7A - Comprehensive Plan Discussion

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1 Clean lakes,mixed forests,and diverse wetlands all contribute to the scenic beauty and character of Pequot Lakes. 2 These natural features offer residents and visitors a tranquil respite from the stress and toil of everyday life.They 3 provide habitat for plant and animal species. Most local citizens have a deep respect for the natural environment 4 and are committed to preserving it.They understand that future development that degrades these resources can 5 threaten the very assets that make Pequot Lakes a special and desirable place. 6 SOCIAL GATHERING PLACES AND EVENTS 7 Social gathering places such as churches and schools are an important part of the cultural fabric. In addition to 8 providing residents with meeting places,they provide opportunities for citizen involvement in groups and activities 9 that strengthen the community. 10 Encouraging public art by students and local civic groups gives young people an opportunity to engage in their 11 community, enforcing the concept that Pequot Lakes values its youth and takes pride in their education. Yearly 12 I festivals like Bean Hole Days, the 4 1 of JUly Celebration, Choke—cC-herry Festival, Taste of Pequot, Antique 13 Snowmobile Rendezvous and Music in the Park provide fun events that celebrate the City's heritage, bring 14 together people of all age groups,and attract visitors from around the state. 15 Pequot Lakes also has a tremendous asset with the Trailside Park area, the land between Highway 371 and 16 Government Drive, adjacent to the Paul Bunyan Trail. To provide more benefit to the community for this area, 17 Government Drive needs to be reconfigured to provide better connections to the park. The park itself, which 18 functions more as a central "square"than a traditional park, also needs some definition to make the space more 19 usable. The current layout of the park has a somewhat random feel that would benefit physically from some 20 defining boundaries. A better understanding of the role of this vital public space would give context to future 21 improvements. 22 OPPORTUNITIES FOR A BALANCED LIFESTYLE 23 in Pequot Lakes, people have the opportunity to live where they also recreate.The Paul Bunyan Trail, numerous 24 lakes, and areas of publicly and privately owned land provide residents and visitors with a variety of active and 25 passive recreational opportunities. The integration of recreation with everyday life prevails in the City. Citizens 26 feel strongly that it is worth preserving, particularly as the population in Pequot Lakes grows and existing 27 recreational facilities face increased pressure.A growing awareness of health and fitness issues points to a greater 28 demand for recreational opportunities in Pequot Lakes. 29 Until recently, Pequot Lakes has stayed on the periphery of growth and development in the Central Lakes Region, 30 partially due to the fact that it does not sit on or near a four-lane highway. Continued growth through the region 31 combined with the widening and realignment of Highway 371 will soon change this. In order to maintain the 32 existing community character, residents want the City to capitalize on the components of community character. 33 They wish to maintain the small-town feel of Pequot Lakes. 34 POLICIES 35 The following policies are proposed to guide all future growth and development and local government action in 36 Pequot Lakes: 37 Protect and enhance landmarks, historic and archeological sites,social gathering places,and natural features in 38 Pequot Lakes. The City of Pequot Lakes wants its community character— including the small town feel, natural 3 1 P a g e