Resource Materials

Consultants

• Private Planning Consultants List, Dec. 2004: This listing includes private planning and planning-related consultants that serve Minnesota communities. (42 K, PDF). Interested in being placed on the Private Planning Consultant list? Please complete this form.
• Choosing a Consultant for Local Planning, Aug. 2004: A brief guide for communities hiring a planning consultant. (40K, PDF)

Demographics

• Projected Population to 2030 for Cities and Townships Outside the Twin Cities Area
• Minnesota Population Projections 2000-2030: The State Demographic Center's population projections are now available through 2030.
• Datanet: This tool allows you to search for Minnesota geographic units that meet certain conditions such as size, population change, or income.
• Census 2000 data:  Clearing house of data tools compiled by the State Demographic Center. 

GIS

• GIS Puts New Power in Planning: A short article from LPAC describing what Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is and how to use it in planning.

Planning Guides

• Under Construction: Tools and Techniques for Local Planning: LPAC's planning guide for people interested in developing a good comprehensive plan. (9.5M, 212 p., PDF5.0) | Document details
• Guide to Using Natural Resource Information: The Department of Natural Resource's guide to natural resource-based planning.
• Sample Shoreland Management Ordinance: The Department of Natural Resources' model ordinance which local units of government can adopt to manage their shorelands.
• Township Planning and Zoning - A General Overview: A brief paper produced by the Minnesota Association of Townships that provides a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of local planning and zoning and questions that should be asked before proceeding.
• Zoning Decisions – Limitations and Pitfalls: Paper from the Minnesota Association of Townships that explains the various legal limitations imposed on a town’s zoning authority by the legislature and the courts.
• A Practical Guide to the 60-Day Rule: Another paper from the Minnesota Association of Township which reviews the requirement under MS § 15.99 that zoning requests be handled within 60 days.
• Information packets: Available to help assist local governments with common land use topics.

Model Ordinances and Plans

• Careful County Mock Hazard Mitigation Plan: LPAC's mock plan intended to help Minnesota communities design their own plans. Although Careful County is fictitious, the mock plan does address all hazards addressed by the state's hazard mitigation plan. Careful County Mock Hazard Mitigation Plan is also available in Microsoft Word. Updated March 2004.
• From Policy to Reality: Model Ordinances for Sustainable Development: Offers a package of model ordinances that Minnesota communities can use in charting their futures.