LONG RANGE PLANNING / CITIZENS
OF SAND CREEK TWP, SCOTT COUNTY
Notes from the Long Range
Planning Meeting Date April 20, 2017:
Introduction -
Discussion
Four Key Words: Context, Continuity, Connectivity, and Comprehensive –
add another word “Regenerative”.
These terms, as applied, provide a tool to create a well-planned
thought-out concept for the development of Sand Creek Township
Sand Creek Township: mostly agricultural with river, streams, wetlands,
bluffs, pothole lakes and wildlife corridors
Identify
Sand Creek Township as a unique township
Revisit
previous agenda items for discussion
Background
/Research - Discussion
Revisit previous agenda items for discussion
Scott County 2030 Comp Plan doesn’t really include townships
specifically. This means that Sand Creek needs to be visible to the County and
actively participate in the preparation of the 2040 Comp Plan. The County like
the Townships, usually ‘react’ and not plan ‘proactively’ to planning issues
Traffic – major intersections include Bluff Drive (but not 173rd
because of the hill on the east side and wetlands on the west) - consider a
ring road around the City of Jordan – connection of Hwy 10 and Hwy 69 is
unrealistic due to Bluffs, Sand Creek, RR and Property Ownership
Retaining walls are an example of development not being land sensitive
(plan with the land first then see if retaining walls are necessary) – this is
a good indicator of planning and design without regard for the natural lay of
the land
Setbacks, as required, should be ‘site specific’– how do we establish, manage
and enforce them?
Frontage Roads will bring growth pressure/development and will require
foresighted planning to anticipate and provide for lateral impact
Most areas are 1-in-40 or 1-in-10 and there is little vision to future
land use planning - verify
Much of the land around County Road 8 was 1-in-10 but now back to 1-in-40
acres - verify
Rural farm families want to sell land & move or put their kids on
the land and/or sell to commercial farming or developers
Explore
Planned Unit Development and Cluster Development
Explore
how to allow more efficient Smaller Housing -
Planned Green Space/ Open Space
(parks and trails)- being sensitive to natural areas
and wildlife
Zoning Districts Agricultural, Residential, Commercial, Light
Industrial, Recreational and Natural Areas need to be re-examined for
appropriateness
Zoning ordinances are 1-in-10 along bluffs, maybe smaller, because it
wasn’t feasible for 1-in-40. Look at the connecting roads in these areas. That
guide what we can reasonably do in these areas as long as you don’t impact the
natural systems and your neighbors - be site specific
Bluff
Ordinances – develop criteria and site development standards
Site
and Building Eligibilities – set standards
Purposefully and comprehensively develop land in the Township
Development
Incentives – provide professional options and alternatives
What is compatible – how does a
proposal ‘fit’ – how to adapt to mitigate
Amend
for the times but be conscious of future changes – be visionaries
Intent
/ Purpose /Objectives - Discussion
We continue to need citizen involvement! We are tasked with putting forth a
recommendation to the township Board later this year. All comments are needed
and welcome
Observations -
Discussion
Resident Input: we have growth
within the City of Jordan and possible annexation concerns. We need an annexation agreement immediately. Encourage the Sand Creek Town Board
to be proactive and get moving on an agreement
Issues
- Discussion
Farmers know the land but are encouraged to communicate their concerns
County planners tend to work in two-dimensions and not in ‘real-time’ –
usually based on the past situations
Met Council is a bigger issue than Scott County as they are tasked with
larger, Seven County, urban issues and do not have the necessary regard for the
specifics of the County and Townships
What are the chronic issues? What
are the most common threats to Sand Creek Twp.
What
are our priorities – define with options – create a list
Future
Topics - Discussion
Annexation - what should we research - we need to assist the Town Board
- without an Orderly Annexation agreement the Township can lose opportunities
and options as well as missing out on being a participant in the process - it
is called ‘Orderly’ for a reason - We must leverage conversations with
adjacent townships and the City of Jordan - Jordan wants to expand out into the
townships without focusing in on the City itself and developing based their own
existing uniqueness
Transportation – Connectivity – Continuity – be concerned for
development along the transportation routes and the resultant impact of high
traffic volume generated by new development on existing highway and road
systems – insist on relevant costs to be born by the
developer
Zoning around bluffs – consider “Small Farm Agriculture” or “Urban
Agriculture” transitions by way of the “Middle Landscape”
We need buffer transitions between agricultural, residential and
commercial properties as well as appropriate buffer setbacks from natural areas
and plan and design appropriately for existing drainage patterns and storm
water management
Priorities – establish and set
Infrastructure
Highways
Roads /
Bridges
Water Ways
Rail Roads
Utilities – Water, Gas, Electrical, Telephone, Cable, Sewer
Anticipate New Technologies – how to effectively, practically and
fairly incorporate into the existing fabric and existing character of the area
– require visual screening and/or mitigation of noise, sound and smell to be a
part of the land to be developed as well as visual lines to imposing
installations by existing residences within at least ¼ mile of the property
being developed for screening of off-site locations. Consider and act constructively regarding the
public’s health, safety and welfare particularly as these developments
interface with existing built and natural systems
What are the priorities –what are the priorities – define with options
and study the impact on existing systems
Anticipate New Technologies
Wireless
Solar Gardens
Wind Farms
Other
What do we hold as sacred –the late Chairman of the Town Board, Cy Wolf had meticulously recorded innovative ideas –
research (Chad Sandey has Cy’s Files) – obtain to discuss – Chad to present
Planning
Process - Discussion
Plans should be developed to accommodate and coordinate the input of
the Sand Creek Township citizens, other townships, the
City of Jordan, Religious and Educational institutions to complement the Scott
County’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Find the methods of communication with common concerns.
‘Aggressively’ plan ‘defensively’ - we define it or we live with what
is defined for us, good or bad
Work with public and private agencies and authorities to insure
medical, emergency, police, social and environmental services
What areas, if any, could be developed?
Define
Start planning where it makes sense– define – set criteria and
standards
Protect our Agricultural heritage and industry both large and small
Protect and maintain the wooded bluffs, river, creeks, drainage ways,
wetlands, lakes and wildlife refuge
Protect and revere nature
Initial
Summary / Conclusions - Discussion
Keep
Sand Creek Township rural and agricultural
Encourage people to develop bigger private lots so that smaller lots,
are part of massive developments, have to comply with stringent planning
standards and not be implemented until the infrastructure is in place
Defend, protect and maintain our physical character and image
Recommendations
– Discussion
We cannot lay back and wait to ‘react’ to development and changes in
Sand Creek Township – we need to be ‘proactive’ – otherwise we are not
responsibly guiding development (change) and we become the victims of what
happens by way of what we are not doing
We need to establish a ‘dialog’ and better cooperation / coordination
with adjoining Townships, Scott County Staff, the City of Jordan, Religious and
Educational Institutions
We need more participation and input by the citizens of Sand Creek
Township…more effective announcement of scheduled meetings
We need to continue Sand Creek Township’s Long Range Planning (LRP)
meetings in order to receive input, establish goals and objectives and set priorities
Herb will create a diagram for potential road designs along Hwy 169 for
discussion and consideration
Herb will also bring a 2030 Comp Plan and Scott County Ordinances to
the next meeting for reference
Respectfully
Submitted by:
Bruce Hunstad, Emily Nordick, Herb Baldwin
In
behalf of:
Chad Sandey, Bill Schneider, Roger Anderson, Bruce Pauly, Mary Pauly,
Peggy Dunnette, Greg Pieper, Carl Adams, Travis Cherro