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City of Gem Lake Comprehensive Plan Page 12 4 Plan Assumptions, Goals, and Issues While an assessment of the current and projected characteristics of Gem Lake is important, there is also a need to examine the assumptions, goals and issues upon which this plan is based. Gem Lake’s plan assumptions section explains the geographic and economic context in which the plan was written. The City’s goals section provides the framework for policy proposals. Finally, the issues section of this chapter presents the unique challenges Gem Lake faces in bringing this plan to reality. 4.1 Plan Assumptions It is assumed that: • The economy of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area will remain healthy and that sub-regional population projections, as established by the Metropolitan Council, will be reasonably accurate. • The comprehensive development plans and physical development ordinances of the contiguous local units of government will remain essentially as they are today. • Additional shopping and employment opportunities within municipalities located within a five-mile radius of Gem Lake will become available in reasonable proportion to population increases. • The major open space acquisition and development plan will be completed as proposed by Ramsey County and the Metro Council. • Facilities (such as roads, sanitary sewer and water) presently estimated by the Gem Lake City Engineer and/or projected will be adequate for the projected population. 4.2 Community Goals The following goals are established as the principal guidelines for the physical development of Gem Lake. All policies, as presented in later chapters of this plan document, should be considered supplemental to these basic goals that the residents of Gem Lake desire to: • Preserve and maintain a “small town’ environment in a natural setting. Such an environment should promote an atmosphere of quiet, relaxed living, with maximum regard to maintaining openness of the physical environment as well as preserving trees, water areas, grass lands, and wetlands. • Control the individual tax load of their property. The City Council has suggested that this be done by guiding the development of additional residential and commercial/business structures and facilities constructed in the city, so as to increase the overall tax base. • Create and maintain a high-quality man-made environment. Good design, combined with a commonsense approach to aesthetics, will be valued. All new residential and commercial development and auxiliary structures and signs should be developed to high standards of design, beauty, and efficiency. Furthermore, all existing structures and auxiliary buildings and lands will be maintained to high standards to enhance the quality of the life in Gem Lake. • Make plans for a commercial/business area in the city in the County Rd E/Hwy 61 intersection area to provide a “downtown” area of the city. An approximate residential and commercial mix of 50/50 is envisioned for this area