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Recommendations for 2004: We have several recommendations for you to consider we <br /> proceed into next year: <br /> Review and Adopt the Updated Comprehensive Plan: The draft Comprehensive Plan is <br /> completed. A public review process needs to be scheduled to include presentation of the <br /> plan and thorough review by the Planning Commission and the City Council. Copies of <br /> the plan will be provided shortly, but they are also currently available on-line at <br /> www.Communitygrowth.com. The plan integrates the rural aspects of the former Sibley <br /> Township plan with the urban growth demands of downtown Pequot Lakes into one <br /> vision for the merged City. The strategies in the plan will form the basis for staff and <br /> community action over the six months to five years. <br /> Update the Ordinance: The first and arguably most important step in implementing the <br /> Comprehensive Plan is updating the current Land Use and Subdivision Ordinance to <br /> ensure its consistency with the goals of the plan, and to lay the groundwork for updating <br /> the current zoning map to better conform to the integrated growth plan. The City is also <br /> in the process of drafting a new downtown sign ordinance that better meets the needs of <br /> businesses and shoppers in the City's central business district. As such, we recommend <br /> adequate time be allotted for this task, with particular attention paid to writing for <br /> uniform interpretation and consistent application by the Planning Commission and City <br /> Council. <br /> Fee Schedule Modifications: The fee schedule is confusing in relation to land use items. <br /> Additionally, in many areas the charges do not reflect the amount of expense the City <br /> incurs, especially as it relates to public hearing items. <br /> ISTS Inspection Process: A recurring problem we had in 2003 concerned inspection of <br /> individual sewage treatment systems. When a new system is to be installed, it is required <br /> that the City inspect it and certify that it meets State criteria outlined in State Rules <br /> Chapter 7080. We used to hire this work out, but now have two staff members (Brett <br /> Twardy and Dawn Bittner) who are qualified to do the inspections. The problem we have <br /> had is coordinating with contractors. Examples of calls for inspection being made <br /> literally minutes before the process was complete, having to track staff members down <br /> who are on vacation to come in and do inspections, having to pay outside inspectors to <br /> come in and work because our own qualified personnel are tied up, are unacceptable and <br /> cannot continue in 2004. <br /> Earlier this year your staff proposed some modifications in how we approve ISTS <br /> permits. Those modifications would allow us the opportunity to coordinate with <br /> contractors so we can be certain to accommodate their schedules. The changes were not <br /> well received by a number of contractors. Your staff is going to work with these <br /> contractors and the Planning Commission to develop new procedures prior to the 2004 <br /> construction season. <br /> Highway 371 Corridor Planning/Downtown Master Plan:Nationally, the relationship <br /> between land use and transportation has been well-studied. While our land use is <br /> impacting the need to make transportation improvements (growth and development have <br /> �' increased demand for highway capacity), the transportation improvements are going to <br />