revised recommendations

City of La Prairie– Comprehensive Plan Update

Revised Recommendations

www.ArrowheadPlanning.org/LaPrairieCompPlan

Vision Statement Drafts

“La Prairie will continue to be an attractive, independent, predominantly

residential suburban community located within the greater Grand Rapids area,

offering a variety of residential options including access to educational

resources, public utility and community services and facilities, while providing

opportunity for commercial growth while preserving the small town,

neighborhood atmosphere of the community.”

Goals and Objective Recommendations

Housing Goal:

La Prairie will strive to provide housing that offers a selection of sustainable, affordable,

and aesthetically pleasing housing options including large and small lots, rental and ownership

options for both current and perspective residents.

Housing Objectives

Objective H1: Promote the maintenance of the existing housing stock

H 1.1: Collaborate with existing organizations/grant programs to create incentives for

home maintenance.

o Potential Partners include: The Itasca County Housing and Redevelopment

Authority, KOOTASCA Community Action Program, IRRRRB, Minnesota

Small Cities Development Grant program, and others (see Community Planning

Toolkit) for a variety of improvements including home maintenance, energy

efficiency, exterior improvements, and others.

H 1.2: As a City, continue to strive to make investments in streets, sidewalks,

water/sewer systems, and other infrastructure to encourage private investment in

commercial and residential properties alike.

H 1.3: Continue to enforce existing zoning and blight ordinances to preserve quality of

existing housing stock

Objective H 2: Maintain the existing character of the established neighborhoods

H 2.1: Ensure that new commercial and industrial development is well buffered from

residential areas and will not increase adverse effects on neighborhoods.

Objective H 3: Encourage smart growth by planning for emerging residential market

trends/expected growth and promoting ‘aging in place’ concepts as demand increases. Reference attached Walkability Institute Document

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http://www.arrowheadplanning.org/LaPrairieCompPlan




H 3.1: Revise residential zoning ordinance to allow for smaller sized residential lots

within the community.

H 3.2: Designate and map areas for residential expansion including both single family

and multi-family options in close proximity or assimilated to increase density.

H 3.3: Incorporate a blend of single and multi-family development designated for both

market rate as well as low/moderate income levels in order to enhance availability to a

multitude of people of different socio-economic backgrounds while still providing an

aesthetically pleasing appearance.

H 3.4: Consider adopting housing development and/or subdivision standards that address

design for future residential units and lots that encompass lifestyles of users of all ages

and mobility. (Design elements may include: development of smaller, affordable housing

units in compact multi-house developments, supported by commercial facilities (i.e.

grocery store/pharmacies, etc. accessible by walking/biking)

Objective H 4: Further explore need for Rental Housing Management Licensing ordinance

to insure adequate rental facilities are being provided in community.

Objective H5: Explore feasibility of exclusive student only housing facilities in the

community.

Transportation Goals:

La Prairie will provide a safe, effective transportation system that provides opportunities

for various modes of transportation (auto, bike, pedestrian, transit, etc.) to connect to local and

regional destinations while making transportation investments that boost local real estate values.

Transportation Objectives

Objective T1: Include complete street elements such as sidewalks, non-motorized trails,

ADA compliant curb-cuts, and other engineering and policy tools into improvements and

new development of transportation system.

T 1.1: Enforce standards addressing walkability and bicycle safety regarding new

developments both residential and commercial to incorporate all modes of transportation

in future development.

T 1.2: Consider requiring bicycle facilities (parking, ease of access, setbacks) as part of

commercial zoning and/or subdivision ordinances.

Objective T 2: Connect existing and new neighborhoods, public facilities, park, school and

other community destinations with the City’s sidewalk and trail system(s).

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T 2.1: Map existing sidewalk (and roadside) system in order to identify existing

conditions and potential gaps/obstacles within the system.

T 2.2: Identify most critical/dangerous crossings and intersections in community.

o Action Steps 2.2.1: Collaborate with MnDOT, Itasca County, and other entities to

implement a solar beacon or other safety infrastructure on La Prairie Avenue.

o Action Steps 2.2.2: Collaborate with Itasca Community College, MnDOT and

other entities to improve crossing on highway 169.

(Currently, not official crosswalk and not connected to sidewalk)

o Actions Steps 2.2.3: Work with MnDOT and other entities in order to improve

safety via infrastructure improvements (signage, painted sidewalks, etc.) at other

areas.

o (Reference attached Walkability Institute Document for additional components to

include in design)

T 2.4: Explore designating established bike route(s) within community, connecting

neighborhoods with destinations including recreation and basic necessities/services

o Actions Step 2.4.1: Utilize public engagement meetings to open discussion with

stakeholders regarding desirable routes within the City.

o Actions Step 2.4.2: Consider incorporating bicycle facilities like painted lanes,

sharrows, designated signs, and others to improve the accessibility and safety of

the overall system.

