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• <br />"We need community <br />*involvement and <br />collaboration, nor. <br />conflict. We need <br />common- setae <br />incentives for malting <br />smart decisions, and <br />consequences, when <br />necessary, for making <br />shop- sighzed ones." <br />Governor Jesse Ventura <br />Second, the state must be consistent Minnesota needs to art out the mixed signals, policies and <br />investments that encourage short-sighted growth and re -align its polities, resources and <br />incentives to foster smart growth. In addition, Minnesota needs to evaluate and realign state <br />regulations so they dereractivities contrary to smart growth principles and promote activities <br />consistent with the principles. <br />Third, the state needs to support communities as they pursue smart growth strategies. The <br />state should offer incentives rather than top -down mandates, and support local governments <br />around the state that make sustainable development choices. <br />Principles for success <br />Smart growth offers options for how Minnesota can develop and change while enhancing <br />its quality of life. It is not a one-size-fit-all approach. While there are many options for smart <br />growth, these common -sense principles will guide public decisions and achieve the results <br />Minnesotans expect <br />■ Stewardship: Use land and natural resources wisely to sustain them for the <br />future. Minnesota will protect the environment and conserve agricultural land, open space <br />' and other lands that support sustainable outdoor recreation. tourism and natural-resource- <br />based industries. This will allow for growth that is sustainable for the long term. <br />■ Efficiency: Make more efficient, integrated public investments in <br />transportation, housing, schools, utilities, information infrastructure and <br />other public services. Minnesota needs to coordinate and link its tax policies with smart <br />growth. It also must coordinate and link public investments in transportation, information <br />infrastructure, land use, housing, schools and utilities so they expand economic opportunity <br />for the entire state. By maintaining and improving existing investments in roads, schools <br />and utilities, rather than needlessly making expensive new investments on the edges of <br />communities, Minnesota will avoid wasteful public spending and support economic growth. <br />tt Choice: Give comrrfunities smart growth options and choices. Communities <br />can be shaped by choice, or they can be shaped by chance. The state will work with local <br />governments to encourage dtizen and business participation in decisions about what <br />smart growth should look like. Minnesota will create choices and incentives for linking <br />transportation, housing, jobs, education and the amenities that make communities desirable <br />places to live. <br />■ Accountability: Reinforce responsibility and accountability for development <br />decisions. For smart growth to become a reality, everyone -- individuals, businesses and <br />government — must make smart choices and take responsibility for the true costs and <br />consequences of the decisions they make. The marketplace can be an effective force for <br />smart growth, but only if state and local policy sends consistent signals and development <br />decisions are predictable, fair and cost effective. If communities choose to make short- <br />sighted development decisions, it is not up to Minnesota taxpayers to pay the costs of <br />their mistakes. <br />l <br />( <br />1 <br />