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1 The components that give parts of the historic downtown in Pequot Lakes a strong sense-of-place have been <br /> 2 studied by the Planning Commission.They are simple to identify and understand.Where they are absent,it is quite <br /> 3 easy to see how the public realm is diminished. <br /> 4 The two key components are: <br /> 5 I 1. Lining up the buildings. Where the buildings are lined up, they have the effect of creating a wall. This <br /> 6 boundary condition makes the space feel comfortable to people within it.Where the wall effect is absent, <br /> 7 the sense-of-place is lost and the experience of walking past will be unsettling to a pedestrian. <br /> 8 2. Maintaining the correct width to height ratio.Once the buildings are lined up to form walls,they need to <br /> 9 be correctly spaced or the sense-of-place effect is lost. Maintaining a width to height ratio of between 3:1 <br /> 10 and 6:1 is necessary,with 3:1 being optimal. If the buildings are too close,the space will feel cramped. If <br /> 11 they are too far away,the public realm feels barren and the sense-of-place is lost. <br /> 12 This applies to areas that are commercial as well as residential.Wherever attention is paid to these two elements, <br /> 13 the public realm is enhanced, a sense-of-place can be achieved and the properties become memorable in a way <br /> 14 that translates directly into higher valuations. <br /> 15 Coding for these simple attributes does not require the heavy hand of government that is often apparent in zoning <br /> 16 codes. To capture the sense-of-place and create a memorable human environment, the city is not called on to <br /> 17 regulate such things as siding type or building color. Instead, some simple physical guidelines are all that is <br /> 18 necessary,giving the property owner the freedom to develop their own property once the essential elements are <br /> 19 satisfied. <br /> 20 SMALL TOWN FEEL <br /> 21 The downtown area—with its unique landmarks,quaint shops,and diverse services—is one of Pequot Lakes'most <br /> 22 valued assets. Downtown landmarks such as "The Bobber", public art, the Cole building and the trail center and <br /> 23 park define the Pequot Lakes community. Many historic sites offer a reminder of Pequot's rich heritage.The City <br /> 24 features traditional neighborhoods surrounding the downtown, as well as small farms and country homes dotting <br /> 25 the area that was once Sibley Township. Public land and uninterrupted forests further accentuate the rural,small <br /> 26 town feel indicative of Pequot Lakes. <br /> 27 A Downtown Plan prepared in 2006 outlines design strategies for enhancing the small town feel of the historic <br /> 28 downtown. The plan also contains strategies designed strengthen the economy of the downtown by providing <br /> 29 increased opportunity for mixed-use development. Adding a built-in "customer" base by promoting new <br /> 30 residences in the downtown while designing the public realm to have a strong pedestrian-orientation will allow a <br /> 31 mix of businesses to thrive in peak seasons and still survive lean times.This approach will also make more-efficient <br /> 32 use of existing infrastructure investments, which is essential if those systems are to be affordable over the long <br /> 33 run. R <br /> 34 NATURAL FEATURES C�� UW <br /> 35 I Pequot Lates is a gateway to the Central Lakes Region, hn of the most d-memorable landscapes in <br /> 36 Minnesota)Long-time residents, newcomers, and visitors feel strongly connected to this north-woods landscape. <br /> 37 Although rapid population growth and improvements in transportation have the potential to boost Pequot Lakes' <br /> 38 I aiFeady thFiv'^^ 'ocal economy, citizens and visitors alike don't want economic development and expansion to <br /> 39 occur at the expense of their natural features. <br /> 21 Page <br />