2005 Comprehensive Plan
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COMPREHENSIVE PLAN C ITY OF ANDERSON, INDIANA PREPARED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF: RATIO Architects, Inc. 107 South Pennsylvania St. Suite 100 Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 ph: 317.633.4040 fx: 317.633.4153 www.RATIOarchitects.com IN ASSOCIATION WITH: Strategic Development Group, Inc. 2901 N. Walnut St. Bloomington, Indiana 47404 ADOPTED BY THE ph: 812.331.1282 CITY COUNCIL ON: OCTOBER 25, 2005 fx: 812.331.1285 RESOLUTION NO.: 40-05 www.S-D-G.com FOREWORD Since the last Anderson Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 1962, much in the community has changed. The employment base has eroded as manufacturers moved their operations abroad seeking reduced labor costs. The City’s population peaked in 1970 at nearly 71,000, but has since steadily declined as jobs flowed outward. As a result of these trends, Anderson has been faced with the challenge of maintaining its identity in the face of great change. It is this challenge that serves as the impetus for the creation of a new Anderson Comprehensive Plan. NTRODUCTION The process of creating a new Comprehensive Plan provided Anderson with the I opportunity to take a critical look at itself, and to reflect on the values that define it as a community. Citizens from all walks of life came together to express their hopes and dreams for the future of Anderson. The result of this effort is a plan that reflects not only the heritage that defines Anderson, but the vision its people have for their future. This Plan serves as a comprehensive guide for City decision-making in areas related to land use, growth, housing, public services, and many other key community issues. As a statement of community values and priorities, it should be a guiding force in shaping Anderson’s future. II CITY OF ANDERSON, INDIANA TABLE OF CONTENTS I NTRODUCTION Preface Implementation Introduction 12: Land Use Plan Foreword ........................................... II Introduction ................................... 12-2 Table of Contents ............................. III Future Land Use Map ................... 12-3 The Vision for Anderson ................... IV Land Use Designations .................. 12-5 The Comprehensive Plan Mandate ... V Critical Areas ............................... 12-18 How To Use This Plan ..................... VI Updating the Comprehensive Plan .. VII 13: Transportation Plan Acknowledgments ............................ IX Introduction ................................... 13-2 Regional Transportation Issues ..... 13-3 1: Community Profile Thoroughfare Plan ......................... 13-4 History & Setting ............................ 1-2 Thoroughfare Plan Map ................ 13-5 Demographics Summary .................. 1-6 Thoroughfare Designations ............ 13-7 Public Input Overview .................... 1-8 Thoroughfare Plan Implementation Issue Identification .......................... 1-9 Tools ............................................ 13-16 Issues Matrix ................................. 1-13 Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan ........... 13-18 Critical Areas ............................... 13-25 Community Goals Supporting Data 2: Image & Identity Introduction ..................................... 2-2 14: Visioning Data Goals & Policies .............................. 2-3 Introduction ................................... 14-2 Key Stakeholder Interviews .......... 14-3 3: Natural Environment Visioning Workshops ..................... 14-6 Introduction ..................................... 3-2 Priorities Workshops ................... 14-10 Goals & Policies .............................. 3-3 15: Physical Data 4: Parks & Recreation Introduction ................................... 15-2 Introduction ..................................... 4-2 Demographics ................................ 15-3 Goals & Policies .............................. 4-3 Peer Group Analysis ..................... 15-7 5: Land Use S.W.O.T. Analysis ....................... 15-18 Introduction ..................................... 5-2 Physical Analysis Maps .............. 15-27 Goals & Policies .............................. 5-3 6: Housing & Neighborhoods Introduction ..................................... 6-2 Goals & Policies .............................. 6-3 7: Education Introduction ..................................... 7-2 Goals & Policies .............................. 7-3 8: Economic Development Introduction ..................................... 8-2 Goals & Policies .............................. 8-3 9: Downtown Introduction ..................................... 9-2 Goals & Policies .............................. 9-3 10: Transportation Introduction ................................... 10-2 Goals & Policies ............................ 10-3 11: Infrastructure Introduction ................................... 11-2 Goals & Policies ............................ 11-3 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN VERSION: OCTOBER 2005 III THE VISION FOR A NDERSON The Vision Statement is an articulation of the values and aspirations of the Anderson community. The goals and policies of the Anderson Comprehensive Plan are designed to help the community achieve this broad vision. The Vision for Anderson was developed by the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, and is based on the input provided by Anderson citizens and stakeholders. NTRODUCTION I VISION STATEMENT The City of Anderson is a community that puts People First. The City will use its diverse people, places, and institutions as a foundation for building a bright future. Anderson will provide an excellent quality of life for all people by ensuring that the community is safe, attractive, affordable, and vibrant. Anderson will achieve this vision by: • Developing leaders and fostering a culture of positive involvement and pride from all sectors of the community; • Providing quality, affordable housing choices for all who wish to call Anderson home; • Improving the quality and quantity of educational resources throughout the community; • Promoting healthy lifestyles through provision of recreational facilities, activities, and programs; • Recruiting and retaining employers that provide high-quality jobs and bolster the local economy; • Pursuing strategic partnerships with community cultural and civic groups and institutions; • Enhancing and promoting the White River corridor as a premier outdoor recreation site; and • Enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the built and natural environment throughout Anderson. The City of Anderson will be an outstanding community in which to live, work, and play through the combined efforts of all stakeholders, sustained by the principle of putting People First. IV CITY OF ANDERSON, INDIANA THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MANDATE I This comprehensive plan is based on community input, existing land uses, NTRODUCTION development trends, suitability of land uses, economic feasibility, natural land features, and the requirements of Indiana law. Indiana Statute, Title 36, Article 7, as amended, empowers communities to plan. Local government is further charged with the purpose of improving "the health, safety, convenience, and welfare of the citizens and to plan for the future development of the community to the end that: • highway systems (and street systems) be carefully planned; • new communities grow only with adequate public way, utility, health, educational, and recreational facilities; • the needs of agriculture, industry, and business be recognized in future growth; • residential areas provide healthful surroundings for family life; and • the growth of the community is commensurate with, and promotive of the efficient and economical use of public funds". (IC 36-7-4-201) Public law further states that a community may establish planning and zoning entities to fulfill this purpose. (IC 36-7-4-201) Furthermore, the adoption of a comprehensive plan is established by legislative mandate as the basis for zoning and subdivision control ordinances. The Indiana statutes provide for, and require the development and maintenance of a comprehensive plan by each plan commission. (IC 36-7-4-501) IC 36-7-4-502 and 503 state the required and permissible contents of the plan. Required plan elements include: • a statement of objectives for the future development of the jurisdiction; • a statement of policy for the land use development of the jurisdiction; and • a statement of policy for the development of public ways, public places, public lands, public structures, and public utilities. The Plan Commission may also compile additional information, permissible by case law, into a comprehensive plan. This mandate serves as the foundation for the Anderson Comprehensive Plan. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN VERSION: OCTOBER 2005 V HOW TO USE THIS PLAN The Comprehensive Plan is a community guidebook. It will help guide the Plan Commission in its decision-making process. However, it addresses many other community issues as well. When reviewing development plans, making budgets, or setting priorities this document should be used to help guide decisions. Because of its emphasis on public participation, this plan gives City leaders knowledge of what the community wants and needs. This plan: • can assist the City when considering infrastructure or economic NTRODUCTION I development decisions, • can provide civic groups with ideas on how to strengthen and enhance the community, and • serves as the legal basis for protection and conservation of sensitive environmental features, historic sites, and other community resources. To facilitate the decision making process, the document is organized with the following features: PREFACE The