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Draft- September 2002 <br /> <br />Vision for Elk River <br /> <br />Importance of a Vision? <br /> <br />According to an old story, two stonecutters were asked what they were doing. <br />The first said, "I'm cutting this stone into blocks." The second replied, "I'm on <br />a team that is building a cathedral." <br /> <br />This story describes the role of a vision on managing the growth and <br />development of a City. Without a vision, development management works <br />much like the fzrst stonecutter. New pieces are added without a clear picture of <br />what is being built. The vision provides the picture of the "cathedral" that Elk <br />River seeks to become. Each development and redevelopment project must <br />help to build the future, not just fit cleanly with the next "stone block". <br /> <br />The Comprehensive Planning process has been described as building the future <br />Elk River. The cornerstone of that building is the vision. The Vision Statement <br />provides a broad and enduring view of Elk River. The Vision serves several <br />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 to 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 fmcling common ground and shared values. <br /> <br /> · The Vision encourages imagination, recognizing that the direction it <br /> sets will be the reality 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 /> <br />The vision for the future of Elk River consists of several themes. <br /> <br />Maintain a distinct identity for Elk River. <br /> <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 />': ~ Building the Future <br /> ~?~.The Comprehensive <br /> <br />Plan for Elk River <br /> <br /> <br />