2017 Spencer Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Spencer, Iowa  2017  Comprehensive Plan

The Spencer Comprehensive Plan may be amended as deemed necessary by the planning and zoning commission, with amendments recommended to the city council for approval. While actual or literal enforcement of the land use policy statements included in this plan may be difficult, the city should consider the policies established within this document as enforceable through the city’s zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations. The intent, spirit and policies established in this comprehensive planning document are often cited, referenced, and utilized in the city’s other enforcement regulations. All governmental bodies, businesses, individuals, and corporations are strongly encouraged to comply with the spirit and intent set forth in the goals and land use policies outlined in this comprehensive plan. The proceeding Chapters in this document form the core of the Spencer Comprehensive Plan with narratives, maps, charts, tables, and statistics concerning desirable future development patterns. This chapter addresses a means of implementing those objectives and policy recommendations identified in Chapter 14. Because the scope of the Spencer Comprehensive Plan is long term in nature its policy recommendations and the idea of implementing such policies may seem daunting. It is for this reason that city officials and specifically the planning and zoning commission should utilize the plan to assist in developing annual or short term improvement programs such as a parks and trails plan, capital improvements plan, or financial budgeting. Additionally, the planning and zoning commission should evaluate the comprehensive plan on an annual basis in consideration of changing development patterns which may occur in any given year. Community leaders and city officials are charged with the task of identifying, leading, and being the first to accept and embrace Spencer’s future growth and development. Suggested implementation measures the city may wish to review, address and incorporate include: 1. Establish a benchmark from which future community growth will be measured against. Create a three to five-year action or strategy plan addressing specific growth, economic development, and annexation policies. 2. Consider creating and implementing a separate annexation plan for the community in which specific areas or parcels of land are identified and prioritized for potential future annexations. Begin assessing which annexations will likely be voluntary versus an 80/20 or involuntary annexation area. 3. Encourage city officials, planning and zoning commission members, board of adjustment members, and key community leaders to attend training opportunities to gain new perspective on current or innovative trends in planning and regulatory ordinances. 4. Establish an annual comprehensive plan review process in which public input is encouraged regarding progress in the community. The planning and zoning commission will review the city’s future land use map and policies and make a report to the city council to determine if changes are needed to reflect current development projects. 5. Create a plan to attract and/or retain young professionals and promote a younger population in Spencer. Far too many communities see younger populations leave upon graduation from schools for larger metropolitan areas. Monitor results through affordable housing options, younger demographic trends, and recreational or entertainment activities intended for this age demographic.

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NW Iowa Planning & Development