THIS SURVEY WILL REFER TO TOWNSHIPS BUT COULD BE USED FOR SMALL COMMUNITIES OR EVEN LARGER CITIES AND COUNTIES WITH THE RIGHT MODIFICATION. THE IDEA IS TO INCLUDE PROTECTIVE LANGUAGE SO AS NOT TO BE OVERRUN BY COUNTY, CITY OR STATE GOVERNMENT. WHEN COMPLETE, YOU CAN FILE THIS AT YOUR LOCAL COUNTY RECORDERS OFFICE. IF YOU INVOKE THIS PLAN WHEN FACED WITH HOSTILE REGULATIONS, THE OFFENDING GOV BODY WILL NOT LIKELY BE WILLING TO TAKE IT TO COURT FOR FEAR OF EXPOSURE OF ALL THEIR NEFARIOUS PLANS. THERE ARE ALSO CONSERVATIVE BASED, PRO BONO LEGAL GROUPS WHICH CAN HELP, SUCH AS, THE UPPER MIDWEST LAW CENTER.
(INCLUDE EXPLANATION OF WHY YOU ARE SENDING THIS WITH PROTECTIVE LANGUAGE. IN THIS SURVEY THAT IS FOUND IN THE LAST 6 QUESTIONS
Date:
Comprehensive Plan Survey Questions
This Township Resident Survey will be available for participation via a direct mailing coupled with direct input via letters or emails to the Township Clerk. Hard copies will be available at the Township Town Hall and from the Township Clerk.
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Q1. Please select the following that best describes you
- I live within the Township limits of ———- Township
- I work in ______________________
- I own property in ———— Township
- I am a business owner in ——— Township
- <other>
Q#. Please select (circle one) your age
12 and under 13-17 18-20 21-35 36-54 55-79 80+
Q#. How long have you been a Resident, Property Owner or Business Owner in ——– Township (circle one)?
Less than 1 year 1-5 years 6-10 years 11-15 years 16-20 year More than 20 years
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COMMUNITY CHARACTER
Q#: How would you describe the Community Character of ———– Township?
<open ended>
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HOUSING
Q#: Please indicate to what extent you agree with each of the following statements:
Agree (A) Neutral (N) Disagree (D) (Circle One Each)
- There is an adequate supply of quality housing choices for people of all ages, incomes, and stages of life A N D
- More affordable housing options are needed A N D
- More single family homes are needed A N D
- More multi-family homes are needed A N D
- More rental properties are needed A N D
- New housing should be built in and around the Central Business District A N D
- New housing should be built within existing neighborhoods A N D
Q#: Currently, ———– Township adheres to 2.5 Acre development in Rural Residential zoning and 5+ Acre development in areas Zoned Agriculture. In your opinion, should ——— Township maintain the current zoning and development status? (Circle one)
YES NO
Comment <open ended>:
In your opinion, should ———– Township encourage or discourage the following types of development? <select one each>
- Single-family residential on 2.5 acres or more Encourage Discourage
- Single-family residential in clustered subdivisions Encourage Discourage
- Senior housing Encourage Discourage
- Townhomes Encourage Discourage
- Apartments Encourage Discourage
- Patio homes Encourage Discourage
- Multi-family residences Encourage Discourage
- Mobile-home parks Encourage Discourage
- <Other, open comment>
- Q5: When it comes to growth and development, what is —— Township’s greatest challenge?
- Supporting development of adequate job opportunities
- Supporting a year-round economy
- Supporting development of a suitable range of housing options
- Protecting scenery and natural resources
- Protecting the ———– character
- Maintaining adequate utilities and services
- <Other, open comment>
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Q#: ———- Township is fortunate to have a number of important businesses within the boundaries of the Township. With some consideration towards this fact, please indicate to what extent you agree with each of the following statements:
Agree (A) Neutral (N) Disagree (D) (Circle One Each)
- There is a good support system in place for entrepreneurs and new businesses A N D
- There is an adequate supply of living wage jobs in and around the area A N D
- There is an effective level of cooperation between Little Falls Township and its neighboring Communities with regards to economic development A N D
- Little Falls Township should explore business or industry recruitment options A N D
- There is a diverse blend of commercial and service-based businesses A N D
Q#: What are ———— Township’s three (3) greatest assets?
