3 - Comprehensive Plan Discussion

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I 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 I provide habitat for plant and animal species. Most klocal 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 41h of July Celebration, ChoR@ Cfierry Festival,Taste of Pequot and Music in the f 13 Park provide fun events that celebrate the City's heritage, bring together people of all age groups, and attract L 14 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 I Government Drive, adjacent to the Paul Bunyan Trail. The publie ^,^^ ,-",^^^t te "^ ^,r'To provide more 17 benefit to the community for this area, Government Drive needs to be reconfigured to provide better connections 18 to the park. The park itself, which functions more as a central "square" than a traditional park, also needs some 19 Feeeiqfigwati definition to make the space more usable.The current layout of the park has a somewhat random 20 feel that has ^^'••^d thFeu^" deea'^s ^f ^^^^~F'iF;;#e ' pFej ^tswould benefit physically from some defining 21 boundaries. A better understanding of the role of this vital public space would give context to future 22 improvements. 23 OPPORTUNITIES FOR A BALANCED LIFESTYLE 24 I In Pequot Lakes, people have the opportunity to live where they vaeatieRalso recreate. The Paul Bunyan Trail, 25 numerous lakes, and areas of publicly and privately owned land provide residents and visitors with a variety of 26 active and passive recreational opportunities.The integration of recreation with everyday life prevails in the City. 27 Citizens feel strongly that it is worth preserving, particularly as the population in Pequot Lakes grows and existing 28 recreational facilities face increased pressure. •IRsFeasiRg-affrEe, le+su% time, and aA growing awareness of 29 health and fitness issues a4i points to a greater Reed demand for recreational opportunities in Pequot Lakes. 30 Until recently, Pequot Lakes has stayed on the periphery of growth and development in the Central Lakes Region, 31 partially due to the fact that it does not sit on or near a four-lane highway. Continued growth through the region 32 combined with the widening and realignment of Highway 371 will soon change this. In order to maintain the 33 existing community character, residents want the City to capitalize on the components of community character. 34 They wish to maintain the small-town feel of Pequot Lakes_by and Fesist gFewth the deve'^^m^..t pattern that",r 36 POLICIES 37 The following policies are proposed to guide all future growth and development and local government action in 38 Pequot Lakes: 31 Page