2017 Spencer Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Spencer, Iowa  2017  Comprehensive Plan

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.

MAINTAIN THE PLAN’S INTEGRITY

A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF INTERPRETATION BY THE CITY IN CARRYING OUT THE CITY’S LAND USE POLICIES MAY BE NECESSARY. HOWEVER, THE INTEGRITY OF THE PLAN SHOULD BE MAINTAINED BY REINFORCING THE CITY’S OVERALL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT POLICIES.

STRATEGIC PLAN The Spencer City Council contracts with the University of Iowa Institute of Public Affairs every couple of years to complete and update the Spencer Goal Setting Report. This goal setting session of the city council is an essential element of the strategic planning process for the city to use in implementing the broader goals and land use policies set forth in this comprehensive plan. The Spencer City Council is encouraged to continue with regular goal setting sessions to consider, prioritize, and implement future economic development and community growth and development projects in future years. According to the most recent Spencer City Council Goal Setting Report, those priorities, programs, policies and initiatives identified as potential implementation measures include: ❖ Pedersen Park Lighting Project ❖ Riverfront improvements along East and West Park Streets ❖ Capital funding for Library improvements ❖ Continue researching and implementing Emerald Ash Borer guidelines and plan of action ❖ Look to create policy and enforcement of no vehicle parking in front yards ❖ Evaluate the need for full time city IT (Information Technology) employee ❖ Encourage environmentally friendly solutions for city and private businesses to manage storm water (e.g. rain gardens, permeable pavement, retention ponds, low impact development practices) UPDATING CONTROL ORDINANCES AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLANNING The city’s control ordinances overseeing the regulations outlined in the city’s zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations are an important part of the implementation phase of this comprehensive plan. Whereas the Spencer Comprehensive Plan is a policy document outlining future goals and policies for future growth, these control ordinances are the laws in the community pertaining to the subdivision or land as well as development of property within the community. The city’s control ordinances need to be consistent with the intent and spirit set forth in the comprehensive plan. Although the city regularly amends and updates its zoning ordinance on an as needed basis, it may be necessary to complete a comprehensive updating of the city’s regulatory control ordinances to ensure consistency in enforcing the land use policies established in this plan.

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NW Iowa Planning & Development