Planning Commission

PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA City of Brainerd, Minnesota City Hall, 501 Laurel Street, Council Chambers Wednesday, July 15, 2026 @ 5:00 PM The public is invited to attend these meetings in person. Attend by Phone: 1-844-992-4726 Meeting Access Code: 888 625 714# Per MN Statutes 13D.02 Subd 1 Commissioners may participate by interactive technology. Meetings are broadcast on CTC ch 8, Charter ch 181, YouTube, AppleTV, Roku, and Amazon FireTV 1. Call To Order 2. Roll Call ___ M. Duval ___ J. Kramer ___J. Grecula ___D. Peterson ___T. Erickson ___ D. Gorham ___ Vacant 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. New Business A. Comprehensive Plan Update - Bolton & Menk Presentation 5. Adjourn Visit the City's Website at www.brainerdmn.gov MISSION "Provide high quality, cost effective public services and leadership in creating a sustainable city" Page 1 of 30  MEMO TO: Planning Commission FROM: James Kramvik, Community Development Director DATE: July 15th, 2026 RE: Comprehensive Plan Update ________________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION The goal of this 2026 update is to enhance the current Comprehensive Plan: align with current community goals and ensure they are being properly implemented while increasing the threshold in which a mandatory EAW is required for residential development. Bolton & Menk continue to make progress on the comprehensive plan and will update the Planning Commission on July 15th prior to the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting. The presentation will consist of the following items for the Planning Commission to review and comment on: 1) Planning Commission Survey Results 2) Public Survey Results 3) Updated Demographics 4) Map Updates 5) Mobility Chapter Update 6) Infrastructure Updates 7) Implementation Plan Page 2 of 30 Brainerd Comp Plan Update Planning Commission & City Council Workshop July 15, 2026 Page 3 of 30 Brainerd Comp Plan Update A comprehensive plan helps the City support thoughtful growth, guide new development, and strengthen infrastructure planning. The purpose of Brainerd’s 2026 Comp Plan Update is to: • update community data • increase the EAW threshold for housing development • refresh the implementation plan Page 4 of 30 What We’ve Heard – Planning Commission • Reorganize and consolidate goals and policies • Add policies about childcare and industrial development • Maintain goals around pedestrian and bicycle facilities as part of the Mobility Chapter is critical • Celebrate our wins Page 5 of 30 What We’ve Heard – Public Priorities • Protect and preserve our waterways, wetlands, and wooded areas, and identify threats to native species within and around the city (NR) • Support and invest in incremental enhancements of quality of life (LU) • Enliven the community through intentional community design (CC) • Ensure quality living conditions for all residents (H)* • Planning Commission priority ranks “Provide a diverse mix of housing choices…” higher Page 6 of 30 What We’ve Heard – Public Priorities • Support our workforce and help them thrive (ED) • Planning Commission priority ranks “Support infill and redevelopment…” higher • Commit to creating remarkable bike and pedestrian connections from neighborhoods to the downtown that are safe, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing (M) • Maintain a quality parks system that meets the recreational needs of a variety of users (P&R) Page 7 of 30 What We’ve Heard – Public Priorities • Provide quality water, power, and wastewater systems that support new and existing development and redevelopment while being adaptive to change (F&I) • Protect and provide for the safety of residents and visitors (PS) Page 8 of 30  Existing Conditions Update Age Distribution 85 years and ove 3.5% Race Household Income 80 to 84 years 2.4% 75 to 79 years 3.0% >$200,000 Two or More Races 2.9% 5.2% 70 to 74 years 4.1% 65 to 69 years 4.7% $150,000-$199,999 3.6% Other Race 1.9% 60 to 64 years 6.4% $100,000-$149,999 12.3% 55 to 59 years 4.8% Native Hawaian &… 0.0% $75,000-$99,999 9.4% 50 to 54 years 3.9% 