2012 Comprehensive Plan, City of Burlington, IA

Page 1

City of Burlington, Iowa

Comprehensive Plan 2012-2032

Council Adoption on November 19, 2012

Prepared by the City of Burlington with assistance from Confluence and MSA Professional Services, Inc.



Resolution



Acknowledgements Burlington City Council Jim Davidson, Mayor Christopher Reed, Mayor Pro Tem Becky Anderson, Council Member Robert Fleming, Council Member Shane McCampbell, Council Member

City Plan Commission Bryan Bross Tom Buckman Deb Fowler Norbert Gabby Bob Gerdes Chuck Griffin Dennis Wilson

Comprehensive Plan Committee Becky Anderson, City Council Tom Broeker, Des Moines County Supervisor Bryan Bross, Planning Commission Tom Buckman, Planning Commission Bill Ell, Citzen At-Large Steve Frevert, Downtown Partners, Inc. Linda Garwood, Burlington Community District Dan Gifford, West Burlington Jason Hutcheson, Greater Burlington Partnership Anthony Monroe, High School Student Beth Nickel, Convention & Visitors Bureau Jim Olson, Local Business Mike Norris, SEIRPC Zach James, SEIRPC Mike Pierson, Land Developer

City Staff Jim Ferneau, City Manager Eric Tysland, Development & Parks Director Amber VerKuilen, City Planner

MSA Professional Services, Inc. Jason Valerius, Team Leader Chris Janson, Community Development Specialist Andrew Bremer, Project Planner Stephen Tremlett, Project Planner Jenna Soyer, Planner Louis Rada, GIS Specialist

Confluence Ben Sandell Chris Della Vedova



Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................1-2 1.1 The Plan as a “Living Guide� 1.2 A Snapshot of Burlington 1.3 Existing Plans & Studies

Chapter 2: Planning Process & Public Participation.....2-2 2.1 Overview of Planning Process 2.2 Citizen Survey 2.3 Public Visioning Meeting 2.4 Focus Groups 2.5 Growth Development Workshops

Chapter 3: Issues and Opportunities...............................3-2 3.1 Issues & Opportunities

Chapter 4: Goals, Objectives & Strategies......................4-2 4.1 Vision and Goals 4.2 Housing 4.3 Mobility & Transportation 4.4 Economic Prosperity 4.5 Agriculture & Natural Resources 4.6 Community Facilities & Services 4.7 Community Character 4.8 Hazards 4.9 Collaborations & Partnerships

Chapter 5: Land Use..........................................................5-2 5.1 Goals, Objectives & Strategies 5.2 Future Land Use Categories

Chapter 6: Implementation and Action Plan.................6-2 6.1 Guiding Daily Decisions 6.2 Guiding Annual Decisions 6.3 Action Plan 6.4 Amending the Plan

Appendix A: Community Indicators Report.................A-2 A.1 Demographics A.2 Housing A.3 Mobility & Transportation A.4 Economic Prosperity A.5 Agriculture & Natural Resources A.6 Sustainability A.7 Community Facilities & Services A.8 Community Character A.9 Hazards A.10 Collaboration A. 11 Land Use

Appendix B: Public Input.................................................B-2 B.2 Public Visioning Meeting B.3 Focus Groups B.4 Growth & Development Workshops

Appendix C: Maps.............................................................C-2



1 Introduction 2 This Chapter provides the foundation for the Comprehensive Plan, outlining why we plan, the 3 planning process, Iowa Smart Planning, and the area. In addition, Chapter 1 also provides 4 planning community background information including community indicators and existing plans and 5 key studies. 6 Page The Plan as a “Living Guide� 1-2 Appendix A 1.1 1.2 A Snapshot of Burlington 1-6 1-10 Appendix B 1.3 Existing Plans & Studies Appendix C

Adopted on November 19, 2012


1.1

THE PLAN AS A “LIVING” GUIDE

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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

Why Plan? It is difficult to know what the future may bring for Burlington, or for any community. As residents and businesses come and go, and economic trends rise and fall, changes will occur. The purpose of this plan is to establish a shared vision for Burlington to guide future actions and decisions. This guidance provides predictability and consistency over time, which encourages investment. We plan so that we can act and react in a changing world with a confident understanding of our common values and goals.

Plan Maintenance This planning document is a “living” guide for growth and change in the City of Burlington. The plan represents the City’s best effort to address current issues and anticipate future needs; however, it can and should be amended from time to time if conditions warrant reconsideration of policies in this plan. If decisions are being made that are not consistent with this plan, then the plan has lost its relevance and should be amended. The process of amending the comprehensive plan should not be onerous, but it should trigger a brief pause to consider again the long term vision for the community. This plan’s value is dependent upon frequent use and occasional updates.

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1.1

THE PLAN AS A “LIVING” GUIDE

Iowa Smart Planning The Iowa Smart Planning Act (State Code Chapter 18B), signed into law on April 26, 2010, includes three primary components: 1. Ten Iowa Smart Planning Principles 2. Comprehensive Planning Guidance and 13 plan elements 3. Establishment of the Iowa Smart Planning Task Force The Iowa Smart Planning Act does not mandate how communities should grow, rather it requires that communities and state agencies consider Smart Planning Principles when planning for the future and provides guidance concerning important elements local plans should include.

Smart Planning Principles The Ten Iowa Smart Planning Principles must be considered and may be applied when local governments and state agencies deliberate all appropriate planning, zoning, development and resource management decisions. Application of these Principles is intended to produce greater economic opportunity, enhance environmental integrity, improve public health outcomes, and safeguard Iowa’s exceptional quality of life. Successful integration of the Principles also addresses the need for fair and equitable decisionmaking regarding the growth of communities, and can produce cost savings regarding the provision of public services.

Comprehensive Planning Guidance The Iowa Smart Planning Act outlines 13 elements that may be included in a city or county’s comprehensive plan: 1. Public Participation 2. Issues and Opportunities 3. Land Use 4. Housing 5. Public Infrastructure and Utilities 6. Transportation 7. Economic Development 8. Agriculture and Natural Resources 9. Community Facilities 10. Community Character 11. Hazards 12. Intergovernmental Collaboration 13. Implementation The Act also stimulates that comprehensive plans developed using the 13 planning elements must also address prevention and mitigation of, response to, and recovery from catastrophic flooding.

The ten Smart Planning Principles are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

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Collaboration Efficiency, Transparency, & Consistency Clean, Renewable, & Efficient Energy Occupational Diversity Revitalization Housing Diversity Community Character Natural Resources & Agricultural Protection Sustainable Design Transportation Diversity

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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

Plan Organization The organization of the plan is based both on the planning process and the guidance provided by the Iowa Smart Planning Act. The plan is divided into six chapters plus several important appendices.

Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 1 discusses the role of the plan, the Iowa Smart Planning Act, the planning area boundaries and regional context, and Burlington’s previous planning efforts. Chapter 2: Planning Process and Public Participation Chapter 2 outlines the planning process, including a description of public participation methods and feedback. Chapter 3: Issues & Opportunities Chapter 3 explores issues and opportunities, discovered through the planning process, for the future of Burlington. Chapter 4: Vision, Goals, Objectives and Strategies Chapter 4 includes a vision for the future of the City, as desired in 2032, and goals, objectives, strategies, key indicators and action steps for each element of the plan, including: Housing Community Facilities & Services Mobility & Transportation Community Character Economic Prosperity Hazards Agriculture & Natural Resources Collaboration & Partnerships Chapter 5: Land Use Chapter 5 describes current land use characteristics, defines future land use categories and policies, and presents the future land use map. Detailed planning for several subareas within the City is also addressed. Chapter 6: Implementation & Action Plan Chapter 6 describes the tools and procedures by which the plan will be implemented and provides a timeline of action steps for successful implementation of the plan. Appendix A: Community Indicators Appendix A is a compilation of data that describes the existing conditions, trends, and projections for the City of Burlington. This data informs the planning process and should be updated from time to time to track progress and change in the City. Appendix B; Public Input Appendix B is a compilation of complete results from the public input process. Appendix C: Plan Area Maps

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1.2

A SNAPSHOT OF BURLINGTON

History of Burlington Burlington is located in southeast Iowa on the steep cliffs and valley plain of the Mississippi River. Part of Pere Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet’s exploration in 1673, Lt. Zebulon Pike landed at what is now Crapo Park in 1805. The land eventually became part of the Louisiana Purchase. At the end of the Black Hawk War in 1833, residents named the hamlet “Burlington”, after trader John Gray’s Vermont home. The City was chartered by Congress in 1836 as the seat of one of two counties of the Iowa District in the Wisconsin Territory, and remained the capital when the Iowa Territory was established in 1838. Burlington’s population at this time was approximately 1200. Burlington remained a small trading hub until 1868 when the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy railroad bridge was completed. MacArthur Bridge was constructed in 1917, to carry automobile traffic across the Mississippi River. Since 1868, the greater Burlington area has grown into the manufacturing center of southeast Iowa, with over 20 percent of its industry in manufacturing in 2010.

1673

1673- Explored by Marquette & Joliet

1800

1805- Lt. Pikes' landing at what is now Crapo Park

1820 1833- "Old Zion" 1st Methodist 1834- Hamlet named

1840

1851- Phelp's House built 1860 1880

1900

1894- Snake Alley built 1895- Opening of Crapo Park 1898- 1st public library built

1937- Construction of Lock & Dam #18 completed; Dedication of Dankwardt Park

1960 1980 2000 2020

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1868- Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy Railroad Bridge built

1920 1940

While early establishment in manufacturing brought impressive increases in the number of residents, Burlington’s population has been steadily decreasing since 1960, about 20 percent over the last 50 years. The population in 2010 was 25,663.

1838- Became capitol of Iowa Territory

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2006- Completion of new public library


CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

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Burlington

WEST AVENUE RD

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The planning area two-mile boundary has been modified in several places. The southwestern boundary excludes the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant - the City of Burlington does not expect this land use to change in the near future and has no jurisdiction regarding its current use. The northwestern boundary has been modified to defer to West Burlington extraterritorial jurisdiction, ending Burlington’s zone of planning influence along a line west of Highway 61.

Dr y

FLINT BOTTOM RD

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The study area for this Plan includes all lands in which the City has both a short- and long-term interest in planning and development activity. The Planning Area includes all lands within the current municipal limits and within the City’s potential two-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction within Iowa. The City is approximately 12,807 acres (20.01 square miles). The entire Planning Area is approximately 24,131 acres (37.7 square miles).

Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington

Planning Area Inset

MAP-1A

Legend County Boundary

Parcels

City of Burlington

Roads

City of West Burlington

Lakes & Rivers Streams

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA

Feet 0

2,800

5,600

Drafted - LSR, Date - 10-08-12, File - p:/12954001

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1.2

A SNAPSHOT OF BURLINGTON

Regional Context

MAJOR REGIONAL CITIES

The City of Burlington is located in southeast Iowa on the Mississippi River and is the seat of Des Moines County. The Burlington Micropolitan Statistical Area (approximate population of 50,000) consists of both Des Moines County, IA and Henderson County, IL. The City of Burlington is the 19th largest city in the State of Iowa with a population of 25,663.

City Quad Cities, IA/IL Iowa City, IA Peoria, IL

Burlington’s economy is based largely on manufacturing, served by U.S. Routes 34 and 61, privately held terminals on the Mississippi River and several freight rail lines. Major manufacturers include Case New Holland, American OrdinanceIAAAP, and Lance Private Brands.

Des Moines, IA

203,433

170

Burlington Region 94

City of Burlington Des Moines County, Iowa

Chicago

MAP - #

80

218 34 34

95 105

88

61

35

115,007

135

90

Davenport

80

126,326

380

Iowa City

75

67,862

117,352

Rockford

80

253,408

Springfield, IL

Dubuque

Des Moines

Distance from Burlington (approx. miles)

Cedar Rapids, IA

Wisconsin

Iowa

Population

Burlington

Legend

55

39

Peoria

States

57

City

74

Keokuk

Interstate Highways

Champaign

Illinois Springfield

U.S. Routes

72

72

61

Missouri

61 55

Mediapolis

70

70

St. Louis Miles 64

0

44

35

Iowa

70

Sources: - Base data provided by - 2010 NAIP Ortho provided by USDA

34

Drafted Draft f ed - LSR, LSR Date - 02-24-11, 02-24-11 File - p:/

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Illinois 61

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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

Key Community Indicators This section analyzes overarching population and demographic trends for the City of Burlington. Examination of these trends provide a foundation for the planning process and implementation of the plan. Population in Burlington has been steadily decreasing since 1960, losing over 20% of the City’s population in the last 50 years. This is on par with the overall decrease in Des Moines County’s population. The 1998 Burlington Comprehensive Plan predicted that the population of Burlington would begin to grow at a rate 3% per decade, reaching approximately 29,000 in 2000. However, Burlington has continued to lose population, falling 7.5% below predicted levels.

POPULATION TRENDS 1940-2010

Source: U.S. Census, 1998 Burlington Comprehensive Plan

City of Burlington

Des Moines County

1940

25,832

28,404

2,538,268

1950

30,613

33,740

2,621,073

1960

32,430

36,854

2,757,537

1970

32,366

46,982

2,825,368

1980

29,529

46,203

2,913,808

1990

27,208

42,614

2,776,755

2000

26,839

42,351

2,926,324

2010

25,663

40,325

3,046,355

Iowa

PERSONS PER HOUSEHOLD TRENDS 1970-2010 Source: U.S. Census, 1998 Burlington Comprehensive Plan

The number of people per household in Burlington has also been decreasing, following regional and national trends. Burlington’s population has also been aging. The median age has increased from 30.5 years of age in 1970 to 39.7 years of age in 2010.

MEDIAN AGE TRENDS 1960-2010

Source: U.S. Census, 1998 Burlington Comprehensive Plan

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1.3

EXISTING PLANS

2011 Council Goal Setting Report The City Council Goal Setting Report is an annual report developed by the City with assistance from the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA). The report presents information gathered during a four step process that included identification of recent accomplishments, issues/trends/concerns, potential new initiatives/ programs/policies and suggestions to improve organizational effectiveness; information gathering sessions with department heads; and a goal-setting session with elected officials. Approximately seventy (70) major accomplishments were identified from the past two years, including completion of the wastewater treatment plant, payoff of the Babe Ruth debt, a significant increase in transit ridership, completion and repair of ninety (90) blocks of city streets, and purchase of the HESCO flood control barriers, among many others. In addition, approximately sixty (60) issues, concerns, trends and opportunities were identified, both general (e.g. poverty) and Burlington-specific (e.g. revitalize depot). After evaluation of the issues, concerns, trends and opportunities, several priorities were developed for the following 12-24 months (February 2011February 2013), and significant initiative and program ideas were considered. The Mayor and City Council also selected steps to improve organizational effectiveness. A sample of these can be found in the boxes at right.

Major Priorities • Attract developer for Hwy 61 Development Project (Manor Project) • Sewer separation project • Street repair program • Funding for Cascade Bridge replacement • Self sufficiency of city enterprise funds • Law enforcement facility • Downtown traffic signal removal project • Depot renovation • Wastewater treatment facility improvements • Update comprehensive plan • Complete Flint River bike trail

Steps to Improve Organizational Effectiveness • Review and update City Policy Book • Continue mentoring of new council members • Hold periodic meetings with other governmental entities • Council work session at city facilities • Attend Iowa League of Cities leadership meetings • Enhance city website • Department head reports to Council • Pursue regional sharing opportunities

Initiatives & Programs Considered • 10% energy reduction of city facilities • Gun Ordinance • Citywide GIS interface • 24/7 ADA accessible transit • Retro-reflectivity program • 5 year sewer replacement/rehab plan • Involuntary special assessment districts • Community Policing officer program • 2nd part time Animal Control position • Alley clean-up initiative • Business licenses • Online payment options • Indoor rec facility at RecPlex

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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

2011 Imagine Our Future

2011 Airport Master Plan

Imagine Our Future, a community-wide initiative, was created to engage everyone who lives, works, visits or studies in Des Moines County and the greater Burlington area to help create five big ideas for the future, through a “grassroots visioning effort.. to generate ideas, plans and dreams to move the communities forward.” Anyone interested was encouraged to submit ideas based on the following criteria:

The 2011 Southeast Iowa Airport Master Plan outlines existing conditions, forecasts, facility requirements, and airport layout plans for the Southeast Iowa Regional Airport.

• Have broad community appeal and involvement • Encourage private investment • Be financially feasible • Grow or retain young workforce and new jobs • Have a long-lasting impact • Create a sustainable economic impact • Be visionary The campaign began in June 2011 with a series of public informational presentations. Over the following two months, residents and visitors submitted approximately 1800 ideas. An anonymous 12-member citizen selection committee narrowed the list down to 100 ideas which were then open for public voting to determine the top 30 ideas. The steering committee developed the final five vision elements from broad themes within the top 30. The five vision elements chosen were announced in December 2011:

The Southeast Iowa Regional Airport was owned and operated by the City of Burlington until 1996 when the Southeast Iowa Airport Authority was created. The airport currently serves all of Des Moines County and Lee, Henry and Louisa Counties in Iowa and Hancock and Henderson Counties in Illinois. The commercial service area radius for the airport is 40 miles. The Plan forecasts a decrease in aviation activity of approximately 4% through 2025 and describes facility requirements for this activity including approaches, markings, runway lengths, lighting and terminal site and buildings. Taking into account the current conditions and facility requirements, the Plan identifies two main issues and provides alternative layout plans to address these concerns. These issues include: 1) Consideration of the residential structures located in the runway protection zone beyond Runways 30 and 36, and 2) Terminal area and development alternatives that provide facility components adequate to handle forecasted activity.

1. Become Iowa’s healthiest community. 2. Begin programs to ensure every young person has the opportunity to succeed. 3. Create an indoor recreation facility to enhance the community needs and to attract more convention and tourism activity. 4. Improve the appearance and attractiveness of Greater Burlington. 5. Increase the use of the riverfront as the community’s No. 1 geographic asset.

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1.3

EXISTING PLANS

2011 Pre-Hazard Mitigation Plan The Des Moines County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan was prepared to comply with Federal and State Pre-Disaster Mitigation plan requirements, and to outline a strategy for the implementation of hazard mitigation projects. The Plan was developed through a collaborative effort between citizens, public and private agencies, and local, regional and state organizations. Planning committees were formed in each of the participating towns to complete their respective sections of the plan. The Plan covers unincorporated Des Moines County, the towns of Burlington, Danville, Mediapolis, Middletown and West Burlington, and the school districts of Burlington, West Burlington, Danville, and Mediapolis. The Plan outlines both short- and long-term goals for mitigating hazard risks, presents hazard and risk assessment, prioritizes mitigation activities, and defines a process for monitoring and updating the plan. All jurisdictions participated in developing and prioritizing mitigation activities. High priority activities include: 1. Public Education & Outreach 2. Safe Room Development 3. Comprehensive Shelter List

Burlington’s Pre-Hazard Mitigation Activities 1. Obtain and implement Code Red capabilities throughout Des Moines County. 2. Develop and implement natural and technological hazard education and outreach programs. 3. Safe room development 4. Special needs assessment 5. Obtain necessary, information for future vulnerability assessments 6. Regionalize public safety communication 7. Update current law enforcement and first responder radio equipment 8. Ensure the training, equipment, and knowledge of the existing HazMat team is maintained 9. Develop a comprehensive shelter list 10. Ensure generator backup is available in critical facilities including schools and shelters. 11. Test and expand the siren warning systems 12. Educate the public on precautions and proper response to hazards 13. Encourage utility companies to increase the percentage of cables that are underground 14. Update and enforce building codes 15. Cooperate with utility companies and residents to ensure tree-trimming around power lines and structures. 16. Elevation of structures, acquisition of structures, elevation of roadways, addition of culverts, and addition of lift stations 17. Update storm sewer capacity and sewer lining 18. Acquire wood chipper for debris removal and clean-up purposes 19. Develop stormwater retention basins

4. Critical Facility Generator Backup 5. Test/Expand Warning System 6. Code Red System 7. Update Storm Sewer Capacity 8. Develop Storm Water Retention Basin 9. Bearcat Vehicle 10. Tactical Response Unit In addition, jurisdictions pledged to adopt specific mitigation activities. Activities adopted by Burlington can be found in the sidebar. Ryan Mullenix and Lynda Gaddis sandbagging around Memorial Auditorium Source: AP/ Julie Jacobson

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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

2010 Lock & Dam #18 Study

2010 Historic Warehouse District Study

In June 2010, Kingner & Associates prepared a feasibility study for the City of Burlington for hydroelectric development at Lock & Dam No. 18.

The purpose of the Intensive Level Historical and Architectural Survey of the “Warehouse District” was to evaluate approximately 45 properties relating to the manufacturing and wholesale houses in Burlington (south of downtown) for historical and architectural significance. The study is part of a phased program to identify, evaluate, register and protect the cultural resources of Burlington. The study was performed by Spark Consulting for the Burlington Historic Preservation Commission and was funded by the National Park Service.

The study included: • Technical evaluation of the site and hydraulic conditions • Review of applicable generating equipment designed for the dam’s specific conditions • Estimates of energy generation and project costs • Analysis by an independent financial consultant to recommend strategies for project development The technical review revealed that an economically viable project producing 66,200 MW-hrs per year (equivalent to providing power to 7,100 homes) is technically feasible. The preliminary construction cost estimate for this project is $80 million. The financial consultant provided a financial scenario with an attractive cash flow, but determined that this scenario is heavily dependent on the extension of the Section 1603 grant program or similar state or federal incentives.

Several historical time periods were evaluated including Settlement (1833-1855), Community Prosperity & Growth (1855-1875), Rise of Large Manufacturing and Wholesale Businesses (18751900), New and Prosperous Manufacturing and Wholesale Businesses (1900-1930), and Evolution of Manufacturing and Wholesale Houses (1930-1965). The survey showed that there is a possible Manufacturing and Wholesale Historic District that includes 36 surveyed buildings with approximately 31 contributing resources and 5 non-contributing resources. Buildings surveyed include Schramm & Schmieg Wholesale Dry Goods, Iowa Biscuit Company, Churchill Drug Company, and Gardner & Gould Candy Company, among others. Based on this study, the district was placed on the National Register in June 2012. A similar study of downtown commercial buildings on Jefferson Street is planned for 2013.

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1.3

EXISTING PLANS

2009 Labor Market Assessment

2009 Safe Routes to School Plan

The Labor Market Assessment, prepared by the Great River Region Partnership and consultant Wadley-Donovan GrowthTech, utilized surveys of labor-related issues among regional employers and households. The Assessment revealed both workforce-related assets and challenges.

The purpose of the Burlington Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan is to help the Burlington Community School District, the City of Burlington, and the community, develop a structure for a comprehensive SRTS program. The vision of the plan is to develop a SRTS program “that will increase the number of children who walk and bike to school to provide a healthy and active lifestyle for all students.” In order to accomplish this, the plan:

Assets • At the time of the study, the region has a hidden workforce of 26,211 consisting of those under-employed, not employed but interested working, part-time workers who would prefer full-time employment and recent college graduates. • Employers report good to very good work ethic. • There are several two- and four-year postsecondary educational institutions that serve the area. Challenges • The regional has a declining labor force (-5.7% between 2000 and 2008). • Employers report tight-to-unavailable conditions for 61% of the area’s occupations, including research, design, engineering, and management. • The study area has a significantly older workforce than the state or nation. The Assessment offers several recommendations for action including: • Form a “Workforce Development Action Team” to address limiting workforce issues. • Implement a “Come Back Home” campaign • Continue efforts to make the region more culturally appealing • Create stronger educator/employer linkages.

