3A - Draft of Comprehensive Plan

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�- COMMUNITY CHARACTER POLICIES The following policies are proposed to guide all future growth and development and local government action in Pequot Lakes: Protect and enhance landmarks, historic and archeological sites,social gathering places,and natural features in Pequot Lakes.The City of Pequot Lakes wants its community character—including the small town feel, natural features, social gathering places and events, and recreational opportunities-to serve as the foundation for economic vitality and quality of life.An increasingly large number of studies support this philosophy,with findings indicating that communities taking steps to actively protect their distinct community assets clearly enhance their economic potential, putting them at an advantage over other communities that don't identify and preserve the components contributing to their community character. Support traditions,festivals and events that bring the community together and celebrate Pequot Lakes' heritage.The City should continue to sponsor and assist with organizing festivals and events that unite Pequot Lakes and build on its unique history and local culture. Preserve and maintain forested gateways leading into Pequot Lakes. Planning participants expressed concern that forested gateways into the City could be lost. Residents need to work hard to preserve their community's natural and scenic areas. Ensure that new development adds to the character of the community and enhances the sense-of- place. Many new developments follow suburban land use patterns and design guidelines, resulting in look-alike cities.All new developments—including commercial, industrial, residential, mixed use, recreational, or civic—should incorporate Pequot Lakes' small town feel and cultural heritage in their layout and design. Encourage public participation in an open and transparent local government system.The foresight and lack of complacency among residents is distinct in Pequot Lakes. By continuing to encourage and i support its tradition of civic engagement,the City will strengthen its community pride and strong traditions. Ensure that elected and appointed officials, local citizens, business owners,and landowners are informed of and understand the goals and strategies contained in the Comprehensive Plan.This Comprehensive Plan will not be effective unless all property owners, residents, staff, and officials are aware of its policies and actions. Over the years, hundreds of area residents and concerned individuals have volunteered a great deal of time working on planning in the community, including development of the Pequot Lakes Comprehensive Plan,Sibley Township's Comprehensive Plan,the Downtown Plan,the Highway 371 planning efforts and/or any one of the lake management plans that have been assembled. These participants want to make sure that their work is not discarded, but rather is repeatedly referred