ALL in ALLAMAKEE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN f o r ALLAMAKEE COUNTY 20 21 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Allamakee County Board of Supervisors Allamakee County Planning & Zoning Commission Dan Byrnes Marlene Duffy Dennis Koenig (former) Colleen Gragg Mark Reiser Jack Knight Larry Schellhammer , Chair Duane Leppert James Pladsen Allamakee County Staff Thomas Blake, Zoning Administrator (retired) Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission Laurie Moody, Environmental Health Director Planning Staff Stephanie Runkle, Zoning Administrator Rachelle Howe, UERPC Executive Director Brian Ridenour, County Engineer Diana Johnson, Economic Development Dept. Head Michelle Barness, Regional Planner All-In Plan Steering Committee Ashley Christensen, Economic Development Specialist Marlene Duffy Aaron Detter, AICP, Senior Transportation Planner (Project Manager) Colleen Gragg Ann Klees Jack Knight Duane Leppert James Pladsen Dr. Bernard (Bud) Pratte Valerie Reinke Cover Image Credit: Don White All uncredited images: Pixabay.com Cover Image Credit: Don White All uncredited images: Pixabay.com I ...All In Allamakee II ...All In Allamakee Chapter Listing 1: Introduction p. 3 2: Community Character & Culture p. 13 3: Economy & Housing p. 23 4: Hazards & Resiliency p. 43 5: Natural Resources & Environment p. 51 6: Public Facilities, Services, & Infrastructure p. 71 7: Transportation & Land Use p. 85 Appendices p. 111 Appendix A: Waukon Open House Posters p. 111 Appendix B: Compiled Community Comments p. 114 Appendix C: Online Survey Summary Charts p. 137 Works Cited p. 144 III Directory of Figures, Tables, & Charts Figures Figure 1: Allamakee County graphic overview map ............................................................................................................................ 5 Figure 2: Tri-state region median household income comparison by state and county .............................................................. 36 Figure 3: Timeline of Presidential and State disaster declarations that included Allamakee County, 2008-2019................... 46 Figure 4 Allamakee County emergency service districts ................................................................................................................. 75 Figure 5: Allamakee County school districts ...................................................................................................................................... 75 Figure 6: Allamakee County telecommunications coverage and access ...................................................................................... 77 Figure 7: Allamakee County electrical service areas ........................................................................................................................ 78 Figure 8: Multi-modal transportation map of Allamakee County and surrounding area .............................................................. 91 Figure 9: In-flow and out-flow of work commuters in Allamakee County ....................................................................................... 92 Figure 10: Allamakee County current land-use zoning map - NORTH ........................................................................................ 103 Figure 11: Allamakee County current land-use zoning map - SOUTH ........................................................................................ 104 IV Tables Table 1: Population comparison of Allamakee County and its cities ................................................................................................ 4 Table 2: Iowa Smart Planning Principles .............................................................................................................................................. 7 Table 3: County population by age and sex ....................................................................................................................................... 12 Table 4: National Register of Historic Places listed properties and districts in Allamakee County ............................................ 19 Table 5: Survey responses: What kind of business development does Allamakee County need? Please rate the following on their level of importance. ................................................................................................................................................................. 37 Table 6: Threatened and endangered species found in Allamakee County (State and Federal designations) ....................... 60 Table 7: Allamakee County agricultural products by annual sales and statewide rank ............................................................... 60 Table 8: 2020 student enrollment in Allamakee County school districts ....................................................................................... 76 Table 9: Projected student enrollment in Allamakee County school districts, school years 2020-2021 to 2024-2025 .......... 76 Table 10: Municipal water systems in Allamakee County ................................................................................................................ 76 Table 11: Allamakee County healthcare facilities .............................................................................................................................. 77 V Charts Chart 1: Age groups as percentage of total county population ....................................................................................................... 12 Chart 2: Population of Allamakee County, 1880-2010 ...................................................................................................................... 12 Chart 3: Allamakee County total households, 2020-2040 projections ........................................................................................... 26 Chart 4: Residence location of survey respondents (in town vs. rural) .......................................................................................... 27 Chart 5: Survey responses: Why do you choose to live in Allamakee County? (Select all that apply.) .................................... 27 Chart 6: Survey responses: How long have you lived in Allamakee County? ............................................................................... 27 Chart 7: Survey responses: Do you think there is adequate affordable housing available for all residents in Allamakee County? .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Chart 8: Survey responses: What kind of housing development do you want to see in Allamakee County? (Select all that apply.) ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Chart 9: Survey responses: As a resident, do you know where to get assistance with housing issues? ................................. 28 Chart 10: Allamakee County population and jobs, 2020-2040 projections ................................................................................... 35 Chart 11: Top employing industries in Allamakee County by direct industry jobs ....................................................................... 35 Chart 12: Unemployment rate (%) for Allamakee County and Iowa, 2000-2020 .......................................................................... 36 Chart 13: Survey responses: Where do you think commercial development such as restaurants, offices, retail, and banks should be located? ................................................................................................................................................................................. 37 VI Charts (cont'd) Chart 14: Survey responses: Of the following land-use activities, which are important to you? (Select all that apply.) ........ 58 Chart 15: Survey responses: Which recreational amenities do you currently utilize in Allamakee County, and how often do you use them? ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 58 Chart 16: Survey responses: Are there any additional outdoor activities or outdoor recreation facilities you would like to see in Allamakee County? (Open question) ....................................................................................................................................... 59 Chart 17: Survey responses: Which natural resources should be a priority to protect in Allamakee County? (Select all that apply.) ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 59 Chart 18: Types of land cover in Allamakee County ......................................................................................................................... 60 Chart 19: Vehicle crash trend in Allamakee County, 2010-2020 .................................................................................................... 89 Chart 20: Transportation mode to work of Allamakee County residents ....................................................................................... 90 Chart 21: Distance traveled to work by Allamakee County residents ............................................................................................ 90 Chart 22: