Chapter 13: 13.1. INTRODUCTION The purpose of the implementation chapter of the Comprehensive Plan is to set forth the actions that the City will take to ensure that the plans, programs and policies set forth in the other plan chapters will be carried out by the decisions that the City makes on a daily basis. This chapter provides guidance for policymakers and staff for the timing and priority of a wide range of strategies recommended to carry out the plan. 13.2. TIMING OF IMPLEMENTATION The timeframe within which the City intends to carryout each strategy is included in the following tables. Some strategies represent activities or programs already in place that the City plans to continue. These are listed as ongoing. The timing and priority of these strategies should be regularly reevaluated as part of the City s annual goal setting and work planning process. For capital projects, the project timing is based on when the project will be included in the City s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The timing, cost and funding source for each project is reevaluated and the CIP is updated by the City annually. for these strategies is as follows: Implementation Strategy : Continuous or existing effort 1-5 years; included in the 5-year CIP 5-10 years: this will be needed to serve the 2030 MUSA Long May not be needed until the City next updates the Comprehensive Plan. This implementation plan is not intended to include all planning and policy efforts that the City will undertake to fulfill the goals of the Comprehensive Plan. It is intended to identify major initiatives, those that represent a new direction or require significant efforts by the Council, Commissions or staff. The entire Comprehensive Plan will be reevaluated, at a minimum, every 10 years as required by State Law. The implementation strategies identified as long term, will be reevaluated when the City prepares the next Comprehensive Plan update. 13.3. IMPLEMENTATION The following section lists the implementation strategies for each chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. The table includes a description of the strategy and timing of each project. Chapter 13 13-1
Land Use Plan The following implementation strategies will be used to carry out the Land Use Plan. These strategies are in addition to the enforcement of the City s official controls (the City Code, including the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance). LAND USE PLAN (CHAPTER 4) IMPLEMENTATION 1 Areas of new opportunity. Conduct land use studies for both of the new mixed use land use categories shown near 170 th Street. Priority for study will be given to areas for which development proposals have been submitted. Following completion of the study, make Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance text and map amendments, as needed. 2 Zoning Map. Update the Zoning Map to be consistent with the adopted 2030 Land Use Plan. 3 Zoning Ordinance. Update the zoning ordinance to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. These changes may include new zoning districts to be compatible with the adopted Comprehensive Plan, new development standards, etc. 4 Subdivision Ordinance. Review and consider amendments to Section 1215 of the City Code (Land Division and Platting) to reflect the vision of the Comprehensive Plan. a. Evaluate rural and urban land division standards and make changes as needed. b. Consider moving the PUD section to the Zoning Ordinance. c. Review Adequate Public Facilities section and make changes as needed to be consistent with Growth Management Policies in the Comprehensive Plan. 5 Rural Preservation Program Ordinance. Consider changes to the adopted rural preservation ordinance (Section 1195.150.1) to reflect the vision for rural Hugo. 6 Design Guidelines. Consider adoption of design guidelines to ensure quality development for all new development throughout the city. These guidelines may be adopted as part of the Zoning Ordinance or may be simply be approved by the City Council. Chapter 13 13-2
Housing Plan The following implementation strategies will be used to carry out the Housing Plan. These strategies will help the City achieve the goals identified in the City s Metropolitan Livable Communities Housing Goals Agreement with the Metropolitan Council. HOUSING PLAN (CHAPTER 5) IMPLEMENTATION 1 Financial Support and Technical Assistance for Maintenance and Development of Affordable Housing. Utilize the following programs and techniques, as appropriate, to assist in the development and rehabilitation of housing affordable to low- and moderate-income residents (defined as housing ownership opportunities affordable to families that make less than 80% of the metropolitan median income, and rental units affordable to families at 50% of the metropolitan median income): a. all available public programs (including those sponsored by Minnesota Housing Finance Agency [MHFA], U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development [HUD], Minnesota Dept. of Employment and Economic Development [DEED], Metropolitan Housing Opportunities Program [MHOP]) and private foundation funding sources for affordable housing) b. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds c. Tax increment financing d. EDA housing powers e. Bonding f. Tax abatement 2 Financial Support for Existing Low and Moderate Income Rental Housing. a. Mueller Manor (a 28-unit senior apartment building receiving a direct subsidy from the Washington County HRA to make the units affordable to low- and moderate-income seniors). b. Section 8 Housing Assistance voucher program administered through the Washington County HRA. 3 Livability of Housing and Neighborhoods. Continue to support existing programs that improve the livability of housing and neighborhoods such as Neighborhood Watch. 4 Legislative Initiatives. As appropriate, encourage and support legislative initiatives that provide incentives and eliminate disincentives and penalties for cities to assist affordable housing. 5 Fair Housing. Continue to support and publicize fair housing programs and policies. 6 Zoning. Continue to provide adequate land zoned at densities necessary to meet the City s housing goals Chapter 13 13-3
