PRSR INFORMATION 10-09-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Draft-September 2002 Vision for Elk River Importance of a Vision? According to an old story,two stonecutters were asked what they were doing. The first said, "I'm cutting this stone into blocks." The second replied,"I'm on a team that is building a cathedral." This story describes the role of a vision on managing the growth and development of a City. Without a vision, development management works much like the first stonecutter. New pieces are added without a clear picture of what is being built. The vision provides the picture of the"cathedral"that Elk River seeks to become. Each development and redevelopment project must help to build the future, not just fit cleanly with the next "stone block". The Comprehensive Planning process has been described as building the future Elk River. The cornerstone of that building is the vision. The Vision Statement provides a broad and enduring view of Elk River. The Vision serves several purposes: • The Vision serves as a tool for evaluating proposals,projects,ideas and new directions. How does this action fit with the Vision? • Creating a Vision Statement allows a shared understanding of community desires for the future. • The Vision encourages the community to consider the future,even to a future that is twenty years distant. • The Vision provides an anchor in times of conflict and change-a way of finding common ground and shared values. • The Vision encourages imagination,recognizing that the direction it sets will be the reality of the future. • The Vision creates energy and enthusiasm for maintaining the commitment to the Comprehensive Plan. Vision Statement The vision for the future of Elk River consists of several themes. Maintain a distinct identity for Elk River. • Elk River will keep an identity and character all its own. • Natural,cultural and historical resources of the community are essential ingredients of Elk River's identity tt‘ Building the Future The Comprehensive Plan for Elk River