45 to 49 years 4.5% Asian 0.4% $50,000-$74,999 16.7% 40 to 44 years 6.4% American Indian or… 1.2% $35,000-$49,999 16.9% 35 to 39 years 6.4% 30 to 34 years 7.2% $25,000-$34,999 11.7% Black or African… 1.1% 25 to 29 years 9.5% $15,000-$24,999 10.4% 20 to 24 years 9.2% White 92.4% <$15,000 13.6% 15 to 19 years 4.0% 10 to 14 years 6.7% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80%100% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 5 to 9 years 6.0% % of Population Under 5 years 7.2% % of Population American Community Survey 2024 American Community Survey 2024 0.0% 2.0% 4.0% 6.0% 8.0% 10.0% % of Population American Community Survey 2024 Page 9 of 30  Existing Conditions Update Education Brainerd Population 2010-2025 and 2025-2050 Projected 5.6% 1.1% 8.4% 19,000 18607 18,142 11.9% 18,000 17,477 29.6% 16,836 17,000 16,219 12.3% 16,000 15,624 16,316 15,051 15,588 15,000 14,395 15,200 6.5% 14,860 24.6% 14,000 14,475 13,650 13,329 13,902 Grad Degree Bachelors 13,000 13,329 Assoc. Degree Some College 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 GED High School Diploma US Census Population Population Projection based on US Census No Diploma <9th Grade Comprehensive Plan Projection State Demographer Projection American Community Survey 2024 US Census, Comprehensive Plan 2021, and MN DEED State Demographer Page 10 of 30 Minnesota Rules 4410.4300 Subp. 19. Minnesota Rules 4410.4300 identify mandatory Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) thresholds. A city outside of the seven-county metro may increase their threshold for residential development if they file certification of a qualified comprehensive plan with the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB). A comprehensive plan must meet all requirements of these rules: • land use plan • transportation plan* • sewage collection system policy plan* • capital improvement plan for public facilities • implementation plan* *Workshop focus Page 11 of 30 Land Use Chapter Update EQB Certification Criteria “…(1) a land use plan designating the existing and proposed location, intensity, and extent of use of land and water for residential, industrial, agricultural, and other public and private purposes;…” Page 12 of 30 Land Use Chapter Update Input: Land Use Categories Chart and Narrative – Is there a preference for one or both? Page 13 of 30 Map Updates Existing Zoning Future Land Use Future Growth Areas** Parks & Trails* Shoreland and Floodplains* Transportation* Water System* Wastewater System* *New **No Update Page 14 of 30 Map Updates Existing Zoning Future Land Use Future Growth Areas** Parks & Trails* Shoreland and Floodplains* Transportation* Water System* Wastewater System* *New **No Update Page 15 of 30 Map Updates Existing Zoning Future Land Use Future Growth Areas** Parks & Trails* Shoreland and Floodplains* Transportation* Water System* Wastewater System* *New **No Update Page 16 of 30 Map Updates Existing Zoning Future Land Use Future Growth Areas** Parks & Trails* Shoreland and Floodplains* Transportation* Water System* Wastewater System* *New **No Update Page 17 of 30 Mobility Chapter Update EQB Certification Criteria “…(2) a transportation plan describing, designating, and scheduling the location, extent, function, and capacity of existing and proposed local public and private transportation facilities and services;…” Page 18 of 30 Mobility Chapter Update Critical Path: EQB Certification Criteria This entails: Basic relationship between growth potential and infrastructure needs • Methodology based on travel demand modeling and traffic analysis • Adapted to small-area and corridor focus to understand growth at a more nuanced level Identifying the future system capacity gaps and where investment could be needed • Investments primarily for system capacity, but could also emphasize other areas in policy decision-making Page 19 of 30 Mobility Chapter Update Study and Analysis Methodology TRANSPORTATION IMPACT INTENSITY Low High Estimate future travel Assign these to Prioritize need and impacts and needs transportation network investment areas Page 20 of 30 Mobility Chapter Update