Comprehensive Development Plan Abilene, Kansas Prepared by: Community Development Department September 11, 2006 Comprehensive Development Plan City of Abilene Acknowledgments City Commissioners Anson Coulson Devin Karraker Judy Leyerzapf Diane Miller Lynn Peterson John Zutavern Planning Commissioners Kyle Campbell Larry Coulson Jill Crist Wendell Gugler Walt Hoffman Paul Martin Mike Wederski Rick Williamson Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Scott Anderson Janie Brittan Jill Crist Maureen Dawson Lease Duckwall Paul Hettenbach Amy Hoch-Altwegg Lawanda Markley Larkin Mayo Mary McDonald Daryl Roney Nanc Scholl Doug Smart Special Appreciation The Community Foundation of Dickinson County, Inc. i Acknowledgments Comprehensive Development Plan City of Abilene Table of Contents Acknowledgments ..................................................................................................................... i Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................... ii List of Exhibits ......................................................................................................................... vi List of Maps ............................................................................................................................. ix Chapter I. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1 A. Purpose and Scope ................................................................................................................................ 1 B. Document Format ................................................................................................................................. 1 C. Development Policy Framework ......................................................................................................... 2 Vision Statement ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 Key Issues, Goals, and Policies .................................................................................................................................... 3 D. Using the Plan ........................................................................................................................................ 3 E. Statutory Requirements ......................................................................................................................... 4 F. Planning Process .................................................................................................................................... 6 Initial Assessment ...................................................................................................................................................... 6 Growth Alternatives Analysis .................................................................................................................................... 7 Policy Formulation ..................................................................................................................................................... 7 Plan Adoption ........................................................................................................................................................... 7 Implementation ........................................................................................................................................................... 7 Plan Maintenance ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 G. Citizen Participation ............................................................................................................................ 10 General .................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Focus Group Interviews ............................................................................................................................................ 10 Surveys ..................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Workshops ............................................................................................................................................................... 10 Steering Committee ................................................................................................................................................... 11 Public Hearings ........................................................................................................................................................ 11 Chapter II. Demographics ..................................................................................................... 12 A. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 12 B. Total Population................................................................................................................................... 12 C. Population Projections ........................................................................................................................ 13 D. Regional Distribution .......................................................................................................................... 15 E. Age Distribution................................................................................................................................... 15 F. Households ........................................................................................................................................... 17 G. Mobility.................................................................................................................................................. 18 H. Educational Attainment ...................................................................................................................... 19 I. Income & Poverty................................................................................................................................ 21 J. Summary ................................................................................................................................................ 22 Chapter III. Physical Setting .................................................................................................. 23 A. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 23 B. Location ................................................................................................................................................. 23 C. Topography/Geology ......................................................................................................................... 23 D. Climate ................................................................................................................................................... 25 E. Soils ........................................................................................................................................................ 26 F. Hydrology .............................................................................................................................................. 27 Floodplain ................................................................................................................................................................ 27 Groundwater ............................................................................................................................................................ 27 ii Table of Contents Comprehensive Development Plan City of Abilene G. Vegetation and Wildlife ....................................................................................................................... 29 H. Land Use ............................................................................................................................................... 29 I. Summary ................................................................................................................................................ 31 Chapter IV. Housing .............................................................................................................. 33 A. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 33 B. Residential Development Trends ...................................................................................................... 33 C. Housing Stock ...................................................................................................................................... 33 Mix of Types ............................................................................................................................................................ 33 Age and Condition ................................................................................................................................................... 34 D. Occupancy and Ownership ...............................................................................................................