<open ended>
TRANSPORTATION
Q8: Please indicate if you agree or disagree with the following statements:
- Agree (A) Neutral (N) Disagree (D) (Circle One Each)
- Alternative transportation modes (walking, biking, etc.) are important A N D
- I see the value in providing bicycle trails and on-street lanes A N D
- There are adequate collector and frontage roads connecting the Township A N D
- Township services are effectively provided A N D
- Roadways are generally well maintained A N D
HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
Q#: Please rank the following list of factors that make for a healthy community (Circle One Each: 3=most important, 1=least important)
- Low crime/safe neighborhoods 1 2 3
- Affordable housing 1 2 3
- Clean environment 1 2 3
- Parks and recreation 1 2 3
- Access to healthcare 1 2 3
- Quality schools 1 2 3
- Healthy behaviors and lifestyles 1 2 3
- Good jobs and healthy economy 1 2 3
- Arts and cultural events 1 2 3
- <Other>
Q#: Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements:
Agree (A) Neutral (N) Disagree (D) (Circle One Each)
- I feel safe in my community during all times of the day A N D
- I have access to healthy, locally-grown foods A N D
- I am within a reasonable distance to parks, open spaces, and walking/biking trails A N D
- I have access to healthcare providers A N D
- I have access to a great school district and secondary education A N D
- I have access arts and cultural facilities A N D
- <Other>
ENVIRONMENT
Q#: Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements regarding water quality best management practices (BMP’s)
Agree (A) Neutral (N) Disagree (D) (Circle One Each)
- Would you implement one of the following basic principles to help improve water quality and shorelands: filter strips, natural landscapes, reduce fertilizer application, treat stormwater runoff, and correct erosion problems. A N D
- Having a natural vegetation buffer around a lake is a great way to protect water quality. Is this something you would consider if you owned shoreland property? A N D
- Would you participate in efforts to improve water quality and shorelands? A N D
- Would you support stricter buffer requirements in an effort to preserve the lake quality? A N D
- I see the valuable in protecting our lakes, rivers, and streams water quality. A N D
Township Independence
Q#: Please indicate if you agree, yes or no, the following statement and question.
By State Statute the Townships of ———- are in a lesser position to stave off City and County initiatives to override the Township positions on many areas of concern, e.g. annexation and land use. Should the LF TWP Comprehensive Plan contain strong language voicing our independence as described in our Charter from the MN Constitution?
YES NO Comments:
GRANTS
Q#: Please indicate if you agree, yes or no, the following statement and question.
City, County and Township officials often solicit, apply for, and when selected, and accept Grants from various sources, many times not recognizing and realizing the contingencies, commitments, and regulatory requirements embedded and attached to these grants and agreements. Should all Grants offered, be required to have clear language and future financial commitment estimates clearly outlined to show all the factors and contingencies required by the Grantors, as well as clearly state all of the State and Federal Regulations which will affect the grant acceptance and these types of projects over time ?
Comments:
ANNEXATION
Q#: Please indicate if you agree, yes or no, the following statement and question. The City of ———- Comprehensive Plan indicates the City Council of the City have long-term plans to annex several areas within surrounding Townships in order to raise the tax base available to the City in order to finance expansion plans within the City and to incorporate the fringe areas of bordering Townships. Should the LF TWP Board and its Residents who are affected by these annexations take deliberate measures and actions to preserve the landscape of the Township and be allowed to vote to decide the outcome?
YES NO
Comments:
ZONING
Q#: Please indicate if you agree, yes or no, the following statement and question. Currently the County is planning for stricter Agricultural and Residential zoning than the ——— Township might recommend. When County planning conflicts with the intent and desired end-state of the Township Comprehensive Plan, should the Township Board take deliberate measures and actions to preserve the substance and intent of the Township Comprehensive Plan in order to protect the planning measures within the Township?
YES NO
Comments:
Alternative Energy Sources
Q#: Please indicate if you agree, yes or no, the following statements and question.
In many areas of the State there are large alternative energy projects such as wind and solar electric production facilities, many times, being placed on now productive farmland. The long-standing intent of Township is to preserve productive farmland from being eliminated from agricultural production. Should Township and Landowners who are affected by these projects, have a say in projects of this nature moving forward?
YES NO
Comments:
PARK, TRAIL AND RECREATION
Q#: Please indicate if you agree or disagree with the following statements about Little Falls parks and trails:
Agree (A) Neutral (N) Disagree (D) (Circle One Each)
- Local parks and trails meet my or my families daily recreational needs A N D
- Little Falls Township is easily accessible using the existing trail system A N D
- The off-street trail systems should be improved/extended A N D
- We should protect our natural resources and environment for future generations
- A N D
- What specific parks or trails do you feel are needed (where) within the Township? <open ended>
ENVISIONING ————TOWNSHIP
Q#: What are other long-range issues the comprehensive plan update should address?
<open ended>