Town of Narrows Comprehensive Plan Adopted March 21, 2016 Town of Narrows Comprehensive Plan ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Planning Commission Town Council Leon Light, Chair Clayton Davis, Mayor Judy Moulder Tom Garrett, Vice-Mayor Terry Nicholson John Davis Jerry Rhodes Roger Martin Carol Spangler Linda McGlothlin Clyde Turner Town Staff Susan Kidd, Assistant Town Manager Buddy Kast, Public Works Director Felecia Bowman, Clerk Technical Assistance provided by: New River Valley Regional Commission Adopted by Narrows Town Council on March 21, 2016 Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................1 Development of Narrows ...........................................................................................................2 Historic Background ........................................................................................................2 Historic Features ..............................................................................................................4 Population ...................................................................................................................................6 Population Trends ............................................................................................................6 Population Characteristics ...............................................................................................7 Population Trend Factors .................................................................................................7 Housing .......................................................................................................................................8 Economy......................................................................................................................................10 Employment .....................................................................................................................10 Income..............................................................................................................................14 Educational Attainment ...................................................................................................15 Travel Time to Work .......................................................................................................16 Business License Revenue ...............................................................................................16 Tourism ............................................................................................................................17 Natural Features ........................................................................................................................18 Climate .............................................................................................................................18 Wind and Air Quality.......................................................................................................18 Topography ......................................................................................................................18 Geology ............................................................................................................................19 Soils..................................................................................................................................20 Water Resources ..............................................................................................................21 Aesthetic Resources .........................................................................................................23 Forests ..............................................................................................................................23 Wildlife ............................................................................................................................24 i Table of Contents Community Facilities .................................................................................................................25 Transportation ..................................................................................................................25 Streetlighting ....................................................................................................................26 Public Parking ..................................................................................................................26 Sidewalks .........................................................................................................................27 Public Transportation .......................................................................................................27 Airports ............................................................................................................................27 Rail Service ......................................................................................................................27 Water Service ...................................................................................................................28 Water Service Area ..........................................................................................................28 Sewer System ...................................................................................................................28 Solid Waste Collection and Disposal ...............................................................................28 Recycling .........................................................................................................................29 Storm Water Management ...............................................................................................29 Utilities .............................................................................................................................29 Internet Service ................................................................................................................29 Recreational Services and Facilities ................................................................................29 Farmers Market ................................................................................................................30 Education .........................................................................................................................31 Law Enforcement .............................................................................................................31 Fire Department ...............................................................................................................32 Emergency Medical Services ...........................................................................................32 Hospital ............................................................................................................................32 Library..............................................................................................................................33 Economic Development .............................................................................................................34 Positive Developments.....................................................................................................34 Other Notable Assets .......................................................................................................35 Outdoor Recreation Assets ..............................................................................................36 Opportunities....................................................................................................................36 ii Table of Contents Land Use .....................................................................................................................................37 Natural Land Use Factors ................................................................................................38 Man-Made Land Use Factors...........................................................................................38 Composite of All Land Use Factors.................................................................................39 Goals and Objectives .................................................................................................................40 Economic Development ...................................................................................................40 Housing ............................................................................................................................41 Transportation ..................................................................................................................41 Land Use and Environment .............................................................................................41 Municipal Services and Facilities ....................................................................................42 Public Involvement ..........................................................................................................44 Recommendations ......................................................................................................................45 Recommended Future Land Use Plan..............................................................................45 Recommended Transportation Plan .................................................................................46 Recommended