04/25/2001 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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May 3,1995 To: Growth Advisory Group From Environmental Advisory Group Subject: Midterm Forum, Your Questionnaire, and Which Way From Here? The mid -term forum presentations brought out a remarkable convergence of mission statements and goals, and a composite vision points at nothing less than a model city. Question: Is this vision attainable, or only a dream? Answer: Without controlled growth, the vision becomes only a dream. That is how our group sees the picture. While the five groups have been busy visioning, City officials have not been idle. They have made commitments with developers that will prevent the growth curve from leveling off for the rest of this century. By the year 2,000, instead of the 13,000 plus residents we now have, there will be several thousand more, crowded into our finite space called Lino Lakes. If economic development and infrastructure needs keep pace with residential development, questions about space become even more critical. Sustainability will become an early casualty; other visions will follow unless there is some way to stem the tide. The way to do so is recommended by our group: Don't expand beyond present MUSA boundaries or encroach on rural areas—at least until we know what we are doing. Your growth plan vision calls for "careful consideration of the costs and benefits to the citizens of Lino Lakes ", and we agree that this is a must. However, is this being done? Is your group or anyone else really probing in depth the costs and benefits to the average resident under various growth scenarios? Some people still believe in the formula "more roof tops equals lower taxes," despite studies in the Twin Cities area that refute this claim. Some of us can vouch for the fact that while roof tops in Lino Lakes have doubled, our taxes have climbed even faster. Others claim that you need more people to bring in more economic development. Undoubtedly that is true for some kinds of economic development, but is that the kind of industry or commerce.compatible with our visions? Furthermore, should taxes be the controlling force on how far we go toward fulfilling visions? ' Environmental Board Comprehensive Plan Comments, Appendix 5, page 1 of 4