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Land Use Plan Review - September 2006
The month of September includes many anniversary
dates including a day of infamy, 9/11/2001, when terrorists struck our American
Soil. Our heartfelt prayers continue to go to all those affected by that tragic
action and for our nations continued safety.
Certainly less significant but still very
important to the local area, this September is the second anniversary of the
Evansville/Vanderburgh County 2004-2025 Comprehensive Plan, the master plan.
Although it is only the beginning of the third year for this plan, it may serve
a good purpose to review a portion of it with an eye toward assessing how well
we are doing in respect to the plan and reminding us of some of it’s important
content. There are many goals, objectives and policies in the plan but I chose
to look at the policies within the portion, General Land Use Action Plan.
The policies here include:
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Focus efforts on downtown Evansville to
ensure its continued economic viability and dominance as the focal point of
social, cultural and financial activity in the community.
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Develop higher density residential uses close
to major activity centers to promote efficiency in land use, utility and
alternative modes of travel.
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Endorse development that is contiguous and
compact and which minimizes future urban problems such as traffic
congestion, storm water runoff, and unplanned growth.
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Provide a transportation network and a
utility system which directs development to the desired growth areas.
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Coordinate with Warrick and Gibson Counties
on establishing a regional strategy for planning and development of the I-69
corridor to prepare for the future and maximize the benefits this highway
will provide to the region.
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Participate with our neighboring
Counties/communities in the INDOT I-69 Community Planning Program by seeking
grant funding for local planning activities to provide a vision for future
development.
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Undertake a growth management report and, if
necessary, sub-area transportation plans for the I-69 corridor in
Vanderburgh County to address the impacts of anticipated development and
provide a plan for the future, local road network.
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Enhance the environment for revitalization,
redevelopment and rehabilitation by expanding public and private incentives.
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Promote infill on vacant lots and adaptive
reuse of vacant or underutilized structures to efficiently use land and
existing infrastructure.
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Examine alternative development types,
including cluster developments and planned unit developments, as a means of
protecting green space and environmentally sensitive areas.
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Maintain a generally compact form of urban
development in order to efficiently utilize public/private investments.
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In the review of proposed developments, use
impact analyses to determine the effect of new developments on the
environment, road network, educational system, community services, and
utilities.
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Insure that the utility system and
transportation system improvements necessary to accommodate new development
are in place when needed to mitigate development impacts.
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Amend the Subdivision Ordinance to provide
the Area Plan Commission with the authority to require special studies and
to address off-site improvements as warranted to mitigate substantial
development impacts on community infrastructure, services and flooding.
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Research and establish the threshold criteria
that would initiate traffic studies for new development.
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Promote urban design at the community and
neighborhood levels, including the preservation and rehabilitation of
historic sites.
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Locations that qualify as historic sites
should be preserved and renovated for public
and private use.
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Efforts should be made to preserve the
defining elements of historic buildings.
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Strengthen existing focal points and create
new focal points to connect elements of historic and natural importance,
creating interest and variety in the community landscape.
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Encourage natural resource corridor
protection to improve and preserve water quality of streams, wildlife
habitat and rural character.
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Acquire scenic or conservation easements to
protect natural and man-made environmental resources.
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Discourage rezonings that will require a
variance to meet code requirements.
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Encourage progressive site design and
compliance with all Zoning Code requirements to reduce the need for
variances.
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Investigate changing the sign requirements in
the Zoning Code to enhance/improve signage as a contributing element in the
aesthetic quality of the community in general and particularly along major
corridors and at I-69 interchanges.
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Research the feasibility of placing overhead
utility lines underground within new major subdivisions and redeveloped
areas; and then evaluate establishing criteria / priorities for burying
existing lines.
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Investigate changing the parking requirements
in the Zoning Code to reduce the amount of impervious pavement required and
establish criteria to allow for permeable surfaces.
Some of this has happened with more to do and
much remains to be done. You can make your own evaluation. In my opinion, the
plan is a good, well thought-out, comprehensive plan and worth implementing
those things not yet done. In reality, the plan will change as do circumstances
surrounding it, but many of these policies are sound, long term strategies
offering much benefit for the area and region for many, many years to come.
The complete Comprehensive Plan can be viewed at
http://www.evansvilleapc.com/compplan.htm
Fred Padget
2004 - 2025 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The APC has finalized the first draft of the revised 2004 - 2025
Comprehensive Plan, often referred to as “The Master Plan”, which is the plan
for The City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County land use over the next several
years. A public information meeting was held on May 12 with additional meetings
planned for Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at 6 p.m. at the Red Bank Library and on May
27 at 6:30 at the new Red Cross Building on Stockwell Road. This final meeting
will be in conjunction with the United Neighborhoods Of Evansville and if you
are not able to make one of the other meetings, this would be a good opportunity
to review the plan and provide your input. All meetings are open to the public.
This draft document is well in excess of 200 pages with many
tables, charts and other detailed information. Subsequent to the public
information meetings, the plan will be finalized after consideration of all
public input. The last update was in 1996.
In addition to indicating future land use for the city and county, the plan
includes a section on local history, physical features of the land and terrain,
population history and projections, and a lot of social and economic
demographics. Additionally, it discusses economic development, the
education and cultural environment, parks, transportation, public health and
safety, and utilities, along with urban design and historic preservation.
The April 17 Courier & Press had an extensive article
written by Tom Raithel concerning this draft of the Comprehensive Plan. The
document can also be obtained from the APC and is available to view at most
libraries.
To say this plan includes everything that will happen in the
next few years would be an overstatement. However, the plan is very
detailed in many respects and intentionally vague in others, much like the
future. It is an important planning document for the area for several years into
the future and your input can only make it better. If you are concerned with the
future of this area, it would be very worthwhile to review the document and
provide your thoughts at one of the public information meetings.
Although the document is not yet final, the Area Plan Commission Staff under the
direction of Brad Mills deserve a well earned thank you for the effort thus far.
Thank you Brad and staff.
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