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• Identifies the strengths, weaknesses, and challenges for each of the 5 E’s (Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, Evaluation and Engineering) of the SRTS program • Collects and evaluates community data • Develops a list of projects that will address identified issues • Develops a strategy and implementation plan for those projects As a result of the review of current conditions and identification of strengths, weaknesses and challenges, the plan recommends several projects for the program within the parameters of the 5 E’s. Some of these recommendations include: • Hire a part-time SRTS Coordinator • Create a marketing/public awareness campaign • Create a SRTS School Fund • Install new sidewalks where there currently are none and replace poor sidewalks at most community schools • Install a new lighted crosswalk at Aldo Leopold Middle School • Perform annual walkability and bikeability checklists • Provide adult supervisors for student safety patrol

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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

2008 Partnering for the Future

2007 SEIRPC CEDS

Partnering for the Future is a comprehensive five-year action plan for the Burlington Area developed by the Greater Burlington Partnership with help from the consulting firm Integrity Fundraising. Partnering for the Future focuses on new business development, business expansion and retention, workforce development and recruitment, and tourism and downtown revitalization programs. The plan was developed with input from 57 interviews with business and community leaders throughout the area.

The 2007 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) was created by the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission (SEIRPC) as an update to the 1992 Overall Development Program, providing new and revised data on the progress and needs of the region.

The report identifies four major challenges to strengthening Burlington’s economy: replacing retiring “baby boomers”, global competition, difficulty retaining young people, and challenging economic circumstances. With these challenges and the business community’s input in mind, Partnering for the Future developed the following aggressive, five-year goals: • Create 1,000 direct jobs paying an average of $28,000 per year • Create 596 indirect jobs paying an average of $17,940 per year • Increase total annual payroll by $39,118,170 • Realize $100 million in private capital investment • Conduct 60 existing industry visit per year • Retire River Park Chamber of Commerce mortgage • Increase tourism expenditures from $450 million to $500 million • Add 25 residential and 25 business units in downtown.

The 2007 CEDS found that the economic base of the region is a proportional mix of agriculture and industry. The region, in general, continues to lag substantially behind the state and the nation in key economic indicators. The CEDS recommends an overall economic strategy of coordinated local action with assistance from the state and federal governments. The 2007 CEDS also identified the major strengths and weaknesses of the region. Strengths include the central national location, available and affordable land, and multimodal freight access. Major weakness were identified as lack of strong support for entrepreneurs, lack of access to venture capital, high property taxes, the traditional manufacturing nature of employment, and the outward migration of young adults.

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1.3

EXISTING PLANS

2006 SEI Target Industry Report

2006 SEI Community Assessment

The Southeast Iowa Target Industry Report was a second component of the economic strategic planning process. This Report sought to highlight the unique characteristics of Southeast Iowa that affect the perception of the community, and identified the recommended target industries and niche targets:

The Southeast Iowa Community Assessment was developed as part of a comprehensive economic strategic planning process. The Assessment evaluates trends, data and businesses’ and residents’ perception of the community in five categories: Business Climate, Workforce and Education, Sites and Infrastructure, Quality of Life, and Economic Development and Marketing. Nine overarching weaknesses were identified:

1. Light Manufacturing- medical devices, auto suppliers, defense 2. Agriculture & Food- perishable, organic, packaged, beverages, agbio-products

1. Shrinking Economy

3. Business Services- integrated services center, data centers, CRM call center

3. No Brand Identity for Southeast Iowa

4. Distribution & Warehousing- manufactured parts, fulfillment center, food/agriculture distribution

2. A Negative Attitude 4. Difficulty in Keeping Young Professionals 5. No Regional Approach to Economic Development

5. Arts/Culture/Tourism- regional shopping, tourism, arts

6. Lack of Adequate Support System for Entrepreneurs

6. Creative Industries- digital design and film, IT and software

7. Inadequate Air Service 8. No Emerging Industries that Promise Growth 9. Lack of Tax Revenue to Fund Economic Development Projects

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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

2006 SEI Regional Improvement Plan The Southeast Iowa Regional Improvement Plan lays out a strategy for taking aggression action to remedy the economic problems faced by the region. The Plan lays out an economic vision statement for Southeast Iowa: “ Southeast Iowa will become a leading economic region by building on its manufacturing and agricultural history to create new, technologically advanced industries, create a strong environment for businesses and entrepreneurial growth, build long-term sustainable economic growth by taking a regional approach to economic development, and attract and retain the highly skilled workforce needed to fill new jobs by promoting its excellent quality of life.” The Plan outlines the following goals and actions: Goal 1: Improve the effectiveness of economic development and marketing efforts through a collaborative, regional effort and hold organizations in the region accountable for success. • Develop a truly regional collaborative economic development effort that allows Southeast Iowa to leverage the strengths of the four counties and various communities in the region. • Develop a stable funding source for economic development that will allow the region to pursue its collaborative economic development endeavors. • Explore establishment of a revenue sharing system for economic development organizations in the region. Goal 2: Create a business climate in Southeast Iowa that supports the retention and expansion of businesses, supports entrepreneurs and small businesses, fosters diverse job opportunities, and helps companies in the target industries thrive so that they can provide quality jobs.

• Build a strong support system for entrepreneurs and small businesses. • Provide additional incentives to target industries based not only on the number of jobs they provide but also on the quality of wages and other economic impacts those jobs produce for the region. Goal 3: Ensure that the current and future workforce in Southeast Iowa is prepared to fill technologically skilled and creative jobs in the target industries. • Ensure that the colleges in Southeast Iowa are able to meet the training and skill needs of the recommended target industries. Goal 4: Continue to preserve the high quality of life already present in Southeast Iowa and improve quality of life elements most likely to attract young professionals and businesses among the recommended target industries. • Charge young professional organizations in Southeast Iowa with the responsibility of developing and implementing strategies to attract and retain professionals age 25-44 to the region. Goal 5: Ensure that Southeast Iowa develops and maintains the infrastructure necessary to meet the needs of businesses that want to expand or locate in the region. • Determine the infrastructure capabilities for broadband and wireless telecommunication technology through Southeast Iowa, and develop plans as necessary to improve the infrastructure for those technologies. • Expand flight options at the Southeast Iowa Regional Airport in Burlington to make the region more attractive and accessible to potential target industries examining the region as a possible business location.

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1.3

EXISTING PLANS

2006 Strategic Plan for the Future The Strategic Plan for the Future of The Greater Burlington Region was a stakeholder-led effort in 2006. The Strategic Plan builds on a Community Assessment commissioned by Grow Greater Burlington and information and analysis obtained through a series of strategic planning activities. The objectives of the Strategic Plan are summarized below:

Objective 4A-2: Raise awareness of regional workforce development programs and positive workforce assets of the region including: availability, cost, labor relations, training and quality.

Goal 1: Land & Buildings Objective 1A-1: Implement internet accessible database built upon an inventory to be completed of existing developable land and buildings. Objective 1A-2: Complete a Master Plan for the next business/industrial park. Objective 1A-3: Form and foster a strategic alliance with Iowa Army Ammunition Plant.

Goal 5: Quality of Life Objective 5A-1: Focus plan on three major corridors through partnerships with city, county, civic organizations, businesses, and individuals who maintain and own property in the following areas: Highway 34 Corridor, Roosevelt Avenue Corridor, and the Downtown Riverfront Corridor.

Goal 2: Business & Political Climate Objective 2A-1: Implement a separate team of community leaders for each council of government tier to pursue common interests in shared services and economic development. Objective 2A-2: Improve the business climate for all parts of the region through the collaborating efforts of all government entities in the three tiers. Objective 2B-1: Improve cooperation relative to “Shared Services� among governmental entities in our region. Goal 3: Community Attitude Objective 3A-: Develop an ongoing internal marketing campaign focused on messages related to the Greater Burlington’s positive assets and successful community and economic development efforts. Goal 4: Workforce Development Objective 4A-1: Understand and address the needs of employers and workers in the context of the global economy, new technologies, intense competition and the future regional landscape.

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Objective 4B-1: Address barriers, such as health insurance, to starting a new entrepreneurial business.

Objective 5B-1: Work with public and private entities to develop a cruise ship business on the riverfront. Objective 5B-2: Develop a designated continuous riverfront multiuse trail. Objective 5B-3: Increase the amount of green space available in the downtown riverfront area. Objective 5B-4: Improve the streetscape and buildings of the downtown business community. Objective 5C-1: Work with the city and architects to historically renovate the Depot to preserve and improve its use. Objective 5C-2: Improve the area surrounding the Depot and the railway corridor to make the appearance more pleasing to travelers. Objective 5C-3: Create tourism opportunities for travelers in the Greater Burlington Region. Goal 6: Infrastructure & Competitive Advantage Objective 6A-1: Expansion of awareness and focusing the attention of those with decisionmaking control to understand the needs and desires of the Greater Burlington Region.

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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

2004 Des Moines Co. Comp Plan

2003 Housing Needs Assessment

The Des Moines County Comprehensive Plan “serves as a basis for managing growth and development in the unincorporated area of Des Moines County.” The Plan outlines seven goals to support the County’s planning efforts:

The 2003 Housing Needs Assessment served as an update to the previous 1995 Housing Study. The purpose of the study was to assess the demand for housing, document the demographic conditions of existing stock, provide general guidance for the community concerning the satisfaction of housing demands, and provide an action plan for the development of future housing policies. The study identified several key variables that shape the future of housing supply and demand in Burlington:

1. Ensure orderly and efficient growth of residential, commercial, industrial and public and semipublic land uses while maintaining the general welfare of the county. 2. Protect and conserve the natural, human and economic resources that are the basis of the agricultural economy and rural lifestyle of the county. 3. Protect and preserve natural resources including areas of steep slopes, significant tree cover, wetlands and natural prairies. 4. Ensure an opportunity for a safe, decent and affordable home and suitable living environment for all families, present and possible future, living in Des Moines County. 5. Encourage diversification of the economy to improve the overall economic well-being of the county. 6. Encourage cooperation and communication among the county, other units of local government and the general public to improve human development, economic development and ecological preservation. 7. Plan and develop a comprehensive transportation plan.

• Creation of the Saunderson Heights and South Hill Targeted Neighborhood program • Annexation of 392 acres • Redevelopment of Hotel Burlington into low to moderate-income senior living apartments • Carrington Point middle to upper-income apartments • Tax-credit assisted apartment complex for low to moderate-income • Development of three assisted living complexes After consideration of these variables, along with the demographic trends and current housing conditions in Burlington, an Action Plan was developed to ensure that quality and affordable housing would be available to all. Key action items included: • Continue with residential street repair, targeted sidewalks, downtown redevelopment, identification of dilapidated housing, and financial programs • Infill affordable housing • Work with developers to effectively utilized annexed property • Continue partnerships for downtown upper story residential and homeownership programs

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1.3

EXISTING PLANS

2002 Downtown Revitalization Plan A Plan for Downtown Burlington: Markets and Concepts for an Extraordinary City Center was prepared in 2002 to develop a strategy for revitalizing downtown Burlington. The Plan presents a community profile, community goals as outlined by outreach efforts, existing conditions and opportunities, a market demand analysis, the downtown plan, organizational structures for downtown revitalization, and recommendations, funding and regulations. The vision for Downtown Burlington is guided by eight criteria: 1. Making downtown more central to the lives and experiences of more people in the city. 2. Increasing the number of times that residents use downtown. 3. Qualitatively improving the experience of being downtown for residents and, in doing so, increasing its attractiveness to visitors.

2000 South Hill Plan The 2000 South Hill Neighborhood Action Plan was created as part of the City of Burlington’s Targeted Neighborhood Planning Program (TNPP). The purpose of this plan is to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges within the neighborhood. The plan outlines the history and community indicators of the neighborhood, describes the planning process, identifies areas of concern, and lays out action strategies and specific priority Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects. The plan identifies five action strategies: 1. Capital Improvement projects 2. Neighborhood Association 3. Neighborhood Project Coordinator 4. Land Use 5. Implementation

4. Being consistent with markets and taking care not to overshoot the mark.

Identified CIP projects include lighting, crime prevention, housing rehabilitation, Nuisance Abatement Officer, sidewalks, curbs/gutters, park improvements, and neighborhood identification. In total, the plan proposes $1.5 million in CIP projects.

5. Identifying and linking strategic “pressure points”.

1998 Saunderson Heights Plan

6. Building on the unique strengths of downtown. 7. Managing and integrating projects and needs that are already on the community agenda. 8. Connecting downtown with surrounding neighborhoods. Recommendations for the plan include an implementation program (divided into short-term, medium-term and long-term activities) as well as funding concepts and zoning and code issues. Specific recommendations include: • Completing the reuse of the Burlington Depot (short-term); • Developing a new performing arts center on the “Seam” site on the south side of Jefferson between 5th and 6th Streets (medium-term); and • Possible extension of streetcar services along Jefferson Street (long-term).

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The 1998 Saunderson Heights Neighborhood Action Plan was the first plan created under the City of Burlington’s Targeted Neighborhood Planning Program (TNPP). Like the South Hill Plan, the purpose of this plan is to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges within the neighborhood. Identified CIP projects include lighting, crime prevention, park improvements, neighborhood pride, property maintenance, and trash removal. In addition to general overarching categories, specific programs and projects are also mentioned including: • Property Beautification Awards • Infrastructure Assist Program • West Hills Trees Galore Total project costs for the proposed TNPP project funding equals approximately $669,000.

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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1998 Comprehensive Plan

1997 Parks Master Plan

The 1998 Comprehensive Strategic Plan for Burlington, IA was based on the vision that:

The Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan was developed to assist the City and other organizations in establishing recreation facilities and programs. The Plan describes the existing recreation system, recreation needs of the study area, and recommendations to meet present and future needs.

The City of Burlington believes in a strong partnership between customer-service oriented employees and well-informed and involved citizens whose pride and belief in the future encourages investment and progress. The Comprehensive Plan has served as the City’s principal policy document, guiding everyday decisions to shape the community’s vision and future. These decisions reflect the goals laid out in the document. Plan goals are divided into nine focus areas: 1. Economic Development 2. Downtown Burlington 3. Transportation 4. Housing 5. Targeted Neighborhood Planning 6. Community Facilities 7. Parks & Recreation 8. Natural & Cultural Resources 9. Land Use During the planning process, key recommendations were developed to help achieve the goals of each focus area: • Develop Neighborhood Plans that use grants and other financial methods to remove blight, abate nuisances and improve infrastructure • Follow and implement Downtown Revitalization Plan, Comprehensive Housing Study and the Parks, Open Space and Recreation Plan • Follow the Burlington Area Major Streets Plan and adhere to the roadway development schedule • Continue to improve and upgrade the River Front area • Use the Capital Improvement Program to implement activities laid out in the plan • Establish policies to identify and protect natural resources

The planning framework consists of physical components and planning components. Physical components include city boundaries and adjacent land, natural resources, zoning and guided land use, regional and other parks, and historic districts, among others. Planning components include level of service; park, recreation, open space and greenway classifications; facility space; and ADA guidelines. The Plan also identified specific areas that appeared under-served: • Lennox Park- Sunnyside- Shamrock Drive • Central - Division - West Hill • Kirkwood - Vineyard - Mt. Pleasant • North Hill - Arch St - Oak St • West end of West Avenue To determine recreation needs, input was sought from various stakeholders who identified 17 priorities for system enhancement. The top five priorities are: 1. Summer youth programs 2. Multi-use trails and nature trails with interpretive programs 3. Playground equipment in parks 4. Interactive elderly/youth programs 5. Re-surface tennis courts

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1 2 Planning Process & Public Participation 3 This Chapter provides an overview of the planning and public participation process. Summaries of public input for 4 the citizen survey, public visioning meeting, focus groups 5 and growth and development workshops are provided. 6 Page Appendix A 2.1 Overview of Planning Process 2-2 2.2 Citizen Survey 2-4 Appendix B 2.3 Public Visioning Meeting 2-8 2.4 Focus Groups 2-12 Appendix C 2.5 Growth & Development Workshops 2-14

Adopted on November 19, 2012


2.1

OVERVIEW OF PLANNING PROCESS

Planning Process A transparent public participation process is the foundation to a successful plan. The involvement of residents, business owners, and other stakeholders is essential to the creation and implementation of the plan. Elements of public participation for the 2032 Burlington Comprehensive Planning process included: • Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee • Planning process website • Citizen survey • Public Visioning meeting • Focus groups • Growth and Development Workshops • Public Open House The Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee consisted of members representing a wide range of public and private interests and acted as the primary sounding board for the planning process. The Committee met monthly from November 2011 through September 2012 to review draft plan materials. All meetings were open to the public.

Incorporating Input into the Plan The goals, objectives and strategies of a comprehensive plan support the community’s vision for the future of Burlington and address barriers to realizing this vision. Elements of the plan have been crafted from individual participant’s ideas, common themes identified in focus groups, discussions and debates among Committee members, anonymous concerns identified in surveys, and the past experiences of the community as a whole. This input allows us to construct underlying themes as a frame for the plan, and provides information on what specific issues and ideas are most important to Burlington’s citizens. This foundation ensures that the plan is not just a hollow document, but a guide for future decisions in Burlington that are in line with the community’s ideals. From this foundation, a better Burlington can and will be built.

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CHAPTER 2 PLANNING PROCESS & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Planning Process Schedule November 10, 2011 November 17, 2011 December 15, 2011

Working Meeting 1 - Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Kickoff Key Stakeholder and Staff Interviews Working Meeting 2 - Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee

January 2-30, 2012 January 11, 2012 January 19, 2012

Community Survey (web-based) Public Input Meeting - Community Vision and Identity Workshop Working Meeting 3 - Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee

February 8 & 9, 2012 February 16, 2012

Focus Group Discussions Working Meeting 4 - Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee

March 15, 2012

Working Meeting 5 - Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee

Topic: Plan process and public involvement review

Topic: Community Indicators and Issues & Opportunities

Topic: Public Input Review, Vision Development, Indicators (2nd time) Topic: Goals, Objectives and Strategies - Housing, Economic Prosperity, Transportation, Community Facilities & Services

April 19, 2012

Working Meeting 6 - Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Topic: Goals, Objectives and Strategies –Agriculture & Natural Resources, Community Character, Hazards, Collaboration & Partnerships

May 14, 2012 May 17, 2012

Presentation to Planning and Zoning Commission and Council – Interim Draft Review Working Meeting 7 - Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee

May 29-30, 2012 June 21, 2012

Growth and Development Workshops & Public Input Meeting Working Meeting 8 - Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee

July 19, 2012

Working Meeting 9 - Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee

August, 27 2012

Presentation to Planning and Zoning Commission and Council – Complete Draft Review Public Presentation and Open House - Review of Complete Draft Plan Working Meeting 10- Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee

Topic: Land Use and Community Character

Topic: Land Use and Community Character Topic: Implementation and Open House preparation

September 4, 2012 September 20, 2012

Topic: Complete Draft Review

October 22, 2012 November 19, 2012

Final Presentations and request for formal adoption recommendations from Planning and Zoning Commission Final Public Hearing and Adoption at City Council Meeting

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2.2

CITIZEN SURVEY

Methods

Profile of Respondents Approximately 4.2% (1,078) of Burlington citizens completed . Only 3.7% of responses were from citizens under the age of 25, while 63% of the respondents were over the age of 45. In addition, those who live in single family homes and homeowners were overrepresented by 15% and 19.5%, respectively.

In the months of January and February 2012, the City of Burlington conducted a citizen survey. The Citizen Survey was designed to gather stakeholder opinions on a range of topics relevant to preparing a plan to guide growth and change in Burlington over the next 20 years. The survey covered quality of life, city facilities and services, economic development, housing, and land use and development. The survey also collected respondent information to analyze how well the survey responses represent the overall population of the community. The survey was available in several locations: digitally using SurveyMonkey, a downloadable version on the Comprehensive Plan website, and as paper copies through the City of Burlington’s planning and Development Office. To encourage citizens o take the survey, respondents could enter a drawing to win up to $100 in Chamber Bucks. Response rates 30.0%per question varied, with all questions over 90% except Question 20 (Place of 25.0% Employment). Response rates ranged from 89.5% to 99.6% for individual questions.

Age 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0%

Cens

Age 10.0%

Surv

5.0% 0.0% Younger 18-24 than 18

20.0%

This section15.0% provides a profile of respondents, and main themes from survey responses. More 10.0% can be found in Appendix B. detailed information Complete survey data was provided to the City of 5.0% Burlington.

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25-34

35-44

25-34

35-44

45-54

Census Data (2010) Survey Respondents

0.0% Younger 18-24 than 18

Age

45-54

55-64 65 and older

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55-64 65 and older


CHAPTER 2 PLANNING PROCESS & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Quality of Life

Q1

When asked to identify the three most important reasons the respondent and their family live in Burlington, the majority of respondents indicated “Near job” (63.2%) and “Near family and friends” (66.9%). A significant number of respondents commented that they or their significant other were born and raised in Burlington. Other responses include “Natural beauty of area” (29.0%) and “Cost of housing” (18.2%). Overall, respondents felt that the quality of life in Burlington is “Good” (62.1%). Approximately 27% felt that the quality of life is “Fair”, with only 7.9% indicating “Excellent”. Most respondents commented that the quality of life in Burlington has decreased over the last 25 years, specifically identifying an increased crime rate, increased taxes, decreased employment opportunities, decreased property maintenance, and decreased cultural amenities as the reason for this decline.

Q2

Respondents were also asked to indicate up to four changes that would improve the quality of life in Burlington. A majority (73.2%) of respondents indicated “Increased employment opportunities” as a needed change. Other highly ranked responses included “Decrease crime rate” (46.7%), “Improve road infrastructure” (37.3%), “Decrease taxes and fees” (32.3%), and “Improve K-12 education” (31.8%). Respondents seemed to agree that there needs to be more and better paying jobs, a commitment to crime reduction, enforced property maintenance, and investment in quality infrastructure.

Q3

City Facilities & Services

Q4

The survey respondents were asked to prioritize maintenance and construction investments for City facilities and infrastructure. Respondents felt that more money was needed for maintenance and improvement of “Neighborhood streets” (57.0%) and “Bike routes and trails” (39.8%). There were no categories for which the majority of respondents indicated that less money should be spent. Other facilities and infrastructure that were prioritized included The Depot, the swimming pool, Cascade Bridge, overall City beautification, and Downtown revitalization. When asked to prioritize public services spending preferences, respondents indicated that more money should be spent on a “Demolition Program (Removal of Dilapidated Structures)” (45.8%) and “Economic Development” (55.0%). There were no categories where the majority of respondents indicated that less money should be spent, except for “Other”. Comments include bringing back the City-wide clean-up, increasing crime prevention, removing inefficiencies in government/ budget, and decreasing “corporate welfare”.

Q5

With the completion of the recent Imagine Our Future Initiative, respondents were asked to identify recreation amenities to improve health and recreation opportunities in Burlington. Highest-ranked responses included “Swimming pools or splash parks (outdoor)” (54.2%), “Bike trails” (52.1%), “Playgrounds and playground equipment” (36.2%), and “Picnic areas” (33.0%). Respondent comments focused heavily on saving the community’s outdoor swimming pool, building an indoor ice skating rink, building an indoor sports facility, and improving riverfront access.

