05.01 Planning and Zoning Administrator's Report

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will want the trail park reestablished somewhere else so that events can continue to be held. Business owners have already indicated that the City has a parking problem and should be looking at municipal parking. There are also indirect costs associated with the stagnation and blight occurring in the blocks off of the highway. These indirect costs will accelerate the continued stagnation. Instead of spending public dollars trying to deal with symptoms of the highway, we feel this money would be better spent proactively creating the type of community people want to live in. With a bypass, monies saved could be captured and spent on worthwhile projects. We could help relocate certain key businesses(gas station, sports shop, grocery store)that rely on visibility and would be most impacted by the realignment. We could provide gap financing for existing businesses that struggle to make it through the transition. We could give grants to businesses that locate in sight of the off-ramp to help defray the costs of creating an up-north looking establishment. We could rehabilitate areas of the downtown east of government drive to provide an inviting pedestrian feel and enhance our destination downtown. We could create a gateway and landscape on the bypass and road into town and enhance the trail park. We could advertise as the up-north shopping destination with true small town appeal. The EIS prepared by Mn/DOT indicated that studies have shown the economic impacts of a highway project are more dependent on the strength of a community than the location of the freeway. Pequot Lakes is a strong community. We have a history of progressive, innovative thinking,vision and foresight. We can work together and get through whatever challenge is out there. Since perceived economic impacts appear to be the tipping point over which this decision will be made, we have addressed that in our recommendation to you. However,we find many other reasons that make the bypass alternative more compelling. Those are summarized throughout the new comprehensive plan, a vision that comes from the residents and is inconsistent with a through town highway. The major impetus for the merger of Pequot Lakes and Sibley Township was to preserve up-north character. Baxterization is suburbanization, the loss of our community identity —our sense of place. A bypass creates a clear urban growth boundary protecting our rural/recreational lifestyle from our thriving commerce center, to the benefit of both. This is the vision of the comprehensive plan, which reflects the wishes of Pequot Lakes' residents. We urge you to consider that when making a decision. Respectfully Submitted, CITY OF PEQUOT LAKES PLANNING COMMISSION L