2006 Parks, Trails and Open Space Plan - City of Lakeville

1998 Comprehensive Plan Goals
Building on the recommendations of the Growth Management Strategies, Lakeville also
updated its Comprehensive Plan in 1998. The Comprehensive Plan established
community goals and policies intended to direct future community growth through the
year 2020. The goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan provide the direction in
the following areas:
• ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION / NATURAL RESOURCES
Natural resources such as lakes, waterways, wetlands, significant tree stands,
open prairie areas, drainageways, bluffs and areas of steep slopes are of major
importance within Lakeville. The relevance of these features as part of this
update of Parks, Trails and Open Space Plan is more significant with this edition
given the expanded role of the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources
Committee in this area. The proper preservation, enhancement and utilization of
remaining natural resources as valuable community amenities has become a
community goal. To this end, the City has established base guidelines for the
protection of these elements through implementation of a Shoreland Overlay
Zoning District, Wetland Management Plan, tree preservation requirements
during subdivision and use of Low Impact Development techniques for residential
and commercial projects such as Prairie Lake and Timbercrest at Lakeville,
respectively. Integration of such natural features as part of the parks and trails
system serves not only a protective function, but adds amenity value to the City’s
facilities.
• GROWTH MANAGEMENT
The rate of growth since the mid 1980s has raised issues with regard to its
impact on public services, utilities, streets and City finance. In recognition of
these concerns, Lakeville established growth management goals and policies to
manage the growth rate, direct the quality of development and maintain a diverse
tax base.
• LAND USE
The land use goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan create a vehicle by
which the community can determine, organize, and define the character and
intensity of land use in the City of Lakeville. The Comprehensive Plan gives
attention to both existing and future land use and development issues as a
means of preserving the City’s positive identity and the local quality of life.
• COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Community facilities include those lands, buildings, services and systems which
are provided on a public or semi-public basis in the interest of, or benefit to, the
residents of the community. Their importance will not be underestimated in
City of Lakeville, Minnesota
Chapter Five
2006 Comprehensive Parks, Trails, & Open Space Plan Page 79