Q6

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2.2

CITIZEN SURVEY

Economic Development

Q7

With unemployment at historically high rates throughout the country, job security is an important issue facing most communities. When asked how secure respondents felt their employment to be, approximately 69% indicated “Secure” (35.7%) or “Somewhat secure” (33.7%). Only 10.5% believed their employment to be “Insecure”, and 1.5% of respondents indicated that they were currently “Unemployed”. A majority (69.8%) of survey respondents believe that the City should commit additional tax dollars to attract, retain, and replace lost jobs in the private sector. Approximately 21% of respondents felt that the City should not commit additional tax dollars. Comments ranged from the opinion that it is not the governments job to develop jobs to “Absolutely!!!!”. Most respondents indicated the City should utilize tax dollars to attract jobs, but should do so wisely- for companies that are in need of incentives, are committed to Burlington, and will bring in high-paying quality jobs.

Q8

In addition to employment, respondents were asked about their spending habits. Approximately 68% of respondents shop downtown once per month or less, with 32.9% monthly and 35.2% less than monthly. The most common reasons given for not shopping downtown included lack of parking, lack of diversity of businesses, inconvenient business hours, and other retail centers. Most respondents believe that the stores downtown are overpriced and that the only businesses are banks, bars, and knickknack shops.

Q9

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Results indicate that 44.3% of respondents leave Burlington/West Burlington monthly to shop, with 7.3% leaving weekly. The most common reason for shopping elsewhere is the lack of diversity of shops and restaurants. Specifically, most respondents traveled to Iowa City/Coralville or the Quad Cities for sit-down restaurants, clothing, electronics, and sporting equipment. In addition, many respondents commented that they traveled to other communities (e.g. Galesburg, Mt Pleasant) for specialty shops and coffee houses.

Q10

In-line with the findings of previous questions in this section, most respondents indicated that there is a lack of “Downtown retail shopping/services” (71.2%) as well as “Sit-down restaurants” (60.1%). Approximately 33% of respondents believe there are too many fast-food restaurants. Other retail and services that respondents would like to see in Burlington include sporting goods/hunting/fishing retailers, large chain bookstore, quality chain sitdown restaurants, electronic and media stores, men’s casual and women’s plus-size stores, coffee shops, healthy food specialty stores, and ethnic restaurants. Overall, respondents were supportive of downtown locations for these businesses.

Q11

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CHAPTER 2 PLANNING PROCESS & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Housing

Q12 Q13

Land Use & Development

Q14

When asked about the supply of various housing types in the City of Burlington, respondents indicated that more “Affordable housing” (42.2%) and “Downtown upper-story living” (49.3%) are needed. Comments suggested that “Affordable housing” should be taken to mean housing for lower middle-class, and not low-income or Section 8 housing. Most respondents felt that the quantity of housing in the different identified categories is adequate, but that quality is an issue.

Respondents rated most aspects of the City as “Good” including “Access to parks”, “Access to the Mississippi”, “Number of street trees”, “Signage control”, “Noise control”, “Light control”, and “Aesthetic design of new development”. Consistent with the responses to previous questions, 44% of respondents indicated that “Property upkeep/cleanliness” is “Fair”. This category also had the highest percentage of “Poor” ratings at 32.9%, with the next highest at 7.7% (“Aesthetic design of new development”).

Survey results indicate that “Housing quality” is the most important aspect to improve housing in Burlington (59.5%). However, many respondents commented that quality and “Housing cost” (rated at 27.8%) are interconnected and equally important. The majority of comments suggest that the major quality issues are with multi-family developments.

Finally, the respondents were asked if the City should offer financial incentives to encourage certain types of development. Respondents replied that the City should offer incentives “For retail businesses” (60.4%), “For non-retail employers” (62.3%), “In the downtown area” (62.3%), and “On vacant infill sites outside the downtown area” (51.2%). Respondents did not feel that incentives were appropriate “For residential units” (44.2%) and for development “On undeveloped land (e.g. farmland)” (53.6%). Respondents also commented that these incentives should be on a case-by-case basis (e.g. no “corporate welfare”), should increase jobs and tax base, should be considered carefully, and should not put an undue tax burden on citizens.

Q15

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2.3

PUBLIC VISIONING MEETING

Public Visioning Meeting The City desires a clear vision for the futureBurlington as we want it to be in 2032. The recent Imagine Our Future process resulted in the following five vision ideas: • Become Iowa’s healthiest community. • Begin programs to ensure every young person has the opportunity to succeed. • Create an indoor recreation facility to enhance community needs and to attract more convention and tourism activity. • Improve the appearance and attractiveness of Greater Burlington. • Increase the use of the riverfront as the community’s No. 1 geographic asset. A Public Visioning Meeting was held on January 11, 2012 at the Public Library. The purpose of the meeting was to gather input on the City’s strengths, concerns and opportunities to supplement the Imagine Our Future campaign and provide direction to the comprehensive planning process. Over fifty participants shared their opinions on the future of Burlington. The meeting was structured as an open house format, with various stations focused on Community Identity and Vision, Land Use and (Re)Development, Transportation, Economic Development, and Parks and Recreation. Consultants, City Staff and Plan Advisory Committee members were available to discuss topics and answer questions about the plan and planning process. Participants were provided with worksheets and each station utilized interactive poster boards. The following pages provide a brief summary of the feedback and comments collected at each station. A more detailed list of comments, as well as images of the interactive poster boards from the meeting, are included in Appendix B.

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CHAPTER 2 PLANNING PROCESS & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Station #1: Community Identity & Vision

Station #2: Land Use & (Re)Development

Through a series of worksheet questions, participants were asked to describe the community’s identity and their vision for the future of Burlington. Participants identified parks, architectural heritage, the riverfront, the historic downtown, Snake Alley, and caring people as the defining features of Burlington. Participants also identified characteristics of the community they would like to change, including lack of property maintenance, negative attitudes, limited cultural resources, and lack of employment opportunities and diversity.

Land development and redevelopment is guided by plans, ordinances, market conditions, developer efforts, community feedback, and decisions by elected officials. A key purpose of the comprehensive plan is to make land development and investment as predictable as possible by identifying types and locations of development that are both market feasible and, at minimum, acceptable to the community.

In addition to the worksheets, three interactive boards (Regional Identity, Community Life, and Growing Prosperity) were utilized at this station.

Regional Identity

The Regional Identity board asked participants to choose the most prominent regional features. Out of 30 choices ranging from agriculture to community landmarks to economic development, 14.5% of participants chose Burlington’s historic architecture as the most prominent regional feature. In a very close second was Snake Alley, at 12.7%.

Community Life

The Regional Identity board asked participants to choose the most appealing qualities of Burlington related to recreation, entertainment and art. Out of 34 choices including natural resources, cultural events and recreational facilities, 17.4% of participants chose the Dankwardt Park community pool. The Mississippi River, bald eagles, the Snake Alley Criterium, boating, and Community Field tied for second with 6.5% of the votes.

Participants were asked about specific areas or types of development they would like to see developed in Burlington. Participants identified several areas prime for development including empty downtown storefronts, the Manor project site, the Fairway Center and South Main Street. Participants felt that the City should focus on developing quality housing, art centers, and intermodal facilities, and industrial parks. Participants did not want to see additional low-rent housing or fast-food restaurants. The Land Use and (Re)Development board asked participants to identify where they would like growth or development to occur. Most dots were concentrated in the downtown area, with some in the southwestern reaches of the municipal boundaries. Participants indicated that redevelopment is needed throughout downtown, with the highest concentration of dots located at the Burlington Northern Railroad Depot.

Growing Prosperity

The Growing Prosperity board asked participants to identify Burlington’s character with respect to industry, transportation, architecture and commerce. Out of 29 choices, 15.2% identified Snake Alley as defining Burlington’s character. The Mississippi River garnered 13% of the votes.

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2.3

PUBLIC VISIONING MEETING

Station #3: Transportation

Station #4: Economic Development

A good transportation network supports both economic growth and quality of life for residents. When asked about specific transportation improvements needed, participants identified pedestrian safety around schools and downtown intersections, the need to rebuild the Cascade Bridge, and trail and sidewalk connections. Most participants indicated that they did not utilize the B.U.S. system because of convenience of personal vehicles and the limited transit schedule.

Economic development planning is about facilitating business success in the City. The comprehensive plan will include an economic development component that seeks balance between community interests and market realities in the pursuit of job creation.

The Transportation board asked participants to place a green dot where the City should make bike or pedestrian facilities improvements, and to place a blue dot where the City should make road, highway or other facility improvements. While dots were placed in most areas of Burlington, some areas did have higher concentrations. The participants indicated that bike and pedestrian improvements were most needed at the intersection of West Ave and S. Roosevelt Ave, on Dehn Street, along Mason Road, and on County Highway 99 north of Interstate 34. Road, highway or other facilities improvements are needed on Dehn Rd., at the intersection of Burlington and West Ave, and at the Dankwardt Bridge connection.

Participants agreed that the City should encourage most economic sectors, encouraging diversity while ensuring quality businesses and employment. Specific industries mentioned include manufacturing, entertainment and information technology. Participants also identified several challenges to retaining and growing businesses in Burlington including negative attitudes, improvements needed to regional transportation systems, nostalgia for heavy manufacturing, and improving aesthetics and amenities in Burlington. Most participants were unaware of any specific economic development efforts by local organizations, and felt that better promotion and community involvement would increase support. However, some participants specifically mentioned efforts to redevelop downtown, as well as historic preservation efforts, as encouraging examples. The Economic Development board asked participants to identify where they would like growth or development to occur. Most dots were concentrated in the downtown area, with some in the southwestern reaches of the municipal boundaries.

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CHAPTER 2 PLANNING PROCESS & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Station #5: Parks & Recreation Burlington is fortunate to have some great parks and recreational facilities. The public visioning meeting worksheets show that many of the park and recreational facilities in Burlington are utilized frequently, including Crapo Park, Dankwardt Park, Sunnyside Park, Riverfront Park, the YMCA, the Rec Plex, and the Blackhawk Trails. Participants were also asked about park and recreation improvements that they would like to see. Answers included keeping Dankwardt pool open, restoring the Cascade Bridge, developing more parks on the North side, and increasing indoor recreational opportunities. The Parks and Recreation board asked participants to place a blue dot where there should be a new park or playground and a green dot to indicate the park they use the most. The exercise revealed that participants utilize Crapo Park the most. Participants felt that new parks or playgrounds were needed at Dankwardt Park, Corse Elementary, near Aldo Leopold Middle School and at Cottonwood Park.

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2.4

FOCUS GROUPS

Methods & Common Themes

Downtown, Waterfront & Tourism

Focus Group sessions were on February 8 and 9, 2012 at the Burlington City Hall Chambers. The purpose of the groups was to bring community leaders and interested individuals together to gather input and hold discussion on focused topics. Focus groups were divided into the following: “Youth”, “Land Use and Development”, “Healthy Living”, “Downtown, Waterfront and Tourism”, “Employment and Economic Development”, “Civic Groups and Non-Profits”, and “Service and Retail”. Several common themes were identified during the focus groups discussions:

Burlington has a wealth of unique cultural and natural resources, including the Downtown and Waterfront. These areas not only serve as amenities to residents, but are also an important component of Burlington’s economic development. This focus group’s discussion indicated that:

• Reverse the negative attitude of the community and encourage positive aspects of Burlington through media and City promotion • Develop more quality, diverse market-rate housing • Establish and support more cultural events, facilities, and programs • Increase the number and diversity of quality jobs • Develop a well-connected and safe pedestrian/ bike infrastructure system • Enhance and promote amenities, especially the riverfront

• Riverfront access needs to be greatly increased through development of parks, beach access, boat infrastructure and other recreation facilities. • Burlington needs to create a pedestrian oriented downtown by improving pedestrian infrastructure and walkability and effectively managing traffic and parking. • There is a need for more downtown housing. • Support of downtown infill and renovations need to be increased. • Wayfinding, visitor access, tourism amenities, and site/event marketing need to be increased. • Downtown residential amenities, like daycare and sports facilities, are needed.

Youth Perspective

Land Use & Development

Retention and attraction of youth has been identified as an issue in several phases of the planning process. This focus group’s discussion indicated that:

How a City encourages and regulates land use and development guides the growth and prosperity of the community. This focus group’s discussion indicated that:

• Youth are proud of Burlington and would like to see more pride in the community, especially at youth sporting events. • Most youth plan to leave Burlington for school and would like to return, but are worried about available job opportunities. • Promotion of events and coverage of school sports programs is limited and should be increased. • Pedestrian and bike connections need to be extended between recreation facilities, the public schools, and Southeastern Iowa Community College.

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• There is a need for quality, diverse housing, specifically higher-quality rentals, town homes, and condos. • Burlington and West Burlington’s development policies are not in line, and this may serve as a disadvantage for attracting development. • Community amenities, including riverfront access, are important in “selling” Burlington, but the question remains how to pay for them. • Burlington needs to make an effort to have better working relationships with West Burlington and Des Moines County.

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CHAPTER 2 PLANNING PROCESS & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Healthy Living

Civic Groups & Non-Profits

Healthy living (including recreation, parks, quality of life, and healthcare) has been identified as an overarching future goal for Burlington. This focus group’s discussion indicated that:

Civic groups and non-profits increase community involvement, foster a higher quality of life, and supply much needed services. This focus group’s discussion indicated that:

• Burlington needs to create a network of well-connected bike/pedestrian trails and recreation facilities. • Burlington needs to make a conscientious effort to increase pedestrian safety through sidewalk maintenance and crossings. • There is a need for more indoor recreational facilities. • Family doctors are scarce in the region and more urgent care facilities are needed. • Community events and amenities need to be better promoted and marketed.

• Burlington needs to find a way to increase youth and young professional involvement in civic organizations. • Burlington needs to work to ensure maintenance of low-rent properties. • There is a need for disabled housing and child care facilities for those with disabilities. • Large employers should be tapped into to recruit volunteers and support employee volunteerism.

Employment & Economic Development

Service & Retail

Employment and economic development in Burlington will focus on workforce education, business diversity, and growth from within. This focus group’s discussion indicated that:

Service and retail businesses are a large component of Burlington’s economy and will play a major role in growing a prosperous economic base. This focus group’s discussion indicated that:

• The School District and SCC need to increase efforts to prepare youth for skilled labor and technical employment. • Transportation routes for commerce and freight need to be improved (USH 34 and USH 61). • Burlington needs to more effectively market quality of life assets and develop additional cultural and social amenities. • More young professional need to be involved in the community. • Burlington needs to create and sustain a positive perspective and community pride.

• City codes/ordinances and City departments need to work to increase consistency and transparency to facilitate service and retail development. • Guides and standards should be developed to increase understanding and knowledge of City development opportunities and procedures (e.g. A, B, C’s of Development, catalog of available downtown properties, etc.) • The “shop locally” campaign should be expanded to all local businesses.

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2.5

WORKSHOPS

Growth & Development Workshops

Regional Collaboration

In May 2012, the City of Burlington hosted three workshops and a public open house to discuss land use and development issues. The workshops were designed to gather stakeholder opinions on “Regional Collaboration”, “Downtown/Waterfront” and “Highway 61 and Residential Neighborhood Growth”.

The objective of the “Regional Collaboration” workshop was to bring together representatives from local government and private agencies to identify issues and opportunities and explore ways to collaborate for the benefit of the region as a whole. The workshop focused on growth and development expectations (both location and type), transportation and infrastructure needs/issues, park and recreation facilities and services, and education issues and opportunities. Major ideas and themes included:

The workshops were held over two days (May 29th and 30th) and concluded with a public open house to discuss the ideas gathered during the workshops. Approximately 40 people participated in the workshops and open house. Participants included representatives from:

• City of Burlington • City of West Burlington • Des Moines County • Greater Burlington Partnership • Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission • Burlington Planning & Zoning Commission • Southeast Iowa Regional Airport • Two Rivers Financial Group • Farmers &

Merchants Bank • Downtown Partners, Inc. • Drake Hardware and Software • Zaiser’s Landscaping • McConnell Lofts • Metzger-Johnson Architects • Triple S Leasing • Imagine Campaign • Pierson, Inc. • Ruhl & Ruhl • KBUR • Zager Properties • Friends of the Depot

• The Greater Burlington Partnership should help facilitate collaboration among Burlington, West Burlington, Des Moines County, and SEIRPC to address transportation and infrastructure capacity with regard to growth. Specifically, Burlington and West Burlington will need to work together to address wastewater treatment capacity for growth in the southwest portion of the region. • Burlington should collaborate with the Southeast Iowa Regional Airport to increase commercial flight activities, improve access to facilities, and foster commercial and industrial investments. Specifically, Burlington should support a potential relocation of the terminal to the west of the current airport property. • Burlington should collaborate with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to implement effective hazard mitigation strategies that do not restrict physical or visual access to the Mississippi River from the Downtown. • Regional efforts on employment and training/ postsecondary education investments are needed to create a strong workforce and economy. • A complete and accessible regional trail system with wayfinding signage is needed.

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CHAPTER 2 PLANNING PROCESS & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Downtown/Waterfront

Hwy 61 Corridor & Residential Growth

The objective of the “Downtown/Waterfront” workshop was to identify location of key public and private improvements, and develop written goals, strategies and guidelines. The workshop focused on future land uses, private property guidelines, and public right-of-way improvements. Major ideas and themes included:

The objective of the “Highway 61 and Residential Neighborhood Growth” workshop was to identify key public and private improvements, and develop written goals, strategies and guidelines. The workshop focused on future land use, private property guidelines, public right-of-way improvements, and potential residential growth areas. Major ideas and themes included:

• A downtown hotel is needed to help attract event attendees and improve Burlington’s appeal as a conference destination. Existing conference facilities should be upgraded to adequately serve all size events, and new facility (re)development should be encouraged. • Restoration of downtown buildings should continue with special attention paid to historically appropriate architectural standards. • Efforts need to be made to draw Highway 61 travelers to the downtown. These include better wayfinding signage, marketing of events, and easily navigable and visually appealing travel routes. • The regional trail system should connect to the downtown/waterfront with uniform signage.

• Efforts should focus on improving Highway 61 as it is currently aligned. A bypass scenario may be considered in the future if warranted by increased traffic loads. • Bike and pedestrian infrastructure should be a major focus of Highway 61 improvements. Crossings at West Ave, Division or Agency Streets, and Mt. Pleasant Street should be planned for. Sidewalks, trails and bike lanes should be developed along Highway 61 and frontage roads. • Maintenance of right-of-way, streetscaping/ landscaping, and increased curb appeal needs to be addressed through both public and private efforts. • Corridor gateways and signage should be attractive and uniform.

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1 2 3 Issues & Opportunities 4 This Chapter discusses the opportunities, assets, issues and liabilities identified through the public 5 participation process, and in previous plans and that are relevant to the community’s 6 studies, growth and prosperity. Page Appendix A 3.1 Issues & Opportunities 3-2 Appendix B Appendix C

Adopted on November 19, 2012


3.1

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES 4

Introduction

Issues & Liabilities

This plan is grounded in a set of issues about which the community is concerned, and opportunities the community sees for positive change. The plan seeks to address perceived deficiencies and capitalize on opportunities. This section is a compilation of key issues and opportunities, identified in recent plans and studies and throughout the development of this plan in 2012. Items on these lists come from focus group conversations, the community survey, Advisory Committee input, and public meetings.

• Increase in crime rate in last 25 years and decrease in feelings of safety. • Nostalgia for heavy manufacturing and limited white-collar employment. • Aging workforce and inability to attract/retain young professionals. • Remoteness from Interstate highways. • Loss of jobs and population in Des Moines County over the last 50 years. • Regional shopping centers pose a threat to viability of downtown and other local businesses. • Attracting environmentally sustainable businesses and industries while providing adequate employment opportunities for Burlington’s workforce. • Costs associated with extension and expansion of infrastructure and services. • Deterioration of older housing stock and lack of diversity in new housing stock. • Decrease in community pride and increase in negative attitudes. • Vacant buildings and storefronts, especially downtown. • Disconnected pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure and pedestrian/bicycle safety. • Flooding on the Mississippi River are becoming more frequent and more extreme. • Limited resources for hazard mitigation and response. • Limited encouragement and support of the arts and lack of promotion of art/cultural events.

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CHAPTER 3 ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunities & Assets • Mid-continent location and a comprehensive transportation system (including river transit, major railway system, four lane interstate grade highway access, and regional airport facilities) minimizes transportation costs. • Midwest work ethic, low absenteeism, and a strong industrial background. • Flint Ridge Business Park offers completed infrastructure and flexible shell buildings for industry. • Economic development tools including Tax Increment Financing. • Major regional tourist and destination attractions and events including Memorial Auditorium, Catfish Bend Casino, Snake Alley, Criterion Bicycle Race, Burlington Bees, and conventions.

• Significant opportunities for redevelopment including historic properties and warehouses, vacant commercial buildings, and downtown store fronts. • Quality educational system, Southeastern Community College.

including

• State-of-the-art medical facilities and services, including Great River Medical Center. • Quality amenities including modern public library and park system. • Regional recreational draws and riverfront access. • Established and committed civic groups. • Strong historic architectural legacy. • Unique and beautiful topography and geology.

• Adequate supply of land for development and growth.

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1 2 3 4 Goals, Objectives & Strategies chapter presents a vision for the future of 5 This Burlington and describes goals, objectives, and 6 strategies to achieve that vision. Housing, Mobility & Transportation, Economic Prosperity, Agriculture & Appendix A Natural Resources, Community Facilities & Services, and Collaboration & Partnerships are all Appendix B Hazards, addressed. Appendix C Page 4.1 Vision & Goals 4-2 4.2 Housing 4-4 4.3 Mobility & Transportation 4-8 4.4 Economic Prosperity 4-12 4.5 Agriculture & Natural Resources 4-18 4.6 Community Facilities & Services 4-22 4.7 Community Character 4-26 4.8 Hazards 4-30 4.9 Collaborations & Partnerships 4-34

Adopted on November 19, 2012


4.1

VISION & GOALS

Burlington as we want it to be in 2032... The City of Burlington is a vibrant community and a statewide leader in heritage, recreation, health, education and commerce.

Heritage

Historic features have been adapted to serve present needs while also connecting us to our own history.

Recreation

A wealth of public and private, indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, including the Mississippi River, foster exercise and social interaction.

Health

A strong health care network, frequent physical recreation, and strong social networks promote exceptional levels of physical and mental health, making Burlington the healthiest community in Iowa.

Commerce

The City is the economic heart of the region, home to a diverse and resilient employment base.

Education

Exceptional schools attract and retain families, and postsecondary institutions are contributing innovation and a skilled workforce to the local economy.

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CHAPTER 4 GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES

Burlington’s goals for a better future... Housing

Agriculture & Natural Resources

H1: Burlington will offer safe, attractive, and diverse housing options. H2: Burlington neighborhoods will be attractive and safe. H3: All residents will have access to quality housing, regardless of ability or socioeconomic status. H4: Burlington housing stock will be resource efficient.

R1: R2: R3:

Mobility & Transportation T1: The Burlington street network will safely balance the needs of all users. T2: The efficiency and function of freight and commercial transportation systems will continue to improve. T3: Alternatives to single occupancy vehicle trips will increase as a percentage of all transportation within the City. T4: Biking and walking in Burlington will be safe, enjoyable and efficient. T5: Local transportation systems will be well- coordinated with regional systems and investments.

Economic Prosperity E1: Burlington will support business growth. E2: Employment will grow in Burlington through the creation, expansion and further development of existing and new businesses. E3: Burlington’s economic base will be diverse and resilient. E4: Costs and benefits of economic development efforts will be shared within the regional economy. E5: Downtown Burlington will be preserved and enhanced as a hub of economic, social and cultural affairs. E6: Burlington’s tourism and destination travel industry will continue to grow. E7: Burlington’s retail sector will continue to expand and diversify- thereby reducing leakage, enhancing the tax base, and adding to the quality of life of the community.

Burlington will protect, improve and sustain its natural resources. Burlington will preserve its local agricultural resources and heritage. Burlington’s water resources will be clean and healthy.

