2017 Spencer Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Spencer, Iowa  2017  Comprehensive Plan

vitality of Spencer’s downtown business district. Commercial development in the downtown should be limited to those uses that typically do not require large expanses of land for parking or open display lots. Central business district parking space is provided in public parking lots and otherwise limited to on-street parking. It is advisable to keep most the lots and buildings in the downtown district available for retail establishments instead of removing such buildings for additional off-street parking. Spencer has a historic and cultural downtown, recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. In a recent planning survey, more than 41% of the community leaders and city staff responding recognized Spencer as having a unique historic district and as such should create stricter downtown design standards reminiscent of the 1930s era Art Deco architectural style found in downtown Spencer.

Photos of highway commercial land uses along the Highway 71 corridor in south Spencer

Commercial and retail land uses classified as highway commercial which rely upon large expanses of open space and access to primary transportation routes should be strongly encouraged to locate

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NW Iowa Planning & Development