Recommended Plan for Summersville, WV May 13, 2013 CONTENTS Goals, Objectives, and Strategies ................................................................................................................. 1 1.0 Citizen Participation ................................................................................................................................... 2 Goal 1.1: Inclusion of the entire community in shaping the future growth and development of the City of Summersville ............................................................................................ 2 Goal 1.2: Facilitate meaningful citizen participation in the proceedings of county government with emphasis on the Planning & Zoning Board and City Council ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 2.0 Natural & Historic Resources ..................................................................................................................... 4 General History .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Goal 2.1: Respect the historic significance of the City of Summersville through stewardship of historic, architectural, archaeological, and cultural resources ............................................................................................................................................................. 5 Natural Resources ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Goal 2.2: Promote the protection of natural resources to ensure their enjoyment for generations by Summersville residents. .............................................................................. 8 3.0 Land Use & Conservation ........................................................................................................................ 10 LAND USE PLANNING PRINCIPLES ................................................................................................................. 10 GROWTH MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK ...................................................................................................... 14 Goal 3.1: General - Promote a future land use pattern that reinforces the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan ...................................................................................................... 19 Figure 1: Designated Growth Areas .................................................................................................... 20 Goal 3.2: Residential Development – Retain the intimate character of the city while encouraging increased density and walkability through flexible development patterns ................................................................................................................................... 25 Goal 3.3: Commercial / Service Development – Provide an adequate market for commercial goods and services that will meet the demand of city residents and visitors without detracting from the intimate, inviting character of the city ...................................................................................................................................... 27 Goal 3.4: Industrial Development – Develop a diversified, viable industrial economic base without detracting from the overall character of the city ....................................... 29 Goal 3.5: Guide growth in targeted areas to create healthy, vibrant communities with a mix of uses and services to meet the needs of city residents ............................................................................................................................................................ 31 4.0 Transportation ............................................................................................................................................ 37 Recommended Plan for Summersville, WV May 13, 2013 Goal 4.1: Provide a comprehensive transportation system which is safe, efficient and convenient ............................................................................................................................... 41 Figure 2: Transportation Network ........................................................................................................ 43 5.0 Utilities .......................................................................................................................................................... 46 Goal 5.1: To provide for more efficient utilization of land resources in utility extension and upgrades ................................................................................................................................ 47 Goal 5.2: To provide guidance for the orderly development and expansion of developed areas and utility infrastructure ........................................................................ 48 6.0 Recreation .................................................................................................................................................. 51 Goal 6.1: Project and plan for future parks and recreation facilities and programs in advance of public demand .................................................................................................. 52 Goal 6.2: Provide park and recreational facilities that will meet the needs of Summersville’s growing population ........................................................................................................ 53 7.0 Housing ....................................................................................................................................................... 54 Goal 7.1: To insure that all city residents have affordable, safe and decent housing .............................................................................................................................................................. 55 8.0 Community Facilities ................................................................................................................................ 58 Goal 8.1: Provide for the welfare of all citizens of the City of Summersville through provision of adequate community facilities and services in a manner reflecting both present and future demands ............................................................................ 60 9.0 Tourism ......................................................................................................................................................... 63 Goal 9.1: Encourage sustainable tourism that supports the natural environment and enhances the health of the region’s natural resources ......................................... 64 10.0 Community Design ................................................................................................................................. 65 Goal 10.1: Maintain a dark night sky and minimize light pollution ....................................................... 66 Goal 10.2: Design and orient buildings to positively contribute to the community and its lifestyle ............................................................................................................................ 67 Goal 10.3: Every street in the City of Summersville should be improved to be as “complete” as possible....................................................................................................................... 69 Goal 10.4: Utilize Rain Barrels, Rain Gardens, and Bioswales ................................................................. 72 11.0 Economic Development ....................................................................................................................... 74 Goal 11.1: Promote responsible and sustainable development that allows Summersville to prosper economically and flourish into the foreseeable future.................................................................................................................................................................. 76 12.0 Implementation ....................................................................................................................................... 78 ZONING REGULATIONS ................................................................................................................................... 79 Recommended Plan for Summersville, WV May 13, 2013 SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS............................................................................................................................ 80 BUILDING AND HOUSING CODES ................................................................................................................. 81 HOUSING PROGRAM ...................................................................................................................................... 82 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ...................................................................................................... 82 SUPPLY OF INFORMATION .............................................................................................................................. 83 PLAN COORDINATION .................................................................................................................................... 83 PLAN UPDATE AND REVIEW ............................................................................................................................ 84 CONTINUING CITIZEN PARTICIPATION 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