3(a) Introduction and Community Character Sections

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SENSE-OF-PLACE The components that give parts of the historic downtown in Pequot lakes a strong sense-of-place have been studied by the Planning Cornmission.They are simple to identify and understand.Where they are absent,It is quite easy to see how the public realm Is diminished. The two key components are: 1. Unln�up the bulldin�s.Where the butldings are lined up, they have the effect of creating a wall.This boundary condition makes the space feel comfortable to people within it.Where the wall effect Is abserrt, the sense-of-place is lost and the experience of walkin�past will be unsettling to a pedestrian. 2. Mairrtalning the correct width to helsht ntto.Once the buildings are lined up ta form walls�they need to be wrrectly spaced or the sense-of-place effect is lost.Maintaining a width to height ratio of between 3:1 and 6:1 is necessary,with 3:1 being optimal.If the buildings are too dose,the space will feel cramped.If they are too far away,the publfc realm feels barren and the sense-of-place is lost. This applies to areas that are commerclal as well as residential.Wherever attentlon is paid to these two elements, the public realm Is enhanced,a sense-of-place can be achieved and the properties become memorable in a way that translates directly into higher valuations. Coding for these simple attributes does not require the heavy hand of government that Is often apparent in zoning codes. To capture the sense-0f-place and create a memorable human envlronment, the City is not called on to regulate such things as siding type or bullding color.Instead,some simple physical guldelines are ail that Is necessary, giving the property owner the freedom to develop thelr own pro�erry once the essential elements are satisfied. SMALLTOWN FEEL The downtawn area—with Its unique landmarks,qualnt shops,and dtverse senrices—is one of Pequot Lakes'most valued assets.Downtown landmarks such as`?he Bobbe�,public art,the Cale buiiding and the trail center and park define the Pequot Lakes commun'ity.Many historic sites offer a reminder of Fequot's rich heritage.The City features traditional neighborhoods surrounding the downtown,as well as small farms and country homes dotting the area that was once Sibley Township.Public land and uninterrupted forests further aaentuate the rural,small town feel indicative of Pequot lakes. A Downtown Plan proposed in 2006 outlines design strategies for erthancing the small town feel of the historic downtown.The plan also contains strategies designed to strengthen the economy of the downtown by providing increased opportunity for mbced-use developmer►�Addfrtg a bullt-in"customer"base by promoting new residences in the downtawn while designing the public realm to have a strong pedestrlan-orientation rnn71 allow a mix of businesses to be vlable on a year-round basis. This approach wtll also make more-efficient use of existing infrastructure investmerrts,which is essential if those systems are to be affordable over the long run.The Downtown Plan has not been formally adopted by the City. NATURAL FEATURES Pequot Lakes(s a gateway to the�entral lakes Region.Long-time residents, newcomers, and visftors feel strongly connected to this north-woods landscape.Although rapid population growth and improvements in transportatlon Comprehensive Plan Update—February 2013 7 � P a g e