LAKEWOOD COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
STEERING COMMITTEE
MEETING SUMMARY
April 10, 2007
Members Present
Gwen Updegraff Bob Shaw
Kevin Bovee Kilian Ottman
Shannon Ostazeski Jesse Schomberg
Phil Halverson Dave Beran
Pete Weidman Bill Wilson
Brian Hayden Jeff Denny
Mark Pearson Wendy Robertson
Gary Meier Angie Palmer
Opening Remarks
Steering Committee members introduced themselves, mailing lists were confirmed and the agenda was reviewed with no changes.
Concerns from the Audience
One concern was noted about why more people did not get the recent survey of all households in the Township. This concern was addressed later in the meeting.
Review CRP “Community Planning Handbook”
Handbooks were given to each member to use as a reference guide for the Comprehensive Planning process. Introductory information in Sec II and IX explains the purpose of the Comprehensive Plan and how it relates to the Zoning Ordinance which was discussed at the Opening Workshop.
Review Notebook
Each member received a three ring notebook divided into 3 sections: Background, Issues/Input and Resource Material. The information in each section was reviewed and discussed by the Committee as follows:
Background
· Comprehensive Planning Process was reviewed and a concern was raised about the schedule being too tight and if the Committee has the flexibility to adjust. Dave M. stated that the Town Supervisors have given the Committee the flexibility to adjust as necessary. If the process falls too far behind the planned completion date the Supervisors will need to re-evaluate and adjust. The Steering Committee will evaluate progress in June to see if more time is needed.
· The “Initial Decisions” made by the Supervisors to guide the process were added to as follows:
o Alternate members will no longer be alternates but members of the Committee. This is more inclusive and since Committee decision-making is by “modified consensus” there is no voting. If members can’t make a meeting, contact another member and/or write Dave M. an email to be shared with the Committee.
o The Ground Rules established by the Supervisors were added to as follows
§ Start on time, end on time unless Committee decides to go longer.
§ One speaker at a time moderated by facilitator and/or by raising hand
§ Side conversations to minimum, focus on speaker and discussion
§ Give handouts to visitors
§ No cell phone ringers, if call is urgent go out of room
o Notification of cancelled meetings: Dave M. will email before 3:00 PM; call Dave if unsure (535-1555).
o Meeting Quorum: meeting will be held regardless of number present, but no decision-making will occur unless 12 members are present. Contact Dave prior to meeting if can’t attend.
o Leadership: will be shared with no formal chairperson; Dave M. will be the primary contact for the Committee.
Issues and Input
· Issues identified by the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Open House, and the 2002 Household Survey were reviewed
· The recent 2007 Household Survey Report was handed out. 853 Surveys were mailed; there was an unexplained delay in mailing; 230 Surveys were returned by the first week in April which is a 26% return; there were “bogus” surveys that were not included. Township identified 26 new households that were not on the mailing list and questioned if they should get a survey now. CRP certifies the Survey results as presented in the Report, any changes would be a Town Supervisor decision. Further comments will be held until the next meeting giving members to study the Report.
Resource Material
· A variety of resource and demographics information was reviewed.
· Further comments will be held until next meeting.
· Clint Little from the Coastal Program prepared the information and is available as a resource person as needed.
· Useful web pages: www.duluthtownship.org, www.lakewoodmn.com, www.centerforruralplanning.org (click on “steering committee”)
Set Date for Monthly Meetings
The Committee decided that the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month will be the regular meeting dates from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.
Small Group Exercise
Committee was divided into groups of 4 and given the following exercise:
· Individually list 3 reasons you like living in Lakewood Township.
· Meet in small group, discuss and list three things you all agree on.
Results of small group work:
Group 1: quiet; green; close to downtown; rural (low population density)
Group 2: quiet; proximity to Duluth City; outdoor activities
Group 3: rural natural areas; space for hobbies; lack of commercial interface; wildlife
Group 4: rural (low density with residential atmosphere); recreational opportunities; location (close to town but far enough away for detachment)
Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM