2007.03.19 EDA Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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City of Hugo SWOT Summary—Open House No. 1 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update March 14, 2007 • Small town feeling still. E.g.: Good Neighbor Days, The Wild Life. The asphalt path along Hwy 61. Festival Foods. • Rural Character. Woods/Wetlands/Wildlife. General Tolerance/Acceptance. Not superior in attitude. Weaknesses: • The diversity of interests and lifestyles is not conducive to the creation of the "community" the City seems to desire. The City does not deal with problems directly. I sense that issues are avoided hoping they may go away. • Unclear Plans. Creates fear and worry. No commitment to farmers. Unfair tax- Rural area is paying for services for city people. No loyalty to local businesses- encouraging Big Box at the expense of the community. Horse people are ignored. P.S. Website is bad, get some help! • The greatest weakness (and threat to the above strength) is 20 + years of city officials failing to honor and preserve Hugo's rural lifestyle. Instead, city officials have catered to developers and parroted the mantra that "development pays for itself and, therefore, longtime residents won't see development related tax increases." The reality is that snowballing development causes a community to chase its own tail:The city expands infrastructure for anticipated development and then needs to attract more development to pay for the infrastructure. • 1. No Police Department, 2. Letting too many town homes be built, 3. Worried about rental property. • Need community center like Shoreview with pools, tennis courts, etc. Need a Public Library. • Need stop lights at 1301h & Hwy 61 • Not sure yet, time will tell. • A lot of growth in a short time, not able to properly flow traffic. (Example: need a stoplight at 147th & Hwy 61) among other intersections. • Poor street maintenance on dirt roads. Raising taxes across the board with no benefits. Benefits are developed and given to new developments with total disregard and even detriment to old land owners. 2