Lino Lakes Comprehensive Plan Process Advances
Council reviewed its three-phase Comprehensive Plan Up-date process at the February 12 council meeting, recognizing the efforts of its citizen volunteers during the second phase of work on the Plan Update. Council voted unanimously to accept the 2030 Visioning Plan.
Over two dozen randomly selected residents of the city formed the Citizen's Visioning Committee, which participated for five months in the visioning project for the city. Two community-wide forums generated additional public input into the process.
The committee, chaired by resident Kathi Gallup, formally presented its work to council members in a presentation summarizing the "City of Lino Lakes 2030 Vision Plan." The plan addressed four vision elements, including:
. Community, Residential and Neighborhood Development
. Economic and Commercial Development
. Roads and Transportation
. Community and Natural Resources.
The first phase of the 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update process was a public survey conducted in early 2006 which assessed residents' opinions on a number of topics related to quality of life within the city.
Background materials provided to the council reiterated that "two issues of predominant importance" were heard from the city's residents in the survey:
"Ensure quality land use, growth management, and preservation of the community's unique natural resources and amenities," and "Sustain and increase the overall quality of both the community and the lives of its residents."
The third phase of the 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update process now begins. To that end, the council voted 5-0 to approve the process and establish a 30-member Comprehensive Plan Advisory Panel. That panel will be comprised of the 7 members of the Planning and Zoning Board; 9 members (3 each) selected from the Environmental Board, the Economic Development Advisory Committee, and the Parks Board; representatives from the 2030 Citizen's Visioning Committee; and 5 residents to be named by the council.
A Comprehensive Plan Update Kickoff meeting is planned for March 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Chomonix Golf Course Clubhouse to review the planning process.