Objective T 3: Maintain local streets, sidewalks and on a routine established schedule to

continue to provide an efficient transportation system within the community.

Action Step 3.1: Develop a street improvement program that identifies and

prioritizes road maintenance and improvement needs and integrate this with the

City’s Capital Improvement Program

Action Step 3.2: Work with the County and MnDOT as needed on addressing

County and State Highway maintenance and improvement needs.

Objective T 4: Incorporate traffic calming measures in identified problem areas,

specifically in proximity to residential and recreational facilities to preserve/protect the

characteristics of existing neighborhoods and enhance the overall walkability of the

community.

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T 4.1: Pilot mini-circle implementation on Fraser Street using tactical urbanism

techniques in partnership with Get Fit Itasca in summer of 2015.

T 4.2: Explore utilizing traffic calming techniques like reducing the speed limit,

implementing mini circles, curb extensions, or painted intersections at identified

critical intersections. (See T 2.2)

o Action Step 4.2.1: Conduct a walking audit with local stakeholders to

discuss applicability of traffic calming efforts in targeted locations in order

to enhance walkability and gain political/community support.

T 4.3: When possible, utilize temporary materials when implementing

improvements to minimize costs and test improvements prior to investing in full

infrastructure improvement(s).

Objective T 5: Promote and support public transit opportunities.

T 5.1: Work with surrounding communities and other partners to help improve

transit availability.

T 5.2: Review transportation options, specifically for those in wheelchairs and

with limited mobility, and collaborate with potential partners to enhance available

services.

Objective T 6: Improve ‘gateways’ of entering the City of La Prairie from all sides to create

a sense of arrival to residents and visitors alike. Improvements can include signage, art,

natural environment enhancement, or others to improve aesthetics and sense of place.

o Action Step 6.1: If possible, utilize local volunteers to make enhancements while

minimizing cost.

Objective T 7: Develop long term vision for highway(s) intersection with designs for

pedestrian movement for next opportunity to improve corridor. (Reference attached

Walkability Institute Document)

Objective T 8: Develop policy when building new streets which incorporates multiple modes

and enhances walkability where desirable.

Components that may be included in policy: 24’ wide streets, broad stripes 3’ on each

side of street, no center strip, no manhole in intersection for potential mini-circle

construction if necessary. (Reference attached Walkability Institute Document)

Objective T 9: Collaborate with Railroad entities to explore opportunities for improving

safety concerns, including extended blocked intersections and whistle requirements.

______________________________________________________________________________

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Utilities and Community Infrastructure Goals:

La Prairie will stay committed towards providing its residents with adequate

infrastructure through maintenance efforts of city structures, parks, trails, water and sanitary

system, roads, and other public facilities through a systematic short-range planning process in

order to sustain current demand and future growth

Utilities and Community Infrastructure Objectives

Objective UC1: Utilize Capital Improvements Planning (CIP) process which annually

implements and reviews priorities to continue to provide adequate infrastructure

(including roads, sidewalks, water/wastewater facilities, etc.) while balancing financial

constraints.

UC 1.1: Extend sewer and water infrastructure to existing un-serviced users and continue

to extend utilities in an orderly fashion to new users as demand/development requires.

UC 1.2: Incorporate public improvements with redevelopment activities to reduce costs.

(I.e. replacing necessary utilities when resurfacing a road)

UC 1.3: Continue to monitor waste water lift systems; maintain existing infrastructure,

and adding capacity as needed.

Objective UC2: Continually assess street light system throughout city to insure they are

working effectively.

UC 2.1: Inventory and assess existing street light system throughout community.

UC 2.2: Develop system for monitoring, and timely replacement of burnt out lights.

o Action Step 2.2.1: Consider creating an avenue for citizens to alert the City

regarding outages to minimize monitoring costs on City Staff.

UC 2.3: Systematically address improving all existing light facilities to LED,

collaborating with PUC when possible.

Objective UC 3: Incorporate 2014 Itasca County Hazard Mitigation Plan principles into

planning process to reduce potential damage costs due to natural disasters.

UC 3.1: Annually address, implement, and monitor projects and mitigation strategies

identified in 2014 Itasca County Hazard Mitigation Plan. (See additional handout)

UC 3.2: Include Infrastructure and other mitigation improvements into Capital

Improvement Planning (CIP) process when addressing annual

maintenance/improvements.

