Comprehensive Land Use Vision and Preliminary Plan
Crystal Bay Township
Approved by the Township Board – October 2003
OVERALL VISION
Crystal Bay Township, as a rural north woods community seeks to remain small, personable, and
friendly to those who live, work, and visit our community by maintaining our abundance and
quality of natural resources. We acknowledge the resulting limitations to development but want
to retain our unique residential and historical character and the desirability as a place to live,
work, and play. We will promote a positive and identifiable community image.
Crystal Bay Township includes six township areas, each 36 square miles.
Of these six, the Township want to maintain low levels of development in the northern five townships,
and encourage any development that happens to do so where there are already roads and
other forms of infrastructure in the bottom sixth township block.
The township acknowledges that there needs to be a range of housing choices,
but aims to maintain a primarily low density residential community with only these economic
activities that are compatible with existing conditions. Furthermore, when we consider the
future of the Township and its location in the north shore region, we recognize that
certain intensive land uses may be more suitably located outside the township.
Specifically, when thinking ahead to the next twenty years:
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Crystal Bay Township, whose boundaries range from close to the North Shore to the heart of the
Superior National Forest, recognizes the vastness of their Township and the unique ability to
provide broad levels of wildness, ruralness, and community.
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Crystal Bay Township recognizes that these levels are all interrelated and provide for the
rich mosaic of rural community life in the Township. Even though the northern part of the
Township is sparsely populated, its wildness and resources are deeply imbedded in the community.
One cannot have the richness of “Finland” without all of its parts.
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Crystal Bay Township is divided into three areas:
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The northern five township areas/blocks provide for many diverse natural resources and
ways for the community to use them. Human development is still limited in these areas.
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The “Finland” area (or bottom sixth township block) still remains rural although a few more
people have moved into the area.
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“Downtown Finland” has become the economic center of the Township providing a town center
where the needs of local residents can be met as well as providing services for tourists.
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Overall, Crystal Bay Township continues to be a place where people value community,
their local history, and their individual rights.
The report is divided into the following sections. Click on the section name for more detail.
Vision October 2003 Process
Vision October 2003 Background Information
Vision October 2003 Goals and Policies: Community History, Culture, Values
Vision October 2003 Goals and Policies: Community Infrastructure: Trails/ Recreation
Vision October 2003 Goals and Policies: Community Infrastructure: Roads / Transportation
Vision October 2003 Goals and Policies: Community Infrastructure: Communications
Vision October 2003 Goals and Policies: Community Infrastructure: Energy
Vision October 2003 Goals and Policies: Community Housing
Vision October 2003 Goals and Policies: Community Gathering Spaces
Vision October 2003 Goals and Policies: Natural Resources
Vision October 2003 Goals and Policies: Economy
Vision October 2003 Land Use Regulation and Authority
Vision October 2003 Addendum 1