HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.b. Taxes vs. Services ,'
economic development at the cost of increased suburbanization.
Forty-seven percent favared the former approach; forty percent,
the latter. But, this concern is future-oriented: the fact that
a majority of residents feel changes in recent years have been
for the better, and ninety-three percent rate the appearance of
their neighborhoods as either "excellent" or "good, " indicates a
high level of satisfaction with the past and present.
When asked to evaluate various aspects of the quality of
life in Rosemount, residents gave both "high average" as well as
"low average" grades. The community was deemed an a good place
to find housing which fits most budgets and lifestyles, an
excellent place to raise children, and a good place to retire.
It received middling ratings as a place to start a business.
Much lower ratings were awarded Rosemount on the availablity of
full-time head of household jobs and the variety of entertainment
and dining opportunities. In determining its economic
development strategy, three factors must be given priority: jobs
creation, retail shopping, and leisure time offerings.
Most residents of the city are justifiably proud of its �
small town atmospherics. But, in questioning, it became clear
that the small town ambience is linked ta the friendliness of .
Rosemount residents rather than physical features of the
� community. This result strongly suggests that decision-makers
must afford residents the opportunity to interact in community-�
spirited ways. Residents suggested policies to protect the
downtown area and local business, control sprawl and
. overdevelopment, and plan voluntary community-wide projects. The
downtown area, in particular, must play a key role in continuing
to foster the small town ambience which residents so highly
prize.
Rosemount citizens are not dogmatically "anti-taxes. " They
are willing to support increases for demonstrable city needs or
to insure that service levels are kept at their present levels' of
quality. Fifty-one percent af the residents would support a
property tax increase if it were required to maintain city
services at their current level. This predis ositian is
undoubtedly due to the feeling that propert t now
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There is, however, some confusion about the actual city tax
burden. Most residents have no idea about the Rosemount's share
of the property tax. Those that do tended to be very realistic
in their estimates. But, in the future, it may be wise to
underscore the cost-efficiency of city services through the
provision of more information to the citizenry.
City services were generally well-regarded by the
respondents. Police protection, fire protection, and park
maintenance received outstanding ratings. Snow •plowing, �ity
street repair and maintenance, and animal control received
moderately high grades, although in each case one-quarter of the
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the past five years; only ten percent, that crimes against people
had so risen. In comparison with other nearby suburbs, fears of
a "crime wave�� are literally non-existent.
While local schools were rated extraordinarily high,
Rosemount residents were much more critical about the University
of Minnesota. The quality of local schools was felt to be
excellent by sixty percent of the respondents. Overall, the
approval rating of eighty-seven percent is one of the highest
which the researchers have encountered in the Metropolitan Area.
But, the citizenry split forty percent to thirty-six percent in
feeling that the University had not been responsible in the
administration and use of the land it holds within the city
borders. Whi,le there was a multitude of suggestions for use of
that land, one clear consensus about ways it should not be used
was registered: fifty-two parcent definitely opposed an airport
on that site. Also, nearly seventy percent of the community felt
that the City should lobby the legislature to place some controls
on the use of the land, with a majority still supporting that
action, even if a modest property tax increase were required to
cover the costs.
There was a seemingly uneasiness found in the relationship
between many residents and the Koch Refinery. Seventy-eight
percent of the sample was aware that the refinery laid within
the city limits. But, while forty-one percent of the sample
approved of the actions of Koch as a corporate citizens of the
city, forty--seven percent disapproved. Better pollution and odor
control were the major concerns of most respondents when asked
about the company. These xesults stand in marked contrast to the
highly positive view that Cottage Grove residents, for example,
take of 3M/Chemolite.
There has been substantial discussion lately about means for
dealing with the disposal of solid wastes. Some cammunities
favor the landfill approach, while others boost incinerators.
Rosemount residents, by a clear sixty-two percent to thirteen
percent majority, opted for an incinerator. While part of the
support for an incinerator stemmed from opposition to landfill
sites, in general, many residents also believed that an
incinerator was also safer, more efficient, and the better
technology for the problem.
If one issue excited residents the most, it was the subject
of the construction of a new Twin Cities Airport in or near
Rosemount. While only twelve percent supported the project, an
incredible eighty percent opposed it; most opposed it strongly?
While increased traffic and its direct effect on the "small town"
ambience of the city motivated some opposition, noise levels were
the key concern. Since many residents came to Rosemount in a
quest for a "small town" atmosphere, the impact of a major
airport nearby would certainly destroy the many fine points which
define the community in the minds of its residents.
The downtown area is viewed by many as a unique and integral
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part of the community, one to be protected and nurtured by
future development plans. A eonsensus exists about what
constitutes "Downtown: " to almost sixty percent of the
citizenry, Downtown is the area within a few blocks of Highway #3
and 145th Street. 'Another twenty percent would expand the
definition to include other sections of Highway #3 . But,
residents also feel that in the future it should expand alang
Highway #3 to include County Road 42 ; just under two-thirds af
the population prefer the treatment of this area by the City as
one development zone.
