for conformance with the policies of this Land Use Plan, the
Community Design Plan and the Parks and Trails Plan.
10. Maintaining Growth Forecasts: Work with Dakota County, the Metropolitan
Council and Independent School District 200 to update the City's forecast of
population, households and jobs for the sake of planning roads, utilities, parks and
schools.
8 January 2008 Page 8 of 31
Land Use Plan
il. Leadership on Regional Land Use: Continue to participate in and initiate
discussions about sensible land use planning in the southeastern part of the Twin
Cities metropolitan area.
Advocate compact cities with high quality public infrastructure and well designed
private investments surrounded by agricultural areas with very few non-farm
houses, interlaced with forest, wetlands and greenways.
12. Annexafion: Use annexation as one of the means by which to create a compact,
attractive and sustainable urban area that is distinct from the nearby rural area.
Hastings will support beneficial annexation petitions by providing high quality
public infrastructure and proactive planning. See also Objective 11, Municipal
Expansion.
Objective 3 -- The Land Use Plan Map
Regulate land use consistently with the Land Use Plan map, Figure 2.5 and the
policies of this plan.
A proposed pattern of future land use for Hastings and its immediate area is illustrated by
Figure 2.~ and is based on the other objectives and policies of the Hastings
Comprehensive Plan. The pattern is generalized and not exact. It will be used by City
staff and officials to make recommendations and decisions about land development and
rezoning requests. The Land Use Plan Map also illustrates additional potential
development areas to identify potential future areas for growth and development beyond
the twenty-year planning horizon to provide sufficient market flexibility and choice.
The land use plan map should be used in conjunction with the policies from this chapter,
the and other chapters of the Comprehensive Plan_
The Land Use Plan Map, Figure 2.5, provides sufficient land to meet the anticipated
growth needs of Hastings through 2030_ Development decisions regarding specific tracts
and parcels will be initiated through the workings of the development market and driven
primarily by private investors. To the extent possible, the City will seek to guide the
sequencing and staging of Iand development on the perimeter of the community to be
consistent with the Land Use Plan Map and the Public Utilities Staging Plan (discussed
Iater in this chapter).
As shown previously in Table 2.1 ~, Land Needs to Accommodate Forecast Growth, the
City expects that approximately 1,673 acres will be required for urban development
during the 2006 through 2030 period. Approximately half of that increase would be
required to meet the housing needs for the forecast population increase and evolving
trends in household formation.
Table 2.16 indicates the number of acres expected to be devoted to each of the major
types of land use in 2010, 2020 and 2030_
Table 2.I 7 provides a more detailed description of each category along with criteria to
evaluate the appropriateness of specific uses relative to each land use category.
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8 January 2008 Page 9 of 31
Land Use Plan
Table 2.16
Forecast of Land Use Acreage, 200 2030
Housing Change
Units /Net Acre 2006 -
Totat City of Hastings Min. Max. 2006 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2030
Single-Family Residential 2 4 1,907 2,000 2,120 2,240 2,360 2,484 577
Multi-Fami! Residential 4 20 -465 480 540 600 660 717 252
Mixed-Use 8 25 8 10 40 ~ 90 130 158 150
Emp_ I Net Acre
Commercial and Office 15 50 297 330 363 396 429 463 i66
Industrial and Utility 20 44 276 319 362 405 448 492 216
F~ctractive 60 60 60 60 60 60 -
Pubiic and Semi-Public 447 453 459 465 471 475 28
Parks 749 765 771 777 783 831 82
Undeveloped, Rural Residential (2.5 - 10 ac.),
Agriculture, Wetlands, Floodplain, Steep Slope
2,350
2,380
2,410
2,440
2,470 I
2,500
150
Ma'orRoadRi ht-of-Wa 100 1i0 120 130 140 150 50
Total Acreage within Hastings 6,659 6,907 7,245 7,603 7,951 8,330 1,671
Within Hastings but Outside the Urban Service Area
Undeveloped, Rurai Residential, Agriculture, Wetlands,
Floodplain, Steep Slope 1,300 ! 1,300 ~ 1,300 1,300 I 1,300 1,300
8 ]anuary 2008 Page 10 of 31
Land tJse Plan
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8 January 2008 Page 11 of 31
Land tJse Plan
Policies:
1. Land Use Plan Map and Categories: Officially adopt and follow the land use
pattern shown by Figure 2.5 and the land use categories further defined in Table
2.16 as the general pattern of future continued physical development for the City of
Hastings. Table 2.I6 provides a more detailed description of each category along
with criteria to evaluate the appropriateness of specific uses relative to each land use
category.
The land use patterns and future public park locations shown on the map are
generalized and do not represent precise demarcations on the ground nor specific
sites- Consequently, the City will use the Land Use Plan Map in conjunction with
related objectives and policies of the Comprehensive Plan in reviewing rezoning
and development proposals, plats, site plans, annexation petitions and other requests
regarding future land use.
However, major departures from the Land Use Plan Map will be considered only in
the context of an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. The City will generally
allow rezonings to more intensive land uses consistent with the Land Use Plan
Map. Adverse affects of excessive traffic, noise or light by unattractive site
planning or by excessive or unwarranted impact on the natural environment on
neighboring properties should be examined prior to a rezoning-
Table 2.17
Land Use Plan Categories and Proposed Zoning Map Districts
Land Use Land Uses Potential Zoning
Plan Map Districts
Cate o
Future Future Neighborhood indicates locations where housing and Any residential zoning
Neighborhood supportive development are expected to occur- The exact districts; schools; public
arrangement of residential densities and types will be facilities; parks-
determined through negotiation with land development
applicants. Each Future Neighborhoods may contain a variety
of housing units, types, and densities.