Community Facilities & Services FS1: Sewer and water service will effectively meet the needs of current and future residents and businesses. FS2: Burlington will maintain exceptional recreation facilities and services that support both individual and community health. FS3: Burlington will continue to offer strong educational systems that attract families and support success and social interaction. FS4: Burlington residents will feel safe in all parts of the City.

Community Character C1: Burlington will have a thriving arts, cultural and entertainment community and identity. C2: Burlington will respect its history and heritage by preserving historic resources and celebrating the past. C3: Burlington will be proactive in maintaining a quality appearance that reflects pride in the community.

Hazards

HZ1: Burlington will mitigate the risk of impacts before a disaster. HZ2: Residents and assets will be protected during a disaster. HZ3: Burlington will successfully recover from disasters.

Collaboration & Partnerships CP1: Burlington will maintain mutually beneficial relationships with neighboring jurisdictions, Des Moines County, and other governmental agencies. CP2: Burlington will continue to collaborate with non-profits and private entities to improve the quality of life for Burlington residents.

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4.2

HOUSING As a city grows and changes, housing must change to meet the needs of the population. Housing is included in a comprehensive plan to provide guidance for decision-makers and developers when considering additions to and renovations of the City’s housing stock. Diversity, quality and affordability are overarching themes in Burlington’s housing goals.

H1: Housing Goal 1 Burlington will offer safe, attractive and diverse housing options. Objective H1.1: Burlington will expand the variety of housing types to meet changing and diverse housing needs. Strategies • The City encourages a mixture of housing unit sizes, types and market-rate price points in all neighborhoods. • The City will continue to assist Downtown Partners, Inc. with the development of downtown housing. • The City will upgrade tax abatement programs in all areas of the City. • The City will be aware of market demand for various housing types and will encourage development of units that respond to market demand.

Objective H1.2: Burlington homeowners will maintain their homes and properties. Strategies • The City will continue to promote property maintenance through programs like the Pride of the Community. • The City will encourage owner occupied rehabilitation programs and opportunities for homeownership for low to moderate income families through grant opportunities. • The City will actively enforce code violations related to housing standards and property maintenance. • The City will monitor and support property maintenance at public and private low-income housing projects. • The City encourages improvements and additions to existing homes as an option to upgrade the existing housing stock and allow stay-in-place housing.

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CHAPTER 4 GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES H2: Housing Goal 2 Burlington neighborhoods will be attractive and safe. Objective H2.1: Existing neighborhoods, and especially historic structures and districts, will be maintained, enhanced and celebrated. Strategies • The City encourages and supports the creation of neighborhood associations and locally-led neighborhood planning efforts. • The City encourages the preservation and practical adaptation of historic housing whenever feasible. • The City will establish and enforce development and design guidelines for structures in designated historic districts. • Redevelopment should be compatible with the character of the surrounding neighborhood. • The City will work to improve walkability, lighting, streets and sidewalks in existing neighborhoods.

Objective H2.2: New development will support establishment of complete, livable neighborhoods. Strategies • New residential development should be connected to an existing or planned neighborhood area that incorporates traditional neighborhood design. Unplanned or unconnected residential development is strongly discouraged. • Neighborhoods should include housing for all ages and family types.

“Traditional neighborhood design” incorporates a mix of housing types, wellconnected streets, public spaces, and neighborhoodserving amenities.

Current and Existing Housing Conditions in Burlington A comparison of household size shows that the number of persons per household in the City has been declining at rates slightly faster than the County and the State. This decline in household size is projected to continue in the future. The shrinking household size means that the number of households in the City is expected to rise slightly (approximately 3%) over the next 20 years, despite an expected drop in total population. Burlington’s history of population growth and decline is reflected in the age of it’s housing stock. Nearly 50% of residential structures in Burlington were built prior to 1940 and 67.3% were built prior to 1960. The diversity of Burlington’s housing stock is typical of small cities in the Midwest, with 76% consisting of single family homes. Multi-family housing in the City varies in number of units per dwelling with 11.6% having two to four units, 5% having five to nine units, and almost 7% having 10 or more units. Burlington residents that participated in the public participation process indicated that quality of housing, diversity of housing, and preservation of historic homes are all important issues when planning for housing development and growth.

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4.2

HOUSING

H3: Housing Goal 3 All residents will have access to quality housing, regardless of ability or socioeconomic status. Objective H3.1: Lower-income earners in the local workforce will have access to affordable housing options within the City. Strategies • The City will promote the development of quality housing options that meet the needs of lower-income residents, including both market-rate and subsidized or price-controlled products. • The City will promote the geographical dispersal of affordable housing throughout the community, and encourage development of affordable housing on transit routes and corridors. • The City will continue to implement the Neighborhood Stabilization Program until the original funding is exhausted, and new funding or new programs to enable affordable home ownership will be pursued as feasible. • The City will continue to develop and support a local Habitat for Humanity program. • The City will evaluate allowing construction of accessory dwelling units (i.e. “granny flats”) and small lot housing to provide marketrate affordable housing options. • The City will continue to support opportunities for homeownership for low to moderate income families through grant opportunities.

Objective H3.2: The City will continue to play an active role in providing accessible housing to all populations. Strategies • The City will remain a member of the Great River Housing Trust Fund. • The City will encourage non-profits in providing transitional and emergency housing for low-income and homeless individuals and families. • The City will continue to support redevelopment of vacant homes by willing residential developers. • The City will establish and maintain a Rental Landlord Program promoting improved quality of living and appearance of rentals. Objective H3.3: Accessible housing units will be seamlessly integrated into both existing neighborhoods and new developments. Strategies • The City encourages the use of universal design and development of life-cycle housing to facilitate the ability of residents to age in place, either in the same home or the same neighborhood. • The City will periodically analyze the housing needs of the special needs and elderly population and promote appropriate programs, regulations, or incentives to meet these needs. 4-6

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Accessory dwelling unit above garage. Source: radworld (creative commons)

“Granny flats” are secondary dwelling units on a single family parcel, often located over the garage or in a standalone guesthouse. They can be used by a grandparent or collegeage child, or simply rented out as an apartment.

“Universal design” refers to a broad spectrum of design construction techniques meant to create housing that is accessible and comfortable for people with or without disabilities “Life-cycle housing” aims to create housing options that meet people’s needs and circumstances at all of life’s stages, from family to old age


CHAPTER 4 GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES H4: Housing Goal 4 Burlington housing stock will be resource efficient. Objective H4.1: The energy efficiency of Burlington’s housing stock will continue to improve.

• The City will consider the development of rebate programs and other financial incentives, in conjunction with public and private partners, for homeowners undertaking energy efficient rehabilitation efforts. Priority will be given to elderly, disabled and low-income homeowners.

Strategies • The City will ensure that all applicable construction or rehabilitation projects meet the International Energy Conservation Code.

Housing Action Items

aUpdate zoning and subdivision ordinances to remove

barriers to affordable housing, including allowing dwelling accessory structures and small lot housing and increasing allowed maximum lot coverages.

aConsider ordinances and programs that encourage

the development of affordable and workforce housing integrated with market-rate housing. Inclusionary housing ordinances can provide incentives to development with certain percentages of affordable housing units (e.g. a density bonus allowing for more total units than otherwise permitted, or waiving taxes on affordable percentages of development).

aMaintain and promote existing Housing Enterprise Zones, particularly for redevelopment projects.

a

aPlan

for continued and expanded support of the Great River Housing Trust Fund and non-profits offering transitional and emergency housing.

aDevelop programs.

aAllow

for a reduction in multifamily parking requirements when projects are located near transit lines.

aEvaluate future needs for downtown parking structures

and be open to supporting partnerships for development of such.

aDevelop

a sustainable funding source to address the residential tear-down and acquisition of abandoned properties (e.g. a percentage of code violation fees).

Evaluate the use of density bonuses for mixed pricepoints or affordable housing units.

aExplore

aUpdate land development ordinances to require or at

aContinue

least allow components of traditional neighborhood design and consideration of existing neighborhood context. Design features to require/allow include the inclusion of compact, mixed-use components, small lots, narrow front setbacks, deeper garage setbacks, walkable street patterns, narrower streets and pedestrian amenities.

aTrain and educate City staff to ensure proficiency in International Energy Conservation Code requirements.

aCreate guidance for developers on requirements of the International Energy Conservation Code.

and maintain affordable homeownership

incentives to promote rehabilitation of existing housing, beyond current incentives. to evaluate tax abatement and other incentives for new housing and redevelopment of existing housing to ensure they remain effective in promoting residential development.

aSupport homeless shelter and other local agencies that provide shelter for those experiencing homelessness or in need of special housing options.

aEvaluate

surrounding communities’ incentive programs for residential development to ensure Burlington remains competitive in housing development.

aEnsure compliance with energy codes. 4-7


4.3

MOBILITY & TRANSPORTATION Transportation is an essential aspect of life. It is about the ability to readily and safely gain access to work, school, shopping, recreation, medical care and social gatherings. It is also an essential component of most economic activity. The City of Burlington’s overarching transportation themes are safety, efficiency and diversity of transportation options.

T1: Mobility & Transportation Goal 1 The Burlington street network will safely balance the needs of all users. Objective T1.1: Traffic growth will be managed in balance with cost and neighborhood impact considerations. Strategies • The City will maintain an updated Major Streets Plan • The City will develop corridor plans before significant development or growth occurs to seek the appropriate balance among competing issues, including efficiency, safety for all users, property access and impacts on adjoining land uses and neighborhoods. • The City encourages a connected, flexible street grid. • The City will consider land acquisition to widen existing collector and arterials only after all other alternatives have been explored, and then with a high level of scrutiny. • The City encourages context sensitive design to minimize impacts to historic districts and existing neighborhoods and to preserve natural features.

Objective T1.2: Preserve the quality of existing facilities. Strategies • The City will maintain a Capital Improvement Plan to plan for maintenance of roads and other transportation facilities to maintain a high level of service based on road classification. • The City may require property owners, or their agent, to fund the preparation of a traffic impact analysis by an independent professional prior to approving new development.

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CHAPTER 4 GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES T2: Mobility & Transportation Goal 2 The efficiency and function of freight and commercial transportation systems will continue to improve. Objective T2.1: Burlington’s collector and arterial streets will continue to meet the needs of commercial trucking. Strategies • The City encourages trucking-intensive businesses to locate as close as possible to the highway system, and also to seek co-location opportunities with related businesses that reduce shipping time and costs. • The City will work to improve signage and signalization along truck routes. • The City will consider freight accessibility and movement in transportation corridor studies. • The City may designate weight restrictions and truck routes to protect local streets. • The City supports continued improvements to USH 34 and USH 61 that reduce travel times to regional economic centers (e.g. Davenport, Peoria, Des Moines) and the interstate highway system.

Objective T2.2: Burlington will maintain and enhance access to other modes of commercial transportation, including rail, river and air facilities. Strategies • The City will seek opportunities to provide grade separated street connections across rail corridors where feasible. • The City will support infrastructure improvements that facilitate efficient intermodal transfer of goods. • The City will promote rail and barge infrastructure improvements that enable local business growth. • The City supports a potential relocation of the Southeast Iowa Regional Airport to the west of the current airport property as part of an effort to increase commercial flight activities and develop business park facilities.

Transportation in Burlington Nearly 80% of all commuting trips in Burlington are in single-occupancy vehicles. Many factors contribute to a lack of diversity in transportation modes including sprawling, segregated land uses, limited transit service, and limited biking infrastructure These are interconnected issues that can only be resolved through coordination of land use and development, transportation systems and programs, and community education. This plan attempts to address these issues and offer guidance on creating a more diversified and accessible system. An environmentally sustainable and socially equitable transportation system is necessary to maintain a high quality of life. Transportation Issues and Opportunities The Burlington community has identified several opportunities for improving the transportation system, including: • Creating a connected system of offroad bicycle/pedestrian trails • Maintaining sidewalks • Providing more bicycle infrastructure (e.g. bike racks) • Improve safety on Roosevelt Avenue (e.g. addressing red light running) • Improving safety near schools • Improving pedestrian safety at Downtown intersections • Building a north-south overpass over the railroad • Creating better accessibility on the Riverwalk between Crapo Park and Riverside Gazebo • Increasing transit ridership

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4.3

MOBILITY & TRANSPORTATION

T3: Mobility & Transportation Goal 3 Alternatives to single occupancy vehicle trips will increase as a percentage of all transportation within the City. Objective T3.1: Transit trips will increase. Strategies • The City will continue to promote the growth of B.U.S. transit system ridership. • The City will ensure all transit vehicles and facilities continue to be ADA compliant. • B.U.S. routes will provide convenient service to areas with a high concentration of residential units. • The City will evaluate efficiencies of B.U.S. and other public transit systems to ensure costs and services are appropriate.

Objective T3.2: The City will actively promote and encourage alternative transportation options. Strategies • The City will develop and maintain programs to incentivize use of alternative transportation modes. • In collaboration with local and regional organizations, the City will host events that encourage and celebrate alternative transportation. • The City will lead by example through employee ridership programs, accessible public facilities, and commuter encouragement. • The City will encourage the use of rideshare programs.

What’s wrong with single occupancy vehicles? Single occupancy vehicles are inefficient. They waste 75-80% of available passenger capacity. If the percentage of single occupancy vehicles on Burlington roadways can be reduced, increases in transportation demand due to population and employment growth will be offset by increased efficiency, and the space and spending that would otherwise go to additional lanes and traffic control devices can instead be used to further enhance bike paths, bus service, and other modes of travel. This then enhances mobility for residents unable to drive and improves quality of life. As an added benefit, a more efficient transportation system will result in lesser CO2 emissions per person.

Objective T4.1: Bike and pedestrian infrastructure will be safe and wellconnected. Strategies • The City will continue to develop a connected network of onstreet and off-street bike routes to make bike transit a viable, safe transportation option. • The City will continue to work with regional and state organizations to create a well-connected regional trail system. • The City will establish and use a Complete Streets ordinance, requiring consideration and provision for bike and pedestrian users whenever a street is constructed or reconstructed, including meeting ADA requirements. • The City will actively enforce sidewalk maintenance requirements and will continue to encourage sidewalk installation where gaps are present.

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Complete Street intersection in Charlotte, NC. Source: National Complete Streets Coalition

T4: Mobility & Transportation Goal 4 Biking and walking in Burlington will be safe, enjoyable and efficient.

“Complete streets” are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Designs can include bike lanes, accessible transit stops, frequent and/or signaled crosswalks, narrower travel lanes, and traffic calming devices.


CHAPTER 4 GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES T5: Mobility & Transportation Goal 5 Local transportation systems will be wellcoordinated with regional systems and investments. Objective T5.1: The City will maximize the costeffectiveness of the regional transportation system by coordinating planning, design and funding with regional and state agencies, as well as neighboring jurisdictions. Strategies • The City will actively participate in Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission’s (SEIRPC) transportation planning process. •The City will work with neighboring jurisdictions and SEIRPC to coordinate mobility goals and a vision for the future.

• The City will inform the community about regional and state transportation projects, and will encourage public involvement. • The City will work with the Iowa DOT to improve access to and efficiency of major transportation routes through joint planning and policy initiatives. • The City will work with neighboring jurisdictions to plan, construct and maintain those roadways that cross jurisdictions. • When appropriate, the City may require intergovernmental agreements that define the responsibilities of the City, the partner jurisdiction and the developer (if applicable) regarding any required improvements to streets and the funding of those improvements.

Mobility & Transportation Action Items

aRequire a multimodal transportation impact analysis aEvaluate transit rider needs for non-running times for proposed development on a case-by-case basis as determined by the City. Impacts on traffic and street infrastructure, transit access and utilization, and bike and pedestrian connectivity should all be considered.

aActively participate in state-led highway improvement projects within the City to advocate for context sensitive design - streetscaping improvements should be designed with local input and should be unique to Burlington.

aDevelop

a City-wide Bike and Pedestrian Plan to establish a contiguous, safe network of on-street and offstreet bike and pedestrian routes.

(nights/weekends).

aAnalyze

future road extensions and connections for future development areas to maintain proper street connections.

aRequire sidewalks for all new development and major

redevelopment projects, whether sidewalks currently exist adjacent or not (especially near and west of Roosevelt Avenue). Encourage neighboring properties to install sidewalks.

aWork with DOT to ensure safe and proper crossings at

aPrioritize

Roosevelt Ave and adjacent streets (particularly Highway 34).

aEnsure

aAssess need for bike racks throughout the community. aContinue to develop trail systems and interconnectivity

sections of the City for sidewalk maintenance and installation and proactively react to needed improvements. annual funding Reimbursement Program.

for

the

Sidewalk

of parks, including Flint River Trail and RecPlex.

aConduct a transit study to identify barriers to bus aIncrease accessibility throughout the community by ridership and make recommendations to increase effectiveness.

increased installation of ADA curb ramps.

aIncrease enforcement of sidewalk maintenance and safety violations.

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4.4

ECONOMIC PROSPERITY Economic prosperity is realized through the growth and retention of jobs, a diversity of businesses types, an increase in buying power, investment in the built environment, and a general improvement in the community’s quality of life. Creating economic prosperity requires the collaborative efforts of public and private entities, and the support of the community overall. Burlington’s prosperity themes are education, diversity and growth from within. The City recognizes that economic success requires extensive collaboration with other public and private entities - the City will be an active partner in these efforts and will avoid duplication of services. City “support” for these efforts may include staff time, funding, policies, or simply endorsement.

E1: Economic Prosperity Goal 1 Burlington will support business growth. Objective E1.1: Workforce development efforts will be continuous and focus on the needs of local employers. Strategies • The City will support collaborations with the Greater Burlington Partnership and Southeastern Community College, and local school districts to identify and meet workforce education and training needs that support local businesses. • The City will work with the Greater Burlington Partnership and Southeastern Community College to develop and support internship programs to encourage businesses to hire and train area youth. • The City will work with local school districts to encourage students to pursue local careers to retain workforce.

Objective E1.2: Burlington will be an attractive, health-conscious community.

Reliance on manufacturing, retention of young professionals, and lack of diversity in job opportunities were all identified as issues that Burlington must overcome to ensure economic prosperity

Strategies • The City and its partners will prioritize workforce recruitment through efforts to make and promote Burlington as a great place to live. (Making Burlington a great place to live will make employee attraction and retention easier, and this will facilitate employment growth.) • The City will support the creative arts, including live performance, public art installations, art galleries, etc., as an important element of workforce attraction and economic development. • The City will support live/work spaces. • The City will promote healthy living practices and initiatives to increase community appeal and reduce health care costs.

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CHAPTER 4 GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES E2: Economic Prosperity Goal 2 Employment will grow in Burlington through the creation, expansion and further development of existing and new businesses. Objective E2.1: Existing Burlington businesses will retain and expand employment. Strategies • The City will support the needs of growing businesses and will work with local partners to provide programs, space and infrastructure necessary to support an expanding workforce. • The City will collaborate with Greater Burlington Partnership to ensure that primary sector employers are contacted frequently, at least once every two years, to identify any changes or challenges with which the City or its partners may be able to assist.

Objective E2.2: The City will have both space and incentive tools to support business creation, growth and expansion. Strategies • The City will update the future land use map from time to time as necessary to ensure an adequate supply of land for commercial and industrial development. • The City will continue to use development tools such as tax incremental financing districts and enterprise zones to offer incentives that support employment growth, and will target those incentives toward primary sector employers or businesses that have a direct impact on quality of life in the region.

Objective E2.3: Entrepreneurism and small business growth will be enthusiastically and continuously supported in Burlington. Strategies • The City will support collaborations among Greater Burlington Partnership, the Southeastern Small Business Development Center, and the Iowa State University Center for Entrepreneurship to provide local entrepreneurship training and encouragement, including creation of an Inventor and Entrepreneurs Club. • The City will support low-impact home-based businesses. • The City will support and promote minority- and womenowned businesses.

Burlington’s Workforce Like communities across the nation, Burlington is struggling to rebound from the recession. Over the last decade, the unemployment rate has doubled in Des Moines County (from 3.7% in 2000 to 7.5% in 2010). In addition, the County as a whole as lost 5.5% of its labor force. Burlington will need to implement a multi-faceted approach to ensure future economic prosperity including educational programming, diversification of business and industry, and retention of workers and businesses.

“Primary sector employers” are those that produce more goods or services than can be consumed by the local economy, and therefore export a portion of their output, bringing outside dollars into the local economy Burlington’s Economy Traditionally, Burlington’s economy has relied heavily on manufacturing with over 20% of the County’s workforce in manufacturing jobs. Other industries have taken root in Burlington in recent years including the medical and human services fields. According to the Iowa Workforce Development, the fastest growing occupations in the region are pharmacy technicians, accountants, registered nurses, and computer and mechanical operations. Tourism as Industry Burlington has a rich cultural, historical and natural heritage providing an abundance of sites and events to attract tourists. The most notable attractions include Snake Alley and historic Downtown Burlington, the Mississippi River, eagle watching, Catfish Bend Casino, Pzazz/Fun City, Burlington Bee’s Baseball, Memorial Auditorium, the RecPlex and the plethora of local and state parks.

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4.4

ECONOMIC PROSPERITY

E3: Economic Prosperity Goal 3 Burlington’s economic base will be diverse and resilient. Objective E3.1: Attract new jobs to the community in varied sectors. Strategies • The City will encourage and support efforts to recruit businesses in growth industries not currently prevalent in the City, including information technology, energy technology, and health-related products and services. • The City will work with key stakeholders to establish a base of creative industries (e.g. arts, sciences, research, architecture) to enhance quality of life and expand the professional workforce.

Objective E3.2: Encourage and promote the development of environmentally sustainable industries. Strategies • Emphasis will be placed on attracting businesses and industries that operate in a sustainable manner, contribute to the sustainability of the community as a whole, and are responsible environmental stewards. • The City will continue to support sustainable business education programs and initiatives.

E4: Economic Prosperity Goal 4 Costs and benefits of economic development efforts will be shared within the regional economy. Objective E4.1: Most economic development activities will be collaborative efforts with multiple public and private partners across the region. Strategies • The City will create partnerships within the region to support economic development in the region. These partnerships may include pooled funding for incentive programs and revenue sharing agreements to reduce local competition for business expansion investments.

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E5: Economic Prosperity Goal 5 Downtown Burlington will be preserved and enhanced as a hub of economic, social and cultural affairs Objective E5.1: Downtown Burlington will be economically robust. Strategies • The City will utilize its existing economic development tools, and establish new tools as feasible and appropriate, to attract more retail and professional employers to Downtown. • The City will continue to work with Downtown Partners, Inc. and other entities to actively market Downtown as an ideal business site.

Objective E5.2: Downtown Burlington will be a unique and attractive place that invites pedestrian exploration. Strategies • The City will work to develop a cohesive and attractive “feel” to the Downtown through unique streetscaping, signage, and other public infrastructure. • Key locations in downtown will be easy to locate through the appropriate use of wayfinding and signage. • The City will work to create a pedestrian-oriented Downtown through streetscape improvements. • The City will work to create attractive, memorable and safe public spaces where citizens and visitors can gather. • The City encourages and will invest in public art installations and cultural amenities Downtown. • The City will preserve and celebrate landmark buildings. • Adaptation and reuse of existing structures that have historic architectural character is strongly encouraged, and the City will review and guide adaptations through the design review process.

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CHAPTER 4 GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES E6: Economic Prosperity Goal 6 Burlington’s tourism and destination travel industry will continue to grow. Objective E6.1: Burlington will continue to be the preferred convention and tourism destination in the region. Strategies • The City will work with the Burlington Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to secure additional conventions for the Burlington area and actively market area attractions. • The City will work with developers and the Greater Burlington Partnership to plan and provide diverse lodging and accommodations. • The City will work to improve riverfront amenities, utilization, and access to make the most of the Mississippi River.

