Preparing for 2040

Lakeville's draft of a vision for the next 25 years shows that its citizens value quality schools, public safety and connected neighborhoods. Residents say the city's priorities should be economic sustainability, education and keeping taxes low while still providing quality services. In the "Envision Lakeville" process, residents said they value creating housing for an aging population and multigenerational developments; they also value cultural institutions.

Process

Earlier this year, Craig Rapp, a consultant hired by the city, and a 14-member task force gathered input from surveys, forums and focus groups. The task force also evaluated current and future trends in housing, development and demographics and brainstormed potential threats and challenges.

Future opportunities

Residents expressed a desire to pursue technology-based businesses, promote transportation, preserve green space, foster education, health and wellness, expand tourism and preserve natural resources. City leaders said the city has good opportunities to maintain parks, provide diverse housing and market rate single-family housing, provide incentives for development and improve the quality of streets.

Next steps

The City Council reviewed the draft of Envision Lakeville on Sept. 3 and is expected to come back with revisions.

More information

A summary of the process can be found by going to www.ci.lakeville.mn.us and clicking on "Envision Lakeville." The full draft is at http://tinyurl.com/oxws7dg.

Liala Helal