2017 Spencer Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Spencer, Iowa  2017  Comprehensive Plan

As shown in the map on the previous page, the grey shaded area includes all land within the city’s existing corporate limits. Those areas enclosed or surrounded by a heavy red dashed line represent those lands with the greatest potential for annexation and interest to the City of Spencer. One of the reasons why Spencer is progressive in identifying future annexation areas is due to scattered rural residences and other developments near, but outside of, the city limits. Additionally, the city may wish to consider annexation of certain lands to serve as a buffer or separation distance from existing built land uses within the city from encroaching rural agricultural or ag-industry uses that may be built within the rural county. The City of Spencer will prioritize rural developed areas for potential or proposed annexation into the city’s corporate limits. Future residential growth outside of the city’s existing city limits is expected to occur primarily adjacent to the southwest and southeast corners of Spencer. A smaller area of future residential development is planned in the northeast corner of Spencer. Future commercial growth outside of the existing city limits is projected to occur adjacent to the Highway 71 corridor on the city’s far northern and southern ends. Rural commercial development is also planned in future business parks near the airport. Future industrial growth projected outside the current city limits is similarly planned adjacent to the city’s existing industrial park on the west side of the community and immediately north of the Green Industrial Park on the far east side of Spencer. There is also a future industrial growth area planned for the north end of Spencer adjacent to an existing auto salvage business located partially within and partially outside of the current city limits. In each of the planned future annexation or growth areas identified on the annexation map, the provision of necessary or added infrastructure may need to be considered by city staff. Several existing land uses within adjoining tracts of land to the southwest, south, and southeast of Spencer should be considered for annexation. Annexations in these areas will likely provide the city with considerable land use and zoning controls over the present pattern of scattered rural growth. In summary, the city may be presented with the opportunity or identify needs to pursue future annexations. Spencer should pursue voluntary annexations in all possible cases, but should not reject the possibility of involuntary annexation when the need arises to control haphazard rural sprawl or protect the city from rural developments not in the city’s best interest. In all cases, annexation will result in both benefits and disadvantages. The benefits to annexing include: 1. Protection for the city against uncontrolled and inappropriate rural scattered development. 2. The ability to control and direct fringe areas in a manner that will minimize future service costs and insure appropriate levels and type of development. 3. Expansion of taxes, debt limit, and revenue base of the community. At the same time, Spencer should be aware that disadvantages might offset advantages. If the city is to consider undertaking possible involuntary annexations, they should be aware the burden of proof is upon the city to show an ability to offer city services and municipal utilities in a better quality and quantity than the proposed annexation area is currently accustomed to. Involuntary annexations can offer the following advantages to affected properties: 1. Protection of property values through zoning and the application of municipal codes. 2. Improved availability of city services and utilities; particularly water, sewer, solid waste disposal, stormwater removal, etc.

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NW Iowa Planning & Development