2017 Spencer Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Spencer, Iowa  2017  Comprehensive Plan

rural portion of Clay County are not without limitation. Per Iowa Code, the farm exemption clause identified in Section 335.2, which exempts zoning controls on property used for agricultural purposes, still applies to agricultural lands within unincorporated lands near Spencer. Additionally, another form of extraterritorial zoning not used as frequently as exercising the city’s authority granted under Section 414.23, is for cities and counties to cooperatively establish a 28E joint governmental development agreement authorizing a city to have specific levels of input into county land use matters, or vice-versa. Intergovernmental agreements are used much more frequently in situations where both the city and county choose to exercise zoning controls over the same jurisdiction. Currently, Spencer and Clay County do not share any specific zoning or land use related 28E agreements. However, such future development issues discussed or addressed within a 28E policy agreement between the city and county may cover such topics as: - Primary land use - Secondary land use - Utilities- water, sewer, electric - Infrastructure- roads, storm sewer - The city’s trail network - Public road surfacing (concrete/asphalt) - Zoning regulations - Building Codes - Design Standards - Subdivision review and standards - Plat review SMART GROWTH PRINCIPLES Urban sprawl is not just a metropolitan issue, but an issue for any community, town or rural area that has been impacted by uncontrolled or haphazard growth of large sprawling lots without regard to the impact upon the environment or the surrounding uses. Many have heard of the term “smart growth”; however, do people really understand what it means? Smart growth, according to information obtained from the Smart Growth America website, is defined as: SMART GROWTH IS A BETTER WAY TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN OUR TOWNS & CITIES: “Smart growth means building urban, suburban and rural communities with housing and transportation choices near jobs, shops and schools. This approach supports the local economies and protects the environment.” Smart Growth America is a national organization dedicated to researching, advocating for, and promoting coalitions to bring smart growth practices to communities nationwide. Many communities desire to create pedestrian friendly neighborhoods with nearby schools and shopping with ease of access for residents. Although supportive of new residential and commercial growth, many cities are beginning to question the costs of building further out from the city center. This is becoming increasingly more important especially as infrastructure, utility and transportation costs are continually increasing. Spurring the smart growth movement are shifts in demographics, a revived environmental ethic, and increased fiscal concerns over development. Generally, smart growth principles are based on two concepts; 1) issues facing cities today and 2) recommended smart growth principles used to create policy and means to address the previously addressed issues. Courtesy of: Smart Growth America http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/

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NW Iowa Planning & Development