On September 17, Arrowhead Regional Planning Commission (ARDC) Director Andy Hubley met with a handful of Tofte residents and led the discussion about the town of Tofte’s Comprehensive Plan, working with a draft of visions and goals established by a loose knit group made up of about a dozen citizens and the current township supervisors.
Highlights of the final 23-page draft include ideas to improve the town’s park, plans to finish the Gitchi Gami State Trail through Tofte, development of senior housing, putting in a heliport, promotion of Tofte as a global destination, establishment of a high tech computer center at Birch Grove Community Center and developing a master plan for the building, improving the Search & Rescue Squad building, possibly building a septic and fresh water system for structures falling within the “downtown” area, developing or finding ways to make housing affordable for young families/individuals, installation of an electric car charging station, improving mountain bike trails and advocating for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to install a kayak launch at the town park, and explore the idea of hiring a community coordinator for the township. Those ideas and many more were discussed.
Paramount to the process was preserving the beauty and natural surroundings of the community while carefully growing needed infrastructure and following up on ideas that could help improve the township’s economy and standard of living.
The planning process was funded in part by the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) and Town of Tofte.
A total of five meetings that were open to the public were held between April and September of 2015. Participants in those meetings stated what they thought were Tofte’s physical assets, unseen assets, and what assets they would like to see in the future.
Many of the goals and visions were given timelines for completion. They were broken into three categories, short term (0-5 years) mid-term (5-10 years) or long term (10-20 years).
The final draft will be posted on the township’s website and a paper copy will be available at the local post office and Birch Grove Center for public review.
Following that review and comment period, the town board is expected to adopt the Comprehensive Plan either in October or November.
By guiding and shaping the community in an organized way, taking into account the people, environmental concerns, social and recreational facilities, aesthetic designs, and goals for economic growth, Hubley said the township would have a map for success, and by completing a plan, Tofte would also qualify for grants and other governmental monies that might not be available to townships or communities who don’t follow this exercise.
Tofte’s Vision Statement
As part of the planning process, Tofte Supervisor Jeanne Larson and Scott Berry, an architect with strong ties to the community, put together a vision statement that is included in the final draft:
Tofte, Minnesota is a beautiful and vibrant destination on Lake Superior’s spectacular North Shore. Here we celebrate all four seasons in the North Woods, with outdoor experiences that feed the mind, body and spirit while honoring the heritage of Scandinavian fishing families who established the first resorts in northern Minnesota. Come and witness the Majesty of Nature.
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