District Plan Adoption of Amendment
Application Checklist:
District Plans are optional for the MU‐I district. See Section 50‐37.4 of the UDC for more information.
Starting the Application Process
Call 218‐730‐5580, email planning@duluthmn.gov or visit www.duluthmn.gov/eplace to request a pre‐application meeting. The pre‐application meeting is intended to discuss the application process and general timeline. A comprehensive review of the proposed project is not possible at this meeting; detailed review of the project will occur once a complete application, with sufficient supporting information and exhibits, is submitted.
If you are submitting a District Plan, you need to hold at least one community meeting before submitting the plan for review and approval by the City. Mail notice to all property owners within 350 feet outside the planning area boundaries (City will provide names and addresses upon request).
Your Application
- Your Application Submit your application materials by the Planning Commission application deadline.
- Visit www.duluthmn.gov/eplace to submit your application.
- Click on “Apply” and search for your application type. (You will need to sign in to the system, or create a new account if you do not already have one.)
- Follow the prompts to fill in information. Required information is indicated with an asterisk.
- On the attachments page, upload the following:
- Legal description(s) of properties included in the plan
- A district plan that includes the following:
- A statement as to whether the institution intends to acquire any additional properties in the surrounding the area and, if so, the general direction of that proposed expansion
- A plan and description of the maximum amount of development of land and buildings over the next ten years
- A transportation and parking management element
- An open space, trail, and pedestrian/bicycle circulation element
- A massing plan
- Documentation of the community meeting, including date and time, number of attendees, any issues raised regarding the district plan, and any responses to those concerns incorporated in the district plan
- After your application is complete, click “Add to Cart” for the fee listed, and pay the fee. Applications without a fee will not be reviewed or accepted.
After Submitting Your Application
1. Determination of Completeness. Within 15 business days of your application, you should expect to:
- Receive an “Applicant Letter,” which acknowledges a complete application, shares the date of the Planning Commission meeting and the assigned staff person, and notifies you of State‐mandated deadlines for the City to make a decision, OR
- Receive notification that your application is incomplete, with details on further information to submit.
2. Public Notice.
- You are required to post a sign notice on the property at least two weeks before the date of the public hearing. See UDC Section 50-37.1.H for information on size, placement, and content of each sign; you may want to contact a sign company or printing company to have the sign made. You must provide evidence that the signs were in place; submit photo(s) of the signs to the Planning Division at least two weeks before the date of the public hearing.
3. Staff Review.
Planning staff will evaluate your application and prepare a staff report. When considering a recommendation for a district plan adoption or amendment, Planning Staff generally review the Comprehensive Plan (including the Future Land Use Map, Governing Principles, and Policies), consistency with the purpose of the zone district, whether the proposal will create material adverse impacts on nearby properties (and if impacts are created, they are mitigated to the extent reasonably possible), any additional criteria in the UDC, and other related factors.
- You will receive an email with the Planning Commission agenda and a link to this staff report about 5 days prior to the meeting.
4. Planning Commission Hearing.
Planning Commission meetings are scheduled at 5:00 pm on the second Tuesday of each month. We ask that applicants or an agent attend this meeting. Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and make a recommendation to adopt, adopt with modifications, or deny the application.
You will receive an Action Letter documenting the decision.
Note that other City codes may apply to your project. Please be aware of any applicable Building Code (Construction Services Division), Fire Code (Life Safety Division), and stormwater/engineering (Engineering Division) regulations. The zoning approval may be only the first step in a several step process.
If a wetland delineation is needed for the project to proceed, it must be reviewed and approved before any zoning application will be accepted. If a wetland replacement plan is required for a project to proceed, it must have been submitted and accepted as a complete application before the project zoning application will be accepted.