Low Density The Low Density Housing category includes single-family R-I, Love Density
Housing housing, two-family housing and low-density attached Residence, R-1 L, Low
housing. Allowable densities range from approximately 2 to 4 Density Large Lot
housing units per gross acre. Includes places of worship. Residence, R-2 Medium
Density.
Medium and Small-lot detached houses, two-family housing, townhouses. R-3 Medium Density
High Density Four to eight unit buildings with individual exterior entrances, Residence, R-4, Medium
Housing and all forn}s of apartment buildings are included. Medium High Density Residence;
and High Density Housing which has been located where there Residential Mixed-Use
is good traffic access, between Low-Density Housing and non- District; R-6 Manufactured
residential land uses, and at high-amenity locations. The Home District
density is expected to be greater than 4 housing units per net
acre- Includes places of worship.
8 January 2008 Page 12 of 31
Land Use Plan
Land Use land Uses Potential Zoning
Plan Map Districts
Cate o
Mixed Use Commercial retail or service businesses, offices and high- Anew zoning district
density housing_ Commercial and residential development (Mixed Use) or a new
may be combined vertically in the same building. Parking planned-unit development
may be in structures to maximize land development intensity_ district.
Park spaces should be small and may occur in the form of
plazas.
Commercial Businesses providing retail trade or services for individuals or C-1, General Commerce,
businesses. Also includes office buildings. C-2, Highway Auto-
Specialized Commerce;
C-3, Community Regional
Commerce; C-4 Regional
Shopping Center
O-1, General Office.
Downtown This land use category allows and promotes high-intensity DC, Downtown Core
office, retail, housing, hospitality, public land uses, preferably District.
in mixed-use buildings with strong pedestrian orientations and
historic character_ Also includes transitional and mixed-use
forms of housing or offices on the perimeter of the core
commercial area_
Industry and This category includes manufacturing or warehousing that I-1, Industrial Park;
Utility may involve heavy truck traffic, railroad service, the handling I-2, Industrial Park
of raw materials_ It also includes railroad yards, outdoor truck Storage/Service.
parking, power substations and the regional sewage treatment
plant.
Business Park This category includes office buildings, office-showroom, Anew zoning district
light industrial buildings and manufacturing-related
warehousing in Landscaped "campus" settings with hidden
truck docks and na outdoor storage_ This category is intended
to be a more attractive alternative [o conventional light
industrial areas.
Public and This category includes public or private schools, City Hatt and PI, Public Institution
Semi-Public the Dakota County Government Center. Also included are
private businesses such as cemeteries or the YMCA that have
a public service orientation, not-for-profit objectives and
community financial support.
Park -Existing Existing public parks_ Any residential zoning
district.
Park -Planned Locations of future parks shown on Figure 2.5, Planned Land Any residential zoning
Use, are only conceptual_ district.
Golf Course Private or public golf courses. R-1, Low Density
Residence.
Agriculture Includes farming and very low density housing (not exceeding A, Agriculture District.
one house per 40 acres).
Conservation Includes wetlands, floodpIains, steep slopes or the Department Any Residential district;
of Natural Resources Wildlife Management Area. Agriculture district.
Also regulated by Chapters
151, 152 and 153 of the
City Code
8 ]anuary 2008 Page 13 of 31
,!Land _Use Plan,_
Objective 4 -Perimeter and Regional Growth
Achieve compact and cost-effective perimeter growth for the long-#erm
future.
Perimeter and regional growth policies ensure that growth is economic, efficient and
feasible and contributes to the long-term financial health of the entire City.
A criticat issue facing Hastings is how to ensure that the City's urban extension is
compact, cost-efficient and designed for lasting value. The polices for this objective
provide the framework within which the City will work to achieve perimeter growth that
is as compact as possible and proceeds outward in a staged fashion. The policies seek to
address perimeter growth both through setting minimum standards for non-sewered
development and providing planning incentives for desirable growth patterns.
It is in the City's interests as well as those of the broader metropolitan area that future
growth be orderly and compact, provide better access with less traffic, minimize Land
consumption and preserve prime open space and key natural resources.
Z. Infill Development. Seek to maximize infilI development in the existing urban
neighborhoods because those Locations are already served by City sewer, water,
drainage, roads and public safety, are within one mile of a neighborhood park and
are within the City's developable area as designated in the Comprehensive Plan.
2. Contiguous Perimeter Development in the City. Encourage applications for
annexation, rezoning and land development in locations indicated on Figure 2.5,
Land Use P}an Map, as Future Neighborhood.
Such applications can generally be expected to meet with City Council approval if
they are consistent with this Comprehensive Plan and the more specific
requirements of the City's zoning and subdivision regulations.
Public utilities and roads are expected to be financed and built by the applicant;
County, State or Federal roads would be built by those units of government, and the
cost ofover-sizing major utility trunk lines that serve a broad area maybe recouped
by the land developer from other land owners as upstream properties are connected.
3. Land Use in Adjacent Townships. Encourage the adjacent Townships of
Nininger (to the west), Marshan (to the south) Ravenna (to the east}, and Denmark,
(to the north) to continue to plan and zone land within one mile of the edge of
Hastings' boundary for farming and very low density housing. Houses should be
allowed at a density not exceeding one house per 40 acres, which is the present
regulation in both townships.
