Forsyth Comprehensive Plan Village of Forsyth, Illinois Adopted by the Village Board on August 6, 2012 Ordinance Number 858 Prepared by Teska Associates, Inc. Acknowledgments Village Board Village Staff Harold “Hap” Gilbert, Mayor Mike Miller, Village Administrator Steve Hubbard, Trustee Kathy Mizer, Assistant Village Administrator/Clerk Marilyn Johnson, Trustee Rhonda Stewart, Village Treasurer Eric Morr, Trustee Kim Taylor, Village Administrative Assistant Bob Rasho, Trustee Larry Cololni, Public Works Director Larry Reed, Trustee Linn Summers, Building Inspector Kerstin Trachtenberg, Trustee Chuck Hunsinger, Village Engineer Planning & Zoning Commission Consultant Team Steve Langhoff, Chair Teska Associates, Inc. Robert Bachtold Mike Hoffman, Vice President Colleen Brinkoetter Jodi Mariano, Principal Urban Designer Bill Busbey Todd Vanadilok, Senior Planner Dennis Downey Beth Chamberlin, Planning Intern Larry Perkins Scott Spriggs Business Districts, Inc. Mike Heneghan, Alternate Bridget Lane, Director Kris Quandt, Alternate ADOPTED: AUGUST 6, 2012 Table of Contents Section 1: Introduction 1 >> Sustainability 27 Telecommunications Infrastructure 28 Overview 1 >> Telephone & Mobile Communications 28 Planning Background & Approach 2 >> Internet/Broadband 28 History 2 >> Television & Radio 28 Plan Elements 3 Housing 28 >> Housing Characteristics 29 Section 2: Community Assessment 5 >> Housing Units 29 >> Housing Occupancy 29 Overview 5 >> Housing Tenure 29 Planning Area 5 >> Building Permits 30 Demographics 5 >> Number of Units in Housing Structure 30 >> Population 7 >> Age of Housing Stock 31 >> Households 11 >> Median Rent 31 >> Household Income 12 >> Values for Owner-Occupied Housing Units 32 >> Employment 13 >> Affordable Housing 33 >> Education 14 Natural Resources 33 Existing Land Use 15 >> Open Space 33 Transportation 18 >> Water Bodies 33 >> Road Network 18 >> Floodplain 34 >> Road Improvements 18 >> Wetlands 35 >> Regional Road Access 19 >> Pedestrian & Bicycle Paths 20 Section 3: Policy Guidelines 37 >> Other Modes of Transportation 21 Community Facilities & Public Infrastructure 22 Vision Statement 37 >> Municipal Services 22 Core Values 38 >> Utilities 23 Goals & Objectives 39 >> Public Safety 24 >> Schools 24 Section 4: Growth Management Plan 45 >> Library 25 >> Religious Institutions 26 Overview 45 >> Parks & Recreation 26 Future Land Use Plan 46 >> Healthcare Facilities 27 >> Future Land Use Plan Map 46 >> Historic Resources 27 >> Planning Area 46 (continued on next page) Forsyth Comprehensive Plan Village of Forsyth, Illinois i ADOPTED: AUGUST 6, 2012 Table of Contents (continued from previous page) >> Land Use Categories 47 Light Manufacturing & Distribution 89 >> Population Capacity 54 Economic Development Plan 90 >> Target Growth Area 55 Vision, Goals & Objectives 91 >> Land Use vs. Zoning 57 Key Development Sites 93 Transportation Plan 58 >> Roadway Classification System 58 Section 6: Hickory Point Corridor 95 >> Regional Access & Mobility 63 >> Multimodal Transportation Network 64 Overview 95 >> Roadway Improvements 65 Mall Improvements 96 Community Facilities & Public Infrastructure Plan 66 Signage Improvements 96 >> Municipal Services 69 Hickory Point Area Plan 98 >> Utilities 70 >> Public Safety 72 Section 7: Implementation Plan 101 >> Schools 73 >> Library 77 Overview 101 >> Healthcare Facilities 78 Plan Monitoring & Updates 101 >> Parks & Recreation 79 Capital Improvement Program 102 >> Open Space & Environment 83 Development Regulations 102 Boundary Agreements 102 Section 5: Economic Development Plan 85 Intergovernmental Cooperation 103 Annexation 104 Overview 85 Funding Sources 104 Retail 86 Office 89 Appendix AP1 Forsyth Comprehensive Plan ii Village of Forsyth, Illinois ADOPTED: AUGUST 6, 2012 Introduction1 ocated in central Macon County at the The overall intent of this Comprehensive Plan confluence of I-72 and U.S. Route 51, is to outline a framework that enables the Vil- Lresidents and businesses of the Village lage to maintain and strengthen these commu- of Forsyth enjoy excellent regional access for nity assets, ensuring residents and businesses travel and commerce. Residents are able to will be able to enjoy a high quality-of-life as conveniently commute to jobs at major em- Forsyth grows and develops over time. While ployers and universities in the region. Busi- growth and development generate opportuni- nesses, particularly at Hickory Point Mall and ties, they also require a responsible and prac- along the Route 51 corridor, have a reliable tical response from the Village to ensure that stream of customers. the community plans for growth and develop- ment that is sensible and sustainable. Forsyth offers much more than superior ac- cess within the region. The Village is served From creating local employment opportuni- by a strong education