SCSC can work to ensure planning, zoning, economic development and housing are coordinated and consistent to best represent your community.

Planning

Community planning needs to be tailored to a community’s characteristics and local geography. What we can do:

• Attend planning commission meetings.
• Develop agendas.
• Publish public notices.
• Facilitate and manage a planning consultant or engineering firm for large projects. 

Zoning 

Zoning codes need to be reviewed and updated to meet current land use trends. What we can do:

• Answer questions and meet with citizens and businesses on their projects. 
• Coordinate ordinance changes by drafting new language and conferring with legal representatives to insure consistency with state statutes.
• Provide contracted staff on an hourly basis or provide contracted staff based on the needs of the community. 

Economic Development and Housing

We can work with your local EDA and HRA to address your community’s needs. What we can do:

• Work with your city’s boards and commissions to identify projects, strategic planning, site identification, shovel-ready site certification, business retention and attraction plans. 
• Coordinate with the Department of Employment and Economic Development on projects, strategies, and programs. 
• Coordinate and implement various financial tools such as TIF, tax abatement, the Minnesota Investment Fund, bonding, or state and federal grants. 
• Identify housing needs and resources available from statewide partners such as DEED, Minnesota Housing Finance and area housing agencies. 
• Facilitate and manage in-depth housing studies and grant writing through relationships with housing consultants. 
• Provide contracted staff on an hourly basis or provide contracted staff based on the needs of the community.