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Objective UC 4: Improve storm water management system to minimize runoff to protect

adjacent river water quality, and also infrastructure, and property within the city.

UC 4.1: Identify areas for storm water management improvements which provide

highest cost mitigation opportunity.

UC 4.2: Support additional green space projects including rain gardens, roof-top green

spaces, green architecture, and other impervious surface offsetting projects to help reduce

storm water amounts throughout the city.

Objective UC5: Continue to research opportunities for expanding natural gas availability

within the community. Also continue exploring additional alternative energy opportunities

as they may arise to reduce long term energy costs to residents.

Objective UC 6: Continue to collaborate with PUC in water, sewer, and other services.

Objective UC 7: Consider incorporating renewable materials and energy efficient

components into improvements and new public buildings.

UC 7.1: Explore utilizing renewable building materials, energy efficient lighting/heating

and other green improvements when making improvements or building new facilities.

Objective UC 8: Explore garbage pick-up ordinance to improve aesthetics of residential

neighborhoods further.

Objective UC 9: Continue to contract with entity for waste services.

UC 9.1: Consider collaboration with Community College Bio-Mass program for

additional waste services when program is in operation.

Objective UC 10: Monitor availability and explore feasibility of creating community center

within La Prairie.

______________________________________________________________________________

Economic Development Goals:

La Prairie will promote and seek partnership opportunities with new and existing

businesses through maximizing the economic connections to its natural and cultural resources by

promoting manageable growth and retaining an aesthetically pleasing environment by reducing

conflict between residential and commercial and creating a synergy between the two.

Economic Development Objectives

Objective ED 1: Encourage mixed use zoning in designated areas to boost infill

development and maintenance.

ED 1.1: Identify areas within the city which could be affected by commercial/residential

mixed use development.

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ED 1.2: Review zoning requirements of properties which require infill development to

address unintentional restrictions regarding mixed use or other requirements that may

inhibit investment.

Objective ED 2: Explore and utilize opportunities to promote available lots with additional

market information associated with land to assist in generating private investment.

Objective ED 3: Develop overall City image/brand and integrate into public facilities and

policy where possible to create character driven development throughout the community to

enhance outsider attractiveness for potential residents.

ED 3.1: Utilize a designated committee to develop marketing statement and local design

elements to be incorporated into improvements which promote the culture of the

community.

ED 3.2: Incorporate these design elements into both public improvement projects

throughout the community.

ED 3.3: Utilize form based code zoning language to incorporate design elements which

create unique sense of place into commercial center and other commercial development

(both new and existing buildings in need of infill development).

Objective ED 4: Expand public access to broadband wireless internet in public facilities,

improve local technical capacity, and insure residents are continued to be provided with

access to high-speed internet.

ED 4.1: Assess existing broadband systems and provide improvements which would

enhance overall system. (Potential partner includes: Blandin Foundation)

ED 4.2: Make technological improvements and investments on a reasonably timely

basis while balancing financial restraints.

ED 4.3: Identify public areas where increased accessibility could benefit public (library,

city hall, etc.) and look for opportunities to make improvements through leveraging grant dollars

or local public investment/fundraising.

Objective ED 5: Improve awareness/communication of local community events, activities,

and amenities on a local, regional and statewide scale.

ED 5.1: Create formalized process for providing recreational opportunities & community

events information to the public via multiple modes of communication (online,

newspapers, tourism organizations, etc.).

ED 5.2: Create an opportunity to sign up for community announcements as mass e-

mail/text / social/digital media–communication.

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ED 5.3: Continue the existing quarterly newsletter, seek to make digital and available

online.

ED 5.4: Create a City Facebook page to enhance both communications with the public

as well as online presence for potential travelers.

ED 5.5: Continue to update information on City website, monitor additional upgrade

possibilities and explore other information to be included to enhance site’s effectiveness.

_____________________________________________________________________

Mining, Timber, Tourism, Natural and Cultural Resources Goals:

La Prairie will embrace and capitalize on its cultural, historical, and natural resources in

order to provide a deeper connection of a sense of place to its citizens and travelers visiting the

area by supporting local mining efforts.

Mining, Timber, Tourism Objectives

Objective MTT 1: Continue to support mining related businesses in the community by

striving to provide adequate infrastructure especially as demand increases.

Objective MTT 2: Insure industrial businesses are buffered from existing and new

residential development through zoning setbacks, green buffers, or other methods to

minimize the impact on neighborhoods.

Objective MTT 3: Improve way-finding signage in the community both at a pedestrian and

vehicular level to enhance accessibility to current and future community assets

(recreational, commercial, etc.)

Natural and Cultural Resources Objectives

Objective NC 1: Improve access to recreational facilities in proximity to Prairie River

Wayside Park.

