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Oakdale staff outline scope and schedule for 2050 comprehensive plan update
Summary
Planning staff told the commission the 2050 comprehensive plan will cover eight required elements under Met Council regulations, aim for a draft by end of 2027, and include extensive public engagement in 2026–2027; staff said a planning consultant will be selected in the coming months.
Planning staff presented a high-level overview on April 2 of Oakdale's multi-year update to the city's comprehensive plan, which will set land-use, housing, transportation and infrastructure policy through 2050 and must meet Metropolitan Council requirements.
"The comp plan 'it defines the vision, goals, and aspirations for long-term development and redevelopment for the city," Luke, a planning department staff member, said as he outlined the eight required elements: land use, housing, transportation, water resources, parks and trails, climate, natural systems and implementation. He said the update has a 20-year time frame and that the Met Council requires periodic updates of local comprehensive plans.
Staff said the city expects to select a planning consultant in the next couple months, begin major data collection and analysis through late 2027, run public engagement from mid-2026 into 2027, complete a draft by the end of 2027, and submit the plan to the Metropolitan Council by mid-2028, with a final Met Council review window extending to the end of 2028.
Commissioners asked about appeals to the Met Council system statement and infrastructure implications. Staff said the city's appeal would concern population projections in the system statement. When a commissioner asked how the plan will address technical infrastructure needs tied to state greenhouse-gas goals, staff said the city is early in the process and would rely on engineering staff and consultants for detailed technical requirements.
Luke noted the city is pursuing climate-related grants that could allow Oakdale to go beyond minimum Met Council requirements. Staff also recommended aligning the plan's implementation section with the city's strategic plan and leveraging advisory bodies for community engagement.
Next steps: staff will proceed with consultant selection and schedule further work sessions and public workshops; no formal vote occurred on the plan update at this meeting.
