2nd/10th Avenue Corridor Study Advisory Committee
The purpose of the 2nd/10th Corridor Study is to begin the environmental process on identifying a corridor that enhances north-south mobility within the City of Waite Park, serve forecast (2030) increases in travel demand within the study area, and to preserve a safe and efficient transportation corridor that connects CSAH 6 to the area of the 10th Avenue/3rd Street North intersection. The corridor study advisory committee provides guidance on completing a scoping study that complies with federal and state requirements. The scoping study will identify critical issues and select two to three alternates (including a no build option) that will be further evaluated in a follow-up EIS.
Area Planning Organization Board
The objective of the Area Planning Organization is to provide necessary information for making decisions on when, where and what type of improvements should be made to the Saint Cloud Metropolitan Area transportation system to satisfy current anticipated travel demands while promoting land development patterns that are consistent with community goals and objectives.
The Saint Cloud Area Planning Organization, in consultation with its partners, is responsible for cooperative, comprehensive and continuous transportation planning. This responsibility includes forecasting future travel demands, developing multimodal transportation plans and improvement programs encompassing the Saint Cloud Metropolitan Area. The Organization works closely with the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Minnesota Department of Transportation and Metro Bus.
Board of Appeal and Equalization
The Stearns County Board of Appeal and Equalization is a five-member board appointed annually by the County Board of Commissioners. The purpose of the County Board of Appeal and Equalization is to provide a fair and objective forum for property owners to appeal their valuation and classification. Members must be a resident of Stearns County and be knowledgeable in the field of real estate, with at least one member being either a fee appraiser or a realtor. At least one member must also have completed the required Board of Appeal training offered by the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
Highway 15 Coalition Partnership
The Highway 15 Coalition came together in May 2004 to address the needs facing Trunk Highway 15 in the future. Since that meeting, the Coalition has positioned itself as the primary spokesperson, advocate, fundraiser and lobbyist for improvement of the corridor. The Mid Minnesota Development Commission (Region 6E) and the Region Nine Development Commission, along with MnDOT Districts 3, 7, and 8, joined together with cities, counties, and businesses along the route to form the Coalition and promote the upgrading of Highway 15.
NorthStar Corridor Development Authority
In May 1997, 30 counties, cities, townships and regional rail authorities created the joint powers board known as the NorthStar Corridor Development Authority to address the increased need for additional transportation solutions between St. Cloud and Minneapolis. As of late 2009, the NorthStar Commuter Rail Line offers service from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis for residents and businesses in one of the fastest growing transportation corridors in Minnesota.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission is an 11-member board appointed by the Stearns County Board of Commissioners. This Commission is responsible for reviewing and recommending comprehensive plan amendments and ordinance changes and for conducting public hearings on plats, rezoning requests, conditional use permit applications, interim use permit applications and making recommendations to the County Board of Commissioners. The Planning Commission consists of two members from each of the five Commissioner Districts, and one at-large member, who may reside in any of the Commissioner Districts. In addition, the County Board of Commissioners designates one of their members to serve a one-year term as a non-voting liaison to the Planning Commission.
Platting Committee
The Platting Committee is a five-member technical committee, which reviews proposed preliminary plats and upon completion of their review, makes a recommendation to the Planning Commission with technical review comments/conditions relative to preliminary plats. The Platting Committee consists of representatives from the Environmental Services Department, Public Works (Highway) Department, Soil and Water Conservation District, Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer (Surveyor) and a member of the Stearns County Planning Commission. These appointments are made by the Stearns County Board of Commissioners.
Region 7 W Transportation Board
Region 7W is located northwest of the Twin Cities in Central Minnesota. The Region is comprised of the counties of Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright. Region 7W excludes the St. Cloud Metropolitan area for purposes of the Region 7W Transportation Plan. Outside the Twin Cities Metropolitan area, it is the fastest growing region in the State of Minnesota. Its proximity to the Twin Cities and the location of major corridors of I-94, Highway 10 and Highway 169 affects the regional transportation system. The Board is responsible for prioritizing federally funded projects in the four counties.
St. Joseph/Waite Park N/S Corridor Study Committee
The committee provides guidance on the following studies currently underway:
North Corridor-West/CSAH 2-North (CSAH 3 near the Lake Wobegon Trail to CSAH 133): Prepare federal/state Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Scoping documents.
North Corridor-East (CSAH 133 to Rolling Ridge Road): Prepare a federal-level Environmental Assessment and state-level Environmental Assessment Worksheet for Alternative Yellow 1-2 (Yellow 1 and 2 are the same in this area), the Preferred Alternative.