2017 Spencer Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Spencer, Iowa  2017  Comprehensive Plan

Spencer’s comprehensive plan is based on the previously stated overall goal. Additional land use objectives and policies will guide the comprehensive planning process. General development objectives guide the comprehensive planning process and are summarized as follows: 1. Land Use Development & Planning - Maintain planning efforts and programs which direct planned development of the city and facilitates the orderly growth and development of the community. Promote the best land uses possible for areas to be developed, including considerations for flood prone areas. 2. Residential Development & Housing – Collaborate with private developers, public housing and funding agencies to assure quality and affordable housing opportunities, including single and multiple family housing along with senior and assisted care housing, is made available to all. 3. Commercial Activities - Develop a diversified local commercial base that will provide the city with a wide range of goods and services. Encourage future development to locate within the historic Downtown Spencer and along Highway 18/71 business corridors to maximize existing infrastructure resulting in efficient land use patterns. 4. Industrial Activities - Continue efforts toward acquisition of future industrial growth, as well as emphasizing the support and retention of existing industrial development. Encourage Industrial development in planned industrial parks or existing industrial sites, where utility demands can be met without costly upgrades. 5. Economic Development - The city should broaden the base of its economy through the attraction and retention of industry and maintaining, broadening, and strengthening the retail and service sectors of the economy. 6. Community Facilities - The quality of services and facilities should be maintained, and modern technologies should be incorporated when available, feasible and cost-effective. 7. Recreation/Open Space - Provide residents and visitors with choices for types and amounts of recreational activities desired. 8. Transportation - Strive to sustain a planned transportation system designed to enhance the efficiency of movement of people and goods throughout the community. 9. Utilities - Ensure quality utility services are made available to all residents and businesses of the city at the lowest possible rates. 10. Annexation - Encourage orderly and structured growth of the city by first utilizing available land if applicable; but do not reject opportunities to voluntarily annex property or use involuntary annexation if in the best interest of the city. IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PLAN The Spencer Comprehensive Land Use Plan is to be used as a guide by both public and private sectors in land use decision-making processes. The private sector, including developers, investors, industry, and businesses will use this document to become informed of the general positions of the city regarding land use objectives and policies. This land use plan along with the existing and future land use maps will provide the public with an outline and guide to make individual land investments, purchases, or development decisions. The public will become more informed as to the city’s policies regarding land uses that are permitted, encouraged, prohibited, or protected. With this knowledge in advance, the public will be able to make informed and knowledgeable decisions complimentary to the city’s comprehensive plan.

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NW Iowa Planning & Development