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comment sheets and a summary of the comments for the EDA's review. The Planning <br /> Commission met on March 8th to begin the visioning process through the SWOT <br /> (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis worksheet that was used at the <br /> open house. The Planning Commission comments were attached in the packet. City <br /> Planner, Kendra Lindahl from Landform was present at the meeting and preformed the <br /> SWOT exercise with the EDA. <br /> Below are the outcomes from the SWOT analysis: <br /> Strengths: <br /> • Location <br /> • Major Roads (1-35E, Highway 61, CSAH 8) <br /> • Rail Service <br /> • Parks, Trails, Lakes, Recreation <br /> • Existing Infrastructure (CSAR 8) <br /> • Variety <br /> • School System <br /> • Rural Character(east side) <br /> • Wildlife <br /> • Governance <br /> • Interaction of government with local businesses <br /> • New businesses <br /> • Good plan for TIF <br /> • Growth <br /> • Rural and suburban influences <br /> • Proximity to metro area and airport <br /> • Service groups (Lions, Legion, etc.) <br /> • The people (proactive citizens) <br /> • Housing mix <br /> • City services (snowplowing, etc.) <br /> Weaknesses: <br /> • Need another industrial/commercial park <br /> • Need a place for small businesses with outside storage <br /> • Need a community building and library <br /> • Need more restaurants <br /> • Need to attract more businesses <br /> • Lacks a unity of vision <br /> • Downtown on Highway 61 is difficult for pedestrians <br /> • Lack of branding/marketing <br /> • Dissention in community <br /> • Lack of citizen willingness to look to the future and plan <br /> • Law enforcement (need more presence) <br /> Opportunities: <br /> • Develop a current/updated plan (comprehensive plan, zoning <br /> ordinance, subdivision ordinance) <br />