NC 1.1: Designate committee to create long term vision for area including

desired facilities and incorporating City wide brand in design.

NC 1.2: Identify costs and identify priorities of improvements.

NC 1.3: Coordinate meetings with landowners and other stakeholders to

identify desirable amenities and discuss operation, maintenance, and other

potential issues in creating recreational area.

NC 1.4: Support community driven efforts to raise funds to make

improvements to the area and consider pursuing grant opportunities to support

long term operation and maintenance.

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Objective NC 2: Integrate La Prairie’s intrinsic historical value into community facilities to

encourage sense of place preserve historical significance of community.

NC 2.1: Inventory, document, and preserve the cultural and historical

significance of the community.

NC 2.2: Incorporate historical components into design and interpretative strategy

of recreational facilities, both in existing/improvements and in future

development.

Objective NC 3: Create long term vision and plan for community parks, trails, and

recreational system including access to both to the Prairie and Mississippi rivers, future

trail systems, desired facilities and programming, funding available, and prioritization of

phasing.

Action Step 3.1: Invite existing parks committee, City Council, county and state

organizations (DNR, etc.) land owners, the public and interested stakeholders to

participate in a public planning process to create detailed outline of individual

projects, costs, timelines, resources and others.

o Potential partners could include a landscape architect to develop visual

rendering of desired outcome, planning agency to facilitate public

meetings and conversation.

Objective NC 4: Encourage the reduction of light pollution by exploring opportunities to

curtail and reverse any degradation of the night sky.

NC 4.1: Consider adoption of lighting ordinance, involving residential light height

restrictions, light shielding/directional improvements, motion sensors, and/or other

measures to prevent additional light pollution and preserve La Prairie’s night sky.

NC 4.2: Integrate night sky protection efforts with City’s ongoing Green Steps program.

Objective NC 5: Continue to implement identified steps in City’s ongoing Green Step

Program

______________________________________________________________________________

Recreational, Open Space and Cultural Arts Goal:

La Prairie will strive to enhance the recreational and cultural opportunities/facilities

available by utilizing public input and proactively planning and implementing projects and

programming to provide regional recreational opportunities to residents, while welcoming

neighboring community members and travelers in the community.

Recreational, Open Space and Cultural Arts Objectives

Objective RC1: Encourage the maintenance and expansion of the recreational trail and

parks system throughout the City.

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RC 1.1: Inventory and document existing condition of City parks, examining them for

deterioration, maintenance needs and infrastructure improvements.

RC 1.2: Develop action priorities and estimate costs of improvements.

RC 1.3: Explore opportunities for trail and other recreational facilities expansion.

o Action Step 1.3.1: Utilize public engagement strategies (public meetings, surveys,

focus groups, etc.) to help outline desired facilities / recreational opportunities,

potential trail expansion sites, and other prominent recreational issues.

Objective RC 2: Improve trail lighting and incorporate into light maintenance program.

(see UC 2)

Objective RC 3: Incorporate recreational facilities into the Capital Improvements Plan

process to ensure facilities stay out of disrepair.

Objective RC 4: Identify and explore recreational facilities, programming and opportunities

for youth, elderly residents and those with limited mobility.

o Action Step 4.1: Implement a part time pickle ball designation of existing tennis

courts (i.e. 1-2 times a week, etc.)

Objective RC 5: Further explore the plowing of existing trail to see if it is still a community

desire, is financially feasible, or other opportunities for facility in the winter.

Objective RC 6: Designate committee to outlining designs and improvements to enhance

the aesthetics of the community.

o Potential tasks include discussing partnerships with industry in the community,

opportunities for improvements (areas, themes, etc.), fundraising and grant

funding, maintenance, etc.

Objective RC 7: Create trailhead to attract Mesabi Bike trail traffic and improve

connectivity of overall trail system.

o Actions Step 7.1: Utilize public engagement meetings to open discussion with

stakeholders regarding desirable routes and locations within the City.

o Actions Step 7.2: Consider incorporating bicycle facilities like painted lanes,

sharrows, designated signs, and others to improve the accessibility and safety of

the overall system.

Objective RC 8: Collaborate with Snowmobile and ATV clubs discussing re-routing and

expansion of existing trail system.

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RC 8.1: Further explore emerging ATV regulations and effects on existing/desired

usage.

Objective RC 9: Further explore enhancing cross country skiing and snowshoeing

availability and facilities in the area.

Intergovernmental Cooperation Goals:

La Prairie will work cooperatively with Grand Rapids, Itasca County, the State of

Minnesota, neighboring communities and other public and private entities to provide high

quality, cost effective, public services.

