Storm Lake, Iowa2030

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February2013

Table of ConTenTsaCknowledgemenTs

Hoisington Koegler group inc.123 North Third Street, Suite 100

Minneapolis, MN 55401-1659

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Ames, IA 50010-0668

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mayor and CiTy CounCil » Jon F. Kruse, Mayor

» David Walker, Mayor pro tem

» Dan Anderson, Council Member

» Sara Huddleston, Council Member

» Mike Porsch, Council Member

» Bruce Engelmann, Council Member

sTeering CommiTTee members » Grace Bodey – Buena Vista University Student

» Ken Converse – Buena Vista University

» Stacey Eddie – Past President of the Storm Lake United Board

» Emily Haselhoff – Planning Coordinator

» Sara Hixon – High School Student at Storm Lake High School

» Randy Johnson – Chairperson of Planning and Zoning Commission

» Gary Lalone – Executive Director for Storm Lake United

» Toui Lo – Community Member

» Scott Olesen – Building Official

» James H. Patrick – City Manager

» Dr. Carl Turner – Storm Lake Schools Superintendent

» David Walker – Mayor Pro Tem of the City Council

» Mike Wilson – Community Development Director/Project Manager

» Justin Yarosevich – Assistant City Manager

ConsulTanTs

planning Commission » Randy Johnson, Chairperson

» Ken Converse

» Roger Egland

» Merna Lullmann

» Duane Queen

» Eric Wiese

Table of ConTenTs

ChapTer 1: inTroduCTion ChapTer 2: CommuniTy ConTexT

ChapTer 3: guiding prinCiples

ChapTer 4: CommuniTy developmenT & land use

ChapTer 5: housing

ChapTer 6: eConomiC developmenT

ChapTer 7: parks, reCreaTion, & Trails

ChapTer 8: TransporTaTion

ChapTer 9: infrasTruCTure

ChapTer 10: CommuniTy faCiliTies

ChapTer 11: implemenTaTion

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IntroductIon 1-1February 2013

IntroductIonChapter 1

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inTroduCTionStorm Lake is a regional center that has continued to grow and thrive because of its willingness to identify and invest in a common vision for the community. It has numerous assets that make it a destination for living, working, shopping, learning, and recreating.

One of Storm Lake’s key assets is its people. For the last 30 years the community has benefited from the addition of residents from all over the world. This ethnic diversity has not only enriched the community’s cultural life, but also its business and educational communities. The comprehensive planning process sought to engage all residents to develop a plan that captures everyone’s perspectives, addresses important issues, and inspires the community to action.

Storm Lake’s last comprehensive plan was prepared in 2000. The plan has helped shape a number of significant changes in the community over the last decade. Today, Storm Lake has more residents, more businesses, a new resort, and a far more culturally diverse population.

Storm Lake’s Comprehensive Plan will guide the community for the next decade as it builds on recent investments and successes. It will serve as a foundation for decision-making in all areas of the community from land use to infrastructure to economic development.

purpose and role of a coMpreHensive planThe Comprehensive Plan is the primary guide for community growth. It is a collection of goals and policies designed to achieve a community-wide vision and guide local decisions. The plan is

intended to be a dynamic document that is regularly reviewed and updated.

The plan is based on a compilation of concepts, patterns, and relationships that address the integration of the social aspects of the community with its physical development. Unlike the zoning ordinance, the comprehensive plan is futuristic in that it guides decisions that have yet to be made. The word “comprehensive” provides meaning to the plan: it addresses the whole community and not just the parts.

The Comprehensive Plan:

• Influences the form, pace, and location of new development.

• Guides the use of every parcel of land (public or private).

• Promotes the maintenance and enhancement of existing neighborhoods and commercial districts.

• Determines and reinforces approaches for protecting natural resources and open space.

• Guides the community in investment decisions for capital expenditures related to roads, utilities, and parks.

• Provides the legal basis for zoning and subdivision ordinances.

autHority to planA Comprehensive Plan serves as the legal basis for the development of land use regulations that promote the health, safety, and welfare of a community. Iowa State Statutes require a Comprehensive Plan prior to the adoption of zoning and subdivision ordinances. This ensures that land use decisions are

IntroductIon 1-3February 2013

not arbitrary but based on a community guided and adopted concept on how a community will grow and develop.

sMart planning legislationIowa’s Smart Planning Principles, adopted in 2010, provide guidance to communities and state agencies in their consideration of planning, zoning, development, and resource management decisions. The framework provided by the ten principles is intended to achieve a community’s vision in a way that produces greater economic opportunity, enhances environmental integrity, improves public health outcomes, and safeguards Iowa’s quality of life. On the following pages are the ten principles and a commentary on how they are incorporated into Storm Lake’s Comprehensive Plan.

