6.a 1. ImplementationI. INTRODUCTION
A comprehensive plan defines the vision, goals, and aspirations of a community's long-term
development. A strong plan can intricately shape land use and transportation patterns, develop ways
to conserve natural resources, and identify needs for housing, utilities, parks, and other community
facilities. These assessments then help the community make well-informed decisions on both public
and private infrastructure/facility investments for years to come.
The City of Scandia's 2040 Comprehensive Plan is the vision of the community in 2040. It
provides an overview of the City of Scandia, including historical context, existing and future land
use, water and nature features, public facilities, transportation, population, housing, and
employment trends and forecasts. The Comprehensive Plan contains goals, objectives and policies
to guide public and private land use development, redevelopment and preservation of all lands and
waters within the City and proposes an implementation plan extending toward 2040. These
elements have been developed in conjunction with the City's tradition of planning.
A. Purpose of the Plan
This Comprehensive Plan responds to the requirements of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act:
Minnesota Statutes, Section 473.859, and the Metropolitan Council's Thrive MSP 2040. The
plan is intended to guide future land use development, redevelopment, and other planning and
policy concerns for the City of Scandia.
B. Vision, Goals and Policies
1. Vision and Overarching Goals
As a guiding element of this Comprehensive Plan update, the Steering Committee and the
Mayor of Scandia develop the following vision statement:
Scandia is known for its distinctive character and history. The City's overall vision is to
maintain its rural character typified by the agricultural heritage and natural resources. In
2040, Scandia has an economically vibrant village center, which is home to a diverse
population that is surrounded by mix of natural resource and agricultural areas intermixed
with rural residential and lakeshore neighborhoods. As new development is proposed, the
emphasis will remain on the protection of a rural agricultural and natural resources.
The following four overarching goals for the City of Scandia expanded upon the above vision
and further guided the preparation of this Comprehensive Plan update:
• Maintain and promote the City's cultural character and history.
Scandia includes several historical structures. The Gammelgarden museum in the Village
Center attracts people to learn about Minnesota history and Swedish immigration to
Minnesota. Rural buildings and sites endowed with Scandia's history and identity are
preserved or incorporated into development and redevelopment, and family farms can
still be found within the City.
Maintain and promote a variety of land uses and residential densities while
maintaining Scandia's existing agricultural and rural character.
Scandia has diverse land uses emphasizing its rural nature and natural landscape,
including agriculture, large lot and clustered rural residential housing, wooded areas,
scenic areas and open spaces, and recreational areas. The village center provides a
variety of housing types with community -scale commercial and industrial uses.
Agricultural uses in Scandia include traditional commodity production, smaller farms
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devoted to local markets, and hobby farms. The mix of land uses in different parts of the
City changes with the geography, and is preserved and maintained by sound, intentional
land use policies.
• Preserve and protect the City's natural resources.
Scandia is home to several high quality natural areas, lakes and the St. Croix River. The
City's parks, trails, open space and recreation system preserves rural character and
protects natural beauty while offering opportunities for healthy lifestyles and recognizes
the City's history. Sensitivity to the City's green infrastructure — trails, green corridors,
natural areas and systems, surface and groundwater systems, scenic vistas, and night
skies — will continue to be a priority for all development and infrastructure
improvements. Periodic review of City ordinances to ensure development occurs with
adequate protection of sensitive areas is part of the City's commitment to preserve and
protect valuable natural resources.
Provide economic opportunities for residents and businesses.
Economic opportunities in the City continue to evolve. The City will seek solutions to
create economic opportunities for employment in Scandia and to provide needed services
for Scandia's residents. The number of residents who are self-employed or work from
home will continue to increase. The nature of agriculture will change with a transition
from traditional commodities to smaller, more specialized agricultural operations serving
exclusively local markets.
2. Specific Goals and Policies
Goals and policies are official statements that provide the basis for development and
redevelopment strategies. Goals identify various objectives of the city in managing future
growth and protecting natural resources. Policies represent the official position of the city
with respect to implementation of goals. The general goals for each of the plan elements are
listed below. These goals and the corresponding policies are also included at the beginning
of their respective chapters.
Land Use
1) Preserve the rural, agricultural character of Scandia through zoning regulations,
ordinances, and site design standards
2) Manage land use to prevent the premature demand for extension of urban services
and in ways that allow existing service levels to meet service needs.
3) Ensure a variety of lot sizes to create affordable development opportunities to best
meet the needs of residents and businesses in Scandia.
4) Protect and encourage agricultural production to ensure it is a part of the community
as a viable long-term land use.
5) Allow for the safe and orderly extraction of aggregate resources now and in the
future while protecting sensitive resources on or near those properties and providing
for transitions to other uses when resource extraction is complete
Natural Resources
1) Protect natural resources and look for opportunities to connect large areas of open
space
2) Preserve high quality natural areas
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3)
Eliminate, reduce or mitigate the negative effects of invasive species on natural areas
4)
Recognize and enhance publicly owned lands and improve public access to such
lands where appropriate.
5)
Work with property owners to protect and preserve native, endangered, threatened
and unique plants and animals on privately owned land.
Resilience
1)
Encourage the use of renewable, local and diverse forms of energy in order to
increase use of local resources, mitigate the local risk from fossil fuel scarcity and
price increases, and help meet Minnesota's climate protection goals.
2)
Encourage energy efficient housing that exceeds the minimum efficiency levels
required in the State building codes
3)
Review the goals of the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program. Implement GreenStep
Cities Best Practices as appropriate
Housing
1)
Support a variety of housing types and densities for residential uses in and
surrounding the Village Center and other areas where appropriate.
2)
Expand life -cycle housing opportunities for residents at all points of life.
3)
Encourage a range of housing choices that fit with the character of the community
Economic Competitiveness
1)
Concentrate on retaining and expanding local businesses in and around the Village
Center and existing Rural Commercial districts.
2)
Actively support the retention and expansion of Scandia community -scale
agricultural operations
3)
Encourage home-based entrepreneurs and businesses
4)
Expand access to internet services throughout the entire City.
Parks and Trails
1)
Develop an effective planning approach to developing and maintaining parks and
recreation areas and constructing and maintaining trails and routes to meet the needs
of City residents.
2)
Develop a close working relationship with other agencies and groups to enhance the
parks and recreation facilities and develop trails and routes in the City.
3)
Support a network of parks and trails to provide community -wide connections to
serve the health and welfare of the City's residents.
4)
Use park search areas and recreational facilities search areas and other natural
resource information to guide and encourage park acquisition donations and potential
site acquisitions when property becomes available.
Transportation
1)
As new development or redevelopment occurs, provide an integrated, internally -
connected, efficient street system connecting village and higher density
neighborhoods to the Village Center.
2)
Establish context -sensitive roadway design standards that will protect the narrow and
heavily wooded character of identified low -traffic roadways.
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