HOUSING PLAN (CHAPTER 5) IMPLEMENTATION 7 Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Housing. Study and make recommendations on changes to zoning, subdivision and other code requirements that may be impediments to developing and maintaining housing affordable to low- and moderate-income residents, including the following: a. incentives to meeting Housing Affordability Goals b. density of residential areas c. public improvement standards for new developments d. preservation of the existing housing stock and discouraging the removal and replacement of smaller, affordable homes with more expensive homes e. use of innovative construction techniques or materials. 8 Housing and Employment Relationships. Study relationship between affordable housing and the ability of Hugo businesses to recruit and retain employees. 9 Rental Housing Licensing Program. Consider the development of a rental housing licensing program to enforce life safety and other minimum housing standards for all rental units in the City. 10 Property Taxes. Support equity in property taxation for nonhomesteaded residential (rental) properties. 11 Impact of Assessments and Fees on Housing Affordability. Study the impact of City assessments and fees on housing affordability and lower-income residents. / 12 Housing Conditions. Identify concentrations of substandard, blighted or deficient housing in order to target code enforcement, housing rehabilitation assistance programs and possible redevelopment. 13 Truth in Housing. Study the feasibility of establishing a program to require a property inspection and disclosure report before residential property changes hands. 14 Long Term Affordability. Utilize techniques, such as land trusts or property encumbrance, to maintain long term affordability of housing receiving assistance. 15 Transitional/ Emergency Housing. Encourage local social service agencies to meet transitional/emergency housing needs in Hugo. 16 Housing Maintenance Education. Develop a voluntary education and inspection program for existing housing, with rehabilitation assistance for income-qualified residents. Chapter 13 13-4
Economic Development Plan The following implementation strategies will be used to carry out the Economic Development Plan. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN (CHAPTER 6) IMPLEMENTATION 1 Strategic Plan. Update long-term strategic plan for economic development within the City. 2 SWOT Analysis. Continue to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to business retention and development. 3 Survey Business Owners. Conduct an outreach survey to business owners to identify barriers and opportunities. 4 Identify Target Business Market. Identify the desirable businesses using the SWOT analysis and survey results. 5 Market Hugo. Prepare and implement a marketing plan to attract and retain desirable businesses in Hugo. Collaborate with business associations and neighboring communities on a regional strategy. 6 Incentives Policy. Create a policy for the use of financial incentives within the City. On-going On-going Parks, Trails and Open Space Plan The following implementation strategies will be used to carry out the Parks, Trails and Open Space Plan. PARKS, TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE PLAN (CHAPTER 7) IMPLEMENTATION 1 Collaboration. Continue to work with other public, private and nonprofit groups and agencies to enhance the City s limited resources and enhance the programs and facilities available to residents. 2 Maintain the Parks and Trails System. Maintain the quality of the existing park and trail system and fund the replacement of buildings, equipment and trails. Determine priorities and plan for short-term funding needs through the annual review of the CIP. 3 Greenways. Establish Greenway Corridors in the City through dedication of land as property develops or though land dedication by property owners. 4 Trails. Complete the trail corridors shown on the Trail Plan. 5 Park Dedication Policy. Review the City park dedication policies and ordinance to establish new park dedication requirement in compliance with State Law to provide for the park needs of new development. Chapter 13 13-5
PARKS, TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE PLAN (CHAPTER 7) IMPLEMENTATION 6 Dog Park. Complete a study of dog park standards and identify locations for a possible dog park. The City should work to acquire land for use as a dog park. 7 Sunset Lake Access. Complete a study of the Sunset Lake park parcels currently owned by the City and options for the planned park on the lake. Establish which parcel will be used as the primary park land and research options for sale or alternative use of the other parcel. The development of the park land may be development driven. 8 Downtown Park. Consider options for a new public park on Egg Lake in Downtown Hugo. A park plan should be prepared and an implementation plan adopted. 9 Community Park. Consider possible locations for a community park in northern Hugo. The acquisition and development of this park may be development driven. 10 Community Park. Prepare development options for an expanded Lions Park community park in Downtown. This could include acquisition of additional land. 11 Trail Crossings. Plan for safe pedestrian crossings at key trail intersections. These trail crossings may be at grade trails, overpasses or underpasses. Research possible funding sources grade-separated trail crossings at Highway 61. Transportation Plan The following implementation strategies will be used to carry out the Transportation Plan. TRANSPORTATION PLAN (CHAPTER 8) IMPLEMENTATION 1 Highway 61 Improvements. Cooperate with the Met Council, MnDOT and Washington County to fund and construct the following improvements: Traffic control and intersection improvements at 147 th Street Traffic control and intersection improvements at 130 th Street Roadway, access, and intersection improvements between 140 th Street and 150 th Street consistent with the Downtown Transportation Plan 2 I 35 W/E Coalition. Continue to participate with the I-35 W/E Coalition to advance transportation initiatives along the I-35W and I-35E corridors, including reconstruction of the County Road 14 interchange and future interchange at County Road 4. Chapter 13 13-6
