Planning Activities & Resources

All communities are planned. What differs is who does the planning and what consequences result from the process used. Cities may take control of their future development, coordinating a number of processes to assure that the whole is at least equal to the sum of the parts.

An alternative is to rely on the actions of individual land owners, each pursuing a particular set of interests, and developing their properties without coordination, with over-all land-use patterns constituting the sum total of those decisions. It is the Commission’s contention that communities in which individual parts are integrated to the extent possible will sustain themselves more fully than those created by hit-and-miss processes.

Goal 16

Control and limit residential and commercial sprawl and encourage compact development patterns.

Action Plan

Review and recommend zoning, planning and subdivision regulations to encourage cluster-type development and discourage sprawl; assure that all development furthers the objectives of existing planning goals as articulated in such documents as the zoning code, comprehensive development plan and transportation plan; apply general standards in zoning code [sections 1113.05 (a) (1)-(5) of Ordinance 1985-26] to assure harmonious development.

Indicators

The extent to which approved projects meet or fail to meet the city’s planning goals and objectives, and the number of projects that require variances from city codes.

Goal 17

Advocate and encourage the redevelopment of aging structures and neighborhoods.

Action Plan

Encourage redevelopment through incentive programs and enforcement of the External Maintenance Code.

Indicators

Inventory of aged and/or dilapidated structures and neighborhoods; number of citations issued and number of buildings improved.

Goal 18

Develop a balanced mix of decent, affordable and energy-efficient housing, including off-campus student housing.

Action Plan

Establish targets and utilize zoning to produce appropriate mix of housing; review and improve enforcement of regulations regarding housing, noise and other nuisances, fire, zoning, and building codes.

Indicators

Evaluate housing mix to ascertain degree to which mix approaches targets.

Goal 19

Discourage inappropriate development of farmlands, woodlands, and critical natural areas.

Action Plan

Develop and plan for green spaces and linear greenways, riparian systems (river and stream banks) and canals, wetlands, and rail/trails and scenic roadways and integrate with regional plans and construction; implement a Green Corridor plan

Indicators

Acreage in each category and progress toward planning goals.