Planning Division

Duties

The Planning Division prepares and implements the comprehensive plan, which guides land use, zoning, municipal utilities, transportation, and community facility improvements or anticipated changes, as well as interpreting and enforcing the zoning, subdivision and sign codes, environmental planning, and GIS.

Staff members prepare reports and make recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council for decisions regarding land development within the City. They also prepare special reports and studies for economic growth, redevelopment, and long-range plans.

Planning Documents

Administrative Home Occupation License for Home Occupations that meet the Administrative Home Occupation Ordinance. 
Administrative Subdivision Lot boundary line adjustments
Base lot subdivisions
Simple lot splits
Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Authorize and regulate uses and conditions
Document - Comprehensive Plan Application Get a hard copy of the Comprehensive Plan
Document - Zoning Ordinance Application Get a hard copy of the Zoning Ordinance
Document - Zoning Verification Letter or Certificate of Zoning Compliance Zoning Verification Letter or
Certificate of Zoning Compliance
Grading 500-1,000 cubic yards PermitAltering between 500 to 1,000 cubic yards of earth
Interim Use Permit (IUP)Authorize and regulate uses and conditions
Joint Application Form for Activities Affecting Water Resources in Minnesota (wetlands)Initiate review of proposals that may affect a water resource
Mining - MinorAltering between 1,000 to 5,000 cubic yards of earth
Mining - MajorAltering more than 5,000 cubic yards of earth
Metes and Bounts SplitThe description of the boundaries of a parcel by distances and angles of bearings from designated landmarks, including simple fractional or quantity parts of a full government subdivision or a lot which is part of a subdivision plat
Outdoor EntertainmentRequired for private gatherings of 250 people or more or for commercial gatherings of 500 people or more
Planned Unit Development (PUD)Allow flexibility and variation from conventional ordinance standards in exchange for higher standards of development design and creativity, architectural control, natural resource protection, landscaping, public parks, public and private open space protection, pedestrian access, and multi-use corridor opportunities. The PUD provisions are also intended to promote the efficient use of land and promote cost-effective public and private infrastructure systems
Site Plan ReviewReview procedure that will assist in achieving safe, functional, and attractive development. Required for uses prior to issuance of a building permit for new construction or additions to commercial buildings greater than ten percent of the existing building footprint, and is required in conjunction with an application for a: 1) CUP/IUP; 2) Plat; 3) Commercial development; 4) Variance; 5) Rezoning; and 6) PUD
SubdivisionRegulations for platting and subdividing of property within the city
Temporary Seasonal Sales Permit or Certificate of ComplianceSales in a detached temporary structure on a commercial property for up to 120 days a year and/or
Compliance Certificate
Temporary Sign Permit ApplicationNon-permanent signs in commercial districts
Tax Increment Financing (TIF)Divert future property tax revenue increases from a defined area
VacationVacate right-of-ways and public ways
VarianceDeviations or variations from the City Code/Ordinances in instances where their strict enforcement would cause practical difficulties because of circumstances unique to a individual property
Zoning Map AmendmentAmendments to the official Zoning Map
Zoning Text AmendmentAmendments to the text of the Zoning Ordinance