08-09-2012 Park Commission Meeting

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\.. 1 growth and development could degrade the City's natural resources.The City must actively protect existing natural 2 resources and enhance those that contribute to Pequot Lakes' rural character. 3 Direct future development away from significant and/or sensitive natural resources and toward suitable areas 4 with existing infrastructure and proper soil and slope characteristics. 5 Benton MacKaye, a legendary land-use planner, compared urban growth to flood waters that must be controlled 6 through a series of barriers that he referred to as "levees". Levees include significant topographic and vegetative 7 features such as hills and bluffs, forested areas, lakeshores and other sensitive natural features. Pequot Lakes 8 should limit development around these features and encourage development in more suitable areas. 9 Promote development and construction practices that retain and improve existing natural features and systems 10 on and around building sites. Not all development is equal with respect to its impact on natural resources. 11 Development practices that identify and preserve significant natural resources - such as clustering, open space 12 dedications, restrictive covenants, or conservation easements — should be promoted by the City whenever 13 possible. Furthermore, construction practices in all new developments should not protect resources from causing 14 erosion,tree damage,or the disruption of significant ecological features. 15 Support more environmentally sound alternatives to transportation, power, storm water management, 16 landscaping,and sewer treatment. One of the City's strengths is its progressive thinking.The City should take the 17 lead in promoting the use of new,sustainable technologies for its infrastructure. 18 Foster environmental stewardship. Pequot Lakes must educate residents and visitors about the value and 19 importance of preserving natural resources for sustaining the environment, local economy and quality of life. 20 ACTIONS 21 SHORT-TERM ACTIONS (WITHIN 1 YEAR): 22 ❑ Work with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), local lake associations and others to 23 prevent the spread of invasive species to or from area lakes. 24 MID-TERM ACTIONS (1-5 YEARS): 25 ❑ Establish a Subsurface Sewage Treatment System(SSTS) monitoring program to ensure ongoing 26 maintenance and compliant operation of systems throughout the City. 27 LONG-TERM ACTIONS (5 YEARS AND BEYOND): 28 ❑ 29 PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED ACTIONS 30 ❑ Evaluate the impervious coverage standard in each land use zone and make modifications to better 31 address water quality issues. 32 ❑ Do not count wetlands,streams, land below the ordinary high water level,slopes,or core forests as build- 33 able areas on building lots for new subdivisions. DRAFT—April 2011 32 I P a g e