system and proximity to ties and enhancing the Hickory Point Corridor major colleges and universities in the region. to providing for a growing senior population The park system is anchored by Forsyth Park and diversifying the housing stock, the Com- as its flagship community park with a series prehensive Plan provides recommendations of smaller parks and an expanding trail sys- that the Village can put into action to achieve tem. The library is a local gem that is one of sensible growth, sustainable community de- Forsyth’s points of pride. Excellent municipal velopment, and viable economy. services provide a network of civic support, utilities, infrastructure, and public safety that The Comprehensive Plan is a statement of support both existing and future growth. policy, expressing the objectives and aspira- Forsyth Comprehensive Plan Village of Forsyth, Illinois 1 1: Introduction ADOPTED: AUGUST 6, 2012 tions of the Village to develop a well-planned Village Board. A public hearing was held by tled in the area in 1825. Forey built a log cabin community and maintain a high quality of life. the Planning and Zoning Commission on July in the woods on the west branch of Stevens The plan is a fluid document and not an end 26, 2012, and recommended for approval. The Creek. Later arrivals in the township were nu- unto itself, requiring that the Village under- Village Board adopted the plan on August 6, merous members of the Church of God, and take future updates and keep develop regula- 2012, by ordinance number 858. this denomination established the first church tions current to respond to changing market there in 1852. characteristics and community vision. History In 1854, the Illinois Central Railroad was built through Macon County. Soon after the main Planning Background The Village of Forsyth has always been a place track was built, sidetracks were constructed & Approach where history and culture are cherished. Da- at proper intervals for the passing of trains. vid Forey, the first permanent white settler, set- One of these sidetracks was just south of the Sound planning has been important to Village officials and citizens of Forsyth. In 1990, when the Village had a population of 1,400, the com- munity adopted its first Comprehensive Plan. Over the next ten years, Forsyth succeded in Get Involved! maintain its distinctive qualities and improv- Community Participate in planning for ing its community facilities – while growing in Planning the future of Forsyth. population to 2,434. The community recog- May 24, June 28, July 26 & August 23 | Workshops Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm nizes the importance of planning into the 21st Village Hall | 301 S. Route 51, Forsyth century by reaffirming its original goals and objectives and by addressing new challenges. Forsyth Comprehensive Plan & Unified Development Ordinance In September of 2002, the Village adopted a Join the Planning & Zoning Commission, Village staff, and your fellow residents, business owners, and Comprehensive Plan update prepared by Lane property owners to prepare a long range plan for Kending, Inc. community development and to lay the groundwork for a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). In late 2011, the Village retained Teska Asso- We value your feedback, so we hope you will attend ciates, Inc. to assist in updating the Compre- the workshops and participate in planning for the hensive Plan and updating appropriate Village future of Forsyth! development regulations. Significant efforts were made to obtain public input into the planning process through the use of a com- munity survey, a project website with on-line UNABLE TO ATTEND? The planning process for the Comprehensive Plan and Unified Developmentt Share your thoughts on the project website mapping tools, and monthly joint meetings Ordinance included different community outreach tools, including a projectt www.TeskaAssociates.com/Forsyth/index.htm with the Planning & Zoning Commission and website (above) and community planning workshops (right). QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? PLEASE CONTACT: Kathy Mizer PHONE: (217) 877-9445 ASSISTANT VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR / CLERK EMAIL: [email protected] Forsyth Comprehensive Plan 2 Village of Forsyth, Illinois ADOPTED: AUGUST 6, 2012 1: Introduction present site of the station at Forsyth. The con- of the number of evergreen trees – the first ev- Plan Elements struction of the Illinois Central Railroad and ergreens ever planted in this vicinity. the Forsyth railroad station was one of the first The Comprehensive Plan includes a Commu- major events that encouraged development in In 1975, the construction of I-72 brought a nity Assessment (Section 2), which provides a and around Forsyth. Forsyth then continued large increase in traffic