MORRIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN City of Morris, Illinois March 2018 City of Morris Comprehensive Plan Approved by City Ordinance No. 4222, March 5, 2018 City Council Members: Dick Kopczick, Mayor Julian Houston Randy Larson Bill Martin Sid Nelson Jeff Wachowski Duane Wolfe Derrick Wren Herb Wyeth Planning Commission Members: John Wilkinson, Chairperson Jim Garling JoAnne Gretencord Dennis Hackett Jim Jennings Barry Narvick Randy Werden Assisted by: Bill Cheshareck, Building and Zoning Officer Scott Belt, City Attorney Prepared by: This 2018 Comprehensive Plan is an update of the 2010 Comprehensive Plan. The update was prepared by Teska Asso- ciates, Inc. The original 2003 Comprehensive Plan was prepared by the North Central Illinois Council of Governments. Ottawa, IL www.ncicg.org Plainfield, IL www.TeskaAssociates.com Table of Contents Chapter 1 - Introduction Regional Location Map ...................................................................................................... 1-2 Chapter 2 - History Background ......................................................................................................................... 2-1 Churches .............................................................................................................................. 2-2 Fire Protection ..................................................................................................................... 2-2 Hospital ................................................................................................................................ 2-3 Library District ...................................................................................................................... 2-4 Newspaper ......................................................................................................................... 2-4 Schools ................................................................................................................................ 2-4 Chapter 3 - Environment Relief and Physiography ..................................................................................................... 3-9 Soils ...................................................................................................................................... 3-9 Geology ............................................................................................................................... 3-13 Mineral resources ............................................................................................................... 3-13 Surface Water ...................................................................................................................... 3-13 Groundwater ...................................................................................................................... 3-14 Climate ................................................................................................................................. 3-15 Morris Airport Wildlife Assessment ................................................................................. 3-15 Electrical Grid ...................................................................................................................... 3-16 Chapter 4 - Demographics Population Characteristics ................................................................................................. 4-1 Household Characteristics ................................................................................................ 4-2 Housing Units ...................................................................................................................... 4-2 Ethnic Composition ............................................................................................................ 4-3 Income Levels ..................................................................................................................... 4-4 Employment ........................................................................................................................ 4-4 Chapter 5 - Policy Framework Vision Statement ................................................................................................................. 5-1 The General Development Goal ...................................................................................... 5-1 The Land Use and Urban Form Goal ............................................................................... 5-4 Housing and Residential Goal ........................................................................................... 5-6 Transportation Goal ........................................................................................................... 5-8 Commercial Development Goal ....................................................................................... 5-9 Industrial Development Goal ............................................................................................ 5-11 Community Facilities Goal .................................................................................................. 5-12 Open Space and Recreation Goal .................................................................................. 5-17 Table of Contents Table of Contents Historic Preservation Goal ................................................................................................. 5-19 Ongoing Planning Goal ...................................................................................................... 5-20 Chapter 6 - Community Facilities, Services & Infrastructure Education ............................................................................................................................ 6-1 Library ................................................................................................................................... 6-5 Parks & recreation .............................................................................................................. 6-5 Future Park & School Needs ............................................................................................. 6-9 Public Services .................................................................................................................... 6-11 Morris Downtown Development Partnership ................................................................ 6-14 Infrastructure ....................................................................................................................... 6-15 Chapter 7 - Land Use Existing Land Use ................................................................................................................. 7-1 Approximate Area by Classification ................................................................................. 7-2 Land Area and Density ....................................................................................................... 7-6 2008-09 Land Area and Density ...................................................................................... 7-7 Future Land Use ................................................................................................................... 7-8 Land Use Categories ........................................................................................................... 7-9 Use of Future Land Use Map ............................................................................................. 7-17 Future Land Use Areas ........................................................................................................ 7-18 Chapter 8 - Transportation Regional Setting ................................................................................................................... 8-1 Existing Transportation Infrastructure ............................................................................... 8-1 Future Transportation Improvements ............................................................................... 8-7 Chapter 9 - Community Design Architectural Guidelines ..................................................................................................... 8-1 Route 47 Corridor ............................................................................................................... 8-1 Residential/Commercial Buffers ......................................................................................... 8-4 Chapter 10 - Implementation Comprehensive Plan Update ............................................................................................ 8-1 City Council .......................................................................................................................... 8-2 Plan Commission ................................................................................................................. 8-2 Zoning .................................................................................................................................. 8-3 Variances .............................................................................................................................. 8-4 Subdivision Regulations ...................................................................................................... 8-4 Updateing the Plan ............................................................................................................. 8-4 Table of Contents List of Exhibits Regional Location Map ..................................................................................................................... 1-2 Environmental Issues Map ..............................................................................................................