Overview Natural Resource Based Planning Inventories & Assessments Implementation Tools Project Profiles Data Resources & Links Moratorium & AUAR in Hugo Project Profiles : Moratorium & AUAR in Hugo Through the 1990s, the City of Hugo still functioned like a mostly agricultural township with homes on 5-10 acre lots plus a handful of businesses and a few small subdivisions. Then, substantial growth pressure came with several large landowners wishing to sell and develop their land. So, in 1999, the city put a moratorium on development in order to improve their water system, hire staff, update their comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance, and develop plans for their primary growth areas. The community used the Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) tool to address the future of a 1200-acre area where development pressure was greatest. Through the AUAR process, MLCCS land cover mapping was used to identify significant natural areas and the city adopted new land use and park and open space plans that featured interconnected wildlife and greenway corridors. The moratorium and AUAR cooperatively involved the city, landowners, residents, and developers who were pleased with the results - rather than "changing the rules as you go", the community now has an agreed-upon direction for the future. Overview | Natural Resource Based Planning | Inventories & Assessments | Implementation Tools | Project Profiles | Data | Resources & Links ©2004 State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources.