City of Pacific, Missouri - Comprehensive Plan Update June 2017 City of Pacific, Missouri Comprehensive Plan Update ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Mayor and Board of Aldermen Jeffery Palmore, Mayor Nicholas Chlebowski, Aldermen Ward 1 Gregg Rahn, Aldermen Ward 1 Steve Myers, Aldermen Ward 2 Carol Johnson, Aldermen Ward 2 Mike Pigg, Aldermen Ward 3 Andrew Nemeth, Aldermen Ward 3 City Staff Steve Roth, City Administrator Kim Barfield, City Clerk Planning and Zoning Commission Linda Bruns, Chairperson Jerry Eversmeyer, Secretary Jim Smith Don Graham Gary Koelling Mike Bates Thomas E. Miles Nicholas Chlebowski City of Pacific, Missouri Comprehensive Plan Update TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Existing Conditions………………......1 Chapter 2: Critical Issues………....……….…….24 Chapter 3: Vision, Goals Objectives….………..32 Chapter 4: Public Facilities & Services.…….....52 Chapter 5: Parks Master Plan …………………...62 Chapter 6: Floodplain Management…………....76 Chapter 7: Economic Development…………....92 Chapter 8: Future Land Use…………..………..114 City of Pacific, Missouri - Comprehensive Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS June 2017 City of Pacific, Missouri Comprehensive Plan Update Chapter 1: Existing Conditions This page left blank intentionally 2017 Comprehensive Plan Update 1 City of Pacific, Missouri Comprehensive Plan Update Chapter 1: Existing Conditions TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 1.01. Study Area ................................................................................................................ 3 Figure 1.1: Study Area Map ........................................................................................................ 3 Section 1.02. History of Pacific ...................................................................................................... 4 Section 1.03. Pacific Today ............................................................................................................ 6 Section 1.04. Comprehensive Plan Purpose & Intent .................................................................. 7 Section 1.05. Zoning Ordinance .................................................................................................... 7 Section 1.06. Subdivision Regulations ......................................................................................... 8 Section 1.07. City of Pacific 2017 Comprehensive Plan Update Overview ............................... 8 2017 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SUMMARY ...................................................................................... 10 Section 1.08. Demographics ........................................................................................................ 11 Section 1.09. Population ............................................................................................................... 11 Section 1.10. Age Characteristics ............................................................................................... 11 Section 1.11. Income ..................................................................................................................... 13 Section 1.12. Housing ................................................................................................................... 14 Section 1.13. Building Permits ..................................................................................................... 15 Section 1.14. Housing Affordability ............................................................................................. 15 Section 1.15. Cost of Living Index ............................................................................................... 16 Section 1.16. Educational Attainment (ages 25 & over) ............................................................ 16 Section 1.17. Employment Characteristics ................................................................................ 16 Section 1.18. Occupation & Commuting ..................................................................................... 17 Section 1.19. Trade Area Profile .................................................................................................. 18 DEVELOPMENT CONSTRAINTS ........................................................................................................ 20 Section 1.20. Historic sites ........................................................................................................... 20 Section 1.21. Environmental Framework .................................................................................... 21 Section 1.22. Topography............................................................................................................. 21 Section 1.23. Geology ................................................................................................................... 21 Section 1.24. Soils ......................................................................................................................... 22 Section 1.25. Wetlands ................................................................................................................. 22 Section 1.26. Existing Conditions Summary .............................................................................. 23 2017 Comprehensive Plan Update 2 City of Pacific, Missouri Comprehensive Plan Update Chapter 1: Existing Conditions Section 1.01. STUDY AREA The Comprehensive Plan Update study area includes all land situated within the corporate limits of Pacific and areas identified for future annexation on the Future Land Use Map. The City includes approximately 5.93 square miles and is located directly west of the City of Eureka and five (5) miles east of Gray Summit. The City of St. Louis is approximately 25 miles northeast of Pacific along Interstate 44. Pacific is prominently located along Historic Route 66 where the counties of Franklin, Saint Louis and Jefferson join. The Union Pacific Railroad (formally Missouri Pacific) and the Burlington Northern Railroad (formally St. Louis San Francisco) run through Pacific. The City straddles the Franklin County/St. Louis County line, which lies halfway along the blocks between Elm and Neosho streets. The Meramec River and Pacific Palisades Conservation Area border the City’s southeastern limits. The City falls within the Meramec River watershed which includes Brush Creek and Fox Creek, both of which run through the City of Pacific before dumping into the Meramec River. The Meramec River is the longest free-flowing waterway in Missouri, measuring approximately 220 miles. The area’s most recognizable landmark is the bleach white St. Peter Sandstone bluffs that line the north side of Route 66 as it passes through Pacific. Pacific’s close connection to outdoor recreation and the back range of the Ozark Mountains has earned the City the nickname “Doorway to the Ozarks”. FIGURE 1.1: STUDY AREA MAP 2017 Comprehensive Plan Update 3 City of Pacific, Missouri Comprehensive Plan Update Chapter 1: Existing Conditions Section 1.02. HISTORY OF PACIFIC The City of Pacific is located in the counties of St. Louis and Franklin, with the majority of its boundaries being in Franklin County. In 1818, Franklin County was organized and separated from St. Louis County and named after one of America's founding fathers; Benjamin Franklin. With 922 square-miles, Franklin County is the largest geographic area in the St. Louis Metropolitan Service Area (MSA) and one of the largest counties in all of Missouri. The history of Pacific dates back to 1820, when the first known log cabin was constructed in the area. The area also honors the Native American cultures who first inhabited the area, namely the Osage Indians. The following stages of occupancy and historic milestones helped shape Pacific’s growth and development: Source: Missouri History Museum 2017 Comprehensive Plan Update 4 City of Pacific, Missouri Comprehensive Plan Update Chapter 1: Existing Conditions View of Pacific, Missouri- Formally Franklin 2017 Comprehensive Plan Update 5 City of Pacific, Missouri Comprehensive Plan Update Chapter 1: Existing Conditions Section 1.03. PACIFIC TODAY The City of Pacific is a 4th Class City with just over 7,000 residents. Official City business is conducted in a newly reconstructed City Hall located at 300 Hoven Street. The City is run by the City Administrator, the Mayor, six (6) member Board of Aldermen and supporting staff. The City currently employs approximately fifty (50) paid employees. Pacific is divided into three wards; each ward has two aldermanic representatives. The City Administrator is appointed by the Board of Aldermen and approved by the Mayor. The City Administrator is the full-time Administrative Officer of the City, responsible for overseeing all daily operations and the municipal staff. Today, Pacific is home to over 500 businesses as well as public service agencies like the Pacific Police Department, Meramec Valley R-III School District, St. Bridget Catholic Schools, Library and Pacific Fire Department. Some of the largest employers in the City include Aurora Technologies (ATI), Clayton Corporation, Walker Products, Graphic Packaging, Husky Corporation, PLZ Aeroscience and U.S. Silica, to name a few. A wide variety of stores and services are available to area residents. The City has four (4) industrial parks; they include Dailey Industrial Park, Meramec Industrial Park, Integram Industrial Park and Rose Lane. Each industrial park is served with utilities, roads and poised and ready for future expansion. The Pacific public school system, the Meramec Valley R-III School District is an accredited public school