A pattern of very low density housing and no commercial or industrial development
is essential to allow Hastings to expand in a manner that is compact, contiguous to
prior development and. cost-effective. Compact urban growth is essential to the
fiscal health of the City of Hastings, the quality of the City's perimeter
neighborhoods, and the protection of valuable farmland, and natural resources.
For its part, the City of Hastings will refrain from approving annexation petitions
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Land Use Plan
except for properties expected #o be platted or developed within the foreseeable
future. The City will consult with the Townships when reviewing such petitions
and seek to reach an amicable arrangement. (Refer allow to Objective 12,
Municipal Expansion.)
4. Extraterritorial Subdivision Review. Continue to review proposed subdivisions
of land within two miles of the City to avoid interference with officially adopted
plans for public roads or utilities.
5. Rate of Growth: Use the acreage figures in Table 2.16 as a guide for how much
land development should be allowed in each future five-year period.
6. Development Staging: Approve the extension of municipal sanitary sewer and
water lines according to the general sequence plan illustrated by Figure 2.6,
Development Staging Plan. The approximate locations beyond Development Stage
One should not be urbanized before the arterial roads in the Jacob Avenue and 170`x'
Street alignments are substantially improved.
Consider annexation petitions consistent with that general plan of staged and
orderly development, possibly including property that may not be developed
immediately, in order to effectively manage perimeter growth. Limit annexatian to
property that will be developed in the near future in order to effectively manage
perimeter growth to the mutual benefit of the City and the Townships.
Approve the extension of municipal sanitary sewer, potable water, roads or
surfacewater drainage routes to perimeter locations only if benef ting properties are
in the City of Hastings.
The Development Staging Plan should be refined during the preparation of the
Hastings Sanitary Sewer System Plan in 2008-2009. Four stages of major sewer
extensions should be considered:
• Short Term: Areas that are not presently served but only require minor
extensions of trunk sewer or can be easily served by lateral lines.
• Medium Term- A: Areas that are not currently served but are expected to
receive development pressure and a need for trunk line service to accommodate
development during the next five to ten years_
• Medium Term - B: Areas that are not currently served but are expected to
receive development pressure and a need for trunk line service to accommodate
development during the next l 0 to 20 years.
• Long Term: Areas that may need trunk sewer service for anticipated urban
development but are not anticipated to be served in the near future.
Amend the Development Staging Plan prior to the next major update of the
Comprehensive Plan if development occurs faster than anticipated in a given
location the land development market indicates a strong preference for change and
is willing to compensate the City for Additional facility costs incurred in making
the changes.
...._,._r....~...... -__..~..~_ ~._...... .._.._~ _...._.. ~,._..... .._,_.........___~_..._ _ ... ...__
8 January 2008 Page 15 of 31
Land Ilse Plan
~. Review Criteria for Subdivision or Rezoning Applications: Apply the
following guidelines when reviewing applications for subdivision or rezoning
anywhere in the City.
• Official Map: Is the proposal consistent with the City's Official Map of roads,
utilities, drainage and parks?
• Land Use Plan: Is the proposed Land use in conformance with the City's land use
plan?
• Residential Density: Is the residential density in conformance with the City's
land use plan?
• Design Standards: Does the design of the proposed roads, utilities and drainage
conform with the City's standards if the site is within one of the Utility Staging
Areas?
• Public Utilities: Can public sewer and water be economically and efficiently
retrofitted?
• Access Management: Does the spacing of driveways and public street
intersections conform with the City's access management guidelines?
• Resubdivision: If large outlots are proposed, can the property be easily
resubdivided into urban-sized parcels? Has a drawing been submitted showing
how this is feasible? Will buildings be located in conformance with the
resubdivision plan?
• Future Public Roads: Can public road access be easily provided in the future to
the portions of the tract not adjacent to the county or township road?
• Environmental Protection: Does the proposal conform with the City's
regulations for the protection of slopes, trees and water quality?
• Affect on Surrounding Properties: Is the use and density consistent with
surrounding properties? Do inconsistencies need to be mitigated?
9. Environmental Protection: Protect or restore sensitive or unique natural
resources such as floodplains, steep scopes, major wooded areas, major vistas,
streams, wetlands, water quality, shorelines and riverbanks through regulation
and/or City investment- (Refer to Objective 8. Environmental Protection.)
10. Employment Centers: Plan for a business park on the western side of the
community in the vicinity of Jacob Avenue and County Highway 46. This
employment center should feature acampus-like setting, upgraded architectural
standards, and no outdoor storage.
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8 January 2008 Page 16 of 31
Land Use Plan
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Refer to text for explanation
8 ]anuary 2008 Page 17 of 31
land Use Plan
11. Glendale Road Valley Land Use: A metropolitan wastewater treatment plant is
planned to be built by Metropolitan Council Environmental Services on a site north
of Ravenna Trail near Glendale Road_ Municipal sanitary sewer and water lines are
tentatively planned to be looped from Spiral Boulevard to Ravenna Trail to serve
that plant-
Land use in the Glendale Road valley will continue to be planned as "Agriculture or
Very Low Density Housing" until it is determined that the plant will be constructed
along with the looped sewer and water lines- At that time, the land use plan will be
reviewed and the Glendale Road valley may be guided for Low Density Housing.
One of the factors to be considered in that decision should be the assessment and
cost sharing policy for the sewer and water lines. Iri that regard, the Metropolitan
Council should be asked to pay for the cost of extending utilities to the treatment
plant so as to avoid pressure to develop the Glendale Road valley prematurely.
12. Protecting Prime Farmland: The City of Hastings seeks to minimize the loss of
prime farm land by promoting compact urban development and discouraging large-
lot subdivisions outside its borders.
