2 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION INTRODUCTION SPECIAL EVENT BOOTHS • Indoor tennis club Successful Comprehensive Plans are built One of the most effective methods of • An amusement park with the feedback of the community. As obtaining input from a broad cross-section • Gordman's such, community engagement was a major of the community was to meet with them at • Fewer banks component of this project and multiple a community event or festival. Special Event • Controlled sustainable growth methods were completed. The public input Booths for this plan included a Comprehensive • More entertainment process was structured to allow stakeholders Plan booth at the Ankeny SummerFest Event • Free public Wi-Fi to be involved in several ways throughout on July 9, 2016, as well at a booth the Ankeny • More hockey the process. Some key public input elements Farmer’s Market on September 17, 2016. • More trail connections include: • Outdoor concert hall The “My Hope for Ankeny” board shown on • Smaller parks in N. Ankeny • Communication Plan the top of the page highlights some of the • More parade seating • Advisory Team community members willing to participate and • Outdoor store • Key Stakeholder Interviews show us what they wanted to see in Ankeny • New movie theater • Special Event Booths in the future. Responses were diverse, but • Winter activities (for teens) • Youth Participation Workshop there were some common themes among the • Health store • Public Workshops and Open Houses responses. • Barnes & Noble • Joint Workshops • Shuttle service to State Fair • Public Hearings PUBLIC INPUT FROM SUMMERFEST • Skating rink • Roller skating • Surveys Public comments from the board included the • Ikea • Project Website following: • More bike trails on NE Side • Swimming pools at both high schools Each stage of the public input process was • Mini golf *** • Ice rink successful in gathering meaningful feedback. • Bowling alley *** • Hockey rink There was high turnout at public meetings • Arcade ** • Old Navy and a large number of residents completed • Trader Joe's *** • A better downtown (Uptown) the online survey. • A mall**
THE ANKENY PLAN 2040 Public Participation | 13 SPECIAL EVENT BOOTHS Residents of Ankeny discuss the Comprehensive Plan with Confluence and City Staff at the Farmer’s Market and SummerFest events in summer 2016
• More housing options as it continues to grow. • Doll store • Another dog park • Dog-friendly coffee shop • A Hickory Park INPUT FROM THE FARMER'S MARKET • AAA baseball team • Roller skating rink Additional public comments provided at the • Pool • Costco Farmers Market and added to the “My Hope • Churches • No sprawl for Ankeny” Board included the following: • Fire station • Outlet mall • Trader Joe's • A big stand-alone YMCA • A dog park on the north side * Indicate the number of times a response was • An arcade repeated. • More parks This event enabled community members of • Skyzone all ages to provide their input. In addition to ANKENY FARMER’S MARKET • Chuck-e-Cheese the “My Hope for Ankeny” board, there were The Ankeny Farmer’s Market served as a prime • Aldi’s other activities in which people of all ages and location to obtain valuable and meaningful • Hobby Lobby abilities could partake. public input. At this event, visitors had the • Gordman's opportunity to learn more about the purpose • Ikea Several local children also stopped by the of the plan, provide their ideas on a comment • A recreational lake booth. Shown to above is one of the children sheet, sign up for updates on an email list, • Movie theater drawing what they hope would be in Ankeny’s receive a flier with a link to the project website • Sidewalks along 36th Street future. This served as a great way for them to and survey, add their picture and ideas to the • A forest remain involved and have fun while learning “My Hope for Ankeny” board, and illustrate • A splash pad about The Ankeny Plan 2040, as well as what their ideal future would look like. • Mini golf expose them to the planning process. • Vibrant, local Uptown Overall, the community was very excited • Bowling alley BUS TOUR about this opportunity to learn more about the • Pool Part of the comprehensive planning process planning process, and to provide their own • Mini golf for Ankeny included a bus tour of high-quality, thoughts and ideas about the future of Ankeny • Frisbee golf planned communities similar to Ankeny in the
14 | Public Participation THE ANKENY PLAN 2040 BUS TOUR Members of the CPAT discuss with Confluence staff the different density and design elements present in Maple Grove, Minnesota
Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota, region. The • Nick Lenox, Parks and Recreation Director • Trash enclosures tour took place on November 4, 2016, and • Derek Lord, Economic Development • Cart corrals provided an opportunity for the Comprehensive Director • Parking location Plan Advisory Team (CPAT) members to • Eric Carstens, Planning Administrator • Vehicular circulation experience firsthand a variety of land use • Eric Jensen, Planning and Building • Exterior lighting types and configurations that may influence Director • Outdoor displays the final land use plan and policies in Ankeny. • Amy Baker, Communications Manager • Plaza space The communities selected for the visit were: • Landscaping While exploring the selected communities, • Focal points • Excelsior & Grand, St. Louis Park, MN the attendees were provided with a booklet • Open space • Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove, MN summarizing the locations and highlighting • Centennial Lakes in Edina, MN key features to observe during the visit. The Signage and Way Finding • Cobblestone Lake in Apple Valley, MN key features that the committee members • Community boundary markers • Spirit of Brandtjen in Lakeville, MN were instructed to observe included: • Interstate monument signage • Gateway signs Those in attendance included: Building Exteriors • Primary intersection signs • Building materials • Community facilities and common area • Gary Lorenz, Mayor • Building heights signs • Bobbi Bentz, Council Member • Wall & roof shapes • Wayfinding signage • Kerry Walter-Ashby, Council Member • Amount of clear glass • Streetscaping enhancements • Trina Flack, Plan and Zoning • Window locations • Trail signage Commission Chair • Exterior lighting • Glenn Hunter, Plan and Zoning • Building orientation Mix of Use/Transitions and Buffers Commissioner Site Features Between Uses • David Jones, City Manager • Width of sidewalks • Architectural screen • Paul Moritz, Assistant City Manger • Pedestrian circulation • Vegetative buffer • Mark Mueller, Public Works Director • Mechanical/utility equipment screening • Physical distance
THE ANKENY PLAN 2040 Public Participation | 15 BUS TOUR The picture above outlines the trip route in the Minneapolis-St Paul metro trip. A sample of a question sheet from the booklet is provided on the right. Below, City Staff and the CPAT members present discuss the developments being reviewed.
• Mounded topography most about Ankeny?” Responses included revitalization of older neighborhoods in town, a the quality of life in Ankeny, the people of natural specialty grocery store such as Whole Storm Water Management Ankeny, the excellent park system, the quality Foods or Trader Joe's, and for Prairie Trail to • Bio-cells local government, the schools, safety, and the be fully built out. • Bio-swales location. • Rain gardens The final question for the ride up was, “Name • Permeable hardscape The third question was “What Qualities of something you feel could add or positively • Storm inlet signage Characteristics make Ankeny unique?” The impact future growth and development in • Curb cuts most common response was the quality of Ankeny." Responses varied, but many included the park system and the trails, with particular recommendations for traffic alleviation QUESTIONS FOR THE RIDE UP mention of the High Trestle Trail. Another including a new interchange at Interstate 35 The booklet provided to attendees also common positive attribute was the location of and NW 26th St, adding four lanes to US- included a section for readers to fill-out with Ankeny to nearby communities and interstate 69, and strategic placement of high-speed answers regarding Ankeny during the ride to access. Other qualities listed include the arterial roads throughout town. Others saw the the Twin Cities. police and fire force, areas such as Uptown, balance of commercial and residential land as the cleanliness of town, and the quality of the an important part of growth in Ankeny. Many The first question was, “What is your hope for new infrastructure. think more entertainment activity options and Ankeny?” Responses mentioned desires for a conference facilities would improve Ankeny, more sustainable future with controlled growth, The fourth question was “What would you going along with the theme of making Ankeny a robust utility and stormwater management like to see most in Ankeny’s future?” Several more of a destination in the future. systems, an efficient transportation network, respondents listed an additional library as a and neighborhood revitalization, They wanted future goal. Another common response was LAND USE CONSIDERATIONS to keep vibrant, family-friendly nature of a commercial area near the interchange Another section of the booklet asked Ankeny and work to maintain/improve older of Interstate 35 and 36th Street. Several attendees to note overall observations of what sections of town in addition to the newer people listed different types of entertainment they did or did not like relating to Residential sections of town. activities they think would make Ankeny more Use, Commercial and Mixed Uses, and Public/ The second question was “What do you value of a destination. Other responses include the Open Space.
16 | Public Participation THE ANKENY PLAN 2040 BUS TOUR The images below are some of the styles and density types of development viewed by the staff and CPAT members who attended the bus tour. A variety of development styles were sampled. The positive and negatives impressions from each were collected.
