Pequot Lakes Comprehensive Plan Alec Nord

Context “The plan was created to establish a unified vision for the newly expanded City, as well as a framework for achieving that vision over the next thirty years. The plan is based on the tenets and principles of sustainable development, which recognizes that the local economy, natural environment, and social well-being are interdependent. Sustainable development ensures that Pequot Lakes will retain its rich community-character and meet the needs of current residents and visitors without compromising the ability of future resident and visitors to meet their needs” (Pequot Lakes Comprehensive Plan, 2004). “The plan was created to establish a unified vision for the newly expanded City, as well as a framework for achieving that vision over the next thirty years. The plan is based on the tenets and principles of sustainable development, which recognizes that the local economy, natural environment, and social well-being are interdependent. Sustainable development ensures that Pequot Lakes will retain its rich community-character and meet the needs of current residents and visitors without compromising the ability of future resident and visitors to meet their needs” (Pequot Lakes Comprehensive Plan, 2004).

Problem Definition Ensuring that the social and natural resources of Pequot Lakes will be protected for the current residents and visitors and will not compromise the viability of these resources for future residents and visitors; through the use of a comprehensive planning document based on sustainable development. Ensuring that the social and natural resources of Pequot Lakes will be protected for the current residents and visitors and will not compromise the viability of these resources for future residents and visitors; through the use of a comprehensive planning document based on sustainable development.

Evaluation Criteria Cross between Retrospective analysis and policy monitoring. Cross between Retrospective analysis and policy monitoring. Evaluate all sections of Comprehensive Plan. Evaluate all sections of Comprehensive Plan. Effectiveness, Ecological Integrity, and Administrative Operability. Effectiveness, Ecological Integrity, and Administrative Operability.

Effectiveness Actual vs. Planned Performance Comparisons Actual vs. Planned Performance Comparisons Built-in performance measures within Comprehensive Plan Built-in performance measures within Comprehensive Plan Action Statements Action Statements Short-term (1 year) Short-term (1 year) Mid-term (1-5 years) Mid-term (1-5 years) Long-term (5 years and beyond) Long-term (5 years and beyond)

Actual vs. Planned Performance Comparisons Extensive Review of Pequot Lakes Ordinance. Extensive Review of Pequot Lakes Ordinance. 80% of short-term action statements achieved 80% of short-term action statements achieved Short-term action statements Short-term action statements Related to Ordinance language Related to Ordinance language Codifying new language Codifying new language Editing existing Ordinance language Editing existing Ordinance language Easy to Achieve Easy to Achieve Mid-term action statements 20% completed Based on interviews Qualitative Quantitative Harder to achieve Public and Private funding Plan still in Mid-term action stage

Ecological Integrity Evaluation of Specific Sections of Comprehensive Plan. Evaluation of Specific Sections of Comprehensive Plan. Natural Resources Natural Resources Recreation Recreation Housing Housing Integrated Growth Plan Integrated Growth Plan

Ecological Integrity “Preserve and enhance the health, beauty, and ecological functions of the area’s natural resources, including rare plant and animal species, wildlife, forests, lakes, streams, wetlands, groundwater, soils and slopes, air and other environmental amenities.” (intent of Natural Resource Section) “Preserve and enhance the health, beauty, and ecological functions of the area’s natural resources, including rare plant and animal species, wildlife, forests, lakes, streams, wetlands, groundwater, soils and slopes, air and other environmental amenities.” (intent of Natural Resource Section)

Administrative Operability Evaluation of Implementation Section Evaluation of Implementation Section Interviews Interviews Charles Marohn, Principal Planner, facilitator during planning process Charles Marohn, Principal Planner, facilitator during planning process Dawn Bittner, City of Pequot Lakes Zoning Administrator Dawn Bittner, City of Pequot Lakes Zoning Administrator Tom Woog, Co-chair on City of Pequot Lakes Planning Commission Tom Woog, Co-chair on City of Pequot Lakes Planning Commission Dave Sjoblad, City of Pequot Lakes Councilman Dave Sjoblad, City of Pequot Lakes Councilman

Administrative Operability Interviews Interviews “everything going good for now..” “everything going good for now..” Success of plan lies with Citizens and Elected Officials “Championing the Plan” Success of plan lies with Citizens and Elected Officials “Championing the Plan” Short-term plan has been feasible Short-term plan has been feasible Not hard to accomplish short-term goals Not hard to accomplish short-term goals Mid and Long- term success Mid and Long- term success Based on Elected Officials commitment to Plan Based on Elected Officials commitment to Plan Requires Effort of Citizens and Private Organizations to commit to Community Vision Requires Effort of Citizens and Private Organizations to commit to Community Vision

Adequacy of Data Action Statements Action Statements Built-in indicators Built-in indicators Only relevant if Plan is still relevant Only relevant if Plan is still relevant Interviews Interviews Good source of qualitative data Good source of qualitative data Some bias evident Some bias evident

Data Continued.. Maps Maps Solid use of GIS techniques Solid use of GIS techniques Good depiction of relevant land/environmental characteristics Good depiction of relevant land/environmental characteristics Ian Mcharg Design with Nature principles used Ian Mcharg Design with Nature principles used

Conclusions Heading in the right direction Heading in the right direction Effectively addressing social and natural resource issues Effectively addressing social and natural resource issues Success ultimately rests with Citizen and Elected Official participation and implementation Success ultimately rests with Citizen and Elected Official participation and implementation

Recommendations Policy Monitoring Policy Monitoring Continued Political commitment to Plan Continued Political commitment to Plan Continued Citizen involvement Continued Citizen involvement Championing Championing TH-371 Realignment TH-371 Realignment