Community Development
Introduction
The City's Community Development Department has four broad responsibilities: planning, code enforcement, building inspection, and economic development. Within each of these broad areas, the Department performs a variety of functions. The goals of these efforts is to create and maintain a quality environment in which to live and work.
Planning
The Planning Division administers the City's Development Code. The Comprehensive Plan provides policy direction for the planning program on land use and development in the City. The City's 20-year Comprehensive Plan and the Development Code are the primary tools used to implement this program.
The division also provides support to the Planning Commission, which is the advisory body to the City Council on issues pertaining to land use and planning development regulations. Specific duties include:
Reviewing development proposals in accordance with City ordinances
Implementing and administering the Shoreview Comprehensive Plan
Conducting planning and feasibility studies
Coordinating the implementation of other planning studies
Applying for grants and other financial assistance programs to implement land use goals and objectives
Participating in regional and subregional planning programs through the Metropolitan Council
Continuing implementation of technology improvements such as use of the City's Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and permit tracking systems to efficiently manage property information
Code Enforcement
The City's Code Enforcement Officer enforces the zoning, nuisance, and property maintenance regulations of the City to ensure that the community maintains quality neighborhoods and commercial areas. Code complaints range from debris, unmaintained yards, junk vehicles, and poor building maintenance. Specific duties include:
Responding to code complaints including inspection and work with property owners to gain compliance.
Working closely with the Ramsey County Sheriffs Department, Animal Control, and the City Attorney on more serious enforcement issues.
Building Inspections and Permits
Under the direction of the Building Official, the building inspection program ensures that residential, commercial, and industrial construction is done safely in accordance with the State Building Code, Uniform Fire Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, and City regulations. Specific duties include:
Reviewing building permit applications and processing permit requests
Providing information to the general public on codes and regulations
Working with planning and engineering staff in the review of development projects
Performing inspections to ensure that projects are building in accordance with specified approvals
Economic Development
The City's Community Development Director, with the Economic Development Commission, works to promote and expand present and new businesses for the community to strengthen and diversify the City's economic tax base. Development incentives such as tax increment financing are used as tools to assist with attracting or retaining businesses in the community.
Contact Information
For more information contact the Community Development Department at 651.490.4680 or e-mail the Community Development Department (communitydevelopment@shoreviewmn.gov).