2017 Spencer Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Spencer, Iowa  2017  Comprehensive Plan

Ten (10) commonly recognized principals of Smart Growth. The following information comes from a presentation on Smart Growth by Alex Graziani, from the Smart Growth Partnership of Westmoreland County (April 2008).

Mix land uses

•

• Take advantage of compact building design

• Create a range of housing opportunities and choices

• Create walkable neighborhoods

• Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place

• Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical areas

• Strengthen and direct development toward existing communities

• Provide a variety of transportation choices

• Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective

• Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions

Figure 48 – Smart Growth Chart

Quality of Life

Open Space & Natural Resources

Economic Development

Smart Growth

Housing Opportunities

Livable Communities

Alternative Transportation

Smart growth can be summarized as the opposite of urban sprawl or the anti-sprawl cause. Smart growth encourages infill development, redevelopment of brownfield or greenfield sites, and redevelopment of city centers or downtowns where residents can once again come to gather, socialize, and shop with ease of pedestrian access and transportation to and within the downtown. Smart growth principals support job growth, new housing, economic development, and healthy communities. Smart growth principals support walkable neighborhoods and communities that encourage mixed use developments within larger residential tracts.

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NW Iowa Planning & Development