Study and Analysis Methodology Derived from: • Potential growth (FLU minus ELU) • Calculating potential trips from this increment • Adding trips to current traffic/travel on network TRANSPORTATION IMPACT INTENSITY Low High Estimate future travel Assign these to Prioritize need and impacts and needs transportation network investment areas Page 21 of 30 Mobility Chapter Update POTENTIAL INVESTMENT PRIORITY Outcomes Low High 1 Beaver Dam Road Modernization/Operational Improvements 2 Bluff-Evergreen-H Street No Major Investment Needs Safety and Neighborhood Enhancements 3 Mill Ave-County Hwy 3 No Major Investment Needs Safety Enhancements 4 TH 210 Modernization/Operational Improvements 5 TH 25/Oak Street Potential Capacity Improvements: Mainline Capacity Needs 6 13th Street/Oak Street Modernization/Operational Improvements 7 SE 13th Street Modernization/Operational Improvements Safety and Neighborhood Enhancements 8 Buffalo Hills Modernization/Operational Improvements Safety Enhancements 9 TH 371B No Major Investment Needs 10 High School Modernization/Operational Improvements Safety Enhancements DOWNTOWN PRIORITIES Special Focus Area and Needs Travel Sheds Prioritized Operational Secondary Investment Investment Areas Opportunities by Travel Shed or by Corridor Page 22 of 30 Infrastructure Updates EQB Certification Criteria “…(3) a sewage collection system policy plan describing, designating, and scheduling the areas to be served by the public system, the existing and planned capacities of the public system, and the standards and conditions under which the installation of private sewage treatment systems will be permitted;…” Page 23 of 30 Infrastructure Updates - Sewer • The Wastewater Treatment Facility was last improved in 2009 with no major improvements since • The existing facility is operating at capacity and needs upgrades, such as treatment improvements, roof replacement, and electrical system improvements • The Wastewater Treatment Facility Plan identifies a phased approach to these improvements Page 24 of 30 Infrastructure Updates - Water • Drinking water is supplied through six wells installed between 1938-1983 • Expansion of water supply capacity is needed with growth • A new Water Treatment Plant is needed, due to age and condition of existing infrastructure Page 25 of 30 Infrastructure Updates - Stormwater • Stormwater management and environmental protection need to remain a core focus in the planning process • Almost all stormwater drains into the Mississippi River Page 26 of 30 Implementation Plan Update EQB Certification Criteria “… (5) an implementation plan describing public programs, fiscal devices, and other actions to be undertaken to implement the comprehensive plan, and a description of official controls addressing the matters of zoning, subdivision, private sewage systems, and a schedule for the implementation of those controls…” Page 27 of 30 Implementation Plan Update • Describe official controls for zoning, subdivision, and private sewage systems • Focus on goals and policies in the Implementation Chapter • Add resources (public programs, fiscal devices), champion (lead department or committee), and priority (schedule of implementation) to each goal and policy Page 28 of 30 Next Steps Event or Deliverable Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Task 1: Project Management Monthly Check-in Meetings 3/12 4/3 5/5 6/2 7/7 8/4 9/8 10/6 11/3 Task 2: Engagement and Communication Planning Commission Workshops 4/15 7/15 9/16 Communication (2 articles) Complete Survey Open House and Public Hearing PC CC Task 3: Diagnose Existing Plan Complete Task 4: Update Plan Update Demographics, Pop, HH, and Jobs Complete Land Use Analysis Reviewing Mobility Reviewing Infrastructure (Sewer, Water) Reviewing CIP Underway Implementation Plan Underway Task 5: Solicit Feedback and Update Draft Make Edits (1 review and edit cycle) Finalize Plan, QA/QC Resolution, Notice and Approval Page 29 of 30  Robin Caufman Community Planning Project Manager Robin.Caufman@bolton-menk.com Thank You Sarah Swedburg Questions? Planner II Sarah.Swedburg@bolton-menk.com Page 30 of 30