Image Sources: SunSailor.Com, St Louis Park Historical Society, Trulia, Wikipedia, Minneapolis Northwest Tourism
General responses included: worked well here and that the parking SPIRIT OF BRANDTJEN, LAKEVILLE was accommodating and out of view. They A general comment made about the Spirit • Mixed-use has potential, but would need noted that the while the upscale and ground of Brandtjen in Lakeville was the quality of to be careful with the location floor retail seemed to suffer some, the area the house styles. However, they noted that • Dislike of the big homes on tiny lots was holding up well for its age. They also the narrow streets and small lots can be • More regional stormwater detention questioned what the turnover rate for the restrictive. There was some concern over the • Liked the boulevard style and use of commercial uses were. lack of street parking and the minimal street sidewalk space at Excelsior & Grand lighting. They also wondered who maintained • Like the three-story units with commercial ARBOR LAKES, MAPLE GROVE the common areas. While they liked the on the bottom Some general comments made about the housing areas, some noted that it felt very • Liked the common areas included in the Arbor Lakes development in Maple Grove were dense and confining. residential subdivisions that while they liked the commercial buildings, • Decorative street lights are nice they did not like the sidewalks only being on PUBLIC MEETING • A tree requirement for single-family one side of the street. They also noted that A large part of the Comprehensive Plan is homes would be nice while the lakes were pleasant, they seemed to ensuring the community feel their voices, • Lakeville was a nice model for what we lack public access points. opinions, and values had been incorporated have to work with in Ankeny into the document. There are many ways to • Liked the larger parks that served as COBBLESTONE LAKE, APPLE VALLEY gauge public opinion so that their thoughts destinations Some general comments made about and beliefs influence the final document. • Tiered slopes and sloped areas were used to Cobblestone Lake in Apple Valley were about delineate the park areas from the surrounding the nice lots and houses, especially the unique A big step in the public engagement process uses house designs. However, they noted that the for The Ankeny Plan 2040 was the first setbacks, especially side yard setbacks, would public meeting held on November 16, 2016. EXCELSIOR & GRAND, ST LOUIS PARK need to be wider in Ankeny. They also enjoyed The meeting was designed to serve many Some general comments made about the the vertical relief, noting that it added to the purposes including providing an overview Excelsior & Grand development in St. Louis visual aesthetics of the area. They worried the of the comprehensive planning process, a Park were that the multi-story residential lack of street parking could be restrictive. visual preference exercise, and a small group
THE ANKENY PLAN 2040 Public Participation | 17 OPEN HOUSE Attendees of the public meeting held on November 16, 2016, were greeted with a variety of informational poster boards. They were then directed to comment boards requesting their input on the best things about Ankeny as well as areas that need improvement. An example is shown to the right. mapping exercise. Near the entrance to the meeting, there were guide future decisions about the city and the several items for the community to browse Comprehensive Plan. It was important for citizens to understand and to provide input. There were several the importance of these decisions. The presentation boards outlining some of the The themes present on the “My vision for visual preference exercise and small-group data collected on Ankeny. The boards included Ankeny” board included: mapping activity were creative ways in which information on the location of sewer lines, community preferences and thoughts could major streets, school districts, zoning districts, • Top quality education influence the final comprehensive plan and as well as the future land use map created for • Planning for sustainable growth future land use map. the 2010 Ankeny Comprehensive Plan. • Being a top community in Iowa • Excellent parks and trails. The subsequent pages provide an in-depth There were several comment boards overview of the public meeting. This open available for communities to write their The themes present in “The best part of house was held at the Pinnacle Club of the thoughts on the future of Ankeny. The four Ankeny” board included: Otter Creek Golf Club in Ankeny. The meeting boards asked the following questions: • Quality schools occurred between 6:30-8:30pm. People • Parks/trail system began arriving around 6:00pm and there was • My vision for Ankeny is... • Safety a turnout of approximately 150-200 people. • The best part of Ankeny is... • Location • My concern for Ankeny is... BOARDS AND PRESENTATION • Ankeny needs more... The themes present in the “My Concern for Attendees were asked to sign-in and provide Ankeny” board highlighted some division their e-mail address in order to keep them These boards were meant to serve as a way amongst the community in identifying the updated on the Comprehensive Plan. They to outline a Strength-Weakness-Opportunities problems facing the city. Themes included: were then provided with a key pad polling and Threats (SWOT) Analysis for the City of clickers for the visual preference exercise Ankeny. SWOT Analyses are a good means of • Too high density in some areas during the presentation. Attendees were identifying areas of concern in cities as well as • Traffic concerns encouraged to take and complete a comment identifying the parts of a city residents think • Schools and growth card for additional feedback after the meeting. are beneficial. This information can be used to • “Just” a bedroom community
18 | Public Participation THE ANKENY PLAN 2040 GREENSPACE PREFERENCE
OPEN HOUSE Attendees took part in a visual preference exercise. An example of the type of question asked is in the right-hand corner above. Using clickers handed out by the door, real-time results on questions relating to the most preferred or not preferred development and density styles were provided. Full results of the visual preference exercise are provided in the appendix.