Objective E6.2: Heritage sites and outdoor and indoor recreation will become major tourism draws in Burlington. Strategies • The City and its partners will emphasize historical sites and events in promotional materials. • The City and its partners will identify, encourage, and promote outdoor recreation opportunities in promotional materials, especially related to river-oriented recreation. • The City and its partners will encourage the development of public and private indoor recreation facilities that provide both casual recreation activities and organized sport tournaments and events.

E7: Economic Prosperity Goal 7 Burlington’s retail sector will continue to expand and diversify- thereby reducing leakage, enhancing the tax base, and adding to the quality of life of the community. Objective E7.1: Private developers will take the lead on the development of new retail projects. Strategies • The City will enthusiastically support private retail development with financial tools such as tax abatement, tax increment financing, and other innovative means. • When appropriate, financial incentives should generally take the form of property tax relief as opposed to a cash incentive from the general fund. • Except under special circumstances, financial incentives should not play a major role in development projects that relocate retail businesses from neighboring communities.

Objective E7.2: The City will actively monitor policies to ensure that Burlington is a development-friendly community. Strategies • The City will look for creative ways to redevelop underutilized or vacant retail properties through rezoning, financial incentives, or other means. • The City will undergo a continual process to ensure zoning regulations, transportation accesses, and necessary infrastructure support the advancement of the retail sector.

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4.4

ECONOMIC PROSPERITY

E8: Economic Prosperity Goal 8 Burlington will establish and maintain financial practices that allow the most efficient use of tax dollars. Objective E8.1: The City will optimize its bond rating. Strategies • The City will manage the ratio of general obligation debt to overall revenues at an appropriate level. • The City will maintain a reserve of 20% of unused, undesignated funds in the general budget to enable flexibility to respond to unforeseen needs. • The City will maintain a consistent tax rate over time.

Objective E8.2: The City will maintain balance between tax base and municipal budget. Strategies • The City will track, from time to time, its costs to provide services to various development types, and will encourage and prioritize development types and formats that have a lower cost/revenue ratio. • The City will use development incentive programs to support projects with a low cost/ revenue ratio.

Economic Prosperity Action Items

aAdopt a Vacant Building Ordinance to better manage

and maintain the City’s vacant building stock. The program should support the costs of inspections and maintenance enforcement, and it should both prevent and help pay for emergency actions to protect public safety, including demolition.

aIdentify

and plan for infrastructure investments required to make priority development/redevelopment sites viable for economic development, especially those that serve large areas and/or multiple parcels such as a major sewer line.

aIdentify funding sources and mechanisms for public

realm and capital improvements to support economic development

aIdentify

target industries/business types and offer tax incentives to businesses in those sectors to locate or expand in Burlington.

aWork

with Burlington area schools, Southeastern Community College, Greater Burlington Partnership and local businesses to develop and implement an internship and summer job programs.

aUpdate development regulations to remove barriers to

home-based businesses that are compatible and suitable for residential areas.

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aCoordinate with the Greater Burlington Partnership

and local educational institutions to plan for workforce transitions from manufacturing to knowledge-based and creative industries.

aTarget downtown locations for major public cultural investments.

aCoordinate with Des Moines County to develop a rural and eco-tourism plan that promotes recreation and tourism outside the City as well as hotel stays inside the City.

aUpgrade the City website to emphasize the assets of

Burlington as a vibrant, modern community with a rich history and an exceptional quality of life, and evaluate the use of mobile and social media digital tools to improve access to City information and marketing materials.

aWork

with the Greater Burlington Partnership to prepare and maintain online and print promotional materials for prospective residents that shares the City’s recent progress and visions for the future as identified in this plan.

aDevelop an easy to understand “one-stop-shop” for economic development on the City website, with links to partner resources.

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CHAPTER 4 GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES

Economic Prosperity Action Items

aAggressively infrastructure.

pursue grants and resources to improve

aEvaluate

potential public/private partnerships for community benefit.

aParticipate

in monthly communications with key stakeholders (e.g. Greater Burlington Partnership, West Burlington, Des Moines County, SEIRPC, SCC, and BHS) to discuss the future of the area and maintain an open dialogue among entities.

aAdopt a design overlay area in Downtown Burlington to promote and protect the character of the area.

aContinue to evaluate properties for listing on the National

Register of Historic Places to further solidify Burlington as a historic community and to enable properties to access historic tax credits.

aComplete periodic review of “business friendliness� as compared to comparable cities, including tax rate, utility rates, and regulatory processes.

aPromote growth of tax base in all areas of the community,

including infill, redevelopment and improvements in existing developed areas and continued growth in planned new development areas.

aPromote vocational education/training to fill the needs

aThe City will evaluate its property tax levels/rates to be

aCreate and enhance entry features to the community and

aThe

of local employers.

to the downtown (e.g. landscaping, signage, banners, etc.).

aConstruct

and maintain interpretive signage at key attraction locations to further promote the assets of the community.

competitive with other communities in Iowa and region and to support infrastructure/services in the community. City will develop programs and policies to be competitive (top 25% in Iowa) with other similar sized communities in tax and utility rates.

aEvaluate and plan for venues and attractions (e.g. indoor

sports complex, riverfront amenities, boutique hotel with riverview rooms) to further Burlington as a year-round destination- resulting in increased year-round occupancy of local hotels.

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4.5

AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES The abundance and health of our agricultural and natural resources are vital to the well being of our community, the prosperity of our economy and the health of our regional ecological systems. This section outlines the objectives and strategies for preserving, protecting, and restoring our natural and agricultural resources. As our most visible natural resource, the Mississippi River is considered a priority resource for protection, in balance with its transportation and recreation functions. Because all systems are interconnected, these strategies address water, land, wildlife, air, vegetation, food systems, and the welfare of our citizens.

R1: Agriculture & Natural Resources Goal 1 Burlington will protect, improve and sustain its natural resources. “Green infrastructure” is a network of open spaces and natural features woven into the built environment that provides natural stormwater management and essential ecosystem connections

Objective R1.1: Burlington will protect and restore “green infrastructure” to improve surface water quality, reduce localized flood risk, and enhance development character and value. Strategies • The City will seek opportunities to conserve open space networks, mature trees, floodplains, wetlands, and other significant natural features, especially in ways that connect to and enhance the value of adjacent development. • The City will require conservation or comparable restoration of natural features during the development process, including conservation of natural waterways and protection or replacement of mature trees. • The City will promote the conservation of urban forests and wildlands and linkages among these areas.

Objective R1.2: Burlington will protect and restore wildlife habitats and corridors. Strategies • The City will plan for a greenway system in which parks and open spaces are linked and offer connected ecological habitats. • Emphasis will be placed on preserving and, in some cases, reconstructing natural waterways and riparian buffers. • The City will support and encourage educational programming targeted at preservation and appreciation of the environment.

Objective R1.3: Burlington will utilize natural resources in the most efficient way possible. Strategies • The City will utilize physical resources in public projects and operations in the most efficient way possible and will purchase recycled-content materials whenever possible. • The City will consider instituting mandatory recycling and landfill diversion policies for construction projects.

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CHAPTER 4 GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES R2: Agriculture & Natural Resources Goal 2 Burlington will preserve its local agricultural resources and heritage. Objective R2.1: Burlington will promote local food systems and responsible agriculture. Strategies • The City will consider changes to city ordinances to explicitly allow small-scale agriculture in all zoning districts, either as a permitted or conditional use. Specific uses to be considered include gardens and greenhouses. • The City will explore ways of creating and supporting community gardens, farmers’ markets, food pantries, and other similar community-based food projects. • The City will encourage efforts by local institutions with large food service responsibilities, such as schools, restaurants, hotels, and convention facilities, to seek local food procurement options. These organizations are encouraged to collaborate in such efforts.

Burlington’s Agricultural and Natural Resources Burlington has rich and varied natural and agricultural resources. Twenty percent of all land in Burlington is agriculture and open space. This land is a mix of farms (mostly corn and soybeans), woodlands, wetlands, floodplains, streams, and streambanks. Des Moines County’s natural communities include Oak-Hickory Forests, Northern Hardwoods, and Bottom-ground Timbers; Dry, Mesic and Wet Prairie; and Palustrine, Lacustrine and Riverine Wetlands. Burlington’s Water Resources The City is located in the FlintHenderson Sub-Basin and is part of the Lower Duck Creek, Mississippi River-Duck Creek, and Crow CreekMississippi River Watersheds. The Mississippi River serves as the eastern border and major waterway in Burlington and Des Moines County. Other major waterways include the Skunk River, Spring Creek, Flint Creek, Knotty Creek, Yellow Spring Creek, and Hawkeye Creek. The Mississippi River floodplain has a width of 10 miles at the north end of Burlington and approximately 6 miles on the south.

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4.5

AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES

R3: Agriculture & Natural Resources Goal 3 Burlington’s water resources will be clean and healthy. Objective R3.1: Burlington will plan for healthy watersheds. Strategies • The City will work with neighboring communities, Des Moines County, SEIRPC, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to effectively plan for protection and conservation of the Flint-Henderson Subbasin, including consideration of the water quality impacts of all urban and rural land uses. • The City will preserve the natural character of water bodies and drainage ways through green space acquisition, floodplain regulations, and drainage corridor and buffer protection. • The City will continue to support and encourage participation in the Wetland Reserve Program. • The City will support and encourage sustainable agricultural practices to protect watershed and water resource health.

Objective R3.2: Burlington will efficiently manage stormwater. Strategies • The City will work to promote the use of stormwater as a resource and not a waste product. • Runoff volume and quality improvements beyond state requirements are encouraged where economically feasible through best management practices like permeable pavement and filtration swales. • New development will continue to meet state requirements for stormwater management.

“Permeable paving” utilizes porous materials and laying techniques to allow water to percolate and infiltrate the soil beneath the paving, instead of running off as with impervious paving.

Objective R3.3: Surface water quality will be improved and maintained.

Strategies • The City will seek to reduce point and non-point pollution to local streams and rivers through best management practices. http://programs.iowadnr.gov/...esri.esrimap.Esrimap?ServiceName=Overview&ClientVersion=4.0&Form=True&Enco • Emphasis will be placed on working with local, regional and state agencies to improve the water quality of the Mississippi. • The City will strictly enforce erosion control and Clean Water standards.

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CHAPTER 4 GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES

Agriculture & Natural Resource Action Items

aEvaluate

the need for and benefit of a Watershed Management Plan with neighboring jurisdictions and begin implementing projects.

a

Develop a “GreenPrint� for creating an interconnected greenway system of parks and open spaces.

aConsider the adoption of

best management practices (BMPs) for stormwater management and low-impact development.

a

Consider the adoption of regulations for conservation and restoration of natural features during development.

aConsider the adoption of stormwater and low-impact

BMP requirements for City facilities and operations.

a

Update erosion control regulations and increase enforcement.

a

Work to identify local point and non-point source pollution and implement steps for remediation.

aDevelop a stormwater education program to inform citizens of BMPs including the use of rain barrels, rain gardens, green roofs, permeable paving, etc.

aIdentify and remove barriers to local food production. aConsider the adoption of local food procurement policies for City events and facilities.

aDevelop procedures for increasing the ability to use electronic and government assistance forms of payment at local farmers markets.

aEncourage

responsible agriculture region-wide with awareness of FSA office guidelines for agricultural practices for Des Moines County.

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4.6

COMMUNITY FACILITIES & SERVICES Local government is responsible for a broad array of essential services, from sewer and water service to park and recreation facilities, fire and police protection and public schools. The quality, efficacy and efficiency of these services have a direct relationship to quality of life for residents. While each of these services is individually managed and monitored, they are considered in the comprehensive plan to ensure that investment in these services serves the overall vision for the City. The overarching themes of the plan for these services are quality, efficiency, and equity.

FS1: Community Facilities & Services Goal 1 Sewer and water service will effectively meet the needs of current and future residents and businesses. Objective FS1.1: Sewer and water service will be safe. Strategies • Water quality standards will be strictly adhered to, including both drinking water standards and standards for quality of treated wastewater returned to waterways.

Objective FS1.2: Sewer and water service capacity will not be a constraint on economic or population growth. Strategies • The wastewater treatment plant will have adequate capacity to support the growth anticipated during next 20 years. • The City and its economic development partners will have regular communication with large commercial users of water or wastewater services, and will ensure that their needs are being met as efficiently as possible.

Objective FS1.3: Development will support the efficiency and fiscal sustainability of sewer and water systems. Strategies • The City will encourage infill development and other practices that efficiently and cost effectively utilize existing infrastructure. • The City will avoid lift stations and extra pumps whenever possible to control the long-term cost burden of the water and sewer systems • The City will continue to make investments that allow for longterm cost control, such as the separation of sanitary sewer and storm sewer pipes to reduce the amount of stormwater that is mixed with wastewater and treated.

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CHAPTER 4 GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES FS2: Community Facilities & Services Goal 2 Burlington will maintain exceptional recreation facilities and services that support both individual and community health. Objective FS2.1: The City’s recreation facilities will be managed with an understanding of the diverse outdoor recreational needs and desires of the community. Strategies • The City will work to provide outdoor recreational opportunities for all ages and abilities. • The City will continue to develop recreational opportunities on the riverfront, including boating infrastructure. • The City will coordinate recreational planning with other public and private entities to maximize resources. • The City will continue to coordinate with regional and state entities to create an interconnected regional trail system. • The City will continue to improve existing park and recreation facilities and services to meet the needs of the community, while improving safety and efficiency of the facilities provided.

Objective FS2.3: The City will offer increased indoor recreational opportunities.

Burlington: A City of Parks Burlington is a city of parks, with almost 200 acres of designated park land. The City also has an additional 2600 acres of agricultural land and open space. This accounts for nearly 22% of the City’s land. Burlington’s parks range from 85 acres to 0.3 acres and consist of six mini (or “pocket”) parks, four neighborhood parks, and two community parks. The largest of these parks are Crapo and Dankwardt, which share a common border and are located on the southeast side of Burlington. While the City is currently meeting its needs on a pure acre to population basis, there are several other considerations that will shape the future of Burlington’s parks; the most important of which are access and interconnection.

Strategies • The City will continue to explore options for increasing indoor recreational facilities in an energy- and cost-efficient manner. • As new facilities and programs are developed, the needs of youth and elderly residents will be specifically considered and addressed. • Work with other local agencies to increase indoor recreation opportunities within the community.

A state park, increased parkland on the north side, a dog park, increased indoor recreational facilities and improved landscaping were all identified as possible improvements to the current park system in Burlington.

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4.6

COMMUNITY FACILITIES & SERVICES

FS3: Community Facilities & Services Goal 3 Burlington will continue to offer strong educational systems that attract families and support success and social interaction. Objective FS3.1: Burlington area schools investments will keep pace with changes to the population it serves. Strategies • The City will collaborate with Burlington area schools to anticipate and plan for changes in the size or makeup of the City’s school-age population. • The City will make adequate financial and resource investment to ensure the success of Burlington’s youth. • The City will work with the area schools and regional economic development agencies to attract and retain high quality educators and staff. • The City will support the renovation of schools to incorporate innovative and sustainable technology and systems, and will aid the district in seeking funding to do so. • The City will collaborate with Burlington area schools to plan for the adaptive reuse of decommissioned school properties before sale to private owners.

Objective FS3.2: Burlington area schools will be an integral part of community life, much more than simply a primary and secondary education service. Strategies •The City will collaborate with area schools to maximize the community’s capital investment in school facilities by making those facilities readily available, as feasible, for other uses that support social interaction and health within the community, such as community meetings, neighborhood festivals, and adult sports. • The City will collaborate with area schools to promote and make available to all residents certain services and events, such as student athletics and music and drama performances.

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• The City will support area schools’ efforts to engage residents in the education process through tutoring, mentoring, and guest speaker initiatives. • The City will support and encourage area schools’ efforts to teach students about local history and instill civic pride through knowledge of the community.

Objective FS3.3: Burlington will encourage lifelong learning through public and private programs. Strategies •The City will support Southeastern Community College and other higher education institutions to provide continuing education, professional development, personal enrichment and summer programs for Burlington residents. •The City will work with cultural and historical institutions (including the Burlington Library and Historical Society) to develop free and lost-cost educational and cultural programs for residents of all ages.

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CHAPTER 4 GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES FS4: Community Facilities & Services Goal 4 Burlington residents will feel safe in all parts of the City. Objective FS4.1: Police and fire protection services will maintain high performance standards as the City grows and changes. Strategies •The City will continue to meet accreditation standards for police and fire personnel and will encourage continued education to enable proactive approaches to new changes and trends.

•The police department will pursue innovative responses to problems that threaten public safety perceptions, and City Council will encourage and fund such innovation. • The City will continually explore options to provide public safety services as efficiently as possible and will implement cost saving mechanisms including retention and maintenance of existing equipment and shared services when feasible.

Community Facilities & Services Action Items

aCollaborate with the Greater Burlington Partnership aPursue grants to update community facilities. and West Burlington to study long-term wastewater treatment options to enable growth, especially to the aContinue to expand local and regional trail systems. southwest. aConduct regular review of sewer/water capacities to aContinue to facilitate and improve park and recreation serve future growth and development. facilities, programs, amenities and special events. aPursue shared services among governmental agencies aStudy feasibility of a public indoor recreation facility, as opportunities arise. opportunities for partnerships, and possibility of other aEvaluate parks for compliance with ADA II standards public or private entities constructing such a facility.

aImprove supply of information (interpretive signage, websites, online forms, maps, etc.) at and for community facilities and key attractions.

and prepare a transition plan to make necessary changes over time.

aCreate

Wi-Fi spots at key community facilities, including parks.

aEvaluate the need for park space in the North and aPromote shared usage of public facilities (e.g. school Southwest areas of the community as opportunities become available.

playgrounds for public use).

aProvide resources to form neighborhood associations

to address community issues, including housing, safety and appearance.

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4.7

COMMUNITY CHARACTER Community character is about identity – characteristics that define Burlington in the minds of residents and visitors. Burlington has been known, historically, for its river setting, its downtown streets and architecture, and its manufacturing employers. Looking forward, the City is working to enhance the downtown and riverfront areas, build on strengths in recreation amenities, and develop a thriving arts community. Some of these objectives are addressed elsewhere in the plan (see Land Use, Economic Prosperity and Community Facilities & Services). This element addresses objectives not otherwise fully addressed, including support for the arts and historic preservation.

C1: Community Character Goal 1 Burlington will have a thriving arts, cultural and entertainment community and identity. Objective C1.1: Cultural facilities, activities, and events will be supported in Burlington, with attention to the interests of all age groups, especially including young families and young professionals. Strategies • The City will seek innovative and sustainable ways of supporting cultural facilities, local cultural events, and local artists. • The City will prepare a Burlington Cultural Plan to establish a more diverse and vibrant arts and culture environment. • The City will engage artists in the planning and development process to integrate culture and art into the fabric of the community. • The City will work with artists and community organizations to identify appropriate sites and venues for cultural events, including nontraditional venues.

Objective C1.2: Public art will enhance a unique local identity. Strategies • The City will identify and remove unnecessary barriers to public art installations. • The City will encourage and facilitate the installation of art in public spaces, including art integrated with public infrastructure. • The City encourages the use of public art in private (re)development. • The City will support neighborhood initiatives to enhance neighborhood identity through public art.

Objective C1.3: The Burlington community will attract and support artists. Strategies • The City supports the development of more active arts and culture organizations that actively promote and seek funding for the creative arts in Burlington. • The City will consider the use of public dollars and powers to fund the arts, such as the Historic Preservation and Cultural and Entertainment District Tax Credit program.

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CHAPTER 4 GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES Objective C1.4: Burlington will seek to expand its role as a regional center of cultural activities (see also Economic Development Goal E6) Strategies • The City supports the development of entertainment venues that can accommodate larger touring shows and events. • The City will support and encourage public festivals and events that incorporate art and music and draw participants from throughout the region.

C2: Community Character Goal 2 Burlington will respect its history and heritage by preserving historic resources and celebrating the past. Objective C2.1: Burlington will safeguard the City’s architectural, historic, aesthetic and cultural heritage. Strategies • The City will continue to support the Historic Preservation Commission and the local designation of historic landmarks and districts. • The City will develop and maintain design guidelines for (re)development in historic districts. • The City will promote and safeguard the historical landscape in addition to structures and districts. • The City will apply criteria for Capital Projects that require evaluation and mitigation of negative impacts to historic assets. • The City encourages (adaptive) reuse and rehabilitation of historic structures.

Burlington’s Rich History The City of Burlington’s history dates back to 1673 as part of Pere Marquette and Louis Joliet’s exploration, eventually becoming part of the Louisiana Purchase. The hamlet was named “Burlington” in 1833 after trader John Gray’s Vermont home. The City was chartered by Congress in 1836 as the seat of one of two counties of the Iowa District in the Wisconsin Territory, and remained the capital when the Iowa Territory was established in 1838. Burlington remained a small trading hub until 1868 when the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy railroad bridge was completed. Since 1868, Burlington has grown into the manufacturing center of southeast Iowa. The City of Burlington is designated as a Historic Preservation Certified Local Government (CLG) with over 1500 sites submitted to the Iowa Site Inventory for evaluation. There are currently 25 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad Passenger Station, Cascade Bridge, Snake Alley, Church of St. John the Baptist, Heritage Hill Historic District, Flint River Bridge, the Schramm Building, and the Capital Theater, among others.

Objective C2.2: Burlington will foster pride in the legacy of beauty and achievements of the past. Strategies • The City will collaborate with the Burlington Public School District and other educational institutions to facilitate local history tours, projects and lesson plans. • The City will support and recognize private historic rehabilitation. • The City will continue to incorporate historical heritage considerations in the development of neighborhood plans.

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4.7

COMMUNITY CHARACTER

Objective C2.3: Burlington will utilizes its historic assets for economic development. Strategies • The City will work with the Greater Burlington Partnership to promote its cultural and historical resources as amenities for prospective businesses and industries. • The City will continue to market its historic and cultural assets as tourist attractions, and will develop/improve infrastructure and amenities to increase tourism.

C3: Community Character Goal 3 Burlington will be proactive in maintaining a quality appearance that reflects pride in the community. Objective C3.1: Burlington will promote high quality site and building designs within the community, and help mitigate any private nuisances that would negatively affect a neighborhood or the City. Strategies • The City will continue to monitor the rental housing stock through the rental permit process. • The City will promote and sponsor community clean-up activities on an annual basis. • The City will use nuisance abatement practices to improve the quality of life and resolve life safety issues within neighborhoods. • The City will encourage and promote home exterior improvements to help maintain the community’s old and new housing stock. Objective C3.2: Burlington will maintain and update the public realm to present a positve public image. Strategies • The City will properly maintain streets, curbs, signs and light fixtures, and plan for replacement of any that have passed their productive lifespan. • The City will work with property owners to ensure maintainace of sidewalks and street trees to provide safe, walkable neighborhoods and districts.

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CHAPTER 4 GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES

Community Character Action Items

aEstablish an Arts Commission. aPrepare a Burlington Cultural Plan. aExplore the designation of Cultural and Entertainment Districts.

aInclude

a public arts component in development Requests for Proposal for City-owned sites.

aLead the drive for encouraging positive outcomes and attitudes.

aEncourage

use of public spaces/streets for outside festivals and events.

aConsider adding National Register properties to Local Historic Register.

aUpdate regulations to remove barriers to live-work

aEvaluate public activities and services that are friendly

aContinue

aPreserve

studios and non-traditional venues.

to support the Historic Preservation Commission and aid in the development of a Historic Preservation Action Plan.

aDevelop and maintain guidelines for development in

or attractive to the young professionals and families.

and enhance the downtown skyline as a defining feature of the community.

aSponsor an annual community-wide, or neighborhood specific, clean-up day.

historic districts.

aDevelop cohesive historic wayfinding signage.

