07-24 95 SPCPLANNING COMMISSION VISION
BRAINSTORMING SESSION
JULY 24, 1995
Alternative industrial sites east of Hwy 101?
• Decrease lot sizes from 2 1/2 acres to 1 acre to increase tax base.
• Industrial development in southwest corner as soon as possible. Sewer and
water routing?
• Residential development shouldn't be pushed because school taxes are too
much for $21,000.00 average wage.
• Charge developers an infrastructure fee to relieve present property owners of
anincrease.
• Improve Otsego's identity to aid commercial, retail, and industrial
development.
• Push sewer and water in SE corner as soon as possible.
• Development should allow for easy additions of sewer and water lines, with
common septic and common pipes.
Area between Hwy 101 and Co 42 and north, hold for corporate
development, i.e.. Multi -story commercial. (hold land for 10-20 years)
Specific desire for high dollar value development.
• Is the city Pro, Anti or Neutral on development?
Should we promote septic maintenance instead of Public Sewer and Water?
• Need to clean-up "junk yards" in the city. Presents poor image to people
and businesses. Focus efforts on main roads, i.e. Co 39 first.
• "Pride in community" groups to work with their neighbors to maintain
neighborhoods.
• Promote clustering of homes to save green space and control use of
property within immediate service area.
Use Section format of Comprehensive Plan to organize presentation for
10/16/96 session.
Memorandum
Date July 12, 1995
Subject P. C. VISION BRAINSTORMING
To Planning Commission
cc Liz Wilder
From Richard V. Nichols
Telephone 441-2052
Planning Commission Members: Here's my thoughts on brainstorming our vision for
the City of Otsego.
Note: Anyone not planning to be at our July 19 meeting should contact Carl or myself
with their vision to ensure their ideas are presented. Feedback on this memorandum
before the meeting will be cheerfully accepted.
BACKGROUND
• Initial request for a Vision session was from the EDAAC. They were looking for
further direction for their activities and were driven by a desire to move
development within the wishes of the City and City Council.
• October 16 Visioning session set for City Council, Planning Commission and
EDAAC to review 1 year, 5 year and long term view of Otsego.
• Visioning is the first step in revision of Otsego's Comprehensive Plan.
PROCESS: NOMINAL GROUP TECHNIOUE -
• Everyone, in turn, provides an idea or thought, which is recorded on an easel
without challenge from the rest of the group.
• Once all ideas or thoughts are recorded, we review each entry and discuss its
relative merits.
• At this point, we can add, subtract or combine ideas/ thoughts.
• Finally, if desired, we could highlight the 3 or 4 most important ideas/thoughts.
• This activity can be summarized on a couple of overheads for the October 16
Visioning Session.
Food for Thought:
This is far from a complete list and is not meant to portray my personnel feelings. It's
just meant to get people thinking.
• Do we need a concept plan for our industrial, commercial, retail or residential
areas or do we continue to accept piece by piece development?
• Does the city want to portray a pro, neutral or anti -development bias?
Future lot sizes and type. Should we resort to 5 acre minimum residential lot
sizes in new plats to slow growth, protect our water (until sewer and water is
available) and potentially raise the $ value of some new homes? Basic scheme of
Medina?
Cluster residential home and septic system development to save green space.
Perhaps instead of park fees.
• Can we compare our ideas to other published sources that have discussed
anticipated growth. For example the Metropolitan Council, articles in the Star
Tribune, Elk River paper, NAC, U of M, etc.
• Further discussion of areas 1, 2 and 6 from the Third Industrial Site report.
• City use of tax increment financing.
• Movement of immediate urban service lines.
• Do we need a focal spot for the city. Some developing cities are trying to build a
"downtown", while others are looking at a "city square". Other cities like Elk River
are worried about their downtowns dying.
• How do we get Otsego's citizens really involved in changes to the comprehensive
plan?
• Can we attract manufacturing jobs, which tend to be higher paid than retail or
service?