06-16-2011 Planning Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES PEQUOT LAKES PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING JUNE 16,2011 PRESENT: Tom Adams, John Derksen, Bill Habein, Mark Hallan and Scott Pederson. ABSENT: Deb Brown and Cheri Seils. CITY PLANNER: Charles L. Marohn, Jr., PE,AICP ZONING ADMINISTRATOR: Dawn Bittner COUNCIL LIAISON: Nancy Adams. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Pederson. DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN DISCUSSION: It was the consensus of the Planning Commission that the intent of the rewrite is good. It was suggested that there should be a new name. Suggestions included Central Mixed Use Zone, Center City Plan, Pequot Lakes Center City Plan, Historic Core Growth Plan, and Grow Zone Expansion Plan. 16.1 Downtown means different areas to different people. The west side should be included but how far south should it go,the new grocery store. Maybe the original Pequot plat,the historic neighborhoods. The entire grow zone area was also suggested. Another suggestion was everywhere that infrastructure is located, supporting where infrastructure already is. The new plan could have sub-plans: Government Drive; Park Plan; Industrial Park; City Plan; County Road 11 Plan; Housing. Ways to implement changes in this area could include: 1. Change street standards in the downtown areas; 2. Look at walkability of downtown and stress ability to get around other than autos; 3. Adopt a form based code in the entire downtown area; 4. Look at overall park strategy and emphasize improvements and changes that add value to properties in the area. Mr. Marohn will continue with Assets and Challenges for next month. PARK PLAN DISCUSSION: Mr. Marohn explained the Staff Report. A Park Plan needs to be tied to an economic development vision. The Mayor stated the City is having serious issues with the DNR for MINUTES 1 Pequot Lakes Planning Commission June 16, 2011