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4.8

HAZARDS The City of Burlington is committed to protecting people and property from natural and man-made disasters. A community must first identify potential hazards and mitigate the risk of impacts pre-disaster, then respond efficiently during a disaster, and plan for a comprehensive recovery post-disaster. The Des Moines County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan identifies potential hazards and recommends mitigation efforts for the City of Burlington. This section supplements the County Plan by defining for the City overarching goals and strategies for all phases of a disaster.

HZ1: Hazards Goal 1 Burlington will mitigate the risk of impacts before a disaster. Objective HZ1.1: Burlington residents and businesses will be prepared for potential disasters. Strategies • When forewarning is possible, as with rising river levels, the City will strive to keep citizens accurately apprised of the situation and possible outcomes. • The City will collaborate with local agenices and organizations to inform the community about disaster preparedness, especially including evacuation procedures in flood-prone areas and the location of public shelters. • The City encourages private disaster preparedness, including resilient building practices and materials, establishment of disaster response and recovery plans by families and businesses, and maintenance of emergency kits and supplies as recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). • The City encourages and will implement programs to support participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and hazard proofing of residences and businesses.

Objective HZ1.2: The City’s use of smart development practices will effectively limit disaster impacts to new development due to flooding. Strategies • The City discourages new private development in flood-prone areas and will work to restore the natural floodplain of the Mississippi River and associated tributaries, where feasible and appropriate. • The City will collaborate with the Army Corp of Engineers to design and implement flood protection strategies for existing development while preserving physical and visual access to the river. • The City will commit to the safe development of public facilities, and will evaluate the feasibility of re-siting and upgrading facilities to mitigate potential hazards.

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CHAPTER 4 GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES Objective HZ1.3: The City will be prepared for the worst case scenario. Strategies • The City will plan for the effective delivery of emergency services and basic human needs in the event of a worst case scenario, such as catastrophic flooding, tornadoes and winter storms. • The City recognizes the potential for a disaster causing impacts beyond the City’s capacity to respond, and will develop procedures to request timely assistance from neighboring communities, and County and State government.

HZ2: Hazards Goal 2 Residents and assets will be protected during a disaster. Objective HZ2.1: Residents’ basic human needs will be met during a disaster. Strategies • The City will work with non-profits, human services agencies, and emergency management agencies to plan for efficient disaster response that meets the needs of all in the community. This plan will be tested regularly with exercises. • The City will call upon partners if unable to handle immediate needs in the event of a disaster, and will respond in-kind when asked. • The City will collaborate with all engaged entities, including other government agencies and non-profit organizations, to meet residents’ immediate needs. Objective HZ2.2: Assets and infrastructure will be protected during a disaster. Strategies • The City will develop and maintain a plan for protecting community facilities, including emergency supplies acquisition, volunteer management, and prioritization of municipal sites to be protected.

• Protection emphasis will be placed on public and private utility infrastructure, including water, sewer, roads, gas, and electricity. • The City will recruit and safely utilize volunteers to protect public assets when necessary. • The City will ensure alternatives/backups are in place for necessary utility infrastructure. Objective HZ2.3: The City will be able to communicate and manage its available resources during a disaster. Strategies • The City will work with Des Moines County Emergency Management to set up an efficient and effective Emergency Operations Center (EOC). • The City will utilize the FEMA Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) effectively to ensure the safety of residents and to reduce loss and damage.

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4.8

HAZARDS

HZ3: Hazards Goal 3 Burlington will successfully recover from disasters. Objective HZ3.1: Disaster victims will have prompt access to recovery resources throughout the recovery process. Strategies • The City will advocate for quick and equitable disbursement of individual and business assistance funds. • The City will actively participate in the Des Moines County Disaster Recovery Organization (DRO), the local long term recovery committee (LTRC). • The City will work with the Des Moines DRO and other local organizations and agencies to plan for assisting those impacted by a disaster in smaller-scale events (i.e. those not declared by the state or federal government). • The City will work with recovery partners to create a “one-stop shop” for individual and business recovery assistance.

Long Term Recovery Committees (LTRCs) coordinate recovery resources for volunteer case management agencies and offer guidance and referral for disaster victims.

Objective HZ3.2: Reconstruction and recovery will be quick, safe, and collaborative. Strategies • The City will work with the City of West Burlington, Des Moines County, the Chamber of Commerce and Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission to develop a Disaster Recovery Plan, modeled on FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Framework, that includes lines of authority, interagency coordination, processes for expedited review and inspection/repair/reconstruction of structures and infrastructure. • The City will develop and adopt an appropriate Recovery and Reconstruction Ordinance. • The City will implement temporary regulations when necessary to facilitate safe and expedited recovery.

A Disaster Recovery Plan outlines the responsibilities of partners and actions to be taken after a disaster. Disaster Recovery Plans supplement Pre-Hazard Mitigation Plans and recognize that recovery is longterm.

A Recovery and Reconstruction Ordinance establishes a recovery organization and authorizes a variety of pre- and post- disaster planning and regulatory powers. Model sections include: • Recovery Organization Formation and Duties • Implementation of Disaster Recovery Plan • Temporary Regulations • Temporary and Permanent Housing • Recovery and Reconstruction Strategy

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CHAPTER 4 GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES

Hazards Action Items

aDevelop a Disaster Recovery Plan. aDevelop and adopt a Recovery and Reconstruction

aConduct a public facilities audit for potential disaster impacts and implement mitigation strategies.

Ordinance.

aImplement mitigation strategies outlined in the Des

aConduct Disaster Recovery Plan table-top exercises. aImplement NFIP Community Rating System (CRS)

aPurchase land or easements to preserve the natural

credited activities and explore application to CRS designation.

aDevelop interagency agreements for aid during and after a disaster and actively participate in the Iowa Mutual Aid Assistance Compact.

aCoordinate with the Des Moines County Emergency

Manager to develop a sustainable Community Organization Active in Disaster (COAD) to build a framework for meeting disaster victims’ needs.

aIdentify a Disaster Victim Assistance Officer (as part of

the recovery organization established by the Recovery and Reconstruction Ordinance) to partner with the County EMA in advocating for quick disbursement of Other Needs Assistance and Disaster Case Management Funds.

aActively

participate in Flood Awareness Month, National Preparedness Month and Iowa Severe Weather Awareness Week activities.

Moines County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan. floodway where feasible and appropriate.

aEvaluate

redundant capabilities of water, sewer, electric, gas and other utility systems to reduce ro eliminate outages in the event of a disaster.

aEncourage

placement of utilities underground for redevelopment and as opportunities arise.

aIdentify areas to be protected (existing development) versus areas to be preserved (natural/open space opportunities).

aExamine alternative back-up strategies for necessary systems, if there are none already in place.

aCollaborate with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to identify and implement the most appropriate flood mitigation strategies for the Downtown, while preserving physical and visual access to the river.

aWork

with the Des Moines County Emergency Management Agency to continue to update and disseminate free disaster preparedness materials for individuals and businesses.

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4.9

COLLABORATION & PARTNERSHIPS Successful and vibrant communities rely upon collaborative efforts among city businesses and organizations and benefit from partnerships with regional organizations and state and federal agencies. The City of Burlington has a strong history of intergovernmental collaboration and multi-partner projects. This section defines the City’s strategies on collaboration and provides guidance on reaching out to new partners and maintaining existing relationships.

CP1: Collaboration & Partnerships Goal 1 Burlington will maintain mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions, Des Moines County, and other governmental agencies. Objective CP1.1: Burlington will think regionally while acting locally. Strategies • The City acknowledges the importance of regional systems and connections, especially for transportation, economic development, and natural resources protection, and will make a conscious effort to include neighboring jurisdictions, Des Moines County, and entities within the Burlington region in major policy and planning related initiatives. • The City will continue to work with the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission to develop, fund, and implement regional planning and mobility efforts. • The City will make efforts to establish regional partnerships for special projects and issues, such as trail and recreation improvements, local foods systems, and sustainability.

Objective CP1.2: Burlington will reduce costs and improve quality of municipal service through partnerships. Strategies • The City will continue to seek cost efficiencies through shared services with neighboring communities. • When considering the addition or expansion of services and facilities, the City will consider the costs and benefits of developing partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions to meet local service demands.

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CHAPTER 4 GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES Objective CP1.3: Burlington will reduce competition for local business and development investments and encourage efficient land use patterns. Strategies • The City will seek a collaborative approach to economic development with the City of West Burlington that includes agreements to share costs and revenues. • The City will work with SEIRPC and Des Moines County to more effectively promote smart growth strategies while preserving local government planning autonomy.

CP2: Collaboration & Partnerships Goal 2 Burlington will continue to collaborate with nonprofit and private entities to improve the quality of life for Burlington residents. Objective CP2.1: Burlington will encourage more and better development through public-private partnerships. Strategies • The City will consider creative uses of its powers, borrowing capacity, and taxpayer funds to support private development projects that further public interests, especially for wellpaying job growth, downtown investment, multimodal transportation, and enhancement of arts and culture. • The City will be a responsible steward of taxpayer funds when considering partnerships with private entities.

Partners for a Better Future The City of Burlington collaborates extensively with neighboring jurisdictions, regional and state agencies, non-profits, and private entities in order to create and maintain a better way of life in the greater Burlington area. For example, the City of Burlington shares a Safety Director, E911 Communication Center, Drug Task Forces, and police public relations with Des Moines County and the City of West Burlington. Other existing examples include: • Partnering with Greater Burlington Partnership on economic development initiatives • Supplying the City of West Burlington, Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, Danville, and Middletown with potable water via Burlington Waterworks • Collaborating with Des Moines County and West Burlington on snowing plowing, public works equipment, and services • Providing backup law enforcement to neighboring jurisdictions when needed • Assisting City Township Ambulance Association with paramedic ambulance response • Providing library services to neighboring jurisdictions

Objective CP2.2: Burlington will partner with non-profits to ensure adequate social services for all residents. Strategies • The City will collaborate with local non-profits and social service agencies to ensure there are adequate resources for all residents and that service is fair and equitable. • The City will partner with agencies like United Way, American Red Cross and food pantries to expand access to and awareness of emergency social services and sustenance programs.

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4.9

COLLABORATION & PARTNERSHIPS Collaboration & Partnerships Action Items

aWork with SEIRPC and neighboring communities to study the feasibility of an expanded regional bus system.

a Explore options for obtaining four-year programs/

degrees through existing facilities or satellites with regional universities/colleges in Burlington.

a Assemble a joint task force with West Burlington

to explore the concept of shared economic development investments coupled with shared tax revenues.

a Develop an official City policy on the use of public

a

Host regular meetings with regional partners to explore ways in which collaboration on programs or services can improve quality, access, and efficiency.

a

Communicate with other jurisdictions whenever service contracts or major capital improvements are up for consideration, to identify cost savings opportunities through partnerships and shared service arrangements.

a Seek cost efficiencies through shared services with neighboring communities.

incentives to support private development.

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1 2 3 4 5 Land Use 6 This Chapter outlines goals, objectives and strategies for land use, defines categories of land Appendix A use, describes the desired future land use for Appendix B Burlington, and identifies special planning areas. Page 5.1 Goals, Objectives & Strategies 5-2 Appendix C 5.2 Existing Land Use 5-4 5.3 Future Land Use Map 5-6 Appendix D 5.4 Future Land Use Categories 5-8 5.5 Neighborhood / Planning Areas 5.6 City-Wide and Trails and Regional Context 5.7 Special Planning Area: Downtown/Waterfront 5.8 Special Planning Area: Roosevelt Ave Corridor

5-26 5-28 5-30 5-42

Adopted on November 19, 2012


5.1

GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES There are many unique uses of land across Burlington, and many more ways to configure those uses. It is the City’s responsibility to regulate where and how development occurs so that conflict between incompatible uses is minimized, land and infrastructure are used as efficiently as possible, and Burlington continues to grow as a pleasant, attractive place to live and work. This chapter features goals, objectives, and strategies that apply to land use in general, and also strategies and guidelines for specific types of land use.

L1: Land Use Goal 1 Burlington will have an adequate supply of land in appropriate places to accommodate growth in all sectors. Objective L1.1: The supply of land to accommodate new development will be adequate to satisfy local demand. Strategies • The City will work to ensure availability of appropriately zoned land for various types of development, recognizing that an efficient market requires a choice of multiple suitable sites. • The City will be proactive in efforts to increase supply for uses as necessary, including comprehensive plan amendments and, if necessary and feasible, the use of financial incentives to specifically encourage an increase in supply of space or units if the market is for some reason not naturally responding to demand.

Objective L1.2: The City’s growth area will be protected from development incompatible with City growth. Strategies • The City will collaborate with Des Moines County to encourage new development within the City’s 2-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction that is compatible with the use, density, and configuration recommendations of this plan. • The City will continue to map the preferred routes and connection points for major streets in growth areas and will ensure adequate and appropriate right-of-way dedication as land is divided. • Utilities and municipal services will be provided in accordance with development needs and the comprehensive plan. New utilities and municipal infrastructure will not represent an unreasonable cost to the City - development will pay its fair share.

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CHAPTER 5 LAND USE Objective L1.3: Development will use land, utilities, and community services as efficiently as possible Strategies • Development in growth areas will occur incrementally, outward from the existing urban edge. Leapfrog development is strongly discouraged. • Infill development where City roads and utilities already exist is a priority for the City and is strongly encouraged. • The City will continue to encourage and support adaptive reuse of structures with historic character and value. • The City will support and assist with the redevelopment of brownfield sites, as feasible.

L1: Land Use Goal 2 Burlington recognizes the importance of neighborhoods and will guide growth in ways that create or enhance balanced, pedestrianfriendly neighborhoods. Objective L2.1: Development and redevelopment in existing developed areas and growth areas will establish or enhance neighborhoods. Strategies • Any development with uses more intensive than neighboring residential uses will utilize siting and screening techniques to minimize a negative impact on those uses due to noise, light, traffic, etc. • New residential uses will not be isolated from other residents, will be assigned to a specific neighborhood area, and will credibly be perceived as part of that neighborhood. • Pedestrian and bicycle facilities will be added as necessary to improve access and close gaps in the transportation network. • Neighborhoods will generally include a mix of residential types and densities, as well as small-scale retail and office uses. • The City will utilize the Planned Unit Development Process, as appropriate, to achieve projects that integrate residential and non-residential uses in creative ways not achievable with standard zoning.

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5.2

EXISTING LAND USE PFEIFF RD

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0

Existing Land Use

MAP-6

Legend Roads

City of Burlington

Railroads

City of West Burlington

Streams

County Boundary

Existing Land Use

Recreational Commercial

Parks & Recreation

Agriculture/Open Space

Commercial

Transportation

Single Family Residential

Industrial

Surface Water

Multi-Family Residential

Public/Institutional

Drafted - LSR, Date - 10-08-12, File - p:/12954001

5-4

8,400

Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington

Planning Area

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Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA


al/ Open Space (49.5%)

vs

Fu LA tu N r D e U SE

Ex LA is N ti D n U g SE

CHAPTER 5 LAND USE

Rural Lands (24.0%) Residential (19.7%) Commercial/Office (6.8%) Agricultural/ Open Space (52.2%) Residential (19.4%)

Higher Density Residential (1.0%)

Rural Lands (24.0%) (1.7%)Open Space (52.2%) Public/Institutional (2.9%) Recreational Commercial (1.6%) tural/ Residential (19.4%) Commercial/Office (6.0%) Industrial (1.8%) Public/Institutional (1.8%) Commercial/Office (3.8%) Agricultural/ Open Space (52.2%) Residential (19.4%) Rural Lands (24.0%) Parks/Open Space (10.3%) ntial (19.4%) Commercial/Office Higher Density Residential (1.0%) %) (1.8%) Transportation (11.2%)(6.0%) ial Public/Institutional (1.8%) Recreational Commercial (0.9%) Water (6.7%) Transportation (11.2%) Public/Institutional (1.6%) Rural Lands (24.0%) tural/ Open Space (52.2%) Residential (19.4%) Commercial/Office (6.0%) Industrial (1.8%) Public/Institutional (1.8%) Higher Density Residential (1.0%) Transportation (11.4%) Institutional (1.8%) Recreational Commercial (0.9%) Commercial/Office (3.8%) 6.7%) Transportation (11.2%) Rural Lands (24.0%) Parks/Open Space (10.3%) tural/ Open Space (52.2%) Residential (19.4%) Commercial/Office (6.0%) Higher Density Residential (1.0%) ntial (19.4%) Commercial/Office (6.0%) rial (1.8%) Public/Institutional (1.8%) Recreational Commercial (0.9%) Rural Lands (24.0%) Water (6.7%) Transportation (11.2%) Commercial/Office (3.8%) Business Park (3.4%) Agricultural/ Open Space (52.2%) Residential (19.4%) (1.6%) ortation (11.2%) Public/Institutional Higher Density Residential Transportation (11.4%)(0.9%) rial (1.8%) (1.8%) Public/Institutional (1.8%) (1.0%) Recreational Commercial Commercial/Office (3.8%) Institutional Recreational Commercial Rural Lands (24.0%) (0.9%) Parks/Open Space (10.3%) (6.7%) Transportation (11.2%) Higher Density Residential (1.0%) Public/Institutional (1.6%) Neighborhood Mixed Use (1.7%) Industrial (1.8%) Public/Institutional (1.8%) Rural Lands (24.0%) Commercial/Office (3.8%) Business Park (3.4%) (6.7%) Transportation (11.2%) Public/Institutional (1.6%) ortation (11.2%) Higher Density Residential (1.0%) Transportation (11.4%) Commercial/Office (3.8%) Rural Lands (24.0%) Parks/Open Space (10.3%) Water (6.7%) Transportation (11.2%) Higher Density Residential (1.0%) Public/Institutional (1.6%) Neighborhood Mixed Use (1.7%) Commercial/Office (3.8%) Business Park (3.4%) Public/Institutional (1.6%) Higher Density Residential (1.0%) Transportation (11.4%) Commercial/Office (3.8%) 2012 land use conditions are shown at left, pageNeighborhood 4-4 (see Mixed Use (1.7%) Public/Institutional (1.6%) Park (3.4%) Appendix C for a fullCommercial/Office size version). (3.8%) The BurlingtonBusiness planning Public/Institutional (1.6%)

Parks/Open Space (10.3%)

Low Density Residential (32.

Transportation (11.4%)

Water (6.7%)

Rural Lands (24.0%) Commercial/Office (6.0%)

Parks/Open Space (10.3%) Higher Density Residential (1.0%) Recreational Commercial (0.9%) Business (3.4%) Rural LandsPark (24.0%) Commercial/Office (6.0%) (32.5%) Low Density Residential Transportation (11.4%) Commercial/Office (3.8%) Neighborhood Mixed Use (1.7%) Parks/Open Space (10.3%) Higher Density Residential (1.0%) Recreational Commercial (0.9%) Water (6.7%) Rural Lands (24.0%) Business Park (3.4%) Low Density Residential (32.5%) Public/Institutional (1.6%) Transportation (11.4%) Commercial/Office (3.8%) Parks/Open Space (10.3%) Industrial (3.0%) Higher Density Mixed Residential (1.0%) Commercial/Office (6.0%)Use (1.7%) Neighborhood Water (6.7%)(24.0%) Rural Lands Business ParkResidential (3.4%) Low Density (32.5%) Public/Institutional (1.6%) Transportation (11.4%) Downtown Mixed Use (0.6%) Commercial/Office (3.8%) Recreational Commercial (0.9%) Parks/Open Space (10.3%) Industrial (3.0%) Higher DensityMixed Residential (1.0%) Neighborhood Use (1.7%) Water (6.7%) Business ParkResidential (3.4%) Low Density (32.5%) Public/Institutional (1.6%) Transportation (11.4%) Downtown Mixed Use (0.6%) Commercial/Office (3.8%) Industrial (3.0%) Neighborhood Mixed Use (1.7%) Water (6.7%) Business Park (3.4%) Public/Institutional (1.6%) Downtown Mixed Use (0.6%) Industrial (3.0%) Neighborhood Mixed Use (1.7%)

Parks/Open Space

Low Density Resid Transportation (1 Industrial (3.0%) Parks/Open Space Water (6.7%) Business Park (3.4 Downtown Mixed UseResid (0.6% Low Density Transportation (1 Parks/Open Space Industrial (3.0%) Neighborhood Water (6.7%) Mi Business ParkResid (3.4 Low Density Transportation (1 Downtown Mixed Parks/Open Space Industrial (3.0%) Neighborhood Water (6.7%) Mi Business ParkResid (3.4 Low Density Transportation (1 Downtown Mixed Industrial (3.0%) Neighborhood Water (6.7%) Mi Business Park (3.4 Downtown Mixed Industrial (3.0%) Neighborhood Mi

Downtown Mixed

area extends two miles from the current city limits, except Public/Institutional (1.6%) Neighborhood Mixed Use (1.7%) Downtown Mixed Use (0.6%) where it is constrained by the Mississippi River, the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, or the City of West Burlington. Much of this planning area (over 50%) is currently in agricultural or Note that the Future Land Use Map distinguishes open space use, as indicated by the pie chart above. The next between Low Density Residential and Higher largest portion is residential uses (just under 20%). Density Residential, features both Industrial and Business Park designations, and explicitly encourages The second pie chart, above right, shows the mix of uses mixed uses in areas designated Neighborhood or for the same area as proposed in the City’s Future Land Use Downtown Mixed Use. Each of these categories is map on page 5-7 (and Appendix C). The Future Land Use described later in this chapter. Map indicates the uses preferred by the City for all land in the planning area. As illustrated by the chart, the extensive Also note that while the Future Land Use Map Agriculture/open space acreage is planned for a variety of shows significant acreage where development may uses, including a mix of continued farming (“Rural Lands”), be permitted, not all of this land is expected to be protected open space, and various types of development. developed by 2032.

5-5


5.3

BURLINGTON FUTURE LAND USE MAP

Using the Future Land Use Map The Future Land Use Map (opposite) identifies categories of similar use, character and density. These categories are described in the preceding pages, including explanation of the City’s intent and design and development strategies for each. This map and the corresponding text are to be consulted whenever development is proposed, especially when a zoning change or land division is requested. Zoning changes and development should be consistent with the use category shown on the map and the corresponding text. Where uses in this map differ from the current use, it is not the general intent of the City to compel a change in zoning or a change in use. Except in rare instances when the City may actively facilitate redevelopment of a priority site, the City’s use of this map will be only reactive, guiding response to proposals submitted by property owners.

Amending the Future Land Use Map It may from time to time be appropriate to consider amendments to the Future Land Use Map. See Chapter 6, page 6-17 for a description of the procedural steps for amending any aspect of this plan. The following criteria should be considered before amending the map.

Agricultural The land does not have a history of productive farming activities or is not viable for long-term agricultural use. The land is too small to be economically used for agricultural purposes, or is inaccessible to the machinery needed to produce and harvest products. Compatibility The proposed development will not have a substantial adverse effect upon adjacent property or the character of the area, with a particular emphasis on existing residential neighborhoods. A petitioner may indicate approaches that will minimize incompatibilities between uses.