In discussing what they liked most about downtown Rosemount,
respondents dwelled on two features: first, thirty-six percent
mentioned its convenience as a shopping area; and second, twenty-
eight percent pointed to its distinctive '�smal�. town"
personality. In future plans, efforts should be made to
reinforce these two images. On the downside, residents were
critical of the limited selection of goods and merchandise and
the construction of "white buildings. " More diversity should be
encouraged in the types of enterprises settling into this area.
And, as will be discussed, the aesthetics of Downtown Rosemount
are particularly important to many -residents.
A clear pattern of planning to incorporate the natural
beauty of the area into future developments was exhibited by many
residents. Sixty-three percent of the respondents would support
the construction of a nature preserve, even if a tax increase
were required for financing. Seventy-seven percent of the
residents would support the construction of a corridor trail
system in the city, even if a tax increase were required. Alsa,
two-thirds of the city approved af the current allocation of up
to one-half of the city's land for agricultural purposes. These
positions certainly reflect and expand upon the "small town"
ambience that most residents pri2e.
As suburbs to the North have grown quickly during the past
few years, a general concern has developed in Southern Dakota
County about over-population. Residents were asked if they would
cap the city's population at some level in the future. Forty-two
percent would halt grawth at some level between 10,000 and 20, 000
residents. The median level suggested was 14 ,500, smaller than
either Lakevill.e or Inver Grove Heights. Obviously, residents
wha saw the community as a rural, small town settlement tended to
support levels even smaller than this average figure.
There was a general lack of interest in extensive public
transportation systems. Only seventeen percent of the residents
could be projected as ridership of a future system connecting
Rosemount with Downtown Minneapolis, Bloomington, and Downtown
Saint Paul. Residents split evenly in indicating that they would
be most likely to use public transport for journeys to work and
school or for shopping and entertainment. But, consistent with
the view of many other suburbanites, Rosernount residents have a
deep and abiding attachment to their automobile.
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On development issues, Rosemount residents are balancing the
need for jobs in the area with the desire to maintain the rural,
small town nature of the city. When queried about the type of
development they would prefer, respondents opted for industrial,
retail, commercial, and housing, in that order. Eighty percent
favored an aggressive effort by the City to attract new
commercial and light industrial projects to the area. In fact,
an unusually high sixty-one percent to thirty percent majority
even favored awarding development incentives to induce developers
to the city. On the question of heavy industrial development, a
closer split was found: forty-eight percent of the residents
would support more of that kind of construction and operation if
it would favorably impact the tax base; thirty-five percent
opposed it, even if property tax benefits would result. Not
surprising, given these and earlier findings, residential summary
judgments defined the top two priorities for the future as the
preservation of open spaces to keep a small town atmosphere and
the attraction of more head-of-household jobs to the city.
Residential opinions about further development in the
Downtown area were very consistent with prevailing opinions about
the current status of that part of the city. By a three-to-one
margin, citizens feel that retail development priorities should
be on the attraction of new facilities to the downtown area
rather than constructing small malls further out. Fifty-four`
percent, a majority of respondents, favor specific design and
aesthetic standards for businesses located dawntown to promote a
common character, even if some businesses do not move to the city
in reaction to these restrictions. But, a majority also feel
that similar standards should not apply to businesses located
outside of the downtown area. Once again, the Dawntown area is
treated by most residents as a "special place, '� almost, to speak
metaphorically, as the "heart and soul" of the community.
Rosemount citizens are clearly willing to accept trade-offs
to pursue desired development objectives. Solid majorities wauld
accept rapid population growth to attract light and/or heavy
industrial plants as well as more retail shopping opportunities.
A less decisive majority would accept population growth to
, attraet more commercial office developments. Greater traffic on
area streets would be tolerated by strong majorities in return
for more retail shopping opportunities and commercial office
developments, A narrower majority would accept the traffic in
exchange for additional light and/or heavy industrial plants. In
short, population growth is more controversial if the purpase is
to attract office space; similarly, traffic congestion is a more
heated . issue in pursuit of industrial plants. Otherwise,
citizens are willing to accept prudent trade-offs to foster more
economic opportunity.
Zoning and land use decisions by the City received a lower �
than normal approval rating from residents. Fifty percent, about
ten percent below the norm, approved of past decisions; however,
thirty-six percent were unable to answer the question, due to a
lack of information. Only forty-seven percent felt there was an
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adequate opportunity for input; a relatiuely high twenty-two
percent through those opportunities were inadequate. The
process, then, needs some re-examination to insure both the
perception and reality of residential participation.
The general direction of past decisions, however, came under
far less criticism. Sixty-four pe=cent felt that the pace of
development was about right for the cammunity. Fifty-three
percent viewed development across the city as well-pl.anned for
the future. A strong three-quarters of the citizenry also viewed
housing as offering residents a wide choice. Certainly at this
point in time, there is no perceptible "development crisis"
taking place in the residents; fears tend to based on the future,
rather than the past or present.
