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COMMUNITY F1 Gltow� City Of INSTITUTE Pequot PRE-MEETING DISCUSSION Lakes-_ Background Information: The "Pequot Lakes Downtown Plan" has been a work in progress since 2007. The plan has not officially been adopted. It was last updated in 2011. The City Council has directed to Planning Commission to review/update the plan since revitalization of the downtown area is a critical to the long-term financial health to the City. There are many action items from the Comprehensive Plan targeted specifically for the redevelopment and maturation of the downtown.The most important/critical items should be identified and included in the Downtown Plan. The Planning Commission should also discuss who(department,committee, etc.)is responsible for accomplishing said action items. Last month,the Planning Commission reviewed the "Community Character"and"Housing"action items. The remaining action items should be reviewed this month. Economic Development Short-Term Actions (within 1 year): ❑ Change the City's budgeting process to include a five-year budget projection as part of the annual budgeting process. ❑ Perform an inventory and life-cycle analysis of all public infrastructure maintained by the City. Use this to create a capital improvements plan that provides for ongoing maintenance of public infrastructure. ❑ Perform an assessment of walkability in the Grow Zone and throughout the surrounding neighborhoods to determine areas of high and low pedestrian mobility and identify priority corridors for mobility improvements. ❑ Adopt a small business subsidy plan targeted to 1)regional destination and 2)neighborhood service businesses that desire to locate or expand within the Grow Zone. ❑ Adjust the zoning code to clearly reserve all space within the industrial park for uses that are not public,will pay property tax and will employ people. ❑ Ensure that improvements to Government Drive provide a platform for growth. ❑ Establish an outreach program to have city representatives personally meet with local business owners, realtors, bankers and others that may influence private-sector investing decisions to inform them of the City's unique,pro-growth vision. ❑ Change the land use code to waive unnecessary submittal requirements for subdivisions in the business park. ❑ Provide regular and ongoing enforcement of maintenance standards for properties located within the Business Park as well as the Grow Zone and the surrounding neighborhoods. ❑ Establish an availability charge for properties that have access to municipal infrastructure but have not yet connected. Mid-Term Actions (1- 5 years): ❑ Create a Park Plan for the Grow Zone and surrounding neighborhoods that leverages park investments to promote livability and encourage private-sector investment. ❑ Implement a local Economic Gardening strategy based on the model developed by Littleton,CO. ❑ Investigate the potential of establishing a transit service during summer months between downtown Pequot Lakes and downtown Nisswa. ❑ Establish an outdoor skating rink in the Grow Zone or the surrounding neighborhoods for use during winter months. ❑ Establish a splash pad or other water-based recreational amenity in the Grow Zone or the surrounding neighborhoods for use during the summer months. ❑ Take steps to encourage the development of living units above businesses in the downtown area. ❑ Formally adopt a city-wide logo (e.g. The Bobber), including professional design and copyright protection, and use it to promote the City's brand. ❑ Develop a partnership between businesses and the school district to offer internships to high school students. Pequot Lakes Staff Report October 16,2014 1