City of McGregor Comprehensive Smart Plan 2012 Prepared by: Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission 325 Washington Street, Decorah, IA 52101 McGregor Comprehensive Smart Plan 2012 Page 1 Acknowledgements Mayor Steering Committee Gaylinda Hallberg Lynette Sander Ann Blankenship City Council Cheri Leachman Jason Bogdonovich Linda Boeke Joseph Collins Don Hattery Charlie Carroll Vickie Breitbach Rogeta Halvorson Rogeta Halvorson Joseph Muehlbauer Neil Dodgen Chenoa Ruecking Zoning Commission Donna Staples Harold Brooks Larry Brummel Neil Dodgen Beth Regan Donna Staples With special thanks to: The Iowa Economic Development Authority Clayton County Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) UERPC was created to promote regional cooperation and meet the planning and economic development needs of local governments in the five Northeast Iowa counties of Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek. McGregor Comprehensive Smart Plan 2012 Page 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures .....................................................................................................................................6 List of Charts ......................................................................................................................................6 List of Tables ......................................................................................................................................7 List of Photographs ............................................................................................................................7 Adoption Resolution ..........................................................................................................................9 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... 11 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 11 Public Participation ................................................................................................................................. 12 Community Overview ............................................................................................................................. 12 Community Character and Culture ......................................................................................................... 12 Housing ................................................................................................................................................... 13 Economic Development ......................................................................................................................... 13 Transportation ........................................................................................................................................ 14 Community Facilities .............................................................................................................................. 14 Public Utilities ......................................................................................................................................... 14 Natural and Agricultural Resources ........................................................................................................ 15 Hazards ................................................................................................................................................... 15 Intergovernmental Collaboration ........................................................................................................... 15 Land Use ................................................................................................................................................. 16 Implementation ...................................................................................................................................... 16 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 17 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION .................................................................................................................... 19 CHAPTER 1: COMMUNITY OVERVIEW ............................................................................................ 20 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 20 Location .................................................................................................................................................. 20 History of McGregor ............................................................................................................................... 22 Population Characteristics ...................................................................................................................... 23 CHAPTER 2: COMMUNITY CHARACTER & CULTURE ........................................................................ 29 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 29 Visual Characteristics .............................................................................................................................. 29 Events and Activities ............................................................................................................................... 29 Recreation and Natural Resources ......................................................................................................... 30 Arts and Culture ...................................................................................................................................... 30 Historic Preservation .............................................................................................................................. 31 Community Priorities .............................................................................................................................. 34 Community Character and Culture Summary ........................................................................................ 34 Goals, Strategies and Actions ................................................................................................................. 35 CHAPTER 3: HOUSING ................................................................................................................... 36 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 36 McGregor Comprehensive Smart Plan 2012 Page 3 Existing Housing Characteristics ............................................................................................................. 36 Housing Projections ................................................................................................................................ 42 Housing Programs................................................................................................................................... 43 Affordable and Accessible Housing ........................................................................................................ 44 Community Priorities .............................................................................................................................. 46 Housing Summary ................................................................................................................................... 47 Goals, Strategies and Actions ................................................................................................................. 48 CHAPTER 4: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ........................................................................................ 50 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 50 Educational Attainment .......................................................................................................................... 50 Labor Force ............................................................................................................................................. 52 Unemployment Rates ............................................................................................................................. 52 Commuting ............................................................................................................................................. 53 Economic Base ........................................................................................................................................ 54 City Financials ......................................................................................................................................... 57 Economic Development Programs and Organizations ........................................................................... 60 Community Priorities .............................................................................................................................. 61 Economic Development Summary ......................................................................................................... 62 Goals, Strategies and Actions ................................................................................................................