3 - Comprehensive Plan Discussion (2)

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Proposed Strategies for Implementation: `-' • Modify ordinances to increase density in the downtown area. • Limit fringe development and the extension of services that have high long-term cossts. Make use of existing infrastructure first. • Make better use of the lots in the industrial park. Need to get revenue for that infrastructure. • Stop taking over new roads that do not have a high enough return on investment. • Find a mechanism to encourage subdivision and additional, intensive development within the industrial park. • Change the city's policies for accepting a new road into the city inventory. Maintain the downtown area as the center for economic activity in Pequot Lakes.As many cities struggle to keep their downtown areas strong and vital, Pequot Lakes has an advantage in that its downtown already has a healthy mix of retail and professional businesses clustered together.The City must keep the agglomeration of its businesses and seek to infill and redevelop commercial properties as they become available.The City also needs to work to systematically reconnect and rehabilitate the neighborhoods surrounding the core downtown so as to further strengthen the businesses there. Proposed Strategies for Implementation: • Infill is vital where we have existing infrastructure. We get way more bang for our buck by development in the downtown with exponential benefits to the tax base and `., community as a whole. Make the area's natural,scenic,and recreational amenities the Pequot Lakes brand.The primary reason that people choose to live,work and visit the Pequot Lakes area is the natural, scenic beauty and the many recreational opportunities. Pequot is in a unique position to retain that powerful brand and use it to not only enhance the quality of life for residents but provide long-term business opportunities for compatible enterprises. Proposed Strategies for Implementation: • Streamline the regulatory process to provide business owners with flexibility while ensure new enterprises build on the community's assets and enhance its brand.The City's regulatory framework needs to protect existing investments while at the same time encouraging the expansion and redevelopment of key commercial areas.The City's ordinances need to be continually re-evaluated to ensure that they clearly and aggressively promote the vision of this plan while eliminating needless and counterproductive regulation. Regulations must be clear to understand and ag . rJov processes should be as streamlined and user-friendly as possible. U�C�`'' Strive to have the business park fully utilized.The long-term maintenance costs of the industrial park need to be met by increased development—and more intensive development—within the business park.Storm sewer systems are designed to handle an overall impervious coverage amount of 95%and