Comprehensive Plan 2027 2013 UPDATE and REVISIONS
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Town of Abingdon, Virginia Comprehensive Plan 2027 2013 UPDATE and REVISIONS Building on Arts and Culture for a Creative, Sustainable Future ADOPTED December 2, 2013 Town of Abingdon, Virginia 2027 Comprehensive Plan Building on Arts and Culture for a Creative, Sustainable Future 2013 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FOR REVISIONS Town of Abingdon, Virginia Town Council Mr. Edward Morgan, Mayor Ms. Cathy C. Lowe, Vice-Mayor Mr. Bob Howard Mr. Rick Humphreys Ms. Jane Duehring Planning Commission Mr. Matthew Bundy, Chair Mr. Wayne Austin, Vice-Chair Mr. Greg Kelly, Secretary Mr. Bob Howard Mr. Kenny Shuman Mr. Gary Kimbrell Mr. Wayne Craig Town Staff Mr. Greg Kelly, Town Manager Ms. Cecile Rosenbaum, Town Clerk Mr. Garrett Jackson, Asst. Town Manager / Dir. of Planning Mr. Jim Smith, Dir. of Public Works Mr. John Dew, Dir. of Public Services and Construction Mr. Marion Watts, Building Official Mr. Kevin Costello, Dir. of Tourism / Economic Development Mr. Kevin Worley, Dir. of Parks and Recreation Chief Tony Sullivan, Police Department This revision and update was prepared cooperatively by the Abingdon Planning Commission, Town staff, and citizens. Adopted 8-27-07 Town of Abingdon, Virginia 2027 Comprehensive Plan Building on Arts and Culture for a Creative, Sustainable Future 2007 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Town of Abingdon, Virginia Town Council Ms. Lois Humphreys, Mayor Mr. Robert Howard, Vice-Mayor Dr. French Moore, Jr. Mr. Edward Morgan Ms. Cathy Lowe Planning Commission Mr. Gary Kimbrell, Chair Mr. Greg Kelly, Secretary Mr. Matthew Bundy Ms. Cathy Lowe Mr. Kenny Shuman Dr. Todd Pillion Dr. Ramsey White Town Staff Mr. Greg Kelly, Town Manager Ms. Cecile Rosenbaum, Town Clerk Mr. Garrett Jackson, Dir. of Planning Mr. Jim Smith, Dir. of Public Works Mr. John Dew, Dir. of Public Services and Construction Ms. Myra Cook, Dir. of Tourism Mr. Chris Johnston, Dir. Of Parks and Recreation This Plan was prepared cooperatively by members of the Abingdon Planning Commission, Town staff, citizens, and project consultants, Hill Studio. The Plan was approved by the Town Planning Commission and Town Council, following a joint public hearing on August 27, 2007. Adopted 8-27-07 Town of Abingdon, Virginia 2027 Comprehensive Plan Building on Arts and Culture for a Creative, Sustainable Future TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................. 4 Purpose of this Comprehensive Plan ............................................................ 4 Vision 2027 ......................................................................................... 4 Special Community Goals and Initiatives 2027 ................................................ 2 COMMUNITY VISION 2027 ........................................................................................................ 4 COMMUNITY GOALS FOR 2027 .......................................................................... 5 REGIONAL CONTEXT AND INFLUENCES .............................................................................. 6 Town and County Relationship - Joint Responsibility for Growth Management .......... 9 COMMUNITY PLANNING PROCESS ..................................................................................... 10 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ELEMENTS .................................................................................... 13 People and Neighborhoods..................................................................... 13 Demographics 2000-2030 ........................................................................ 13 Housing Characteristics .......................................................................... 19 People and Neighborhoods 2007 ................................................................ 21 Challenges and Opportunities for People and Neighborhoods 2027 ....................... 21 Planning and Development Policies 2027 ..................................................... 23 Action Strategies for People and Neighborhoods 2027 ...................................... 24 Special Action Projects: People and Neighborhoods ........................................ 26 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space .......................................................... 27 Parks and Recreation 2007 ...................................................................... 27 Pedestrian/Greenway Connection Opportunities 2027 ...................................... 32 Park and Open Space Opportunities 2027 ..................................................... 35 Open Space Opportunities 2027 ................................................................ 37 Planning Policies for Parks, Recreation, and Open Space 2027 ............................ 39 Action Strategies for Parks, Recreation, and Open Space 2027 ........................... 39 Special Action Projects: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space ........................... 48 Economic Development......................................................................... 44 Employment ....................................................................................... 44 Economic Development 2007 ................................................................... 50 Tourism ............................................................................................ 50 Adopted 8-27-07 i Town of Abingdon, Virginia 2027 Comprehensive Plan Building on Arts and Culture for a Creative, Sustainable Future Major Cultural Events & Festivals .............................................................. 52 Convention and Tourism Facilities ............................................................. 53 Commercial Districts ............................................................................. 54 Business and Technology Parks, Industry ...................................................... 55 Telecommunications Network .................................................................. 56 Opportunities and Challenges for Economic Development 2027 ........................... 57 Planning and Development Policies for Economic Development 2027 .................... 58 Action Strategies for Economic Development 2027 .......................................... 60 Special Action Projects: Economic Development ............................................ 63 Arts, Culture and History ....................................................................... 66 History of Abingdon .............................................................................. 66 Arts, Culture and History 2007 ................................................................. 68 Abingdon Historic District and Significant Historic Properties ............................. 68 William King Regional Arts Center ............................................................. 71 Barter Theatre .................................................................................... 72 Martha Washington College/Martha Washington Inn ........................................ 72 Public Art .......................................................................................... 74 Opportunities and Challenges for Arts, Culture and History 2027 ......................... 76 Planning/Development Policies for Arts, Culture and History 2027 ....................... 77 Action Strategies for Arts, Culture and History .............................................. 78 Transportation ................................................................................... 80 Transportation 2007 .............................................................................. 80 Priority Transportation Improvements ........................................................ 80 6-Year Transportation Plan...................................................................... 81 Long-Range Transportation Improvements .................................................... 81 Transportation Opportunities 2027 ............................................................ 83 Corridors and Gateways ......................................................................... 83 Streetscapes ....................................................................................... 85 Traffic Calming ................................................................................... 86 Alternative Modes of Transportation .......................................................... 86 Alternative Modes of Transportation .......................................................... 87 Local Transit Systems ............................................................................ 88 Rail ................................................................................................. 88 Air Travel .......................................................................................... 88 Policies for Transportation 2027 ............................................................... 89 Recommended Action Strategies for Transportation 2027.................................. 90 Special Action Projects: Transportation ...................................................... 92 Public Utilities, Facilities, and Services ..................................................... 94 Public Utilities .................................................................................... 94 Sewer and Waste Water Treatment ............................................................ 94 Water ............................................................................................... 94 Solid Waste Management .......................................................................