Rosemount citizens exhibited a high degree of antipathy
toward multi-family housing units. This reaction has been common
throughout Dakota County, perhaps in reaction to developments in
Burnsville and Bloomington. Seventy-one percent oppose develop-
ment incentives to attract more apartme�ts and condominiums to
the city. A majority of fifty-two percent oppose any further
multi-family projects, even if they aesthetically blend into the
present character af the community. And, consistent with this
feeling, sixty-seven percent oppose deve3.opment incentives to
attract higher quality and more pleasing multi-family units._, At
this juncture, any attempts to place large scale complexes within
the city will be met with significant hostility.
Residents take a moderate approach to further housing
construction. Sixty percent support keeping the current minimum
lot size at 10, 000 square feet; however, almost thirty percent
favor a larger minimum. Additionally, fifty-eight percent
support further rural residential construction that allows no
tie-in to city sewer and water services. On single family homes,
there is a consensus behind present policies.
Most Rosemount citizens view the opportunity to add on
community facilities to the new armory in a highly favorable
light. Seventy-three percent favor additional recreational con-
struiction as an extension to the facility; only fourteen percent
opposed. Even if a tax increase were required, the average
resident would be willing to pay as much as an additional $37.50
yearly to underwrite the costs.
Residents also expressed very definite preferences about
facilities for inclusion in the armory addition. The strongest
NET support levels were present for: day care and latchkey
facilities, a community theatre, a band shell, and an exercise
and fitness room. Moderate net support levels favored an outdoor
wading pool, a gymnasium, and an indoor ice arena. Opinions were
more closely divided on an indoor swimming pool. Racquet ball
courts, indoor tennis courts, and a whirlpool bath and spa
registered net opposition. But, these are aggregate
support/opposition scores which rnore often reflect general
community interest and commitment rather than a decision to favor
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or oppose the overall project.
Viewing these results from another perspective, it is
possible to discuss those facilities which are especially
impartant to people, rather than those which' they feel would be a
good idea. Five additions were especially important: day care
and latchkey facilities, a gymnasium, an exercise and fitness
room, an indoor swimming pool, and a community theatre. An
indoor ice arena registered a moderately high importance rating;
it palarizes citizens -- there is a large segment favoring the
ice arena, but a relatively sizable group in opposition to it.
For planning purposes, these intensity ratings correlate both
with support in a referendum and usage levels. Some mix of
facilities that possess a high general interest level among the
citizenry and have significant pockets of adamant support may be
the optimal planning strategy.
Rosemount is in need of a more standardized and regular
communications system between the City and its residents.
Citizens presently rely upon local newspapers and the grapevine
for information about City government and its activities. In
fact, about eighty-five percent of the community reported reading
`� � both "This Week News" and "Countryside, " excellent circulation
figures. But, the consideration of a newsletter or other city-
sponsored vehicle for explaining activities and policies should
be undertaken.
Seventy-one percent of the respondents favored the
publication of a quarterly newsletter. In fact, fifty-seven
percent, a compelling majority, supported its publication even if
funds had to be reallocated in the current budget. Current city
practices simply are not reaching enough residents: forty
percent of the sample were unaware of the Bi-Annual Town
Meetings. This finding is not meant to suggest that meetings
should be discontinued; it simply indicates that a supplementary
communications device is called for.
Symptamatic of the lack of a regular communications vehicle
are residents' inability to comment on the activities of either
the staff or elected officials. Citizens po�sess a high general
1eve1 of knowledge about the Mayor and Gity Council: forty two
percent felt they knew either a great deal or a fair amount about
their activities. But, there was an abysmal level of information
on concrete actions. The Mayor and Council approval rating of
sixty-seven percent was relatively strong in comparison with
other suburbs; the disapproval at nine percent was abaut average.
But, twenty-four percent of the sample could nat evaluate their
actions -- a high proportion of uninformed citizens. Further,
the approval rating, with one notable exception, was based upon
fuzzy generalizations; there was a lack of specific comments on
policies or actions. The one exception, unique to Rosemount, was
the one-in-seven people approved of City Government actions
beeause of the style and activities of the new Mayor. The data
suggest strongly that this good reservoir of support for the City
Council can be expanded and solidified with better
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communications.
City staff was familiar to thirty-seven percent oF the
residents, a tad above the suburban norm. The fifty-seven
percent approval rating was somewhat lower than average, while
the disapproval rating of seventeen percent was somewhat higher.
But, again, about one-quarter of the residents were unable to
evaluate the staff. More than in other communities, evaluations
were more heavily based upon specific interactions rather than
hearsay or media reporting. Communications about the actions of
staff, even though they might not directly impact a resident,
would still build good will and help reduce the perception of
"invisibility" expressed by thase holding no opinions. The
handicap of no city publication certainly bears upon these
ratings.
In summary, Rosemount citizens are very pleased with their
community. They are satisfied, for the most part, with past
policies and actions. The areas of most concern appear to center
around the course of future development -- maintaining the "small
town" ambience during a period of projected area growth.
Preserving and enhancing this highly positive image of a well-run
"small town" in a mass suburban setting, while encouraging growth
and economic development to meet community needs, wi11 be the key
issue facing decision-makers in the future.
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