1. CollaborationGovernmental, community, and individual stakeholders, including those outside the jurisdiction are encouraged to be involved and provide comments during the deliberation of planning, zoning, development, and resource management decisions and during implementation of such decisions.

Storm Lake Addresses CollaborationStorm Lake’s Comprehensive Planning process regularly sought input from a wide variety of stakeholders both within and outside of the community. Participants represented a wide range of the ethnic diversity within the community. As the largest community in Buena Vista County and a regional center, Storm Lake provides both employment opportunities and retail services to the surrounding area. Input was gathered through listening sessions, community meetings, and on-line communication.

2. EffiCiEnCy, transparEnCy, and ConsistEnCyPlanning, zoning, development, and resource management should be undertaken to provide efficient, transparent, and consistent outcomes.

Storm Lake Addresses Efficiency, Transparency, and ConsistencyStorm Lake’s vision and guiding principles are designed to provide a framework for implementing the plan. Implementation efforts include establishing sound zoning and subdivision ordinances that provide a common regulatory structure and a transparent planning process applicable to all property development in the community. An inclusive public process used to develop the comprehensive plan lends credibility and consistency to the future planning, development, and resource management efforts of the City.

3. ClEan, rEnEwablE, and EnErgy EffiCiEntPlanning, zoning, development, and resource management should be undertaken to promote clean and renewable energy use, and increased energy efficiency.

Storm Lake Addresses Clean, Renewable, and Energy EfficiencyStorm Lake’s Comprehensive Plan encourages energy efficiency by establishing a long-term land use pattern that efficiently connects where people live, work, and play. The plan advocates capitalizing on infill and redevelopment opportunities, increasing the mix of housing densities, and expanding non-motorized transportation networks to promote alternative means of travel.

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4. oCCupational divErsityPlanning, zoning, development, and resource management should promote increased diversity of employment and business opportunities, promote access to education and training, expand entrepreneurial opportunities, and promote the establishment of businesses in locations near existing housing, infrastructure, and transportation.

Storm Lake Addresses Occupational DiversityStorm Lake’s Comprehensive Plan offers a number of strategies and initiatives to diversify employment, educational training, and business opportunities. The plan seeks to recruit businesses in existing market niches, expand entrepreneurial support services, expand its minority-owned businesses, and explore the expansion of training with area colleges and universities. The plan also seeks to build on the community’s existing tourism and service base to expand Storm Lake’s role as a regional destination.

5. rEvitalizationPlanning, zoning, development, and resource management should facilitate the revitalization of established town centers and neighborhoods by promoting development that conserves land, protects historic resources, promotes pedestrian accessibility, and integrates different uses or property. Remediation and reuse of existing sites, structures, and infrastructure is preferred over new construction in undeveloped areas.

Storm Lake Addresses RevitalizationStorm Lake’s Comprehensive Plan encourages revitalization through policies and strategies that encourage redevelopment of community corridors and nodes that already have services and that would further support reinvestment in the existing

community. Downtown Storm Lake is a core asset of the community and strengthening the downtown area is a key direction of the comprehensive plan.

6. Housing divErsityPlanning, zoning, development, and resource management should encourage diversity in the types of available housing, support the rehabilitation of existing housing, and promote the location of housing near public transportation and employment centers.

Storm Lake Addresses Housing DiversityThe Housing Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan identifies the community’s goal of maintaining a diverse housing stock that meets the needs of existing and future residents and the growing cultural diversity of the community. New housing growth is encouraged in both existing and new neighborhoods. Maintaining strong neighborhoods is supported through maintenance and rehabilitation initiatives.

7. Community CHaraCtErPlanning, zoning, development, and resource management should promote activities and development that are consistent with the character and architectural style of the community and should respond to local values regarding the physical character of the community.

Storm Lake Addresses Community CharacterA key objective of the plan is to enhance the quality and image of the community, focusing on key gateways and key districts. Enhanced landscaping, new redevelopment, and district wayfinding are all key aspects of supporting community character. Integrating the growing cultural diversity into the

IntroductIon 1-5February 2013

character of the community through new business ventures and improvements to the public realm is also a key directive of the plan.

8. natural rEsourCEs and agriCultural protECtionPlanning, zoning, development, and resource management should emphasize protection, preservation, and restoration of natural resources, agricultural land, and cultural and historic landscapes, and should increase the availability of open spaces and recreational facilities.