Hastings believes that it is in the interest of both the City and its neighboring towns
to keep locations outside the urban area agricultural and rural rather than semi-
residential and semi-rural. Additionally, the City believes that urban growth served
by sewer and water tines is an effective way to reduce development pressure on
rural areas, thus minimizing the loss of farmland and rural visual character.
Therefore, Hastings expects to approve landowners' petitions for annexation and
development consistent with this comprehensive plan.
There are large tracts of Iand classified as prime far agriculture to the west and
south of Hastings in the Townships of Nininger and Marshan_ Past investments in
roads and utilities by the City, County and State, coupled with landowners'
decisions, are pulling urban growth in those directions- It is likely that some prime
farmland will be converted to urban uses.
Hastings believes that it is prudent to continue to allow annexations to the west and
south so as to take advantage of infrastructure investments. Growth in other
directions (where there is less prime farmland) is limited by topography, access,
utilities and other factors.
The regulatory techniques advocated by this plan to protect farmland include:
• Zoning land for no more than 1 house per 40 acres (small lots, low density}
• Clustering houses onto sites that are not prime for farming, are wooded, or are
difficult to farm because of size or access-
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8 3anuary 2008 Page 18 of 31
Land Use Plan
13. Protecting Aggregate Resources: Protecting access to aggregate resources
such as sand and gravel is essential to ensure availability for construction of roads
and buildings.
The "Minnesota Geological Aggregate Resources Inventory of the Seven-County
Metropolitan Area" (Minnesota Geological Society, 1982}, indicates that there are
no significant such deposits within the area planned to be urbanized east of Jacob
Avenue.
However, there are two large veins of dolostone (bedrock) aggregate in Nininger
Township west of Jacob Avenue and a vein of natural (fractured) aggregate in the
Glendale Road valley in Marshan Township. The active gravel mine along Jacob
Avenue is at the southeastern tip of the southerly vein in Nininger Township. Also,
east of the Glendale Road valley in Ravenna Township, there are bedrock and
surficial aggregate deposits.
Objective 5 -Residential Neighborhoods
Reinforce or create neighborhoods with a diversity of housing, attractive
public spaces, compatible land uses and a sense of idenfity.
Creating attractive new neighborhoods and maintaining the better qualities of the older
neighborhoods are aims that support the objective of sustainable growth. Limited
inclusion of townhouses and apartments in neighborhoods can help support these housing
options. Large concentrations of high density housing in a given area are not desired.
Policies:
1. Compact Growth: Encourage new neighborhood development that is compact
and diverse. Allow each new neighborhood to include both detached and attached
forms of housing.
2. Variety within Each New Neighborhood: Encourage in each major
neighborhood a range of housing types, densities, and building configurations
including single-family detached, townhouses, apartments and more specialized
types such as senior housing. {A major neighborhood is defined as approximately
one square mile in size or as demarcated by major geographic features such as a
highway or river.}
Amend multiple-family housing zoning districts to limit the number of attached
units of each type (apartments, row houses, back-to-back townhouses, etc.) in each
development project. Suggested limits are: 150 apartments, 100 townhouses, 30
duplexes.
It is expected that the development industry will continue to respond with
proposals that include more than one type of housing in the larger projects,
resulting in neighborhood variety.
Locate attached and multifamily housing in transitional spaces between
8 January 2008 Page 19 of 31
Land Use Plan
commercial and single-family areas, and at high-amenity locations near streams,
parks, parkways and greenways. When combining housing types, it is preferable
for the transition between types to occur at the rear rather than the front (i.e. across
a courtyard or parking area rather than across the street).
Implement this policy by preparing neighborhood "sketch plans" as described in
Policy 3 under Objective I5, Land Use Plan Implementation.
3. Links to Previously Established Neighborhoods: Link new neighborhoods
visually and functionally to the established portions of Hastings via street
connections, bicycle facilities and, where possible, the greenway and parkway
systems_
4. Planning and Design: Prepare specific plans for neighborhoods or districts
which need additional guidance beyond the Hastings Comprehensive Plan.
5. Context-Sensitive Redevelopment and Infill: Encourage Infill development
in older traditional neighborhoods that adheres to the characteristics of those
neighborhoods, as described above under "Traditional Neighborhood Design" in
the Urban Design chapter of the Hastings Comprehensive Plan and in keeping with
the prevalent housing styles in each neighborhood.
This principle does not imply that all housing will be of the same type (i.e.,
detached or duplex) but that older and newer housing will share many design
elements. Redevelopment and Infill are keys to strengthening older neighborhoods
and will always be done in a manner that responds to and builds on the strengths of
those neighborhoods.
&. Multiple Land Uses in Neighborhoods: Identify locations for mixed use in
established neighborhoods that already have some diversity of uses, proximity to
transit or major traffic corridors. Apply the policies of the Urban Design chapter
regarding mixed use in the neighborhood context.
7. Mixed- and Multiple-Use. Residential and Commercial Development:
Combine different housing in the same building_ Integrate housing with retail or
office space, particularly in the Downtown or other designated mixed-use Iocations
such as the westerly portion of the Highway 55 corridor.
• Promote the development of well-designed moderate-density housing adjacent
to one or more of the following amenities: shopping, recreational or cultural
facilities, and employment centers.
• Promote traditional urban patterns as a means of improving business,
enhancing neighborhoods and reducing traffic congestion.
• Incorporate a high degree of architectural design in mixed and multiple-use
buildings. Design elements should include windows and doors fronting public
sidewalks, interesting facade materials, multiple-story buildings, high density,
attractive public and useable spaces, parking in secondary locations or in
structures, links to green spaces and bicycle routes, and transit service.
