06 - Department Goals - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Enact a `night sky' ordinance to limit the amount and character of signs and lighting for rural and urban areas within Pequot Lakes. • Regulate the use of rip rap on lakeshore properties through an ordinance ensuring its effective use. • Reevaluate the requirements of park dedication fees in new subdivisions and planned unit developments. • Require design of storm water retention facilities with all new roadways. • Establish subdivision standards that limit the number of intersections and cul-de-sacs. • Develop an ordinance that requires clustering of sewage treatment systems in order to obtain desired residential density. In this report, we are following up on the Planning Commission's previous recommendation and are requesting authorization to proceed with preparation of a Downtown Development Plan. The Downtown Development Plan would address the following short-term actions: • Develop basic architectural design standards for all new developments and renovations of existing properties. • Establish a municipal parking strategy. As part of the ongoing discussions with Mn/DOT regarding the Highway 371 improvements,the Staff will seek to include the following short-term actions: • 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 Mn/DOT to make a firm decision on the State Highway 371 improvements. With either alignment, a significant amount of forward planning and preparation by the City is needed. It is critical to begin on that work as soon as possible, and it cannot begin until a decision on the alignment has been made. (THIS STRATEGY WILL BE COMPLETED ONCE THE EIS COMMENT PERIOD HAS ENDED AND THE DOCUMENT HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY ADOPTED). We are recommending that the City's Park Committee be asked to address the following short- term strategies: • Charge the City's Parks and Recreation Committee with direction the implementation of these strategies. • Inventory and catalogue all public land parcels in the City and seek to expand recreational uses on these parcels. • Partner with the school district to coordinate activities and explore indoor recreational opportunities. • Work with community groups to start a Heritage Days festival to celebrate local culture and history • Host community clean-up and tree-planting events. In 2005, the Zoning Staff is going to research the following items and present the City Council with recommendations and/or options for implementation: ❑ Re-institute building codes and develop a building inspection program to carry them to alleviate substandard housing and ensure new housing is built to last.