CLAYTON COUNTY IOWA Comprehensive Smart Plan 2018 Prepared by: Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission 325 Washington Street, Decorah, IA 52101 Clayton County Comprehensive Plan 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS County Supervisors: Ron McCartney Gary Bowden Ray Peterson Steering Committee Members Aaron Schroeder, Farmersburg Joleen Jansen, Clayton Co. Energy District Anne Osmundson, Clayton Co. Planning & Zoning Julie Larson Commission Julie Wagner, Elkader Ardis Smith, Elgin Kay Vifian, Garnavillo Art Moellering, Garnavillo Kris Grover, Elkader Bill Frommelt, Guttenberg Mayor Larry Stone, Clayton Co. Conservation Board Bill Reimer, Elkader Linda Zuercher, Postville Bruce Collins, Elkader Linzy Martin, Strawberry Point Bruce Kann, Clayton Co. Planning & Zoning Melissa Kann, Clayton Co. Board of Adjustment Commission Michael Finnegan, Clayton Co. Planning & Zoning Burt Chapman, Strawberry Point Commission Darla Kelchen, Clayton Co. Development Group Nicole Dennler, Elkader Development Corp. Ed Josten, RISE Ltd. Patti Ruff, Clayton Co. Zoning Administrator Emily Yaddof, Director Elkader Economic Rodney Swales, Clayton Co. Farm Bureau Development Corp. Roger Thomas, Clayton Co. Historic Preservation Erik Oberbroeckling, Clayton Co. Farm Bureau Commission Gale Severson, Clayton Co. Board of Adjustment Russel Loven, Guttenberg Gary Kregel, Clayton Co. Conservation Board Sandra Coobs, Clayton Co. Board of Adjustment Gil Gutknecht, Pattison Sand Co. Scott Cherne, Guttenberg Jane Metcalf, Elkader Sharon Keehner, Guttenberg Jeff Meyer, St. Olaf Stan Wagner, Elkader Jenna Pollock, Director Clayton Co. Conservation Steve Doeppke, Elkader Jennifer Cowsert, Elkader City Administrator Sue Meyer, St. Olaf Jim Smith, Elgin Tom Crandall, Clayton Co. Civil Service Joe Zuercher, Postville Commission John Berns, Garnavillo Vic Vifian, Garnavillo John Finley, Elkader John Nikolai, Motor Mill Foundation 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. Clayton County Comprehensive Plan 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................................. 6 TABLE OF CHARTS .................................................................................................................................. 6 TABLE OF TABLES ................................................................................................................................... 7 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................... 8 Background .................................................................................................................................................... 8 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ........................................................................................................................ 10 VISIONING SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................... 11 CHAPTER 1: COUNTY OVERVIEW ...................................................................................................... 13 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 13 Location ........................................................................................................................................................ 13 Brief History of Clayton County .................................................................................................................... 15 Population Characteristics ........................................................................................................................... 16 CHAPTER 2: COMMUNITY CHARACTER AND CULTURE ....................................................................... 21 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 21 Events and Activities .................................................................................................................................... 21 Recreation and Natural Resources ............................................................................................................... 21 Arts and Culture ........................................................................................................................................... 22 Historic Preservation .................................................................................................................................... 25 Character and Culture Summary .................................................................................................................. 28 Character and Culture Action Plan ............................................................................................................... 29 CHAPTER 3: HOUSING ...................................................................................................................... 30 Vision & Community Feedback .................................................................................................................... 30 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 31 Existing Housing Characteristics................................................................................................................... 31 Housing Projections ..................................................................................................................................... 35 Housing Programs ........................................................................................................................................ 35 Affordable and Accessible Housing .............................................................................................................. 36 Housing Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 38 Housing Action Plan ..................................................................................................................................... 39 CHAPTER 4: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ............................................................................................ 42 Vision & Community Feedback .................................................................................................................... 42 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 43 Educational Attainment ............................................................................................................................... 43 Labor Force ................................................................................................................................................... 43 Unemployment Rates .................................................................................................................................. 44 Commuting ................................................................................................................................................... 44 Economic Base ............................................................................................................................................. 46 Clayton County Comprehensive Plan 3 Economic Development Programs and Organizations................................................................................. 49 Economic Development Summary ............................................................................................................... 50 Economic Development Action Plan ............................................................................................................ 52 CHAPTER 5: TRANSPORTATION......................................................................................................... 56 Vision & Community Feedback .................................................................................................................... 56 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 57 Inventory of Existing Transportation Facilities ............................................................................................. 57 Functional Classification System .................................................................................................................. 57 Traffic Volumes ............................................................................................................................................ 58 Alternate Modes of Transportation ............................................................................................................. 58 Transportation Priorities .............................................................................................................................. 59 Transportation Summary 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