8 January 2008 Page 20 of 3I
Land Use Plan
9. Review of Residential Development Applications: When reviewing any
application for preliminary plat ar site plan in a perimeter Location, it will be
assumed that the allowable housing type and density will be that allowed by the R-
1,Low Density Residence, zoning district. Higher density and attached housing
may be allowed by the City Council if the applicant demonstrates conformance
with the design guidelines stated in Policy of the Urban Design Chapter of the
Comprehensive Plan. Those guidelines address:
• Adequate utility capacity
• Adequate street capacity and access
• Visual compatibility with adjacent development
• Use of architectural principles typically found in single-family housing
• Architectural relationship to the perimeter public streets and sidewalks
• Housing variety, integration and harmony within the project
• Amount, location, configuration and improvement of private open space or
public parks.
• Proximity to business, services and employment opportunities
• Proximity to schools and natural amenities.
10. Land Use Incompatibilities: Use code enforcement, buffering and screening to
reduce or eliminate incompatible Land uses such as industrial plants, materials or
equipment storage, freight lines or truck routes in close proximity to residential
uses.
11. Public Facilities: Continue to improve streets, sidewalks, parks and other public
facilities in established areas in order to promote private reinvestment, housing and
business rehabilitation and confidence in those locations.
12. Design Guidelines: Continue to apply the Heart of Hastings urban design
guidelines adopted for the neighborhoods north of Tenth Street and east of Pine
Street. Ensure that infill and redevelopment buildings are compatible with nearby
structures and that they enhance rather than harm nearby investments. Traditional
neighborhood design guidelines may be considered in developing future areas
13. Solar Access; State legislation requires that local comprehensive plans include a
solar access protection element. Solar energy can supply a significant portion of
the space heating and cooling and water heating requirements of the individual
home or business, through the use of active or passive solar energy systems.
Hastings is well-suited for solar energy utilization, since over half of its streets run
east-west, giving many houses a southern orientation- However, the City's
extensive mature tree cover partially shades the typical house.
The City can protect solar access on individual properties by:
^ Requiring that builders of buildings of two or more stories requiring setback
variances or requesting Planned Unit Development designation demonstrate
that their proposals will not reduce winter solar access to the second story or
roof of the adjacent building to the north- Solar access should be explicitly
reviewed in each variance case, and in all PUD proposals.
Considering access to solar energy as an acceptable hardship in the determining height
variances to solar access infrastructure.
8 January 2008 Page 21 of 3I
Land Use Ptan
Qbjective 6 - Riverfronts and Stream Corridors
Guide riverfront land use to parks, housing, offices, hospitality businesses, marinas and
similar land uses that take advantage of the waterfront.
1. Riparian Open Space: The City will continue to work with private developers to
set aside or dedicate land along rivers and creeks for natura! open space.
Extending public greenways along the Vermillion and Mississippi Rivers is a high
priority. Protection of the natural environment can serve as economic development
incentive.
2. Mississippi Riverfront Land Use: Guide land use along the Mississippi River to
take advantage of the dual benefits of the river -aesthetics and water access.
Future land uses such as mid- and high-density housing, offices, parks and trails,
and hospitality businesses such as restaurants or hotels, and, marinas should take
advantage of the river views_
Consider acquisition offor-sale riverfront properties for public use_
Use the Heart of Hastings, the downtown plan, as a more detailed guide for land
use, development and design guidelines.
3. Mississippi River Corridor Plan: Continue to follow the Hastings Mississippi
Rimer Corridor Plan (adopted in 2001), which addresses the requirements of the
Minnesota Critical Areas Act and the Mississippi National River and Recreation
Act, and which has been reflected in this Land Use Plan_ The Corridor Plan
includes policies designed to protect the scenic, natural, economic and cultural
resources of the Mississippi River through Hastings_
4. Vermillion Riverfront Land Use: As the city grows to the southwest, plan to
protect the Vermillion River floodplain and associated woods. Adjacent land uses
may include a variety of single-family or attached housing. Surface water runoff
must be pre-treated with ponds, swales and rain gardens before entering the river.
Bank erosion must be minimized and woodlots preserved. Consider acquisition or
dedication of riverfront lands for future parks and open space.
The Vermillion River is one of the few trout streams in an urban area in the United
States. Hastings should be extra diligent about using "best management practices"
throughout its portion of the Vermillion River watershed. It is essential to reduce
pollutants in the river and keep water temperatures as close to natural levels as
feasible.
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8 January 2008 Page 22 of 31
. MLand Use Plan
Objective 7 -- Major Roadway Corridors
Plan land use along major road corridors in a manner supportive of the
functional classification of the road.
Every community struggles with the challenge of land use and urban design on the
property fronting major roads. These corridors are highly visible and contribute strongly
to the image and appearance of the city.
Businesses seek the access and visibility the road provides but the conununity has an
interest.in protecting the functional capacity of the road while avoiding the sometimes
unattractive aspects of linear commercial development.
Policies:
1. Road Corridor Land Use Planning: Roadway access guidelines should be
adhered in determining land use along road comdors. A variety of land uses, ranging
from single-family housing to shopping centers may be considered. Access
efficiency and visibility should tend to guide more intensive land uses to the edge of
major roads and land uses that generate less traffic to minor roads.
