05/08/2006 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 24, 2006 DRAFT The Growth Planning AcIvisoiy Group called for "a plan that would control the tpe and quality of growth in a manner that would ultimately provide the benefits of available commercial services, broadened tax base. and city services, and vet stillpreserve the character of Lino Lakes." The. Environmental Advisory Group recommendations included: • The enactment of zoning regulations, ordinances and special efforts to preserve areas of special environmental importance. • It recommended locating trails, buffers, and greenway corridors for maximum benefit to wildlife and to provide recreation opportunities. • Their recommendations asked for a master plan. The Environmental Advisory Group asked the city to provide resources that encourage the dedication of private property to complement the citv's natural resource base. The Parks Advisory Group recommendations in the 20/20 Vision Plan were: • To develop a detailed development and construction plan specifically for trails. • To map current and future trails and to develop a lone -terra planning relationship with Anoka County to provide connections between the city and county trail systems. The final section of the 20/20 Vision Plan deals with Commercial. Development. That advisory group said the city should pursue commercial business with characteristics that "fit" the community, including ones that are compatible with the environment, provide a business center. support multiple types of zoning, and support community activities and family values. Tonight I am proud to say that the city has made muchprogress towards these recommendations and has set the stage for how we can continue to grow in a way that protects. enhances and preserves our valuable amenities. Lino Lakes was one of the first cities in the state to complete a detailed natural resources inventory. Our "Parks, Natural Open Space /Greenways and Trail System Plan" is a comprehensive study of our natural resources and provides guiding principles for the future. Those principles include: • An interconnected network of natural landscapes, greenways, parks and trails. Formatted: Centered { {Formatted; Bullets and Numbering • _ { Formatted: Bullets and Numbering • Finding ways to foster a high quality living environment within the context of ecological protection, land stewardship, long -term sustainability and economic viability. Now, those are all very lofty words. But words in a study by themselves don't accomplish much. It was critical to find a way to implement these principles. The city took a significant step forward when it amended the growth management ordinance in 2004 to encourage ecologically based "Conservation Development ". This amendment has since brought recognition to Lino Lakes for being on the leading edge of "Conservation Development." Other cities, environmental and planning organizations, and the development community, are turning to Lino Lakes to find out how we're making it work. The idea was to provide design flexibi.Iity in creating new neighborhoods to achieve desired public values. Our first "Conservation Development" is underway. It has received ..much attention because it is environmentally 7 • Formatted: Bullets and Numbering