Storm Lake Addresses Natural Resources and Agricultural ProtectionLake Storm Lake is an important natural resource and the most valuable asset to the community. The community’s history is both built around the lake and rooted in agriculture. The plan embraces environmental stewardship through improving water quality and protection of natural features. Key land use decisions are made with an awareness of its impacts on agricultural assets.

9. sustainablE dEsignPlanning, zoning, development, and resource management should promote developments, buildings, and infrastructure that utilize sustainable design and construction standards and conserve natural resources by reducing waste and pollution through the efficient use of land, energy, water, air, and materials.

Storm Lake Addresses Sustainable DesignStorm Lake’s Comprehensive Plan supports a policy direction that encourages a land use pattern, infrastructure system, and built environment that is designed and built to be resilient from a physical, economic, and cultural diversity perspective. The

plan strives to achieve a sustainable balance of land uses, a diverse base of jobs and housing types, well planned community systems (parks, trails, roads, and infrastructure), and a diversity of cultural and entertainment opportunities.

10. transportation divErsity Planning, zoning, development, and resource management should promote expanded transportation options for residents of the community. Consideration should be given to transportation options that maximize mobility, reduce congestion, conserve fuel and improve air quality.

Storm Lake Addresses Transportation DiversityThe Transportation, Land Use, and Parks, Trails, and Open Space chapters of the Comprehensive Plan work together to ensure development of a diverse transportation system. As the existing transportation network generally functions well to meet community needs, the plan highlights locations where trails and sidewalks can be expanded to create a better connected non-motorized network. Collaboration with the State, County, and local schools help achieve transportation diversity.

coMpreHensive plan eleMentsIn addition to the 10 Iowa Smart Planning Principles, the legislation also outlines 13 elements that may be included in a comprehensive plan. The elements are:

1. Public Participation

2. Issues and Opportunities

3. Land Use

4. Housing

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5. Public Infrastructure and Utilities

6. Transportation

7. Economic Development

8. Agricultural and Natural Resources

9. Community Facilities

10. Community Character

11. Hazards

12. Intergovernmental Collaboration

13. Implementation

Storm Lake’s Comprehensive Plan directly and/or indirectly includes all of these comprehensive plan elements.

process overviewConducting an inclusive planning process has been as important in Storm Lake as the development of the plan itself. The demographic and economic change of the community over the last decade has been significant. It was important to community leaders that the Comprehensive Plan engage all residents and businesses and build consensus for plan components. This consensus establishes the Comprehensive Plan as the guiding document community leaders can rely on for its decision making. The following is a brief overview of the planning process.

Organize the Planning Process: The kick-off to the comprehensive planning process focused on orienting the various participants and the collection of information about Storm Lake. A 14 member Steering Committee met to provide initial input on

strengths, issues, and opportunities for Storm Lake, as well as conduct an audit of the existing 2000 Comprehensive Plan. A series of listening sessions were conducted to help the consultant team gain a more thorough understanding of Storm Lake and its assets, liabilities, and opportunities as perceived in the eyes of key community stakeholders. The listening sessions included a number of individuals and groups representing a diverse cross section of the community including specific ethnic groups such as Latino, Sudanese, and Laotian. Social media was used through the City of Storm Lake and Storm Lake United to reach out to a broader audience.

Establish Understanding of Storm Lake Today: The second major task focused on developing an understanding of the physical, social, and natural forces that have shaped or are currently shaping the City of Storm Lake. Understanding regional and national community development trends was also a key part of this task.

Explore and Confirm the Vision: In this task, the vision and guiding principles were created, reviewed, and modified by both the Steering Committee and the community.

Explore Alternative Future Scenarios: The planning team conducted a three day workshop to explore concepts for land use, housing, bike and pedestrian system improvements, economic development, and redevelopment. The project design workshop included representatives of the project consulting team, city staff, and steering committee. At the end of the three day session, the community was invited to review the concept ideas and discuss them with the project team.

Develop Plan and Supporting Implementation Strategies: A series of community meetings were held in June of 2012 to review plan directions and strategies. A cross-section of community

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review

eXplorationvisioning

adoption

members participated in the various meetings to review the issues and ideas for the Comprehensive Plan with particular focus on land use patterns, housing, economic development, and parks, trail, and open spaces. These meetings included focus group discussions with ethnic minority populations, an open house session for members of the business community and a public workshop.

Seek Approvals and Finalize Plan: This final task included assembling a complete draft of the plan for public review. The plan was made available for review and comment by the community and ultimately adopted by the City Council on ________________, 2013.