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DID YOU KNOW ? Duties of Cit y Planning Commissions By Rachel Carlson ities form plan ning commissions city,school district,state agency,county, use permit applications,serving as the when they are interested in or any other political subdivision) may board of zoning adjustments and appeals, adopting a comprehensive plan. be bought or sold until the transaction and reviewing subdivision applications. Comprehensive planning is not has been reviewed by the commission Conditional use permit applications. mandatory for cities outside the for its compliance with the city com- Cities can delegate review of condi- seven-county metropolitan area, prehensive plan.The commission must tional use permits to the commission. but it can be beneficial for all cities. complete its report within 45 days or Review authority can either be advisory Comprehensive planning is an by any other period designated by the to the city council or final. important tool for cities to guide future city council.In addition,the city coun- Board of zoning adjustments and development of land so as to ensure a cil may dispense with this requirement appeals (BZA).All cities that have safer,more pleasant,and more econom- by a resolution adopted by a two-thirds adopted a zoning ordinance must also ical environment for residential,com- vote if the council determines that the have a BZA to hear requests for variances mercial,industrial,and public activities. purchase or sale has no relationship to and decide appeals.Cities may choose Planning can also help preserve agri- the comprehensive plan. to designate their planning commission cultural and other open lands.The city Capital improvements within the city. as the local BZA.Review authority as comprehensive plan is usually a first After a comprehensive plan has been the BZA may be designated by local step for a city interested in adopting adopted,no capital improvement within ordinance as final subject only to later zoning and subdivision regulations. the city may be authorized by the city or judicial review,or final subject to council For cities that have a commission,a a school district,state agency,county,or any review (and then judicial review),or common concern is what duties should other political subdivision without the merely advisory to the city council.In be delegated to the commission.In prior review of the planning commis- cities where the commission is not the addition,cities are often concerned about sion.The same timelines apply as above BZA,applications to the BZA must be the appropriate role of the commission for reviewing real property transactions. referred to the commission for review when fulfilling duties.Specifically,cities Zoning ordinance adoption or amend- The commission must complete its need to decide whether the planning ment. Zoning ordinance amendments review within a reasonable time,not commission should act in an advisory not suggested by the planning commis- to exceed 60 days. role or as a final decision-maker. sion must be referred to the commission Subdivision applications. Cities may State statute requires that some for review.The commission must report delegate authority to review subdivi- specific duties be delegated to the its recommendations to the council sion proposals to the planning commis- planning commission. within 60 days. sion.However,state law requires final Comprehensive plan adoption or In all of the above situations,where approval or disapproval of the proposal amendment. Generally,the planning referral to the planning commission is to be made by the city council. commission is charged with drafting required under stale law,the planning For more information about the the city comprehensive plan.However, commission serves in a strictly advisory requirements and duties of planning the city council may also propose a role.The city council ultimately decides commissions,see the League of Min- comprehensive plan or amendments on the adoption or amendment of a nesota Cities new information memo, to an existing plan.When a plan or comprehensive plan or zoning ordinance, Planning Commission Guide for Cities. amendment is generated by council,the the purchase or sale of real property, The Guide is available at www lmc. council may not adopt the proposed and capital improvements for the city. org/page/l/resource-library.jsp. language until the language has been The planning commission can play an Type the name of the memo in the reviewed by the commission.The com- important role in advising the city,but keyword field,and check the box next mission must complete its report within the council is not bound by planning to Information Memos—Governing 60 days.Prior to adoption or amend- commission recommendations. and Managing.Ir ment of a plan,the commission must State statute allows (but does not hold at least one public hearing. require) other duties to be delegated to Purchase and sale of city real property. the planning commission.City ordinance After a comprehensive plan has been should state clearly when these duties Rachel Carlson is a research attorney with adopted,no publicly owned real estate have been delegated.Some of these the League of Minnesota Cities.Phone:(651) within the city (whether owned by the duties include reviewing conditional 281-1226.E-mail:rcarlson )mc.org. 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