1982 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - Laserfiche WebLink

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r.. of higher development densities within other cornrnunities within a reasonable - radius of Gem Lace, all substantiate the City's position, € 2. Limited Commercial Expansion. While Gem Lake has provided some additional space for commercial expansion within its corporate limits, it is recognized that there will be increased pressures for commercial expansion bath along U.S. 61 and along County Road E at the south corporate limits. (This is a major conflict between the Gem Lake and Vadnais Heights plans.) r While these pressures are recognized, it is the City's intention to maintain a, stance of commercial containment in accordance with the Plan on the grounds that (a) there is currently a higher ratio of commercial development to residential development than the average (measured bath in `terms of acres of land and employees), N at ultimate development there will: be a normal ratio of commercial to residential development, (c) additional commercial expansion would undermine low -density character desired in the City, and (d) ample land for commercial development is available in other communities in the vicinity. 3. Quality of New Construction and Maintenance of the Existing Tian -Made Environment. Consistent with the goal of'.having a high quality and aesthetic ._ . man-made environment, the City of Gem Lake intends to vigorously insure that 'all new development within the community is of high standards based on various implementation controls and procedures. The City further intends to insure high quality maintenance of exz=sting man-made structures based on - vigorous enforcement of. regulatory controls. These controls include, but are not limited to, subdivison regulations., zoning regulations, and housing and building code regulations. It is anticipated that these measures may be resisted by some land developers, community residents, and businessmen as exemplified by several instances of poor building maintenance in the past. These resistances must be met, however, so that a high quality environment. can be maintained for all residents. 4. Provision of Public Utilities. It is anticipated that additional sanitary sewer 'facilities and the initiation of public water distribution lines will be recuired as the City further develops. These costly facilities will be required partly to maintain the high quality :natural environment cited as one of. the community goals, as well as to meet rising water quality standards. Provision of these facilities may be cited as conflicting with the desire to maintain a low -profile government at low cost, but it will be the position of Gem Lake that the desirability of maintaining a high quality environment will take precedence. 5. Service Disagreements with C000erating Governmental units. Almost invariably, when one governmental unit seeks the provision of services from another governmental unit, a point of conflict arises over the quality and cost of services. Recognizing the desirability of serving the Gem Lake portion of the metropolitan area adequately, it will be the position of the Gem Lake government to secure long-term service packages in an organized and efficient manner in cooperation. with several coordinating governmental units. 22