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Importance of aVision <br />According to an old story, txvo stonecutters were asked what they were doing. <br />The first said, "I'm cutdng this stone into blocks." The second replied, "I'm <br />on a team that is building a cathedral." <br /> <br />This story illustrates the role of a vision in managing the growth and <br />development of a city. Without a vision, development management works <br />much like the first stonecutter with new pieces added without a clear picture <br />of what is being built. The Comprehensive Planning process has been described <br />as building the future Elk River. The cornerstone of that building is the Vision <br />Statement, which provides a larger picture of the "cathedral" that Elk River <br />seeks to become by offering a broad and enduring view of Elk River. Each <br />development and redevelopment project, therefore, must help to build the <br />future, not just fit cleanly with the next "stone block". <br /> <br />The Vision serves several purposes: <br /> <br /> · The Vision serves as a tool for evaluating proposals, projects, ideas and <br /> new directions. How does this action fit with the Vision? <br /> <br /> · Creating a Vision Statement allows a shared understanding of <br /> community desires for the future. <br /> <br /> · The Vision encourages the community to consider the future, even a <br /> future that is twenty years distant. <br /> <br /> · The Vision provides an anchor in times of conflict and change - a way <br /> of finding common ground and shared values. <br /> <br /> · The Vision encourages imagination, recognizing that the direction it <br /> sets will be the realitT of the future. <br /> <br /> · The Vision creates energy and enthusiasm for maintaining the <br /> commitment to the Comprehensive Plan. <br /> <br />Vision Statement <br />The vision for the future of Elk River consists of several themes. <br /> <br />Maintain a distinct identity for Elk River. <br /> · Elk River will keep an identity and character all its own. <br /> <br /> · Natural, cultural and historical resources of the community are essential <br /> ingredients of Elk River's identity <br /> <br /> · Elk River seeks to grow in a manner that preserves the qualifies of its <br /> "small town" heritage. <br /> <br />Create and maintain strong neighborhoods. <br /> · Neighborhoods are the basic building blocks of Elk River and shape <br /> <br />Vision for <br />Elk River <br /> <br />Building the Future -A Comprehensive Plan for Elk River <br /> <br />2,1 <br /> <br /> <br />