- 2. Highway 55 Corridor: Plan the Highway ~5 corridor for an intensive variety of
retail, service, office, and governmental land uses flanked by mid and high-density
housing_ Provide access to future corridor development west of General Sieben
Drive via extensions of W. Fourth Street and South Frontage Road_ Emphasize dense
development with shared and/or structured parking, vertical mixtures of land use, and
a walkable environment_
3, Jacob Avenue and 170th Street Corridors: These two future minor arterial roads
will present an opportunity for the City and the County to cooperate to safeguard
roadway traffic capacity and safety while planning attractive land development.
4. Redevelopment Techniques: There is a range of possible responses by the City
to the problems created by inappropriate land use and access along arterial roads.
Make the choice of methods on a case-by-case basis.
A. "Live with It": The least desirable option but one that many cities must adopt
for a period of time is to live with the negative effects on the roadway and the land
development. However, there are costs associated with this option such as lost
development opportunities, traffic accidents and congestion_
B. Planning and Zoning: The City could plan and zone the inappropriate
locations for off ce, multi-family housing, a small shopping center or a similar use
that aught offer possibilities for improved access spacing and control. While this
option has little direct cost to the City, it also depends on a willing and aggressive
private sector for implementation. Small office buildings for professionals or
corporations have often succeeded in these settings and can be compatible neighbors
with an adjacent residential neighborhood.
With the many Iocations of concern, this alternative is a necessary first step to change
(which does not preclude Option D).
8 January. 2008 Page 23 of 31
Land Use Flan
C. Site Improvements: Site improvements may reduce somewhat the negative
relationship between housing and a major road. For instance, housing may be
protected from the deleterious effects of traffic, parking lots and commercial
buildings by landscaping, setback, building orientation and size.
The road function may be protected by combining or closing access points and/or
changing the access design.
D. Acquisition and Redevelopment Assistance: The City may acquire private
property through voluntary sale to promote redevelopment. Financial tools available
for this task include tax increment financing, a neighborhood improvement district, a
special benefits district, federal Community Development Block Grant funds, general
obligation bonds and others.
E. Right-of-Way Acquisition and Improvement: The City, perhaps in
conjunction with Dakota County or the Minnesota Department of Transportation,
could acquire and clear inappropriate land development along one or both sides of a
roadway and add it to the public road right-of--way. The land could be devoted to
landscaped open space, a sidewalk and a bicycle path to benefit the corridor travelers
and the adjacent residents. If this option were selected, it would be less cosily if the
City did not prematurely zone the land for more intensive use.
Objective 8 -- Environmental Resources
Safeguard and improve environmental features as a means of promoting
efFcient urban development, revitalization and quality of fife.
1, Water Resource Protection: Continue to protect the function and integrity of
streams, floodplains and wetlands during the site plan and subdivision review
process by applying the regulations of City Code such as Chapter 152 (Storm
Water Management}, Chapter 151, (FIood Plain Management) and Chapter 1 ~3,
(Shoreland Management).
Precise locations of these and other features will be determined during the review
of development applications using detailed site surveys and field inspections.
2. Steep Slope and Woodland Protection. Increase and formalize protection of
steep slopes (in excess of 18 percent) and major wooded areas. Consider further
regulations to protect steep slopes and alterations to wooded areas.
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8 January 2008 Page 24 of 31
Land Use Plan
3. Prime Agricultural Lands: Continue to strive to minimize the loss of prime
agricultural lands to development by promoting compact, contiguous, severed
urban development and reducing incentives for privately served rural
developments.
Avoiding urban development on prime farmland wilt be one of several factors in
fringe land use planning. In its growth management plan, Hastings will also
consider:
• Maintaining a compact and regular pattern of growth and boundaries
• Minimizing infrastructure and service costs
• Designing attractive neighborhoods
• Responding to market demands for development.
The City recognizes that development on farmland close to presently built-up areas
can help avoid the loss of productive farmland elsewhere.
4. Greenways: Enlarge and extend greenways, as described in the Parks Plan, both
for recreation, non-motorized transportation and environmental protection. The
greenways, being linear public open space along creeks or rivers, provide natural
vegetation, flood storage and runoff filtration.
5. Parks: As noted in the Parks Plan, manage portions of some parks in a more
natural manner, allowing some grass to grow wild, removing invasive plant species
and reintroducing lost plant species.
6. Non-Metallic Mineral Resources: Work with owners of the gravel mine along
Jacob Avenue to plan for apost-retirement use of that property, preferably as an
expansion of the business park proposed to the south and west by this plan. (See
also Policy 13 under Objective 4, Perimeter and Regional Growth.)
8lanuary 2008 ""`~ ..._._, - ~'"° Page 25 of 31
Land Use Plan
Objective 9 - Redevelopment
Restore underutilized urban and riverfront properties to viable commercial,
residential or recreational opportunities.
Continuous redevelopment is essential to sustaining the vitality of the community. This
major task must, of course, be led by the private sector, but the City can provide
incentives and guidance such as the land use plan, zoning ordinance, roads and trunk
utilities. A major question over the coming years will how much City financial help can
be provided to-key sites.
Policies:
1. Redevelopment Program: Engage in a continuous process of assisting the
redevelopment of key blighted or highly incompatible properties or districts.
Hastings wilt support redevelopment primarily by planning and zoning certain sites
for more intensive or different land uses than their present use. In special
circumstances, the City may use tools such as tax increment financing to support
redevelopment when it can be demonstrated that the monetary and other benefits to
the City strongly justify the investment risk. Other benefits may include leveraging
subsequent significant private investment nearby; stemming the tide of neighborhood
disinvestment or reviving a major environmental feature (such as a floodplain).
