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When asked to recall what factors were most important in their decision to settle in Lino Lakes, <br />twenty -eight percent pointed to the rural nature of the area and its open spaces. Convenient <br />location was mentioned by nineteen percent, while good schools were key to- eighteen percent. <br />Thirteen percent viewed the housing stock as key. Strong neighborhoods were critical to six <br />percent, and four percent mentioned the peacefulness and quiet of the community. <br />Rural ambience and openness was the most liked feature of the city. At twenty -six percent it far <br />outdistanced all other responses. Convenient location ranked next highest at seventeen percent. <br />-Qiiief and peacefulness, followed by good schools, ranked next, at twelve percent and eleven <br />percent, respectively. Strong neighborhoods and "nice people" followed, at eight and seven <br />percent, respectively. Smaller numbers mentioned feeling safe, housing stock, clean <br />environment, parks and recreational opportunities, and small town ambience. <br />)(Examining things liked least, two factors dominated everything else: high taxes was cited by <br />twenty -three percent, while overpopulation and high growth was posted by twenty -one percent. <br />City government and shopping opportunities ranked next, at nine percent and seven percent each. <br />City services were a complaint by five percent. Smaller numbers pointed to crime, traffic <br />congestion, overcrowded schools, poor location, and road conditions. But, it was also <br />noteworthy that thirteen percent reported there was "nothing" they disliked about the community; <br />this "booster" segment was well above the Metropolitan Area norm. <br />1 <br />The trade -offs between the pace of development, rural ambience and open space, high taxes, and " <br />high quality schools comprise the four corners of the "rectangle of controversy." Balancing these <br />concerns will be the chief challenge for decision - makers during the next five years. <br />Overpopulation and high growth rate was cited by forty -one percent as the most serious issue <br />facing the City of Lino Lakes today. High taxes followed next at twenty -two percent. Crime and <br />overcrowded schools were pointed to by eight percent and seven percent, respectively. Smaller <br />numbers cited city government, city services, and the condition of roads. While high growth rate <br />and overpopulation was the paramount issue, high taxes were also a key concern about the future. <br />A solid seventy -nine percent felt the City of Lino Lakes was generally headed in the right <br />direction; fifteen percent, though, thought it was headed off on the wrong track. Critics pointed <br />to overcrowding and a perceived lack of planning. In comparison with other high growth <br />communities, this rating was exceptionally strong. <br />Ninety -five percent rated the general appearance of their neighborhood as "excellent" or "good," <br />while only five percent saw it as "only fair." Again, this is an exceptionally positive result <br />overall, but the "excellent" rating -- at forty-three percent -- was somewhat lower than the <br />Metropolitan Area norm. <br />Seventy -two percent rated the general sense of community among Lino Lakes residents as "very <br />strong" or "somewhat strong." Twenty -four percent saw it as "not too strong" or "not at all <br />strong." This level of perceived strength was above the suburban norm. <br />23 <br />