• Losing sense of community/growth discussion on the importance of engaging the • Greenspace and parks • Need more business/tax base community were also covered. The participants were given either six or four The final board asked for comments on the Preliminary data from Phase 1 of the planning different visual examples of a density and land prompt, “Ankeny needs more”. The common process was discussed. This data included use type. They could then vote on their most themes present on the board include: information on population change, construction and second-most preferred option, depending trends, income, the distribution of residents, on the question. In many instances, a clear • More retail/mall/higher-end amenities to employment, and retail opportunities in the preference was identified by the attendees. In match the income Ankeny and Greater Des Moines area. other cases, two or more styles were preferred • Better public transportation/light-rail to and one or two strongly not preferred. Results Des Moines/Ames VISUAL PREFERENCE EXERCISE from the polling exercise were uploaded to • Hospital In an effort to determine the preferred densities The Ankeny Plan 2040 website for review • Movie theater/bowling/ice rink and land use styles of Ankeny residents, a by those unable to attend. All options and • Community Space/Theater visual preference exercise was performed. responses are in Chapter 14: Appendix. • More trails/parks (especially on north side Using keypad polling clickers handed out at of town) the sign-in welcome table, audience members INTRODUCTORY QUESTIONS • More senior citizen activities were polled and able to see group results in The first few questions provided practice on • Low-density residential real-time. The type of densities and land use handling the voting devices as well as to gain types polled on: some basic demographic information. First, PLANNING 101 the group was asked how many of them lived The first part of the evening included a • Single-family dwellings in Ankeny. Of the 150 respondents, 129, or presentation that went over the project • Townhomes/row houses approximately 86%, lived in Ankeny. schedule including major deliverable dates • Multi-family units The next question was how long they had lived and a summary of the Comprehensive • Mixed-use in Ankeny. The majority of residents, 56%, had Planning process. The audience was provided • Retail lived in Ankeny for between 11-20 years. The with information about the reasons for and • Office next largest representative group was those components of a Comprehensive Plan, and a • Industrial who had lived in Ankeny for 1-5 years who
THE ANKENY PLAN 2040 Public Participation | 19 SMALL GROUP MAPPING EXERCISE The final portion of the public meeting had the attendees split into ten groups to complete a small group mapping exercise in which they assigned future land use values to parts of the planning boundary growth area.
accounted for 28% of the total respondents. informed about the importance of the future acres of land were created for the following The remainder of the attendees had lived in land use map in the Comprehensive Plan. After land uses: single family residential, medium- Ankeny for less than 1 year or from between the visual preference exercise, the final portion density residential, high-density residential, 6-10 years. of the meeting was a small group mapping mixed-use, commercial, office, industrial, and activity. The activity was meant to gain input park space. Larger puzzle pieces representing The final introductory question asked the on their preferred future land use map. approximately 160 acres of land were respondent’s reason for choosing to live in available for single-family residential units, Ankeny. The possible responses and for them The community members present divided into park space, and industrial land. to pick the best answer for were: ten groups to develop their desired future land use map. Each group's table had an instruction Group members were instructed to work • Proximity to Work (33%) guide, a base map of Ankeny and the planning together to decide where they thought • Quality of Public Schools (31%) area, as well as several different puzzle pieces different future land use types should occur. • Cost of Housing (7%) representing different land use types. The group did not have to complete all of the • Near family/friends (17%) grid boxes. All land in the grids not filled in • Raised here (12%) The base map made for the exercise showed were determined to be best suited to remain the city limits of Ankeny, the planning agriculture/open space. Given Ankeny’s proximity to job centers like boundary of the Comprehensive Plan, parcel Des Moines and Ames the proximity to work outlines, and existing land uses along with GROUP MAPPING TAKE AWAYS was not surprising. Neither was the quality of some identifying and helpful features such The results of the group mapping activity public schools due the family-friendly nature as streams, flood hazard areas, and major were insightful into the vision the community of Ankeny and the high number of single- streets. A half-mile grid was placed over top of members present had for their city. family homes located in Ankeny. the undeveloped and agricultural land existing beyond the current city limits of Ankeny. This SMALL GROUP MAPPING was the area which citizens were asked to Key Takeaways help plan. EXERCISE • Most groups left much of the planning During the public meeting, the attendees were Puzzle pieces representing approximately 40 boundary area undeveloped. It is unclear
20 | Public Participation THE ANKENY PLAN 2040 SMALL GROUP MAPPING EXERCISE Below are images of the completed future land use maps from two groups formed at the public meeting. A complete set of completed future land use maps from the public meeting is provided in Chapter 14: Appendix.
