VISIONING GATES TEN YEARS FROM NOW: April 2002

The community and its people have been successful beyond belief! Gates is a place everyone is proud to call ‘home’

What makes Gates so attractive?

¨      Responsive and open government committed to creative improvement of public services

¨      Model for community & civic collaboration

¨      Excellent use of remaining open space

¨      Balance maintained between residential and commercial/industrial areas

¨      Excellent educational and recreational facilities in town

¨      Convenient to city amenities

¨      Tax base continues modest growth which tax levels do not exceed

¨      Convenient access to many modes of transportation for public and business needs

Describe the people who live here.

¨      Caring community of involved citizens

¨      Diverse population which interacts well and welcomes others

¨      Residents value education & self improvement

Why would the following groups of people want to be located here?

1.      Businesspeople

¨      Location, location, location!

¨      Excellent transportation options

¨      Skilled & motivated work force readily available

¨      Reasonable taxes to provide the service important to business community

¨      Well designed commercial and industrial parks in community

¨      Government attuned to meet needs of growing business community

2.      Professional people

¨      Location, location, location!

¨      Convenient local services for professional offices

¨      Easy access for clients of professional offices

3.      Young parents

¨      Excellent educational and recreational facilities for families

¨      Easy availability to commercial services

¨      Good daycare facilities

¨      Support networks for young mothers

¨      Healthy environment in which to raise a family

¨      Open spaces or parks for children to play

4.      People who are physically challenged

¨      Good transportation options for this group of residents

¨      Rest of community readily embraces this segment of the community

¨      Good local or adjacent to community services appropriate to this population

5.      People in the workforce

¨      Easy access to employment locations

¨      Good commercial and community services available after work hours

6.      Retirees

¨      Good support services for the older elderly still living at home

¨      Housing options for those who seek assisted living

¨      Recreational and lifelong learning community options for the active retiree

¨      Convenient commercial services close to home, with daytime access

7.      Children and teenagers

¨      Excellent educational services for all ages

¨      Community recreational and informational services appealing for these ages

¨      Safe community environment

8.      Low-income people

¨      Easy access to public transportation

¨      Affordable housing 

¨      Support services for this population

9.      Middle-income people

¨      Many of the same attributes for family life

¨      Conveniences for work force participants

10.   High-income people

¨      Amenities important for the better income families, such as country clubs

¨      Quality housing tracts which would appeal to this population

¨      Other high income people in same area

11.   Various racial and ethnic groups

¨      Acceptance for various racial and ethnic groups in all community neighborhoods

¨      Local stores which cater to their food/cultural preferences

12.   Various religious groups

¨      Acceptance of diverse religious beliefs

What community services would be provided by local government?

¨      Increased services for increasing segments of the population, particularly for Seniors

¨      Tweaking of services for decreasing segments of the community

¨      Adjusting services to reflect multi cultural trends in community

¨      Alternatives to local government provided services includes collaboration with local groups

Approved Long Range Planning Committee 4/24/02