Becker Township
Becker Township is located in Sherburne County 45 miles northwest of the Twin Cities. The township surrounds the City of Becker, and works closely with the city on planning; they have an Orderly Annexation Agreement in place, and have collaborated to create a unique community vision.
The township’s population increased rapidly in recent years, and in 2008 Sherburne County was named by CNN’s Money Magazine as the 22nd best county in the nation for job growth. The township is surrounded by lakes, precious natural resources to consider as the township manages this growth.See what Becker Township Zoning and Planning Chair Brad Wilkening has to say about his community’s plans for its future and how CGO has made a difference.
CGO Project Overview:
Becker Township completed its first Comprehensive Plan in 2007 and sought assistance to revise that plan and its supporting ordinances, and also to better involve its commuter-oriented public in the process. The existing plan lacked vision, did not have a full understanding of the dynamics of the Township and provided little guidance for the future. Township officials felt that having greater community input into the revision of the plan was a high priority. Through CGO and the Township’s selected consulting planner, an extensive community survey was designed, notices mailed and results analyzed. The Township also hosted a community picnic to announce the kick-off of the comp plan revision process. Regular monthly meetings were held to initiate community conversations around the difficult decisions facing the Township and to create a truly shared vision for the future of the area.
Concurrent to this revision process, the Township was proceeding on a path to take control of its planning and zoning from the County – this effort had begun prior to the CGO project. Representing a unique city/town relationship, the Township and the City of Becker had established a formal joint powers agreement and created a joint planning board. The move to take control of their zoning administration required immediate work on developing zoning, administration, subdivision and building code ordinances as well as the supporting infrastructure to handle such an undertaking. This temporarily shifted the focus of CGO work in the community from the Comprehensive Plan revision to the more immediate needs.
In early 2010, CGO communities were required to re-apply to continue to participate, and the Township chose not to continue. The Township worked with its consulting planner to finalize the draft Comprehensive Plan begun through the CGO program.
Objectives:
- Revise and update the Comprehensive Plan with an emphasis on community involvement and development of a clear vision
- Use the comprehensive plan update process as an opportunity to encourage community discussion around a range of issues facing the Township in the short and long-term
- Develop supporting ordinances required for the Township’s assumption of planning and zoning administration duties
Deliverables:
- Community-wide survey and analysis of results
- Updated Zoning, Administration, Subdivision and Building Code ordinances
- Updated Comprehensive Plan
Maps of Becker Township
Several maps showing Becker Township’s geography are provided below. The maps are 11” x 17” (but can be printed at 8-1/2” x 11”) and in PDF format.