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Comprehensive Plan 2015-2035 Town of Rocky Mount, Virginia

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Comprehensive Plan 2015-2035 Town of Rocky Mount, Virginia Comprehensive Plan 2015-2035 Town of Rocky Mount, Virginia Acknowledgements: Town Council: Steven C. Angle, Mayor Gregory B. Walker, Vice Mayor Bobby M. Cundiff P. Ann Love Robert L. Moyer Jon W. Snead Billie W. Stockton Planning Commission: Janet Stockton, Chair Bud Blanchard Ina Clements Jerry Greer Derwin Hall John Speidel John Tiggle Town Administration: C. James Ervin, Town Manager Matthew Hankins, Asst. Town Manager and Community Development Director Joshua C. Gibson, Town Planner Technical Consultant: Hill Studio Thank you to the many community leaders and citizens who participated in the development of this Comprehensive Plan. Adopted December 14, 2015 Growing Rocky Mount for Healthy Living, Diverse Economy, and Educational Opportunity Comprehensive Plan 2015-2035 Table of Contents Town of Rocky Mount, Virginia Executive Summary ........................................................................................... 4 Purpose and Use of Plan ................................................................................. 4 Community Goals for 2035 .............................................................................. 4 2035 Vision for Rocky Mount ....................................................................... 4 Planning Policies to Achieve 2035 Vision ........................................................ 5 Community and Housing .............................................................................. 5 Economy ...................................................................................................... 5 Public Facilities and Services ....................................................................... 5 Environment (Natural and Historic Resources) ............................................ 5 Land Use and Development ......................................................................... 5 Organization of the 2035 Comprehensive Plan ............................................... 6 Community Planning Process .......................................................................... 7 Community Tour ............................................................................................... 7 Community Focus Group Meetings .................................................................. 7 People .......................................................................................................... 7 Housing ........................................................................................................ 7 Public Facilities and Services ....................................................................... 7 Economy ...................................................................................................... 8 Environment ................................................................................................. 8 Planning Workshop for Special Action Areas ................................................... 9 Community Meeting ......................................................................................... 9 Rocky Mount and the Region .......................................................................... 10 History of Rocky Mount .................................................................................. 10 Region Overview and Influences ................................................................... 11 Franklin County as a Community Partner ...................................................... 12 Demographic and Economic Trends .............................................................. 14 Growing Rocky Mount for Healthy Living, a Diverse Economy, and Educational Opportunity 1 Comprehensive Plan 2015-2035 Table of Contents Town of Rocky Mount, Virginia Rocky Mount Today and Tomorrow ............................................................... 17 Community and Housing ................................................................................ 17 Housing .......................................................................................................... 17 Community Facilities and Services ................................................................ 20 Education ....................................................................................................... 22 Economy ........................................................................................................... 24 Region as an Attraction .................................................................................. 23 Downtown and Uptown .................................................................................. 24 Commercial Corridors .................................................................................... 28 Industry .......................................................................................................... 35 Tourism .......................................................................................................... 40 Public Facilities and Services ......................................................................... 40 Public Safety .................................................................................................. 41 Public Works and Utilities .............................................................................. 43 Transportation ................................................................................................ 48 Recreation ...................................................................................................... 53 Environment ..................................................................................................... 56 Natural Resources ......................................................................................... 56 Historic Resources ......................................................................................... 57 Land Use and Development ............................................................................ 59 Land Use ........................................................................................................ 59 Land Development Management Tools ......................................................... 60 2 Growing Rocky Mount for Healthy Living, Diverse Economy, and Educational Opportunity Comprehensive Plan 2015-2035 Table of Contents Town of Rocky Mount, Virginia Implementing the Comprehensive Plan ......................................................... 62 Opportunity Action Projects ............................................................................ 62 2035 Implementation Matrix ........................................................................... 64 List of Maps Communities of Interest ............................................................................... 19 Community Facilities Map ............................................................................ 46 Public Utilities Map ....................................................................................... 47 Transportation Map ...................................................................................... 52 Recreational Trails Map ............................................................................... 55 Historic Resources Map ............................................................................... 58 Future Land Use Map .................................................................................. 61 Opportunity Action Projects Map .................................................................. 63 Growing Rocky Mount for Healthy Living, a Diverse Economy, and Educational Opportunity 3 Comprehensive Plan 2015-2035 Executive Summary Town of Rocky Mount, Virginia Executive Summary 2035 Vision for Rocky Mount PURPOSE AND USE OF PLAN In 2035, Rocky Mount will be a vibrant, attractive, and established center for commerce, industry, education, This Comprehensive Plan provides general guidance and a recreation, and entertainment in the region. framework for making important decisions regarding community priorities for public and private investment over the As the official County Seat of Franklin County, Rocky Mount next 10-20 years. In Virginia, every governing body must adopt will be a model for other communities serving rural and a comprehensive plan and review it every five years for any growing agricultural counties – progressive public facilities, needed updates. outstanding educational and social institutions, safe and welcoming neighborhoods, healthy living, excellent public The plan forms the basis for community public projects such as services, diverse shopping opportunities, and friendly transportation and utility improvements and planned lands for businesses with quality jobs. residential, industrial or commercial development. In addition, the plan provides a foundation for developing important land Citizens and visitors appreciate the peaceful, scenic beauty of management tools like zoning and subdivision. the historic, charming town, the agricultural landscape, and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. There is impressive Governmental officials use the plan when considering zoning community camaraderie among citizens and a distinguished changes, capital improvements (water, sewer, roads, schools, respect for town government and leaders, all of whom work etc.), and economic development or housing initiatives. Citizens together for the growth and prosperity of Rocky Mount. use the plan to understand the future goals and direction of the community and to understand planned public improvements. Economy – Encourage, promote and invest in a diversified
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