Target Areas: The top priority locations for redevelopment assistance are listed
below.
^ Downtown and its immediate perimeter
• Mississippi Riverfront
• Vermillion Street corridor
• "Bailly Parkway" corridor
Process: Detailed plans already prepared for each of these districts address market
forces, land use patterns, building conditions, traffic circulation, property acquisition,
relocation and clearance, public finance, urban design and public participation. In
each district, the City will be involved through planning and zoning. Municipal
financial or public works involvement will depend on individual circumstances and
opportunities.
In the case of Downtown, the City has been providing assistance to the Main Street
Program has been directly involved through the acquisition of property, riverfront
park, off-street parking and tax increment financing for spot redevelopment.
Tools: Determine the financial or other toots that the City may use to assist
redevelopment through further studies of the specific areas. Available tools include:
zoning, private investment, tax increment financing, street or utility improvements,
general obligation bonds, state or federal roadway improvement funds, and state
redevelopment grants (not presently available), and state or federal brownfields
remediation funds. Additional tools may be available in the future.
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8 January 2008 Pa e 26 of 31
Land Use Ptan
Objective 10 -Incompatible land Use
Reduce land use conflicts through redevelopment of blighted, vacant or
underutilized properties, enhanced buffering or screening, and improved
building and site design.
The majority of residential and commercial growth has occurred at the edge of the City.
Older established neighborhoods have experienced a small amount of decline because of
incompatible land use and physical deterioration. Many areas of Hastings developed
prior to the establishment of zoning ordinances leading to incompatible uses in terms of
activity, size or appearance.
Policies:
1. Zoning Amendments: In order io prevent new land use incompatibilities and to
potentially remedy existing incompatibilities, amend the City zoning code to:
• Provide performance-based criteria to measure and determine appropriate land
use intensity. Such criteria aught include traffic generation, hours of operation,
building design and buffering.
• Provide landscaping and screening standards for the zoning ordinance to buffer
different uses and parking areas from public sidewalks and streets.
^ Provide building design guidelines regarding scale and materials for new infill
developments and building expansions. The Urban Design chapter of the
Comprehensive Plan provides a more detailed discussion of building design
guidelines.
2. Property Acquisition: Consider acquisition of private property, subject to the
following criteria: elimination of land use incompatibilities, effect of deterioration
on neighboring properties, viability of properties for redevelopment. Redevelopment
should be consistent with the Alarmed land use for the area.
In many situations, land use incompatibilities result from incremental changes that
have occurred over time as economic trends and development standards have
changed. In some cases the private market is unable or unwilling to purchase and
redevelop properties. In those cases, the City may need to purchase certain properties
to eliminate land use incompatibilities. This should be done on acase-specific basis
and will require careful scrutiny of the costs and benefits involved in such action.
Financial tools the City might use for property acquisition and relocation include tax-
increment financing and federal Community Development Block Grant funds.
3. Neighborhood Planning: Continue to implement the recommendations of adopted
neighborhood plans and prepare specific plans for other neighborhoods or districts
where a need for additional guidance is identified.
The City's neighborhood planning process engages the residents and strives to
protect neighborhoods from effects such as excessive traffic, blighted properties or
land use incompatibilities. The neighborhood plans outline strategies to address
those issues and capitalize on opportunities to enhance the neighborhoods. When
preparing neighborhood plans or implementing public improvements, the objectives
and actions described in this comprehensive plan should be observed.
8 January 2008 Page 27 of 31
Land Use Plan
Objec#ive 11 -- Municipal Expansion
Worts to maintain awell-planned and fiscally sound community by carefully
considering annexations that are consistent with the goals and objectives of
the Comprehensive Plan.
The City of Hastings has expanded its area of jurisdiction by approving a series of
annexation petitions over the past several decades_
Consistent with the principles set forth in this Land Use Plan, urban development should
occur in areas served by utilities, streets and other public facilities_ These and other
facilities and services will be provided by the land developer in coordination with the
City of Hastings.
The City of Hastings will identify locations where sewer and water Imes can be extended
to serve growth, will prepare land use and other plans consistent with the intention to
provide for and capture new investment, and wilt consider the municipal fiscal impact of
annexations proposed by the tandowners.
Policies:
1. Rationale for Annexation: Demand for housing and commercial services within
Hastings will continue to expand. The City does not have an adequate supply of
buildable land within its city limits to meet expected demand. Hastings is
surrounded by unincorporated township lands that are rural in nature and are
served by individual well and septic systems_ Since municipal sewer and water are
required to continue growth at urban densities, future annexations will be
necessary.
2. Utilities: Allow connections to the City's sewer, water or storm sewer lines or
roads only if the benefiting property is annexed to the City of Hastings.
3. Annexation Petition Review Criteria: Land may be considered for annexation
based upon the following criteria:
Process Options: By petition of annexation by the property owner (M.S.
414.031), by ordinance of the City for lands determined to be ``urban in
character" (M.S. 414.033) or by process of orderly annexation {M.S.
414.0325).
Need: It is demonstrated to the City Council's satisfaction that:
(a} The land is needed for urban development, supports economic
development plans, and/or the proposed land use cannot be satisfied by
lands already within the City or
{b) It is imperative that municipal utilities andlor roads be extended to the
property to solve a demonstrated public health or safety problem.
^ Design Quality: If by petition, the landowner submits a design consistent with
the objectives of this comprehensive plan particularly the Land Use Pian,
Community Design Plan and Parks and Trails Plan.
