bullet TCPA (Township Cooperative Planning Association), is a group of townships brought together to implement individual strategic land use planning and zoning in townships and deal with issues related to it. Land use planning and zoning regulation is becoming one of the most important areas of township government and will determine the future of townships and township grass roots government. The Township Cooperative Planning Association was originally formed by six townships in Olmsted County, Minnesota in May of 1997 to implement these goals.

bullet The organization (TCPA) and its goals are designed to solve many of the problems as they relate to land use planning and to put townships in a stronger position to negotiate their own strategic land use plan in concert with the cities and counties. The TCPA builds on the strength of local people making local decisions by bringing township people together into a center of competency organization that shares knowledge, resources, ideas, and processes that benefits all the individual townships.

bullet Currently the TCPA has thirteen member townships that has pulled together leadership, professional staff , and financing to help individual townships. The ongoing strategy is to encourage townships to complete 25 to 50 year land use plans that fit the specific need of their townships. The executive board, which is comprised of a representative from each of the town boards, meets on a monthly basis to implement the goals of the organization. The concept is to keep local people making local decisions.

bullet TCPA provides:

  • - Model for townships to use in initiating their own land use plan and zoning ordinances
  • - Help with the process by using an advocate township and access to professional help.
  • - A central office and depository for information that all township constituents and elected officials can access for help as well as where they apply for zoning, building and related applications
  • - Out source of a professional zoning administrator staff that is experienced in rural and agricultural areas
  • - Center of competency for new and existing issues, regulations, and technologies.
  • - A more knowledgeable and politically stronger voice in negotiating with neighboring governmental units, counties , and states.
  • - An organization that neighboring governments and agencies can come to for consensus viewpoints from townships.