3(a) Introduction and Community Character Sections

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Protect and enhance landmarks,hlstoMc and archeological sites,sadal Sathering places,and nawral features Tn Pequot Lakes. The City of Pequot Lakes wants its community character-including the small tovm feel, natural features,social gathering places and events,and recreattonal opportunities-to serve as the found�tion for econcmlc vitality and quallty of life.An increasingly large number of studles support this philosophy,with flndings indicating that communities taking steps to actively proted their distinct community assets clearly enhance their economic potential,putting them at an advantage over other comrnunities that don't identify and preserve the components contributing to their community character. SupRort tradidor�s,festivals and eve�s tfiat brina the cammunity to�ether arrd aelebrate Pequot Lakes'hertta�e. The City should rnntinue to sponsor and assist with organizing festivals and events that untte Pequot lakes and build on its unique history and local culture. Preserve�nd meintain forested�ateways leadins into Pequot Lakes.Planning participants expressed toncern that forested gateways fnto the City could be los[.Residents need to work hard to preserve their communit�s natural and scenic areas. Ensure that new development adds to the character of the community and enhances the sense-of-plaee.Many new developments follaw suburban land use pattems and design guidelines,resultln�in look-alfke ades.All new developments-including commercfal,fndustrial,residential,mixed use,recreational,or dvic-should incarporate Pequot Lakes'small town feel and cultural heritage in their layout and design. Encoura�e pubUc parttdpatton fn an open and transparent local governmerit system.The foresight and ladc of complacency among residents is distinct in Pequot lakes. By continuing to encoura�e and support its traditfon of dvic engagemerrt,the City will strengthen its community pride and strong traditions. Enwre that ele�cted and appotMed officlals,local citixens,business owners,and landowners are tnformed of and understand the aoals and strateates cor�tairted in the Camprehenstve Plan.This Comprehensive Plan will not be effective unless alf property owners, residents, staff, and officials are aware of its policies and actions. Over the years, hundreds of area residents and concemed individuais have volunteered a great deal of time working on planning in the community, includtng development of the Pequot Lakes Comprehensive Plan,Sibley Township's Comprehensive Plan,the Highway 371 planning efforts and/or any one of the lake management plans that have been assembled.These partidpants want to make sure that their work ls not discarded, but rather is repeatedly referenced.The City needs to educate everyone impacted by the Comprehensive Plan so that it is the driving vision behind all lo�l decisions. ACTIONS SHORT-TERM ACTIONS(WITHIN 1 YEAR�: ❑ Adopt new standard street sections that reduce long-term costs by narrowing lane widths to appropriate nefghbarhood scale and providing safe pedestrian mobilfty throughout the c(ty. ❑ Adopt new standard road sections that reduce long-term costs by narrowing(ane widths on local�oads to a rustic,low volurne,low speed scale. ❑ Perform an assessment of walkabflity in the Grow Zane and throughout the surrounding neighborhoods to determine areas of high and low pedestrian mobility and identify priortty c4rridors for mobility improvements. Comprehensive Plan Update—February 2�13 9 � P a g e