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8 January 2008 Page 28 of 3I
Land Use Plan
Intergovernmental Relations: The City works closely with the township(s) to
ensure there is an orderly and logical process to amend the Comprehensive
Plan and develop agreements to reflect the respective detachment/annexation
areas, and
• Comprehensive Planning: The property is not shown on the City's
Comppehensive Plan as "Agriculture or Very Low Density Housing."
4. Consent Annexation Policy: When sanitary sewer service is requested for
properties outside of Hastings, require immediate annexation of those properties
adjacent to the City if services can be provided economically.
If the property for which sanitary sewer service is requested is vacant and requires
sanitary sewer for development, plans wilt first be submitted to the City to
determine if sewer service should be provided and if annexation is required.
Properties abutting the City will be annexed prior to development to avoid
confiasion in the permitting process unless the City determines that annexation is
not in its best interest.
Objective 12 -- Local and Regional Investments
Invest in public facilities so as to maximize their impact, minimize duplication
and advance the other objectives of the comprehensive plan.
Public spending is a powerful way to influence the pattern of land use and the actions of
the private land development industry. Many thousands of dollars are spent annually on
roads, utilities, partcs and other facilities or services, ali of which influence the value of
land in one way or another. Thus, spending should be consistent with objectives of the
Comprehensive Plan. The Hastings Comprehensive Plan should serve as the central
guiding document for all long-term capital improvements programming in Hastings.
Policies:
1. Priorities: Give high priority to maintenance of and reinvestment in streets, parks,
utilities and other City and County facilities so as to maximize the use of existing
public or private investments. Secondarily, use public expenditures to steer private
investment to locations judged best for the interest of the region, to the extent
possible within budget constraints.
2. The Role of the Public Sector: Provide major infrastructure in an orderly and
timely manner so as to promote intensive investment and redevelopment in target
areas and neighborhoods. Locate and design public buildings to foster community or
neighborhood identity and raise the quality of nearby private development.
Use major infrastructure investments to support private sector activities. However,
all new local and collector streets and most new utility lines will be privately
financed and built. Interceptor sewer lines, such as those shown on the Utilities
Staging Plan, Figure 2.6, will be financed and built by the City with the cost assessed
to benefiting property owners. (Occasionally, interceptor sewer lines will be
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land Use Plan
extended privately and the cost recouped from other benefiting land owners.}
3. land Use and Transportation Relationship; Plan and regulate land
development to make relatively intensive use of sites served by minor arterial,
collector and local streets.
Adequate future road rights-of--way will be planned and reserved in advance of
development for the sake of economy and good design.
Priority will be given to parks and parkways and other publicly-financed amenities
that will be used to attract moderate- to high-density development.
4. Capital Improvement Programming: Continue to refer to the Hastings
Comprehensive Plan when annually updating the City's capital improvements
program. The process for ranking alt proposed projects will_use the plan's Objectives
as a starting point, then consider mandates, prior commitments, project
interrelationships and cost effectiveness.
A perfect convergence between the plan and the capital improvements programs is
unlikely to emerge, but a higher degree of consistency will result than if the
comprehensive plan were not formally considered at all. In addition, this disciplined
process will force a greater recognition of the importance of the plan in the minds of
all staff and local public officials and also lead to regular, thoughtful plan
amendments.
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Land Use Ptan
Objective 13 -- Land Use Plan Implementation
Use this plan as a basis for reviewing development applications, as a guide for
neighborhood or district plans, and as the foundation for amending the City's
zoning and subdivision ordinances.
This land use plan will only be as good as its application. While the policies and map of
this and other chapters are a good foundation for future decisions, much work remains to
be done. Detailed neighborhood and small-area plans will be needed, and they will take
direction from the Hastings Comprehensive Plan. Finally, sound judgment by the staff
and steady political leadership will be needed to implement this plan on a daily basis.
Policies:
1. Subdivision Ordinance: Amend the Hastings subdivision ordinance to require
local residential streets with sidewalks and trees in future neighborhoods.
2. Zoning Ordinance: Amend the zoning ordinance to include a district consistent
with the Mixed-Use and the Business Park categories of the Land Use Plan Map.
Add aplanned-unit development feature.
3. Development Review Process: Make land use and development decisions in a
reasonable, predictable manner based on approved plans, policies, and ordinances.
City staff and the Planning Commission will strive to review development
applications as expeditiously as possible while allowing the necessary public
comment. Staff wilt continue to make applicants aware early in the process of the
requirements of all applicable ordinances and plans so as to avoid later delays.
At the same time, staff will strive to work with applicants to ensure that the
planning and design aims of the Comprehensive Plan are implemented. This may
involve interpreting objectives or guidelines that are not clear-cut and specific, and
persuading developers to amend their designs to satisfy community aims not
expressly stated in the zoning ordinance but contained in the Hastings
Comprehensive Plan or neighborhood plans.
When reviewing development or rezoning applications, or when preparing smatl-
area or neighborhood plans, consult the policies of the Comprehensive Plan,
including this chapter, the Urban Design Plan and the Park System Plan.
4. Neighborhood and Small-Area Plans: Continue to prepare plans for developed
neighborhoods and for fixture urban areas on the perimeter of the community.
Design land development in large tracts and whole neighborhoods rather than
piecemeal_ Prepare "sketch plans" for square-mite areas showing collector roads,
floodplains, steep slopes and wetlands, as well as showing land use in greater detail
than does this Comprehensive Plan, in order to guide developers, who may
negotiate the revision and ref nement of such plans during the application process.
5. Growth Monitoring: Prepare a map of the current pattern of land use that covers
the City plus lands just outside the City. Keep that map up to date.
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