Twin Cities Metropolitan Council Publishes 'Local Planning Handbook'

The Twin Cities Metropolitan Council of local governments publishes a web-based "Local Planning Handbook" to guide planners in the seven-county metropolitan area through the preparation and updating of their city and county comprehensive plans.

1 minute read

October 11, 2005, 1:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


The handbook features:

  • Concise and readable language
  • Links to numerous online resources, including the latest forecasts and data
  • New forms, worksheets and templates
  • Clear indications of which plan elements are required, recommended or optional
  • An extensive glossary of planning terms
  • Step-by-step descriptions of the comprehensive plan preparation, review and adoption processes

    The templates and worksheets ensure that information can be submitted in an acceptable form. In addition, the worksheets ease many planning calculations. For example, one worksheet provides a quick and easy way to calculate sewage flow based on housing density.

    (Handbook documents and chapters are in Adobe PDF format.)

    Thanks to Todd Graham

  • Tuesday, October 11, 2005 in Metropolitan Council DIRECTIONS

    portrait of professional woman

    I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

    I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

    Mary G., Urban Planner

    Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

    Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

    Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

    A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

    July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

    Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

    Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

    Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

    July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

    White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

    San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

    Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

    July 1, 2025 - KQED

    Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

    Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

    The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

    July 3 - New Orleans City Business

    Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

    The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

    Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

    July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

    Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

    San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

    The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

    July 3 - Governing