Intergovernmental Cooperation Objectives

Objective IGC1: Collaborate with the City of Grand Rapids and other neighboring

communities when projects deem necessary to enhance capacity and strengthen regional

relationships.

Objective IGC2: Collaborate with Itasca County, IRRRB, State of Minnesota officials and

other entities.

IGC 2.1: Proactively collaborate with and inform Itasca County, IRRRB, and State of

Minnesota officials of the needs in La Prairie regarding resources, housing, economic

development, transportation, and other issues as they arise.

Objective IGC 3: Collaborate with Get Fit Itasca and other stakeholders to implement

active living, public health, and other related improvements and programs to promote

healthy lifestyles in the community.

Objective IGC 4: Collaborate with Habitat for Humanity, local educational organizations,

and other entities to enhance capacity of implementing local projects.

Land Use Goals:

La Prairie will utilize policies that promote sustainable land use by actively assessing

future needs and promoting the most effective use of each property while balancing cost efficient

public services. La Prairie’s land use policies will be clear, concise, and easy to administer.

Land Use Objectives

Objective LU 1: Review existing zoning code and incorporate new elements which have

been identified as desirable through comprehensive planning process. (Reference attached

Walkability Institute Document)

Some of these components include: Form based Code (Emily, Minnesota reference),

mixed use of commercial and residential uses, allow for multi-family housing, smaller

residential lot requirements, allow for accessory living spaces and others.

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Objective LU 2: Strive to enhance the ‘Town-Gown’ Connection as cited by the Walkability

Institute in creating a better connection to the University of Minnesota Extension. (Reference attached Walkability Institute Document)

Objective LU 3: Ensure green space and recreational opportunities are available to existing

and newly developed neighborhoods.

Objective LU 4: Partner with local landowners to develop a mutually agreeable vision for

improvements and/or future uses of remaining developable properties within community.

Objective LU 5: Ensure buffers are set between commercial/industrial development and

existing and future residential properties in order to preserve neighborhood intrinsic

qualities desired by community.

______________________________________________________________________________

Healthy Community Goals:

La Prairie will strive to provide a healthy community to its residents by considering

public health, access to healthy food and exercise/recreational facility availability components

when making short and long term investment decisions.

Healthy Community Objectives

Objective HC 1: Strive to incorporate public health impacts of development and other

investment decision making opportunities.

Objective HC 2: Support local farmer’s market or co-op style activities which provide

healthy food options available within the community.

HC 2.1: Provide open space for activities to take place if organized and requested by

local organization/individual(s).

Objective HC 3: Support improved access to community gardens.

HC 3.1: Utilize public engagement meetings in order to identify need and/or potential

sites for community gardens.

HC 3.2: Work with local interest group(s) to develop maintenance, distribution, and use

partnership(s) prior to establishing garden.

Objective HC 4: Explore creation of community walking / biking promotion program to

incentivize walking and biking and social connections within the community.

Objective HC 5: Explore and support other opportunities to increase local access to healthy

food as further research and recommendations are developed for the region.

Objective HC 6: Explore feasibility and revise zoning ordinance to allow for more locally

produced food.

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Implementation Goals:

La Prairie will actively work as an entity and with stakeholders to complete the strategies

and projects identified in the comprehensive plan and will review and update implementation

priorities and status annually.

Implementation Objectives

Objective I1: An implementation checklist will be developed listing each strategy action

item in the Plan and organized in a spreadsheet with some general

implementation steps, responsible entities and timeframe.

I 1.1: Annually review the implementation checklist at a City Council meeting to

determine each step’s implementation status and to re-determine each step’s current

priority level. Utilize this meeting as a public hearing/engagement session to continue

incorporating public priorities into investment decisions.

I 1.2: Change, update, or end actions that need alterations or have been completed or new

project priorities emerge

I 1.3: When over half of the finite objectives are completed from existing plan, begin

discussion of identifying next steps for plan update process.

Objective I 2: Monitor available grant opportunities to leverage funds to implement larger

scale projects.

I 2.1: Continue communication with grantors like MnDOT, and MnDNR to be aware of

possible grant solicitations and parameters for eligible projects.

I 2.2: Monitor and utilize ARDC’s ‘Community Planning Toolkit’ for financial and

technical assistance resources information and availability for implementation assistance.

(available at: http://www.arrowheadplanning.org/communityplanningtoolkit )

I 2.3: Utilize ARDC in order to gain technical assistance for project applications,

management, small scope planning, GIS mapping, and other services offered when

deemed necessary.

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http://www.arrowheadplanning.org/communityplanningtoolkit

revised recommendations

Documents