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Natural Resources The land does not include important natural features such as wetlands, floodplains, steep slopes, scenic vistas or significant woodlands, which will be adversely affected by the proposed development. The proposed building envelope is not located within the setback of Shoreland and Floodplain zones (raised above regional flood line). The proposed development will not result in undue water, air, light, or noise pollution. Petitioner may indicate approaches that will preserve or enhance the most important and sensitive natural features of the proposed site. Emergency Vehicle Access The lay of the land will allow for construction of appropriate roads and/or driveways that are suitable for travel or access by emergency vehicles. Ability to Provide Services Provision of public facilities and services will not place an unreasonable financial burden on the City. Petitioners may demonstrate to the City that the current level of services in the City, or region, including but not limited to school capacity, transportation system capacity, emergency services capacity (police, fire, EMS), parks and recreation, library services, and potentially water and/or sewer services, are adequate to serve the proposed use. Petitioners may also demonstrate how they will assist the Village with any shortcomings in public services or facilities. Public Need There is a clear public need for the proposed change or unanticipated circumstances have resulted in a need for the change. The proposed development is likely to have a positive fiscal impact on the City. The City may require that the property owner, or their agent, fund the preparation of a fiscal impact analysis by an independent professional. Adherence to Other Portions of this Plan The proposed development is consistent with the general vision for the City, and the other goals, objectives, and policies of this Plan.

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


CHAPTER 5 LAND USE

PFEIFF RD

90TH AV

130TH ST

FLINT BOTTOM

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102ND AV

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MASON ST

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MA PLE ST

SUMMER ST

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34

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OSBORN ST

ROOSEVELT AV

WEST BURLINGTO N AV WEST BURLINGTO N AV

AGENCY ST

RD

RD

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SUMMER ST

AV

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34

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DES MOINES AV

GEAR AV

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60TH ST

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0

4,200

8,400

Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington

Future Land Use

MAP-8 Legend

F u tu r e Land Use

Planning Area

Roads

Neighborhood Mix ed Use

Parks, Recreation & Open Space

City of Burlington

Proposed Roads

Rural Lands

Dow ntow n Mix ed Use

Transportation

City of West Burlington

Railroads

Low

Business Park

Surface Water

County Boundary

Streams

Higher Density Residential

Industrial

City to Remark

Drainagew ay Buffer

Commercial

Public & Institutional

Density Residential

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA

Drafted - LSR, Date - 10-08-12, File - p:/12954001

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5.4

FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORIES

BARTLETT ST

MARK LN

ASH ST

ASHMUN ST

9TH ST

U BL

FF

RD

LINDEN ST

IOWA ST

BR O

O

KS

ST

FLORA ST

The future land use categories identify areas of similar use, character and density. These classifications are not zoning districts - they do not legally set performance criteria for land uses (i.e. setbacks, height restrictions, density, etc.); however, they do identify those City of Burlington Zoning Ordinance districts that currently fit within each future land use category. In some cases, potential revisions to the zoning ordinance are noted . The strategies listed with each category are provided to help landowners and City officials make design decisions during the development process consistent with the intent of the land use category. These strategies may be used to help determine whether to approve a rezoning, which zoning district to apply, and what conditions to set, if any. Some categories also feature design recommendations.

SYCAMORE ST

LITTLE ASHMUN ST

GRISWALD ST

GARNET ST

THUL ST

OAK ST

IOWA ST OSBORN ST

ST O

WE

ST

NORT

ST

IOWA

ST

10TH

WHITAKER ST

KLIN

ST

ARCH ST

The eleven categories designated on the Future Land Use Map are:

NG ST

ST

ARCH

E AG

NC

• RL - Rural Lands

ST

• LDR - Low Density Residential

HIGH ST

10TH

T YS

3RD

ST

8TH ST

WELLS

SPRI

10TH

ST

ST

7TH ST

6TH ST

3RD

ST

9TH ST

FRAN

H ST

• HDR - Higher Density Residential

COUR T ST COLU

M BIA

• NMU - Neighborhood Mixed Use HIGH ST

ST

KEYE

7TH ST

HAW

• DMU - Downtown Mixed Use

ST

• C - Commercial/Office

N ST

ST

WAS HING TO

• BP - Business Park

3RD

VALL

EY ST

UNIVERSITY PL

T ST

5TH

ST

• I - Industrial • P - Public and Institutional FRON

4TH ST

ET ST

• P/OS - Parks, Recreation & Open Space

ST

MARIETTA ST

MARK

5TH

MARK

ET ST

• DB - Drainageway Buffer

DIVISION ST

3RD ST

AETNA ST ELM ST

MAPLE ST 8TH ST

MAPLE ST

VINE ST

ANG

ST ULAR

4TH ST

ST

ST

CE

3RD

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ST

LOC

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ST

6TH

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ST

7TH

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ST

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ST

ST

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3RD

CAM

13T

14T LN WA

POLK ST

T

5-8

MADISON AV

HS

6TH ST

15T

WIGHTMAN ST

CLAY ST

LEWIS ST

MSA Professional Services, Inc. LEWIS ST

Des Moines County, Iowa


CHAPTER 5 LAND USE Rural Lands (RL) The Rural Lands category is intended to preserve land and rural character in areas deemed unlikely or infeasible for urban development prior to 2032. Preferred uses in these areas include open space, farming, farmsteads, agricultural businesses, forestry, quarries, and limited rural residential on well and septic. Low Density Residential (LDR) Low Density Residential areas are intended for housing with densities that range from two to five units per acre. Neighborhood areas classified as LDR will typically be predominately single-family detached units with the potential for some doubles and other lower density attached housing products.

Higher Density Residential (HDR) Higher Density Residential areas are intended for housing at densities exceeding five units per acre. Uses in this category include single-family detached, duplexes/twinhomes, townhouses, row houses, apartment buildings, and senior housing.

Neighborhood Mixed Use (NMU) Neighborhood Mixed-Use areas are intended to provide a mix of smaller-scale commercial, residential, public and related uses in a pedestrian-friendly environment. They may include a mix of retail and service commercial, office, institutional, higher density residential, public uses and/ or park and recreation uses. Uses can be integrated either vertically or horizontally. Downtown Mixed Use (DMU) Downtown Mixed-Use areas are intended to provide a unique mix of commercial, residential, public and related uses in a pedestrian-friendly environment. It is envisioned that DMU areas will include a mix of retail and service commercial, office, institutional, higher density residential, public uses and/or park and recreation uses. Uses in the DMU area are expected to be integrated both vertically and horizontally. 5-9


5.4

FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORIES

Commercial (C) Commercial areas are intended for retail, service, and office uses that serve neighborhood, community and regional markets. The type and size of use will be determined by location and market forces.

Business Park (BP) Business park areas are intended for showrooms, warehousing, storage, and light industrial uses with associated office functions. Business park developments are usually designed in a unified manner and feature public and private landscaping, directory signage and/or entry features. Industrial (I) Industrial areas are intended for light or heavy manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, wholesale trade, accessory offices, and similar uses. Industrial areas are typically larger, individual sites not part of a larger business park.

Public and Institutional (P) Public and institutional areas are intended for churches, schools, cemeteries, art and cultural facilities, local government facilities and other parcels that are owned by a public or quasi-public entity. This category does not include parks and recreation areas.

Parks, Recreation & Open Space (P/OS) Parks, Recreation and Open Space areas are intended for active and passive recreation uses or preservation of natural areas. P/OS lands can be public or privately owned.

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MSA Professional Services, Inc.


CHAPTER 5 LAND USE RL- Rural Lands The Rural Lands category is intended to preserve land and rural character in areas deemed unlikely or infeasible for urban development prior to 2032. Preferred uses in these areas include open space, farming, farmsteads, agricultural businesses, forestry, quarries, and limited rural residential on well and septic.

Suitable Zoning Districts Most of the Rural Lands areas are outside the City limits and will likely remain so through 2032. Prior to annexation these lands are subject only to Des Moines County’s Two Miles Zoning Ordinance from the Burlington City Limits. County zoning districts most consistent with the Rural Lands intent are the A-1, R-1, and C-1 districts. For those areas in the City, R-1 (Single Family Residential) districts is the most applicable district, as it allows farming use. However, a separate zoning district could be developed for this category to more accurately reflect the intentions of the Rural Lands category. Land Use Strategies RL-1: New homes should be sited on non-productive soils in ways that minimize disruption of agricultural use and avoid the creation of new access points to state highways. Small lots (e.g. 1.5 acres) are preferred, especially if the remaining land is in agricultural use. RL-2: Rural residential subdivisions containing 5+ homes are discouraged, except in areas where urban development is unlikely to occur, even many years from now. RL-3: Rural residential subdivisions are strongly encouraged to utilize conservation design strategies that minimize the disruption of natural features and rural character.

Conservation development usually attempts to hide development from the main road(s) through natural topography, landscape buffers and setbacks in order to preserve rural character.

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5.4

FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORIES

LDR - Low Density Residential The Low Density Residential areas are intended for housing with densities that range from two to five units per acre. Neighborhood areas classified as LDR will typically be predominately single-family detached units with the potential for some doubles and other lower density attached housing products. In growth areas designated for LDR use it may be appropriate to consider pockets of higher-density residential or non-residential uses, as described in the strategies below.

Suitable Zoning Districts R-1 (Single Family Residential) R-2 (Single Family Residential-Non Traditional) R-3 (Two Family Residential) Land Use Strategies LDR-1: Urban services will be required for all new development, including municipal water, wastewater, and stormwater management systems. LDR-2: Though low density housing is the predominant use in most neighborhoods, healthy, balanced neighborhoods may also include other uses that support the needs of residents, including: • Parks and recreational facilities • Small municipal and institutional facilities (e.g. learning center, library, fire station, etc.) • Community centers • Places of worship • Day care centers • Small pockets of higher-density residential (see HDR) • Small commercial that serves neighborhood needs LDR-3: The City will encourage and support the creation of neighborhood plans for growth areas and for existing neighborhoods experiencing redevelopment pressure, to proactively determine how varied housing types and uses can be appropriately integrated into the neighborhood, and to establish a unique identity for each neighborhood. LDR-4: Infill development will protect the character of existing residential neighborhoods.

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Design Strategies The City encourages residential projects (new construction and remodeling) to incorporate design strategies that will maintain neighborhood property values over time and enhance the social function and safety of the neighborhood. Relationship to the Street: Buildings and sites should be designed to establish visual and physical connections between the public realm of the street and the private realm of the home, with layers of increasingly private space in between. Consider the following techniques (see side bar): A) The front door should face the street and there should be a clear route to the door from the street or sidewalk. B) There should be windows on the street facade C) Building setbacks will vary according to building type and lot size, but should generally not exceed 30 feet. D) Incorporate a covered front porch, or at least a raised stoop, preferably covered. E) Utilize low fences, hedges, or other landscaping to establish a layer of privacy behind the sidewalk. Relationship among buildings: Buildings within a neighborhood should be both cohesive and varied. Consider the following techniques: A) Homes along a street should utilize similar setbacks to establish a consistent “street wall”. B) Home sizes may vary along a street, but should utilize design techniques such as similar roof line heights and deeper setbacks for portions of wider houses to minimize apparent size variations. C) The mix of architectural themes or styles should generally be consistent within a neighborhood, but repeated use of identical floorplans or colors is strongly discouraged, especially for adjacent buildings.

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


CHAPTER 5 LAND USE

Remodeling and Additions: Changes and additions to existing structures should complement the design of the existing structure. Consider the following techniques: A) Select window types and proportions that match the rest of the house. B) New exterior materials should match, or be complementary, to existing materials. C) Avoid enclosing covered porches, when possible. If enclosing a covered porch, maintain the appearance of a porch, rather than attempting to blend the porch seamlessly with the rest of the house.

This graphic illustrates how a single-family homes can use varying techniques to create a relationship with the street (see text for technique descriptions)

Garages: Consider garage location and scale to avoid a “garage-scape� street appearance. Landscaping: Provide generous landscaping, with an emphasis on native plant species, especially along street frontages. Lighting: Exterior lights should be full-cut-off fixtures that are directed to the ground to minimize glare, light trespass and light pollution (see side bar). Limited uplighting is acceptable for architectural accentuation, flag lighting, and to highlight key civic features (e.g. church steeples).

The upper graphic illustrates the different types of lighting techniques from no cutoff to full-cutoff. The lower images provide good examples of full-cutoff building light fixtures.

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5.4

FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORIES

HDR - Higher Density Residential Higher Density Residential areas are intended for housing at densities exceeding five units per acre. Uses in this category include single-family detached, duplexes/ twinhomes, townhouses, row houses, apartment buildings, and senior housing.

Suitable Zoning Districts R-3 (Two Family Residential) R-4 (Multi Family Residential) Land Use Strategies HDR-1: HDR uses will generally be located where there is access to multiple transportation modes, including the bike and pedestrian network and transit services.

Design Strategies The City encourages residential projects (new construction and remodeling) to incorporate design strategies that will maintain neighborhood property values over time and enhance the social function and safety of the neighborhood. The following strategies apply mostly to multi-family formats - for higher density single-family developments, see the LDR design strategies. Relationship to the Street: Buildings and sites should be designed to establish visual and physical connections between the public realm of the street and the private realm of the building, with layers of increasingly private space in between.

HDR-2: HDR uses will generally be located where there is convenient access to restaurants, retail and service businesses.

Consider the following techniques (see side bar):

HDR-2: HDR uses are an appropriate transition use between commercial areas and Low Density Residential areas.

B) There should be windows on the street facade

A) The front door should face the street and there should be a clear route to the door from the street or sidewalk. C) Building setbacks will vary according to building type and lot size, but should generally not exceed 30 feet. D) Utilize low fences, hedges, or other landscaping to establish a layer of privacy behind the sidewalk. Relationship among buildings: Buildings within a neighborhood, or within a single development, should be both cohesive and varied. Consider the following techniques: A) When adjacent to lower density residential buildings, larger buildings should incorporate strategies to minimize the apparent size of the building, including flat roofs instead of pitched roofs, deeper setbacks for upper stories, and/or variation in the depth of setback along the building facade. B) The mix of architectural themes or styles should generally be consistent within a neighborhood or development, but there should be variation in floorplan, facade design, and color choice to avoid monotony.

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MSA Professional Services, Inc.


CHAPTER 5 LAND USE

Garages: Street-facing garage doors should be avoided whenever possible. When necessary, streetfacing garages should be set back at least 10 feet behind the front faรงade of the building. Landscaping: Provide generous landscaping, with an emphasis on native plant species, especially along street frontages. Use trees and low bushes in and around parking areas to partially obscure views of parking while retaining visual connections to maintain personal safety. Lighting: Exterior lights should be full-cut-off fixtures that are directed to the ground to minimize glare, light trespass and light pollution. Limited uplighting is acceptable for architectural accentuation, flag lighting, and to highlight key civic features (e.g. church steeples).

This graphic illustrates how a multi-family building can use varying techniques to create a relationship to the street (see text for technique descriptions)

Common Open Space: Provide gardens, grass areas, and playgrounds to serve the needs of residents. Service Areas: Trash and recycling containers, street-level mechanical, rooftop mechanical, and outdoor storage, should be located or screened so that they are not visible from a public street. Screening should be compatible with building architecture and other site features. (see side bar)

These images provide good examples of screened services areas.

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5.4

FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORIES

NMU - Neighborhood Mixed Use Neighborhood Mixed-Use areas are intended to provide a mix of smaller-scale commercial, residential, public and related uses in a pedestrian-friendly environment. They may include a mix of retail and service commercial, office, institutional, higher density residential, public uses and/or park and recreation uses. Uses can be integrated either vertically or horizontally.

Suitable Zoning Districts R-4 (Multi Family Residential) C-1 (Limited Commercial) PUD (Planned Unit Development) Land Use Strategies NMU-1: Commercial uses in NMU areas will be smallerscale establishments serving the local market and/or niche markets, rather than large users serving regional demand and generating significant traffic and parking needs. Businesses encouraged in these areas include restaurants, small grocery or specialty food shops, laundromats, salons, hardware stores, small professional offices, and boutiques. NMU-2: Upper-floor residential units are strongly encouraged over ground-floor retail. NMU-3: High density residential uses will generally be located where there is convenient access to restaurants, retail and service businesses. Design Strategies The City encourages all new mixed-use projects and areas to incorporate design strategies that will maintain neighborhood property values over time and enhance the social function and safety of the neighborhood. Height and Architectural Character: Multi-story buildings are preferred, though single-story buildings may be appropriate in low density settings. Buildings should incorporate architectural elements that provide visual interest and human scale, such as differentiation of the ground floor level, awnings or canopies over entrances, etc.

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Relationship to the Street: Buildings and sites should be designed to establish visual and physical connections between the public realm of the street and the private realm of the building. Consider the following techniques (see side bar): A) The front door should face the street and there should be a clear route to the door from the street or sidewalk. B) There should be windows on the street facade. Retail and service spaces should have large, clear windows that provide good visual connection between the building interior and the sidewalk. C) Building setbacks will vary according to building type and lot size, but should generally be as close to the sidewalk as practical. Front yard parking is discouraged. Relationship among Buildings: Buildings within a neighborhood, or within a single development, should be both cohesive and varied. Consider the following techniques: A) When adjacent to lower density residential buildings, larger buildings should incorporate strategies to minimize the apparent size of the building, including flat roofs instead of pitched roofs, deeper setbacks for upper stories, and/or variation in the depth of setback along the building facade. (see side bar) B) The mix of architectural themes or styles should generally be consistent within a neighborhood or development, but there should be variation in floorplan, facade design, and color choice to avoid monotony. Building Materials: High-quality exterior finish materials are strongly encouraged on all sides of a building, such as kiln-fired brick, stucco, and fiber cement siding.

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


CHAPTER 5 LAND USE Garages: Street-facing garages doors should be avoided whenever possible. Parking: Front yard parking is strongly discouraged. When necessary, front yard parking should not exceed a single double-loaded aisle. Preferred alternatives are undergound/ under building, side yard, rear yard, and on-street parking. Landscaping: Street frontages should use both hardscape improvements and native plants to provide visual interest and a comfortable pedestrian environment. Use trees and low bushes in and around parking areas to partially obscure views of parking while retaining visual connections to maintain personal safety. (see side bar)

An example of a low-density, surburban mixed use building with minimal setback, large first-floor windows, and walkways to street-side entrances.

Lighting: Exterior lights should be full-cut-off fixtures that are directed to the ground to minimize glare and light pollution, and especially to avoid light trespass to nearby residential property. Limited uplighting is acceptable for architectural accentuation, flag lighting, and to highlight key civic features (e.g. church steeples). Signs: Signs should be pedestrian-scaled. Desired sign types include building-mounted, window, projecting, monument and awning. Signs should be no taller than necessary based on the context of the site, and should not exceed the limits established by the zoning ordinance.

Examples upper floors being setback, reducing the buildings overall impact on the street and neighboring buildings.

Service Areas: Trash and recycling containers, streetlevel mechanical, rooftop mechanical, outdoor storage, and loading docks should be located or screened so that they are not visible from a public street. Screening should be compatible with building architecture and other site features. Stormwater: Rain gardens, bio-retention basins, permeable pavement and other stormwater management technologies should be utilized to filter pollutants and infiltrate runoff. (see below)

The examples above illustrate how landscaping can provide visual interest along a public street, and partially obscure views of parking areas while retaining views between 3-6 ft. Stormwater management techniques (from left to right): rain garden, bio-swale, pervious pavers, & porous pavement

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5.4

FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORIES

DMU - Downtown Mixed Use The Downtown Mixed-Use area is intended to provide a unique mix of commercial, residential, public and related uses in a pedestrian-friendly environment. It is expected that the downtown area will continue to include a mix of retail and service commercial, office, institutional, higher density residential, public uses and/or park and recreation uses. Uses in the DMU area are expected to be integrated both vertically and horizontally.

Suitable Zoning Districts C-3 (Central Business District) Land Use Strategies DMU-1: Older buildings with architectural character and historical interest are important to the image of the entire community. The City encourages and supports adaptive reuse projects that retain and restore the historic character of the structure. DMU-2: Wayfinding signage to key downtown locations is critical, especially for visitors. The City will develop a signage system from primary downtown entry points to key locations, including City Hall, the public library, Snake Alley, waterfront/boat ramps, etc. Design Strategies The City encourages all new development in the downtown area to maintain the urban fabric and character. Design Context and Architectural Character: New buildings should fit their context. Consider the following techniques: A) The surrounding context, especially adjacent buildings, should always be documented and considered before design begins. City reviewers should require photos of this context during the review process. B) Buildings should incorporate architectural elements that provide visual interest and human scale, such as differentiation of the ground floor level, awnings or canopies over entrances, etc.

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C) It is not necessary to replicate historic architectural styles with new buildings, but there should be some consistency of the scale and rhythm of design features, such as windows and floor heights, that help fit a new building within a block of older buildings D) Building materials should be consistent with other nearby buildings. Brick and stone are strongly encouraged in most parts of downtown, but other quality, long-lasting materials may be appropriate in some places. Building Height: Multi-story buildings are strongly encouraged on all downtown sites. Relationship to the Street: Buildings and sites should be designed to establish visual and physical connections between the public realm of the street and the private realm of the building. Consider the following techniques (see side bar): A) In most cases there should be no setback from the sidewalk, though occasional partial setbacks to create usable space, as for an outdoor seating area, are acceptable. B) The front door should face the primary street. C) There should be clear vision windows on the street facade. Retail and service spaces should have large, clear windows that provide good visual connection between the building interior and the sidewalk. Garages: Street-facing garages doors should be avoided whenever possible. Parking: Front yard parking is not permitted. Side yard parking should be separated from the sidewalk by a low fence or landscape buffer to partially obscure views of parking while retaining visual connections to maintain personal safety.

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


CHAPTER 5 LAND USE

Landscaping: In places where the building is not building at the front property line, hardscape improvements and native plants should be used to provide visual interest and a comfortable pedestrian environment. Lighting: Exterior lights should be full-cut-off fixtures that are directed to the ground to minimize glare and light pollution, and especially to avoid light trespass to residential uses. Limited uplighting is acceptable for architectural accentuation, flag lighting, and to highlight key civic features (e.g. church steeples). Signs: Signs should be pedestrian-scaled. Desired sign types include building-mounted, window, projecting, monument and awning. Signs should not be excessive in height or square footage. (see side bar)

Above are examples of landscaped street edges where the building is set back from the street. In some instances, the set back area includes outdoor seating areas.

Service Areas: Trash and recycling containers, streetlevel mechanical, rooftop mechanical, outdoor storage, and loading docks should be located or screened so that they are not visible from a public street. Screening should be compatible with building architecture and other site features. Stormwater: Green roofs, permeable pavement and other stormwater management technologies should be utilized as feasible to filter pollutants and infiltrate or delay runoff.

Preferred pedestrian-scaled sign alternatives

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5.4

FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORIES

C- Commercial Commercial areas are intended for retail, service, and office uses that serve neighborhood, community and regional markets. Examples include large retail and service businesses, offices, clinics and health care facilities, hotels, restaurants and entertainment businesses, storage, and automobile sales and services. The type and size of use will be determined by location and market forces.

Suitable Zoning Districts C-1 (Limited Commercial District) C-2 (General Commercial District) Land Use Strategies C-1: Commercial areas should generally be served by public transit, a contiguous sidewalk network, and safe bike routes. C-2: The City encourages and supports investment in small neighborhood commercial uses and sites in existing neighborhoods. Sites deemed no longer viable for commercial use should be considered for redevelopment with housing.

