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Independence council raises concerns about Met Council's Imagine 2050 density targets, plans comment letter
Summary
City Administrator Mark Kaltsas briefed the council on the Metropolitan Council's draft Imagine 2050 plan; councilors expressed concern that proposed minimum densities and sewer allocation preferences would reduce local control and could force multifamily development. Staff will draft comments to submit by Oct. 7.
City Administrator Mark Kaltsas warned the Independence City Council on Oct. 1 that the Metropolitan Council's draft Imagine 2050 regional plan would impose higher minimum density expectations and influence sewer allocations, potentially limiting local planning flexibility.
Kaltsas said the MetCouncil's draft projects slower growth for Independence than the city's current 2040 comprehensive plan and is raising the density baseline for sewered residential areas to about 4 units per acre. "At 4 units per acre, that would mandate multifamily housing," Kaltsas said, adding that the MetCouncil's approach reduces the ability to offset density across different parts of the city.
Councilors questioned the implications for agricultural land and local services. Councilor Betts asked whether the plan takes agricultural land preservation into account; Kaltsas said limits on AG preservation make the long-term outlook uncertain. Mayor Johnson described the practice of preferential resource allocation to communities that "play ball" with MetCouncil metrics as unfair, saying it amounted to disparate treatment.
Councilors and staff discussed how MetCouncil's policies affect sewer extension permits, park funding and transportation planning. Kaltsas said some communities that cooperate with MetCouncil may receive priority for sewer and other infrastructure, and that MetCouncil has been more active in plat and sewer review.
Kaltsas asked the council to identify the city's key points so staff can prepare a comment letter before the MetCouncil comment deadline on Oct. 7. The council did not vote on formal language at the meeting but instructed staff to draft comments for review at the next meeting.
The discussion did not result in any formal motion recorded in the minutes; Kaltsas told the council he attended a MetCouncil public hearing and that the city could and should submit written comments during the comment period.
