3A - Community Character Action Plan

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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 4-new development Eemplemeats-and- es-raQetraEt U—PA the A2%UFal, sEeRiG,anrcUltUFa; ..itie.....;... a to o.,quet l,1,^;add 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 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 of1W area residents and concerned individuals have volunteered a great deal of time working on planning the in community, including development of the Pequot Lakes Comprehensive Plan, Sibley Township's Comprehensive Plan, the Downtown Plan, the Highway 371 planning efforts or any one of the lake management plans that have been assembledthe a„t@ .. e f this plan.These participants want to make sure that their work is not discarded, but rather is repeatedly referred to. The City needs to educate everyone impacted by the Comprehensive Plan so that it is the driving vision behind all local decisions. ACTIONS SHORT-TERM ACTIONS WITHIN 1 YEAR): ❑ Develop basic architectural design standards for all new developments and renovations of existing properties. ❑ Require an adequate reforestation plan from Mn/DOT as part of the Highway 371 improvement project in order to retain the forested gateway. ❑ Work with community groups to start a Heritage Days festival to celebrate local culture and history. MID-TERM ACTIONS (1-5 YEARS): ❑ Provide a welcome packet to all new property owners within the City containing information on the City's zoning ordinances,permit requirements and contact information specific to their property. ❑ Publicize opportunities for civic engagement that draw on the expertise of and appeals to a diversity of local residents(including long-time residents and newer citizens). ❑ Partner with the school district and local artists to provide more opportunities for public art. ❑ Prepare a briefing book on the Comprehensive Plan for all public office candidates. ❑ Require newly elected officials to attend League of Minnesota Cities training.