TRANSPORTATION PLAN (CHAPTER 8) IMPLEMENTATION 3 Legislative Initiatives. As appropriate, encourage and support legislative initiatives that will provide additional transportation funding tools to the City 4 Highway 61 Planning. Develop a plan in partnership with MnDOT, Washington County Transportation, and Washington County Regional Rail Authority that addresses the future typical section, right of way needs, access locations, and location(s) for potential traffic signals. 5 County Road 4 Planning. Develop a plan in partnership with Washington County Transportation that addresses the future typical section, right of way needs, access locations, and location(s) for potential traffic signals. 6 County Road 8 (East of Highway 61) Planning and Construction. Plan and construct improvements to County Road 8 between Goodview Avenue and County Road 7 in conjunction with Washington County. The improvements are identified in Washington County s CIP within the next 5 years. 7 Elmcrest Avenue. Elmcrest Avenue is a shared border roadway with Lino Lakes that could provide a link between County Road J in White Bear Township and Highway 97 in Forest Lake. It is important that the Cities of Hugo, Lino Lakes, Columbus, and Forest Lake coordinate the long-term planning needs for the section of the corridor between County Road 8 and Highway 97. 8 Street Assessment Policy. Update the City s Assessment Policy as it relates to the funding of roadway construction and reconstruction projects. 9 Roadway Standards. Develop specific roadway and right of way standards based on the function of the roadway. Update applicable City Ordinances to reflect the revised standards. 10 City State Aid System. Review and update the City State Aid system to reflect the function of the roadway, and maximize State-Aid dollars to the City. Chapter 13 13-7
Water Supply and Distribution Plan The following implementation strategies will be used to carry out the Water Supply and Distribution Plan. WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION PLAN (CHAPTER 9) IMPLEMENTATION 1 Interconnections. Explore additional opportunities for emergency interconnections with adjacent communities. 2 User rates. Evaluate user rates to ensure the long-term viability of the system. 3 Emergency Response/Contingency. Update and maintain an Emergency Response and Contingency Plan. 4 Conservation. The City currently has a number of conservation measures in place including watering restrictions, escalating rate schedule, and emergency watering bans. The City will explore additional opportunities to encourage water conservation in the City to minimize the required infrastructure and the impact on local and regional groundwater sources. This will include a review of the City s policies related to irrigation systems on City property, within developments, and within individual sites. 5 Assessment Policy. Update the City s Assessment Policy to reflect the growth management strategies, and related to the construction and reconstruction of the City s water system. 6 Connection Fees. The City currently collects a fee for connecting to the water system that is collected as part of a Building Permit, and not as part of the platting process. The City will explore alternatives to the current connection fee structure to ensure the fees are collected in the most equitable manner. Chapter 13 13-8
Sanitary Sewer Plan The following implementation strategies will be used to carry out the Sanitary Sewer Plan. SANITARY SEWER PLAN (CHAPTER 10) IMPLEMENTATION 1 Individual Sewage Treatment Systems (ISTS). Support the routine inspection and ongoing maintenance of ISTS within the City. Amend existing ordinances as necessary to remain consistent with applicable State and County requirements. 2 Met Council Capital Improvements. Support the continued implementation of the MCES Capital Improvement Plan so that adequate capacity is available for the City to grow as planned. 3 Inflow/Infiltration (I/I). The City is not on the Met Council s list of I/I problem communities. The City will continue to monitor and improve the system to minimize unnecessary I/I. 4 Urban Service Area. Maintain a City Urban Service Boundary. Support the connection of properties within the Urban Service Area to the sanitary sewer system. 5 User rates. Evaluate user rates to ensure the long-term viability of the system. 6 Assessment Policy. Update the City s Assessment Policy to reflect the growth management strategies, and related to the construction and reconstruction of the City s sanitary sewer system. 7 Connection Fees. The City currently collects a fee for connecting to the sanitary sewer system that is collected as part of a Building Permit, and not as part of the platting process. The City will explore alternatives to the current connection fee structure to ensure the fees are collected in the most equitable manner. Surface Water Management Plan The following implementation strategies will be used to carry out the Sanitary Sewer Plan. SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (CHAPTER 11) IMPLEMENTATION 1 Surface Water Management Plan. Complete surface water management plan for City review and adoption after Rice Creek Watershed District completes their management plan. Chapter 13 13-9
Public Facilities Plan The following implementation strategies will be used to carry out the Public Facilities Plan. PUBLIC FACILITIES PLAN (CHAPTER 12) IMPLEMENTATION 1 Building Maintenance. Maintain existing public buildings. 2 Fire Hall/Public Safety Building. Study the option of constructing a new fire hall/public safety building in northern Hugo. 3 Public Works Expansion. Continue to monitor staffing needs at Public Works and plan for a building expansion (as included in the original building plans) when needed to accommodate staff. 4 City Hall Expansion. Continue to monitor staffing needs at City Hall Long and plan for a building expansion (as included in the original building plans) when needed to accommodate staff. 5 Fire Hall Expansion. Continue to monitor staffing needs at the Fire Hall and plan for a building expansion (as included in the original building plans) when needed to accommodate staff. Long Chapter 13 13-10