Comprehensive Plan & Development Policies

City of McHenry Comprehensive Plan and Development Policies 2008 City of McHenry CITY OF McHENRY Heart of the Fox Mayor Susan E. Low Aldermen: Ward 1: Vic Santi Ward 2: Andrew Glab Ward 3: Jeffrey Schaefer Ward 4: Steven Murgatroyd Ward 5: Richard Wimmer Ward 6: Robert Peterson Ward 7: Geri Condon City Clerk: Janice Jones Treasurer: David Welter Administrator: Doug Maxeiner For Additional Information, contact the City Planner or Deputy City Administrator City of McHenry – Comprehensive Plan 2 2008 City of McHenry CITY OF MCHENRY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT POLICIES 2008 Table of Contents Chapter 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................4 Location Map .............................................................................................................8 Chapter 2 Community Profile ..................................................................................................9 Existing Land Use Map .............................................................................................19 Existing Transportation Map .....................................................................................20 Chapter 3 Overall Goals ...........................................................................................................21 Chapter 4 Land Use ...................................................................................................................24 Sub-Area Map ............................................................................................................32 Future Land Use Plan ................................................................................................33 Chapter 5 Transportation ........................................................................................................34 Future Transportation Plan ........................................................................................42 Bike Path Plan ............................................................................................................43 Chapter 6 Neighborhood Character .......................................................................................44 Chapter 7 Economic Development ..........................................................................................51 Chapter 8 Parks and Recreation ............................................................................................56 Parks Map ..................................................................................................................60 Chapter 9 Public Facilities .......................................................................................................61 Chapter 10 Implementation Plan ............................................................................................67 City of McHenry – Comprehensive Plan 3 2008 City of McHenry 11 IInnttrroodduuccttiioonn City of McHenry – Comprehensive Plan 4 2008 City of Introduction McHenry City of McHenry The City of McHenry is located in east central McHenry County, Illinois, as shown on the Location Map at the end of the chapter. It lies along the Fox River approximately 55 miles northwest of the Chicago loop and 35 miles from O’Hare International Airport. The City is centered on two major State highways, Illinois Route 31 which runs north and south from Wisconsin to South Elgin and Illinois Route 120 which runs west and east from Woodstock to Park City. Many visitors pass through the city because of its location along these two highways. These visitors are attracted to the City because of its unique mix of businesses and recreational activities. As people seek homes and jobs in friendly, less congested, and historic communities, McHenry becomes more and more attractive to new families and new businesses. The history of the City is an asset and a resource which adds to the distinctive character and quality of life. The city was settled in 1836 and was incorporated in 1872. The railroad, which was completed in 1854, was a major force in attracting commerce and industry. There are residential and commercial districts which still reflect the unique architectural character of the late 19th and early 20th century. These structures provide a vivid picture of the economic, technological and financial forces of the past which forged the modern City of McHenry. The City has established a Landmark Commission to foster this preservation effort. Efforts are underway to recognize and interpret sites, structures and districts of historic value by local interest groups. To conserve open space the City has taken the initiative to establish environmental corridors which will furnish open space, recreation and aesthetic value to our community. These corridors will eventually link all parts of the City to each other and to major recreational resources including the Fox River, state and local parks and recreational facilities such as bike paths. The City has also begun to revitalize its historic commercial areas and link them to the waterfront and to neighborhood areas. Extensive new retail centers, particularly in the north part of town along IL Route 31, furnish goods, services, and retail tax revenues for the City. The City wants to create an environment conducive to stimulating new business investment and attractive to individuals and families of diverse backgrounds who will be responsible citizens. New local businesses will increase the selection of goods and services convenient to existing and future residents of the City and help provide jobs and a balanced economic base. The City prides itself on having adopted The Six Pillars of Character; Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. These pillars represent how the community as a whole acts in their everyday lives. Even visitors can feel the charm of our Hometown Community. The City Departments work to provide the best customer service to everyone doing business with the City. City of McHenry – Comprehensive Plan 5 2008 City of Introduction McHenry Purpose of the Comprehensive Plan The purpose of the Comprehensive Plan (Plan) is to shape and guide the type, intensity, rate and quality of growth, so that new development achieves the objectives of the City of McHenry within the available resources. The Plan includes Land Use Maps which establish a blue print for how the City’s growth and development will progress. The Future Land Use Plan and specific goals and development policies for McHenry are presented in Chapter 3. They reflect an understanding of the City’s problems, opportunities, needs and aspirations for the future. The Plan seeks to identify how land and natural resources can be used for the benefit of both individual property owners and the overall community. Although the focus of the Plan is on land use and supporting infrastructure, it has considered social, economic, environmental, institutional and cultural factors and values. The Plan is a general and long range view of a desired land use pattern at full development within McHenry’s planning jurisdiction. Land uses can include permanent open space, transportation facilities and even agriculture. The authority to prepare a Plan, and its power to guide growth, is derived from State statutes. The Plan is a policy guide for elected and appointed officials as they review development plans and capital improvements. It is also a guide for land owners and developers to the City’s vision for the future and its development policies. The written policies are as important as the Future Land Use Plan in presenting the City’s vision for the future. The Plan provides a framework by which to balance and coordinate public and private development. Individual decisions can be made within a policy framework designed to achieve long term goals so that the total impact is greater than the sum of the parts. This helps to leverage the positive effects and avoid or minimize the negative aspects of growth, and to make the most efficient use of scarce human, financial, institutional and material resources. Why McHenry Needs a Comprehensive Plan The Comprehensive Plan is intended to: • Stimulate discussion and understanding of a shared vision for the future; • Guide the City toward realizing a shared vision of the future, relating where it is, where it is headed, and where it wants to go; • Plan ahead for projects that have a long lead time; and, • Be pro-active rather than reactive to problems, opportunities and challenges. City of McHenry – Comprehensive Plan 6 2008 City of Introduction McHenry The Comprehensive Plan Update Process The City of McHenry adopted an amended “Development Plan” in 1990. Many of the public improvements called for in that Plan had been implemented, or were in the process of being implemented by 1997. In 1999, the City adopted an updated Plan to consider what had actually occurred since 1990 and to respond to new challenges arising from local and regional growth in population and employment. The City also sought to recognize evolving community aspirations and new development opportunities. The 1999 Comprehensive Plan is being updated in 2008 to better reflect current conditions. Significant growth has occurred since 1999 and the Community Profile and Land Use Maps need updating to reflect this. There was also a need to include several new sections in order for the City to better plan for the future. This update adds sections on Housing, Economic Development, Public Facilities, Safety, Cost of

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