2017 Spencer Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Spencer, Iowa  2017  Comprehensive Plan

T ABLE OF

C ONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................vii

Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION & PLANNING ELEMENTS ............................................................... 1

Chapter 2. SPENCER HISTORY .................................................................................................... 4 Places Promoting & Preserving Spencer’s History...............................................................................6 Historical Places in Spencer .................................................................................................................7 Chapter 3. PLANNING BACKGROUND & PUBLIC INPUT.......................................................... 9 Background of Comprehensive Planning in Spencer ...........................................................................9 Public Participation and Input..............................................................................................................9 Spencer Targeted Planning Survey Analysis ........................................................................................13 Chapter 4. PHYSICAL FEATURES & NATURAL RESOURCES.......................................................20 Geographic Location ........................................................................................................................... 20 Climate ................................................................................................................................................ 22 Topography and Landforms ................................................................................................................ 23 Soils ..................................................................................................................................................... 24 Aquifers and Groundwater ................................................................................................................. 26 Storm Water Management................................................................................................................. 26 Chapter 5. NATURAL HAZARDS & MITIGATION ACTIONS........................................................28 Hazard Mitigation Enabling Laws and Regulations ............................................................................. 29 Identification of Natural Hazards........................................................................................................ 29 Hazard Mitigation Risk Assessment Results ....................................................................................... 30 Hazard Mitigation Actions .................................................................................................................. 31 Plan Maintenance ............................................................................................................................... 32 Monitoring .......................................................................................................................................... 33 Incorporation into Existing Plans ........................................................................................................ 33 Emergency Management Services...................................................................................................... 33 Floodplain Mapping ............................................................................................................................ 33 Chapter 6. COMMUNITY TRENDS ...............................................................................................35 Historic Population Trends.................................................................................................................. 35 Current Population Structure ............................................................................................................. 36 Future Population Projections ............................................................................................................ 38 Housing Trends ................................................................................................................................... 40 Age of Housing .................................................................................................................................... 41 Housing Valuation............................................................................................................................... 42 Future Housing Needs......................................................................................................................... 43 Residential Building Permits ............................................................................................................... 44 Occupancy Conditions ........................................................................................................................ 45 Multifamily Housing............................................................................................................................ 46 Spencer Affordable Housing ............................................................................................................... 48 Chapter 7. CITY CHARACTER & PUBLIC SERVICES...................................................................49 Spencer City Hall ................................................................................................................................. 49 Police Department .............................................................................................................................. 49

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NW Iowa Planning & Development