Divisions

Administrative

Handles department accounting and finance; administers programs and grants; provides clerical support; analyzes and distributes Census and other demographic data; assists with strategic planning and provides clerical support to the department.

Contacts: David Dunn, Director 507-328-7143 or Beth Davis, Executive Support Supervisor 507-328-7103.

Planning

Works with the public, Olmsted County Board, Townships, Planning/Environmental Commissions, and Boards to administer development ordinances. These ordinances address land development, flood plain, shoreland, soil erosion, and nuisance complaints.

Provides long range planning for Olmsted County, Oronoco Township and others upon their request. Plans include land use, transportation (transit, highway, bicycle, pedestrian, parking and regional trail, infrastructure, open space, housing, and hazard mitigation.

Transportation planning for the Rochester Metropolitan Area (all of Olmsted County) is carried out through the Rochester Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG), a multi-governmental group created by the Governor of Minnesota under federal law. ROCOG is charged with preparing and adopting a Long-Range Transportation Plan covering all modes of surface passenger transportation (highway, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian), highway modes of freight transportation, and connections with other transportation modes (rail and air).

Other transportation planning done by the Olmsted County Planning Department is primarily in the area of corridor and sub-area studies, special transit/rail studies, and other special reports done with, or for, the City of Rochester, Olmsted County, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Contact: Allison Sosa, Planning Supervisor 507-328-6921.

Building, Well, and Septic Inspections

View the Building, Well, and Septic Inspections page

Administers the State building code and reviews building permits; administers sub-surface sewage treatment systems and well codes; reviews water supply and sewage. Administers Wetland Conservation Act for the City of Rochester.

Contact: Don VanKeulen, Inspections Supervisor 507-328-7118.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

View the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) page

Maintains GIS data/maps (parcels, streets, railroads, utilities, land use, zoning, VCOP zones, school attendance areas, census, land cover, flood plains, geology, soils, streams, sinkholes, springs, wetlands, wells, etc.) Olmsted County's E911 Addressing, and Roadway Network Data Base.

Contact: Jan Chezick, GIS Supervisor 507-328-7141.

Transportation Planning

Transportation planning for the Rochester Metropolitan Area (all of Olmsted County) is carried out through the Rochester Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG), a multi-governmental group created by the Governor of Minnesota under federal law. ROCOG is charged with preparing and adopting a Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) covering all modes of surface passenger transportation (highway, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian), highway modes of freight transportation, and connections with other transportation modes (rail and air). The ROCOG 2040 Transportation Plan serves as the transportation element of the comprehensive plans for both Olmsted County and the City of Rochester.

Transportation planning done by the Olmsted County Planning Department is primarily in the areas of studies and other special reports done with or for the City of Rochester, Olmsted County, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN/DOT). Particulars of current projects can be accessed using the links listed at the left.

As stated in the Long Range Transportation Plan, the City of Rochester has set a goal of creating a safe, convenient transportation system that encourages walking, bicycling and general traffic movement that meets the needs of all users, regardless of transportation mode and ability. In 2009, the City adopted a Complete Streets Policy outlining considerations, objectives and responsibilities to accomplish that goal. The City Council also adopted this Policy as an element of the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Rochester.

The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners adopted an Access Management Ordinance for Olmsted County on May 23, 2006. The ordinance establishes policies and standards for new driveway and public street connections to the County State Aid and County Road systems.

The following plans and studies have been completed and accepted by appropriate authorities. Please email us at planningweb@olmstedcounty.gov to request a copy of any transportation study completed 2015 or earlier:

• 125th Street Corridor Study
• Circle Dr Access Management Policy Guide
• CR 104 Corridor Study
• North Hwy 63 Access Management Study
• TH 63-Rochester International Airport Study
• West Circle Drive Corridor Operations Study

Route and other information about existing bus service can be found on the Rochester City Lines website.

Announcements regarding road work in the City of Rochester can be found on the City Public Works website.