04-08-1999 Council Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 COMMUNiTY PHILOSOPHY Orono's Community Management Plan is a statement by the citizens as to what we are, where we have been, and where we are going. Future development und growth will occur in Orono as in most other municipalities in the metropolitan area, but the growth rate is expected to continue at a slow, steady pace as it has for the past two decades. In addition, Orono will retain its own special identity through careful growth management in the best interest of the environment, the natural resources and the community of citizens, both present and future. (Figure 1 - Summary: City of Orono Population and Household Projections) The basic goal of this plan is preservation: Preservation of our resources; preservation of our distinct urban and rural lifestyles; preservation of individual initiative and responsibility. Orono*s past growth and development patterns have been greatly influenced by the extensive and varied natural features found within our borders. Map No. ___ indicates the pattern of land use as it exists today. It is apparent that development has been drawn by the lakes and clustered by the many bays and marshes. Of the City's 24.1 square miles of area, nearly 11 square miles is in lakes and wetlands. The most signiflcant resource, of course, is Lake Minnetonka with over (33%) of its area and (40%) of its shoreline in Orono. The largest lake in the metropolitan Twin Cities area. Minnetonka has 22.4 square miles of surface area and approximately 110 miles of shoreline running along numerous bays, channels and inlets. Lake Minnetonka's watershed, including the Lake itself, encompasses 123 square miles, and approximately 1/5 of the contributing watershed lies in Orono. Lake Minnetonka’s chamis drew early crowds of visitors and summer residents whose settlements and lifestyles have left a lasting effect on present-day Orono. The lake first attracted scattered settlers and farmers who benefitted from a rural lifestyle within a day's journey of the City markets. Later, rail lines promoted resort hotels and recreational uses of the cool water. Summer cottages were built and crossroads towns developed. These cottages were converted to year-round homes in the 1940 ’s and 50's, becoming the core of Orono's existing urban neighborhood. Remodeling and replacement of these modest lake residences with larger and more contemporary homes has continued at a steady pace through the l9S0's and i^O's. I