2017 Spencer Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Spencer, Iowa  2017  Comprehensive Plan

Development Corporation, which is a four-county regional economic development organization assisting with economic development efforts in Spencer. According to the city’s recent land use survey of existing land uses, industrial uses comprise more than 362 acres of land or 5.1% of all land within the corporate city limits of Spencer. Those industrial areas already dedicated to serving the needs of the community along with hundreds of additional acres of land designated for future industrial development will allow the community to strengthen its industrial and economic development presence in Clay County and throughout northwest Iowa. OBJECTIVE 5. Broaden the city’s base of industrial land use development through the attraction and retention of businesses and industries, which will serve to expand, strengthen and solidify the economic development efforts in Spencer. Land designated specifically for future industrial uses should be reserved for such intended purpose, therefore expanding the economic base of the community. Major streets, railroads and utilities should adequately serve industrial expansion. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS intended to guide future economic growth and support the expansion of existing industries and businesses include: Policy 5.a. – Encourage industrial expansion within the city limits, when feasible; and provide adequate and suitably zoned areas for industrial development. Policy 5.b. – Ensure land use compatibility is reviewed and followed when developing industrial land uses. Strictly enforce land use controls and zoning regulations to differentiate between light and heavy land uses and the impact upon neighboring properties. The city should look to utilize buffering or screening effectively between especially heavy land uses and neighboring less intense uses such as residential properties. Policy 5.c. – Seek industries that utilize locally produced raw products for increased benefits to the economies of scale. This also means those industries that utilize renewable local resources such as the ethanol industry, wind resources industries, solar industries and other renewable resources. Policy 5.d. – Assist and promote economic development efforts through the use of all available financial incentive tools including, but not limited to tax increment financing (TIF), urban revitalization and tax abatement, state and federal financial grants and economic development assistance, along with local economic development efforts such as the Spencer Industries Foundation (SIF) and the Spencer Jobs Trust. Policy 5.e. – Continue supporting the city’s 5-prong approach to economic development which includes: Industrial – Retail/Commercial – Cultural – Tourism – Housing Policy 5.f. – Continue marketing the lots and space available in the Green Industrial Center for new or expanding businesses. Policy 5.g. – Support the use of innovative and alternative financing methods to provide utilities, streets and other improvements necessary to facilitate industrial and economic development growth.

143 | P a g e

NW Iowa Planning & Development