Design Strategies The City encourages for all commercial projects the use of design strategies that will maintain property values over time. This section offers different strategies for highway settings and neighborhood settings in some categories. Relationship to the Street: The building should be designed such that the primary building facade is oriented towards the street (toward the larger street on corner lots) and should have a public entrance. Architectural Character: The building should be designed using architectural elements that provide visual interest and a human scale that relates to the surrounding neighborhood context. Building Materials: The building should be constructed of high quality, long lasting finish materials, especially along prominent facades with frequent customer traffic. Building Projections: Canopies, awnings, and/or gableroof projections should be provided along facades that give access to the building. (see side bar) Signs: Signs should be not larger or taller than necessary based on the context of the site, and within the limits established by the zoning ordinance. Highway commercial: desired sign types include building-mounted, monument. Neighborhood commercial: desired sign types include building-mounted, window, projecting, monument and awning.

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MSA Professional Services, Inc.


CHAPTER 5 LAND USE

Parking: Front yard parking should be limited; side yard, rear yard, or below building alternatives are preferred. Shared parking and access between properties is encouraged to minimize curb cuts and make more efficient use of land and paved surfaces. Landscaping and trees should be incorporated into all surface parking areas to improve aesthetic and environmental performance. Vegetative buffers should be provided between pedestrian circulation routes and vehicular parking/circulation. Access drive lanes should be separated from parking stalls to reduce congestion. (see side bar)

Lighting: Exterior lights should be full-cut-off fixtures that are directed to the ground to minimize glare and light pollution, and especially to avoid light trespass to nearby residential property. Limited uplighting is acceptable for architectural accentuation, flag lighting, and to highlight key civic features (e.g. church steeples).

Development #1 Development #2

Landscaping: Generous landscaping should be provided with an emphasis on native plant species. Landscaping should be places along street frontages, between incompatible land uses, along parking areas, and in islands of larger parking lots. Use trees and low bushes in and around parking areas to partially obscure views of parking while retaining visual connections to maintain personal safety. (see side bar)

Awnings (left) or canopy structures (right) help define the building entrances and provide visual interest along the street frontage.

The above concept illustrates shared parking between two developments connected by an access drive, and includes vegetative buffers along all pedestrian routes.

Stormwater: Rain gardens, bio-retention basins, permeable pavement and other stormwater management technologies should be utilized to filter pollutants and infiltrate runoff. Service Areas: Trash and recycling containers, streetlevel mechanical, rooftop mechanical, outdoor storage, and loading docks should be located or screened so that they are not visible from a public street. Screening should be compatible with building architecture and other site features.

The examples above illustrate ways to landscape parking areas, including along the street frontage, in parking islands and medians, and between incompatible land uses.

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5.4

FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORIES

BP - Business Park Business park areas are intended for offices, showrooms, warehousing, storage, and light industrial uses with associated office functions. Business park developments are usually designed in a unified manner and feature both public and private landscaping, and common directory signage and/or entry features.

Suitable Zoning Districts C-1 (Limited Commercial District) C-2 (General Commercial District) M-1 (Light Industrial District) Land Use Strategies BP-1: Business parks should be served by public transit, a contiguous sidewalk network, and safe bike routes. BP-2: The City will work with property owners and developers to establish a new business park southwest of the airport before the last remaining sites in the Flint Ridge Business Park are developed. BP-3: Any new business parks will utilize design standards to establish and maintain a consistent and quality appearance. Design Strategies The City encourages the use of design strategies that will maintain property values over time in business park areas. Relationship to the Street: Buildings should be designed such that the primary building facade and entrance are oriented towards the street (toward the larger street on corner lots). Architectural Character: Buildings should be designed using architectural elements that provide visual interest. A consistent design theme or style among different sites is not necessary. Building Materials: Buildings should be constructed of high quality, long lasting finish materials.

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Building Entrances: Building entrances should utilize architectural features that make them easy to find and which provide some measure of protection from the elements immediately in front of the door. (see side bar) Signs: Signs should be not larger or taller than necessary based on the context of the site, and within the limits established by the zoning ordinance. Common directory signs at business park entrances and a common style or format for all sites are encouraged. (see side bar) Parking: Parking should be in the side yard or rear yard wherever feasible. Front yard parking should be limited to one double-loaded aisle. Shared parking among neighboring sites is encouraged to make more efficient use of land and paved surfaces. Vegetative buffers should be provided in parking lots between pedestrian circulation routes and vehicular parking/ circulation. The use of on-street parking is encouraged. Access drive lanes should have adequate throat depths to allow for proper vehicle stacking. Landscaping: Generous landscaping should be provided with an emphasis on native plant species. Landscaping should be places along street frontages, between incompatible land uses, along parking areas, and in islands of larger parking lots. Use trees and low bushes in and around parking areas to partially obscure views of parking while retaining visual connections to maintain personal safety. Lighting: Exterior lights should be full-cut-off fixtures that are directed to the ground to minimize glare and light pollution, and especially to avoid light trespass to any nearby residential property. Limited uplighting is acceptable for architectural accentuation, flag lighting, and to highlight key civic features (e.g. church steeples). Stormwater: Rain gardens, bio-retention basins, permeable pavement and other stormwater management technologies should be utilized to filter pollutants and infiltrate runoff.

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Service Areas: Trash and recycling containers, streetlevel mechanical, rooftop mechanical, outdoor storage, and loading docks should be located or screened so that they are not visible from a public street. Screening should be compatible with building architecture and other site features.

I- Industrial Industrial areas are intended for light or heavy manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, wholesale trade, accessory offices, and similar uses. Industrial areas are typically larger, individual sites not part of a larger business park.

Suitable Zoning Districts M-1 (Light Industrial District) M-2 (Heavy Industrial District)

There are many ways to architecturally define building entrances on office/industrial buildings. Above are a few examples with a varying degrees of protection provided.

Land Use Strategies I-1: Industrial areas should be located near regional transportation routes. Uses with a large workforce should also be served by public transit.

Examples of common directory signs at business/industrial park entrances.

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5.4

FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORIES

P - Public and Institutional Public and institutional areas are intended for churches, schools, cemeteries, art and cultural facilities, local government facilities and other parcels that are owned by a public or quasi-public entity. This category does not include parks and recreation areas.

Suitable Zoning Districts These uses are permitted in almost all zoning districts. Land Use Strategies P-1: Decommissioned public properties, such as schools, be reused or redeveloped in ways compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. The City will partner with the Burlington School District to consider reuse options and neighborhood concerns before a sale occurs. Design Strategies Many public and institutional uses are located in or next to residential areas. The following strategies are intended to mitigate negative impacts on surrounding uses. Traffic and Parking: Parking and driveway access should be designed to minimize the impacts of vehicle headlights, congestion, and aesthetic appearance on the surrounding neighborhood. Parking lots should be buffered from adjacent residential uses by a landscaping buffer that blocks headlights and the view of parked cars.

Landscaping: Buildings that are much larger than surrounding residential uses should utilize landscaping to mitigate the apparent size of the building. This can include a combination of planting beds, foundation plantings, ornamental shrubs and trees, and shade trees that will help the larger structures blend into the neighborhood. Lighting: Exterior lights should be full-cut-off fixtures that are directed to the ground to minimize glare and prevent all light trespass to adjacent residential uses.

P/OS - Parks & Open Space Park and Open Space areas are intended for active and passive recreation uses or preservation of natural areas. P/ OS lands are owned by the City, County, or State.

Suitable Zoning Districts These uses are permitted in almost all zoning districts. Land Use Strategies P/OS -1: Existing natural areas identified as Parks and Open Space are to be preserved, though limited access should be provided to foster awareness and appreciation for the area. P/OS -2: The development and improvement of future Parks and Open Space areas should be focused on waterfront areas and the neighborhoods north of USH 34. 5-24

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CHAPTER 5 LAND USE DB - Drainageway Buffer The Drainageway Buffer category is an overlay on the future land use map intended to identify and protect from development approximate natural drainage routes in undeveloped areas.

Suitable Zoning Districts Drainageway buffer areas do not correspond to parcel boundaries and do not need separate zoning. Land Use Strategies DB-1: The recommended corridor width is 150 feet, to be protected from development and used for stormwater treatment and conveyance. This dimension can be varied in response to differing features and site requirements but an average minimum of 150 feet in width should be maintained. The intent is to maintain a buffer zone around drainageways in which stormwater runoff can be cleaned and infiltrated as much as possible, and also to support diverse plant and animal communities in the city. DB-2: Above-ground stormwater management techniques, such as open, vegetated swales are preferred to below-ground pipes wherever feasible and practical, for ecological and cost purposes. DB-3: DB areas may be used for stormwater detention, retention, or infiltration facilities. DB-4: Where an existing drainageway does not feature wetland characteristics and significantly impedes site development, that drainageway may be relocated as feasible. In these cases, an open swale and greenway are still preferred to underground pipes.

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5.5

Future Land Use Plan

CITY-WIDE BIKE ROUTES AND TRAILS City-wide Trail Map

These maps offer a city-wide and regional context for the trail improvements identified in the downtown and Roosevelt Avenue areas. To Big Hollow LEGEND Existing On-Street Route 61

Proposed Bike Lanes

99

Existing Off-Street Trail

Flint River Trail

Proposed Off-Street Trail Remove from Bike Route Existing Non-signed On-Street Route Streetscape Improvements Road Connections

e Ave.

Sunnysid

Heavy Traffic Corridors Existing Parks/Green Space Osborn St.

Mt. Pleasant St.

Roosevelt Ave.

34

Schools & Public Facilities

Agency St.

34 Division St.

West Ave.

South

Mason Rd.

St.

Mason Rd.

Madison

Ave.

Summer St.

Main St.

Harrison Ave.

61

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Future Land Use Plan

REGIONAL CONTEXT MAP

CHAPTER 5 Regional Context Map LAND USE

Wapello

To Iowa City

LEGEND Mississippi River

-Lane Expansion Continues to Muscatine

218

Ma or Highways Future Lane Expansion Pro ects Possible Future Bypass Existing Regional Trails Proposed Regional Trails

Mediapolis Mt. Pleasant

To Galesburg & I61

Monmouth West Burlington

34

34

Burlington

61

Fort Madison

218

67

Nauvoo

Macomb To Hannibal

Carthage 61

136

eokuk

E ISTING REGIONAL AMENITIES

IMPRO EMENT OPPORT NITIES

. Mississippi River

. Trail Connection from Big Hollow to Geode State Park

. Big Hollow Creek Recreational Area

. Trail Connection from Big Hollow to Aldo Leopold Center via Hwy

. Geode State Park

. Aldo Leopold Environmental Education Center

. Flint River Regional Trail

nder Construction

. Possible Hwy

By-pass if traffic loads exceed Roosevelt s Capacity

. Iowa Army Ammunition Plant

. Hwy

. Burlington Regional Rec Plex

. Relocating Airport Terminal on West side of Airport ad acent to Hwy

. Catfish Bend Casino / Fun City

. Regional Waste Water Treatment Facility to Accommodate Future Growth

By-pass around Biggsville

. Proposed Large-scale Industrial Development

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5.6

NEIGHBORHOOD / PLANNING AREAS

Neighborhoods and Planning Areas Neighborhoods come in all shapes and sizes. They can be just a few blocks or a large portion of a city. While often defined more by resident perception and preference than any other criteria, neighborhoods generally feature a common size, character and age of homes. Healthy, vibrant neighborhoods often have multiple residential types to accommodate residents in all stages of life, are safe and pleasant to explore on foot, and offer convenient pedestrian access to retail and restaurant uses. There are, at present, only a few officially designated neighborhoods in Burlington, including South Hill, North Hill, and Saunderson Heights. The Planning Areas map at right shows those neighborhoods and also designates all other parts of the City as planning areas. It is not the intent of this map to officially designate neighborhoods. The purpose, instead, is to consider possible neighborhood areas and allow for easier discussion of various parts of the City during planning discussions. Should there be interest in forming new neighborhood associations in Burlington, the City will support that effort and this map can be used as a starting point for discussion about neighborhood boundaries. In a few cases, including the Airport, the Roosevelt Ave corridor, the Flint Ridge Business Park and the Waterfront, the planning areas designated are not neighborhoods at all as they include little or no residential use. This section offers location-specific planning and improvement strategies for several key planning areas: the Downtown and Waterfront area and the Roosevelt Avenue Corridor.

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CHAPTER 5 LAND USE PFEIFF RD

90TH AV

130TH ST

32

FLINT BOTTOM

D ry

102ND AV

130TH ST

GO

LF

Br

CO

UR

SE

125TH ST

an ch

RD

FLINT BOTTOM RD

X60

61

20

21 AV

14

34

3 4

13 29

GEAR AV

AU

GU

D AR ST MASON ST

30

ST

11

8

7

10

LL

ST

TH

SK E HA TH 60

ST

HARTMA N RD

RD

65TH ST

C re ek

7TH ST

U SO

28

T HUN

B r us h

12

5

SUMMER ST

S prin g

C reek

V ST A

WEST AV

ST

WE

27

ANGULAR ST WEST AV

Illinois

MA PLE ST

MADISON AV

WEST AV

CLEA RVIE W AV

PLANE ST

26

1

AMELIA ST

HAGEMANN AV

DIVISION ST

2

DIVISION ST

9T H

ROOSEVELT AV

LS DR FL INT HIL

6 4T H ST

OSBORN ST

ROOSEVELT AV

WEST BURLINGTO N AV

AGENCY ST

CY RD

18

RD

SUMMER ST

GEAR AV

25

16

FF

AG EN

17

U BL

34

DES MOINES AV

22

CE NTR

D

YS IDE

A L AV

KR SU NN

CURRAN ST

RD

24

MT PLEASANT ST

TA M

RIDG

15

AR LP

WASHINGTON RD

R IA

NK

MO

PL A

19

IRIS H

GEAR AV

ME

23

BEAVERDALE RD

AR

E RD

D

C re ek

MAIN ST

F lint X40

9

60TH ST

31 X62

61

50TH ST

M ississ ippi

ROCK SPRING RD

River

32

Feet 0

4,200

8,400

Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington

Planning Areas

MAP-7 Legend

P l anning A r ea

05 - S o u th H il l

13- M aso n/ C l ear v iew

21- I r ish R idge

29 - R o o sev el t A v e. C o r r ido r

C ity o f B u r l ingto n

06- N o r th H il l

14- C o tto nw o o d

22- V o gt S t

30- S p r ing R idge B u siness P ar k

C ity o f W est B u r l ingto n

07 - C r ap o / D ank w ar dt

15 - A sp en G r o v e/ G o l f C l u b

23- M em o r ial P ar k

31- S p ir it H o l l o w

08 - O r c h ar d S t.

16- N o r th I ndu str y

24- W ester n Edge

32- R u r al Lands

01- W ater f r o nt

09 - N ik o nh a G r o w th A r ea

17 - S u nny side

25 - M t. P l easant S t

02- D o w nto w n

10- A ir p o r t

18 - O ak R idge

26- F l int R idge B u siness P ar k

03- O sb o r n R edev el o p m ent A r ea

11- H ar r iso n S t

19 - N o r th er n Edge

27 - W est A v e

04- S au nder so n H eigh ts

12- C entr al N eigh b o r h o o ds

20- F l int C r eek O p en S p ac e

28 - S to negate

S u b A r eas

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA

Drafted - LSR, Date - 10-08-12, File - p:/12954001

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5.7

DOWNTOWN/WATERFRONT Desired General Characteristics

Overview This section identifies specific public and private projects and design guidelines that would enhance the Downtown and Waterfront areas, consistent with the more general goals, objectives, and strategies in this plan.

In general, desirable characteristics of future (re)development in the Downtown/Waterfront include: • High-quality architecture and site design • Compact and walkable • Streetscaping and pedestrian/bicycle amenities • Public open spaces and plazas • Preservation of historic character • Focal points and gathering places • Compact, interconnected blocks • Serviceable by public transit and bike/pedestrian infrastructure • On-street, structured and underground parking (minimal use of surface lots) • Mixed-use buildings • Land scraping and street trees Recommended uses include: • Restaurants and entertainment businesses • Boutiques and specialty stores • Upper story multi-family • Specialty food stores • Public open spaces and plazas • Cafes and bakeries • Service businesses including salons, launderers, tailors, etc. • Cultural centers and art galleries • Community centers and social service agencies • Small business/non-profit incubators • Offices • Live/work spaces • Commercial lodging and meeting space • Music venues • Educational/government/institutional branch offices

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Future Land Use Plan

CHAPTER 5 LAND USE Downtown & Waterfront EXISTING AMENITIES

99

01 01

North

St.

2. Riverside Park

t.

Iowa S

Centr al S

3. North Hill Park

0011

t.

4. River Park Place 5. Burlington Public Library

Frank lin

Osborn St.

Lucas St.

1. Bluff Harbor Marina

Spring

02 02

0022

St.

6. Des Moines County Courthouse 7. Heritage Center 8. Boat Ramps

St. (M

t. Plea

9. Snake Alley

22 22

sant S

t.)

Arch S

t.

0055

St.

Colum

bia St.

077

Washin g

ton St.

06 06

03 03

04 04

07 07

0099

Jeffers

1100

on St.

03 03

1100

0055 0066

1111

Valley S

al St.

t.

Centr

0088 t St.

0088 1122

1111

16 1133 16 13

1122

Marke

04

3rd S t.t. St.

Court

6th S t.

Agency St.

8th S t.

t.

Main

High S

4th S t.

5th S t.

34

t. 6th S

12.

Nancy Neafie Park

13.

Post Office

14.

Capitol Theater

15.

Memorial Auditorium

16.

Tom’s Market

17.

Bracewell Stadium

18.

South Hill Park

19.

Burlington Railroad Depot

20.

The Hawkeye Newspaper

21.

Wastewater Treatment Plant

22.

Flint River Trail (Under Construction)

34 IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES 2. Trail Connection to Fun City/Catfish Bend Casino 4. Pedestrian Access to Library/Restaurants via Tunnel Under On-ramp

15 15

16

5. Redevelopment Opportunity - Possible Intermodal Transportation Hub

177 Warehouse District

6. Redevelopment Opportunity - Separate or combined with #5

0088

7. Trail Connection to BHS/Notre Dame/Division & Roosevelt Businesses 8. Redevelopment Opportunity

188

18 18

Port of Burlington

3. Enhance Entry Signage

0099

Division St.

City Hall

11.

1. Trail Connection to Aldo Leopold School/Community Field

155

14

177

14

10.

9. Redevelopment Opportunity - Passive Recreation/Parking

19 19

19 19

10. Redevelopment Opportunity - Commercial or Multi-Family Housing 11. In-Fill Opportunity - Multi-Family Housing or Hotel (Old Type-Writer Shop)

20 20

12. In-Fill Opportunity - Bed & Breakfast (Above Drake Restaurant)

LEGEND Sign Opportunities

14. Visitor Boat Docks - To be installed 15. Trail Connection - Flint River Trail through Downtown to the Proposed Trails South

St.

Corridors to Downtown

St.

Main

Major vehicular corridors

13. Redevelopment Opportunity - Hotel/Convention Center

Angular

16. Replant Overgrown Street Trees

Railroad Multi-use Trail Opportunities

17. Pedestrian Connections from Downtown to Riverfront via Tree-lined Walkways

2200

Facade Improvements 2012-2013

18. In-Fill Opportunity - Multi-Family Housing or Hotel (Millard Building)

Future Facade Improvements

19. Redevelopment Opportunity - Commercial or Multi-Family Housing

2 21

Streetscape Improvements

2211

Existing park space Parking Structure Opportunity

20. Tree-lined Trail Connection/ Helps Buffer Views of Rail Yard

h St.

Sout

21. Street Trees to Buffer Rail Yard & Maintain Views to Bridge/ River from Main Street 22. Trail Connection - Downtown to Crapo/Dankwardt Park 23. Trail Connection - Stripe Bike Lanes on Main Street

Redevelopment Site Boating Ramps Panoramic Views Canopy Trees

22 22

2233

Ornamental Trees

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5.7

DOWNTOWN/WATERFRONT

Infill and Redevelopment There are several ideal structures that could be revamped for a particular use in Burlington. Listed below are suggestions for infill development locations and possible usages based on feedback from public participation focus groups and land use workshops. 5. Possible Intermodal Transportation Hub The SW corner of Central Street and Agency Street could be an ideal spot for a future intermodal facility due to its proximity to downtown, major automobile thoroughfares, planned trails and a major railroad corridor. An intermodal facility is loosely defined as a place where transportation systems converge and modes overlap for connectivity. 6. Intermodal Hub Expansion or Mixed Use This area, adjacent and SE of the possible intermodal transportation hub location could be redeveloped as additional intermodal space and/or a complimentary mixed use development. The area is a prime location for a signature development to anchor the end of the Jefferson Street corridor. 8. General Infill Opportunity This vacant area, on the SE corner of N 7th Street and Jefferson Street is a great opportunity for infill growth. 9. Passive Recreation/Parking This underutilized area on the SW corner of N 5th Street and Valley Street is an opportunity for a midtown green space, playground or other designed recreational space and parking. 10.Commercial or Multi-Family The NW corner of this block between N 3rd Street and Columbia Street could be utilized for additional commercial development or additional apartment/ condo redevelopment.

5-32

11. Multi-Family Housing or Hotel This building at Washington Street and N 3rd Street, known as the Old Typewriter Shop, was identified in workshops and focus groups as strong potential candidate for a hotel or additional apartment/condo redevelopment. The need for downtown lodging options was heard throughout the planning process. 12. Bed & Breakfast (Above Drake Restaurant) The current owner of this property indicated the desire to renovate the upper floors of this historic building into a Bed & Breakfast or hotel for the downtown area. There is an expressed need for additional lodging in downtown Burlington and such a use would likely be very compatible with the existing restaurant and riverfront attractions. 13. Hotel/Convention Center This prominent block bordered by Washington Street, Front Street, Jefferson Street, and N Main Street may offer a great opportunity for redevelopment as a larger scale hotel and/or convention center for the City. The existing block has a couple underutilized properties that provide the City with a great opportunity. 18. Multi-Family Housing or Hotel Known as the Millard Building, this building and site are a great opportunity for downtown housing or lodging. 19. Commercial or Multi-Family Housing This block, on the SW corner of Division Street and S Main Street offers yet another excellent opportunity for redevelopment to provide downtown with additional housing or lodging options.

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CHAPTER 5 LAND USE Bike Route and Trail Connections Throughout the planning process, bike and pedestrian connectivity emerged as a common interest. The downtown map identifies possible connections that would improve connectivity and safety. By taking advantage of existing greenways through town and streets with adequate width, many of these connections can be made with minimal implementation costs. 1. Connections to Aldo Leopold School/Community Field This connection addresses the desire for additional trail connections between downtown and the rest of the City of Burlington. This particular connection would link the west side of downtown to Aldo Leopold School, Community Field and the Roosevelt corridor via an on/off –street trail. 2. Connection to Fun City/Catfish Bend Casino This proposed trail connection would provide a safer, more direct link between two major destinations; downtown Burlington and the Fun City & Catfish Bend Casino Entertainment complex, as well as the northern section of Roosevelt Avenue. 4. Pedestrian Access to Library/Restaurant via Tunnel Under N Front Street Ramp One of the major concerns that was expressed and observed through the planning process was the lack of designative and attractive connection between downtown and the waterfront. This improvement opportunity, located at Court Street would include an attractively designed pedestrian tunnel under N Front Street. This tunnel could provide a safe connection between the waterfront, the Flint River Trail extension, and north end downtown attractions like the Library. 7. Connections to BHS/Notre Dame/Division & Roosevelt Businesses Citizens expressed the need for a safer route between downtown, schools and Roosevelt Avenue. This route will likely be a combination of on and off street designated trails with attractive wayfinding & route signage.

15. