2017 Spencer Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Spencer, Iowa  2017  Comprehensive Plan

district will provide additional issues in maintaining sustainable neighborhoods in the central part of the community. City officials should consider housing rehabilitation programs to revitalize older housing stock and consider removal of dilapidated and/or nuisance properties. In areas where older and smaller single family dwellings are eliminated either through blight or in favor of urban renewal projects, the city should consider multiple family residential of a higher density. These types of housing units will become increasingly important as construction costs continue to escalate for new single family residential dwellings. Residential neighborhoods must continue to be strengthened and revitalized to assure the city’s continued viability and growth. Encroachment from incompatible land uses must be resisted and should be controlled using regulatory measures such as zoning and subdivision ordinances. OBJECTIVE 3. Encourage residential development within the existing corporate boundaries, while remaining open to annexation of land for future growth in residential development. Cooperate with private developers and funding agencies to ensure quality affordable housing of all types is available. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS for both single family and multiple family residential uses, to be used in conjunction with this comprehensive plan and to meet the city’s housing needs include: Policy 3.a. - Promote the redevelopment of housing opportunities on existing lots in Spencer’s older neighborhoods, emphasizing and enhancing the historical value whenever possible. Policy 3.b. – Locating higher density residential development (i.e. multiple family residential) creates pleasant transition zones not only within residential areas but between differing land uses. Multiple family residential development is best suited where utilities, infrastructure and compatibility of land use types are present. Policy 3.c. – Explore the feasibility of creating a new zoning district intended for lower density multiple family residential dwellings, such as 3-6 units per building. This zoning district can be used to create more opportunities for multiple family housing by incorporating lower density multiple family housing adjacent to or amongst single family residential areas. Policy 3.d. – Continue efforts to rehabilitate older and substandard housing stock and to eliminate completely dilapidated or nuisance properties. Policy 3.e. – Continue seeking and applying for state and federal funding sources, including but not limited to HUD, IEDA, CDBG, IFA, HOME and other programs, in support of new housing and housing rehabilitation programs. Policy 3.f. – Encourage in-fill housing development within the corporate city limits on available lots suited for development. Policy 3.g. – Compliment in-fill development with carefully planned new subdivision development as the demand for new single family residential increases. Cooperate and coordinate efforts with public and private developers and funding sources to improve the city’s housing stock and develop new housing for all residents. Policy 3.h. – Promote and support housing and multiple family redevelopment projects near the central business district or above downtown businesses (upper story downtown housing).

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NW Iowa Planning & Development