whether this was because they thought it place for industrial land. district desired along the interchange of should remain agricultural, ran out of time/ Interstate 35 and 110th Ave/36th St. as well ideas, or because they were overwhelmed • Only a few groups identified locations as in the northwestern section of town, near by the size of the planning boundary. Many suitable for high-density and medium-density the High Trestle bike trail. There were some members of the public expressed concern residential land uses. The groups providing scattered areas of mixed-use in the southeast over the growth rate, however, so the blank locations for these categories did so primarily and northern sections of the planning grid spaces may indicate they do not want in the northwestern section of the planning boundary as well. Ankeny to grow that far out. boundary, the interchange of Interstate-35 and 110th Ave/36th St, and some scattered • Single-family residential was the most • Many groups placed more high intensity throughout the southern, eastern, and popular residential land use category in the commercial district near the interchange northern parts of town. small-group activity. The main two areas of Interstate-35 and 110th Ave/NE36th St. groups placed single-family developments, Most groups placed at least some of their • Most of the office land use category was almost exclusively in the larger 160 acre office, mixed-use, commercial, high-density placed near the interchange of Interstate 35 amounts, were in the eastern sections of residential, and medium-density residential and 110th Ave/36th St. Other groups tended the planning boundary and the northwestern land uses around this section of the planning to cluster the office uses in the southern and section of the planning boundary. These were boundary. north western areas of the planning boundary. mainly in close proximity to the existing city limits and tended to be clustered in larger • Many groups placed some industrial land • Beyond the commercial district identified groups. There were also some groups where use in the planning boundary with it almost around the interchange of Interstate 35 single-family residential land uses were exclusively limited to the far northeastern and 110th Ave/36th St, other commercial placed in the southeast and northern sections section of the planning boundary near areas identified by the groups were in the of the planning boundary. Elkhart’s city limits, and the south/southeast northwestern, north, and eastern sections of sections of the planning boundary near town, also near the interstate. • Parks were a very popular land use category Interstate 80 and Altoona. There were also used by the groups. There were significant some groups who identified the area around • The mixed-use land use category was park land use areas identified by all the groups the proposed Northeast Beltway as a good predominantly placed in the commercial throughout the entire planning boundary, but
THE ANKENY PLAN 2040 Public Participation | 21 it was especially popular in the northwest Larger images of the small-group mapping AEDC MEETING section along the High Trestle Trail, the activity results are in Chapter 14: Appendix. A meeting with the Ankeny Economic southwest near the Muchikinock Creek, the Development Corporation (AEDC) was held northern area near Four Mile Creek, and the STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS on December 15, 2016. The agenda for the eastern side scattered among residential land The Comprehensive Plan Advisory Team (CPAT) meeting included: uses. Analysis of the maps clearly indicate and City staff helped identify key stakeholders many would like to see a large regional park in the community. Meetings were set up • Planning 101 and/or agricultural reserve in north Ankeny between the consultant and the identified • Project schedule overview near Four Mile Creek. stakeholders. During these meetings, the • Preliminary data Comprehensive Plan process was described • Polling questions • One common thread among the maps was to the individuals and they were able to offer the idea of taking advantage of existing trails their unique perspectives on issues. There The Planning 101 presentation covered the and natural features like the High Trestle bike were a wide variety of stakeholders identified importance of the Comprehensive Plan. trail. Residents imagined a mix of park and and interviewed. mixed-use land uses along the trail to both These meetings identified a diverse set of An overview of the public input exercises was preserve land and take economic advantage views on the future of Ankeny, but there were provided and included a summary of some of the popularity of the trails. many areas of consensus about the vision preliminary results from the online survey. needed for the community to continue to This included responses about quality of life, • Many in the community identified a mall succeed. reasons for living in Ankeny, and some data shopping center as a possible benefit to the on shopping and dining habits of respondents. community. This sentiment is supported also Many interviewed highlighted the need for The attendees then had preliminary data from by the online survey. a growing job base in the city and a need the economic conditions of Ankeny presented to attract employers to keep up with the to them. This included information on growth • Multiple groups requested additional residential demand for services. Others rates, residential statistics, demographic data, libraries be built not only in the undeveloped highlighted the need for an increase in employment data, and a retail leakage/surplus parts of the planning boundary, but also within diversity in the housing stock. analysis. the existing city limits.
