City of South Bend City of South Bend 2020-2040 Comprehensive Plan Adopted June 22, 2020 The City of South Bend 2020-2040 Comprehensive Plan Mayor: Julie Struck City Council: Wyatt Kuiken Darren Manlow Patricia Neve Jan Davis Robert Hall Planning Commission: Scot Pearson Norm Olsen Sheryl Harris Rinna McHugh Will Hamlin Staff: Dee Roberts, Clerk/Treasurer Kim Porter, Administrative Assistant Dennis Houk, City Supervisor Project Consultant: John Kliem Table of Contents Section One: Comprehensive Plan Elements .......................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 2 Planning under the Growth Management Act .................................................................................. 2 South Bend’s Planning History ............................................................................................................... 4 Preparing The 2020 Comprehensive Plan Update ............................................................................. 4 Organization of the Comprehensive Plan ........................................................................................... 5 Chapter 2. Vision for South Bend 2040 ..................................................................................................... 7 Chapter 3. Land Use Element .................................................................................................................... 8 Accommodating Future Growth .......................................................................................................... 8 Neighborhood District ............................................................................................................................ 8 Downtown & Commercial District ...................................................................................................... 11 Environmental Protection District ........................................................................................................ 13 Urban Growth Area .............................................................................................................................. 13 Open Space and Community Landscaping .................................................................................... 14 Environmental Protection .................................................................................................................... 15 Chapter 4. Housing Element .................................................................................................................... 17 Housing Diversity ................................................................................................................................... 17 Housing Quality ..................................................................................................................................... 18 Chapter 5. Public Facilities & Services Element .................................................................................... 19 Providing Adequate Public Facilities and Services .......................................................................... 19 Priority Public Facilities and Services Improvements Plan ................................................................ 21 Funding Public Facilities and Services ................................................................................................ 23 Siting Essential Public Facilities ............................................................................................................ 23 Adoption of Functional Public Facilities and Services Plans ........................................................... 24 Chapter 6. Utilities Element ...................................................................................................................... 25 Planning and Locating Utilities ............................................................................................................ 25 Chapter 7. Transportation Element ......................................................................................................... 26 Maintaining Existing Transportation Infrastructure ............................................................................ 26 New Transportation System Infrastructure ......................................................................................... 27 Allocating Costs for Transportation Improvements .......................................................................... 28 Priority Street Improvement Plan ........................................................................................................ 29 Coordination of Regional Transportation Actions ............................................................................ 30 Chapter 8. Sustaining the Comprehensive Plan ................................................................................... 31 Engaging Citizens in Community Decisions ...................................................................................... 31 Protecting Private Property Rights ...................................................................................................... 32 Participating in Interjurisdictional Planning ........................................................................................ 32 Table of Contents ii Monitoring the Comprehensive Plan ................................................................................................. 33 Procedure for Amending the Comprehensive Plan ........................................................................ 33 Section Two: Technical Background Material ...................................................................................... 36 Chapter 9. The Natural Environment ...................................................................................................... 37 Location ................................................................................................................................................. 37 Climate .................................................................................................................................................. 37 Topography ........................................................................................................................................... 38 Geology ................................................................................................................................................. 38 Soils ......................................................................................................................................................... 39 Geologically Hazardous Areas ........................................................................................................... 41 Surface Waters ...................................................................................................................................... 46 Frequently Flooded Areas ................................................................................................................... 47 Groundwater ........................................................................................................................................ 48 Wetlands ................................................................................................................................................ 48 Fish and Wildlife Resources .................................................................................................................. 50 Chapter 10. The Human & Built Environment ................................................................................... 52 Historical Development ....................................................................................................................... 52 Historic Population Trends .................................................................................................................... 53 Future Population Projections ............................................................................................................. 54 Community Demographics ................................................................................................................. 55 Race and Ethnicity ............................................................................................................................... 56 Economy, Economic Trends, and Conditions ................................................................................... 58 Housing Profile ....................................................................................................................................... 62 Existing Land Uses ................................................................................................................................. 65 Land Demand and Supply for Future Growth .................................................................................. 69 Urban Growth Area .............................................................................................................................. 72 City Facilities and Services................................................................................................................... 74 Transportation System .......................................................................................................................... 78 Utilities ....................................................................................................................................................