22 | Public Participation THE ANKENY PLAN 2040 AEDC MEMBERS BELIEVE THE ANKENY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOLLOWING INDUSTRIES ARE CORPORATION MEMBERS BELIEVE MOST NEEDED IN ANKENY: ANKENY NEEDS MORE:
Skilled Workers 1 (21%)
Business Park / 2 Industrial Space (19%)
Retail Space 3 (19%) Corporate Headquarters (20%) Bioscience (17%) (16%) Information Technology (20%) Manufacturing Advanced Finance (20%) Retail / Hospitality (13%)
POLLING QUESTIONS The third question was “My top concern be making decisions about where to live in Questions were asked about Ankeny’s for Ankeny is...” and the respondents were the future. A youth workshop was planned attributes, strengths, and weaknesses. allowed to pick one selection. to gauge the interest and excitement of the young people of Ankeny. The first question was “What is the best thing A. Growing too fast (25%) about Ankeny?” and they were allowed to B. Not growing fast enough (2%) On January 4, 2017, a youth workshop was make one selection. C. Not enough retail/commercial uses (33%) held with members of the Mayor’s Youth D. Not enough parks (5%) Council in Ankeny. The Mayor’s Youth Council A. Business Climate (12%) E. Too many residential housing options (10%) is composed of 15 high school students from B. People that live in Ankeny (23%) F. Too few residential housing options (8%) Ankeny serving as volunteer representatives C. Proximity to Ames/Des Moines (26%) G. Other (17%) to advocate on behalf of Ankeny’s youth. D. Small-town feel (18%) These students meet bi-weekly and are well- E. Schools (20%) The fourth question was “What should be the informed on the needs and conditions facing F. Weather (0%) target industries in Ankeny?” Ankeny. G. Other (2%) A. Advanced Manufacturing (15%) The Mayor’s Youth Council were given a The second question was “Ankeny needs B. Bioscience (17%) presentation about the Comprehensive Plan more...” and they were allowed to pick three C. Retail/Hospitality/Leisure (11%) process and described the important role of responses. D. Financial Services (13%) zoning in the planning. E. Logistics (6%) A. Retail Space (19%) F. Information Technology (16%) POLLING QUESTIONS B. Industrial Jobs (15%) G. Corporate Headquarters (20%) During the presentation, students were C. Skilled Workers (21%) H. Other (2%) asked a series of questions using the turn D. Residential Housing Options (10%) key clicker technology to get results in real E. Parks and Open Space (12%) YOUTH WORKSHOP time. The first question was about their plans F. Business Park/Industrial Space (19%) Engaging Ankeny youth in the Comprehensive after graduation. Approximately 91% of the G. Other (4%) Plan process is important because they will students were planning to attend a 4-year
THE ANKENY PLAN 2040 Public Participation | 23 MOST OF THE YOUTH COUNCIL MEMBERS AGREED THAT MORE WINTER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITES WERE NEEDED IN ANKENY
college/university. The remaining 9% were Students were then asked to identify what winter months. They felt as if more winter- planning on attending a community college, Ankeny needed most to improve. There was based outdoor and indoor activity options for vocational school, or apprenticeship. significant consensus on this question, with recreation such as ice-skating or skiing and 90% of the students selecting either more bowling would be a good addition to Ankeny. The next question was “Where do you see shopping options or more entertainment yourself in 10 years?” Unfortunately, none activities. A few other students also selected In general, a lack of entertainment options of the students selected “Living in Ankeny” more restaurants. available in Ankeny was a noted negative as their response. Of the eleven students aspect of life in Ankeny. Many of the students present, two saw themselves living outside The final question asked the students to think mentioned that they often have to drive of Ankeny but in Central Iowa and nine saw about their least favorite thing about Ankeny. to either Ames or Des Moines to shop, go themselves living outside of Iowa. The responses varied. bowling, or see a movie. They also mentioned that while Ankeny has plenty of fast-food When the students were asked what their A. Traffic (19%) restaurants, there was a distinct lack of nicer, ideal place to live was, there was some more B. Growing too fast (10%) sit-down style restaurants. diversity in their responses. C. Lack of Entertainment Options (48%) D. Limited Number of restaurants (14%) GROUP MAPPING EXERCISE A. Suburban community like Ankeny (5%) E. Other (10%) The final part of the meeting was a small-group B. An city like Des Moines or Kansas City (18%) mapping exercise, the same one performed at C. A major city like Chicago or New York (27%) During the group polling questions, the the public meeting in November 2016. The D. In a rural area or on a farm (9%) small size of the group enabled more direct students made several recommendations: E. Other (0%) conversation with the students to expand on their responses to the questions. This provided • Many students suggested a mall or retail When asked about their favorite part of a more nuanced look into their responses. commercial district near the interchange of Ankeny, most selected its proximity to Des For instance, while many stated that they Interstate 35 and 110th Ave/36th St. Moines/Ames or the schools as their preferred were pleased with the availability of park and responses. Others favored the small-town feel recreation activities in Ankeny, many agreed • The group believes a large, regional serving and parks. that activities were more limited during the park space in the northern section of the
24 | Public Participation THE ANKENY PLAN 2040 MAYOR’S YOUTH COUNCIL AGREE THE YOUTH COUNCIL’S LEAST ANKENY NEEDS FAVORITE THING ABOUT ANKENY: BOWLING
MOVIE THEATER
INDOOR / OUTDOOR
Lack of SWIMMING POOL (10%) Growth Restaurants Lack of Entertainment Options (48%) (19%) Traffic Options (14%)
MORE ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS
planning boundary would be ideal. Many to experience growth. Feedback obtained (66%) of survey respondents were 25 to 44 suggested a man-made lake would be a through the survey process will aid in yielding years old. welcome addition to the park space. outcomes that more accurately reflect the wants and needs of community members and Ankeny Quality of Life • They envisioned additional single-family will help to reflect which areas of focus Ankeny The survey responses suggest Ankeny housing located east of the existing city residents view as most important. residents are overall satisfied with the quality limits between Interstate 35 and the of life in Ankeny. Approximately 98% of proposed Northeast Beltway to the east. The survey opened on August 8, 2016, and respondents rated their quality of life as either was available until December 31, 2016. Excellent or Good. When asked about the • They located additional employment centers Overall, there were 3,717 visitors to the expected future quality of life, respondents along the proposed Northeast Beltway. survey website. Of those visitors, 61%, or generally expected the quality to either get 2,295 people, went on to complete the survey. better (41%) or stay the same (34%). • The students suggested expanding the Prairie Ridge Sports Complex located in the KEY TAKEAWAYS Housing northeastern area of town A complete list of survey questions and By far, the most needed housing types response summaries is provided in the identified by survey takers were entry-level • The students want additional entertainment Appendix of the report. While all of the answers single-family houses (51%) and mid-range options including pools, movie theaters, and provided some insight into the opinions and single-family houses (63%). A majority ice-skating rinks. beliefs of residents in Ankeny, some key (61%) of respondents do not believe Ankeny takeaways have been summarized below: needs more affordable multi-family housing, SURVEY Who completed the survey however, some (45%) would like to see a Residents were encouraged to provide Of the over 2,000 people who completed broader range of housing choices. feedback through a community input survey. the survey, 98% were residents of Ankeny. This allowed them to voice their thoughts While the length of time lived in Ankeny varied Commercial regarding what they enjoy about the city along significantly, 87% of the respondents lived in Respondents indicated that commercial with what improvements they feel would a single-family home and 93% of respondents activities such as expanded retail stopping be a positive impact as Ankeny continues lived in owner-occupied units. The majority options and more community events/things to
THE ANKENY PLAN 2040 Public Participation | 25 SURVEY The word cloud to the left shows the most common words used to describe Ankeny by survey respondents. It becomes clear from the word cloud that Ankeny residents who responded to the survey have generally favorable views of Ankeny. The most common words used to describe Ankeny were growing, friendly, safe, family, and clean.
do would improve the quality of life in Ankeny. to attract employment opportunities. Others, consistent with the final results of the survey Specifically, sit-down restaurants, specialty approximately 52%, are not sure if Ankeny is questions. Overall, people enjoy living in grocery stores, department stores, and a good place to start a business while 42% Ankeny and want to see the things that make entertainment businesses were singled out believe it is a good place to start a business. Ankeny a great city continue to be supported. as the most preferred retail option they would like to see in Ankeny. The most consensus Parks and Green Space PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE was surrounding the need for entertainment Approximately 1 in 5 respondents listed the A final public open house was held on options in Ankeny with 82% in favor of availability of parks, recreation, and open December 12, 2017, to overview the full draft more retail, shopping, and entertainment space as one of the most important reasons of The Ankeny Plan 2040 to the community. businesses. Many residents, 84%, would for living in Ankeny. There was strong support The full draft had been created by City staff like to see the Uptown District in Ankeny for Ankeny needing more parks, recreation, and the consulting team over the course of revitalized. and open space with 80% agreeing with the 2017 based on feedback, research, and statement. In terms of protection of natural analysis of the existing conditions in Ankeny Employment resources and the preservation of open space, and anticipated future growth. Each chapter Approximately 31% of respondents indicated another 76% support this goal. There is also had been reviewed by City staff and the that increased employment opportunities agreement that Ankeny needs more sidewalks Comprehensive Plan Advisory Team (CPAT) would increase the quality of life in Ankeny. and trails with 79% saying they agree. Slightly over eight meetings. The most support was for an increase in office less, 59%, believe Ankeny needs more bike development and employment opportunities lanes and routes. The open house was held from 4-8 p.m. at with 80% in favor. There was less enthusiasm the Otter Creek Golf Course, Pinnacle Club. for industrial growth and development with People like Ankeny Residents were encouraged to stop by and only 38% support. In terms of the City’s role Overall, the respondents held largely favorable review stations set up covering the contents in attracting jobs, 70% agreed that the city views of their City. The above word cloud of each chapter. City staff and members of should “continue to plan and invest in future shows the most popular words chosen the consulting team were available to take growth and development to expand size, to describe Ankeny by the survey takers. comment and answer questions relating to population, and economy.” However, only 45% The larger the word, the more common the the chapter drafts or the Comprehensive Plan believe Ankeny should commit tax dollars response. The largely positive responses are overall.
26 | Public Participation THE ANKENY PLAN 2040 OPEN HOUSE A public open house to present the full draft of The Ankeny Plan 2040 was held on December 12, 2017, at the Otter Creek Golf Course, Pinnacle Club. Over 130 people attended the meeting.
The six stations included: gathered and presented to the Comprehensive • Station 1 - Chapter 2: Public Participation, Plan Advisory Team (CPAT), along with a Chapter 3: Population + Growth, and series of recommended changes to the draft Chapter 10: Economic Development chapters based on the feedback.
• Station 2 - Chapter 5: Housing, Chapter 7: Following the public open house, the station Community Facilities, and Chapter 11: boards and the full The Ankeny Plan 2040 Hazards draft was added to the project website and available for download. Visitors to the website • Station 3 - Chapter 4: Environment and were encouraged to leave a comment on the Chapter 6: Parks + Recreation website or send an e-mail to the Director of Planning and Building, Eric Jensen. • Station 4 - Chapter 8: Infrastructure A summary of the feedback was presented to • Station 5 - Chapter 13: Transportation the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Team (CPAT) in January 2018. • Station 6 - Chapter 9: Community Character and Chapter 12: Land Use
There were copies of each chapter at each station and two full drafts printed and available for review. Each station had a comment card specific to each station. There was also an overall comment card. Over 130 people attended the open house and provided their feedback. The comments and feedback provided at the open house were
THE ANKENY PLAN 2040 Public Participation | 27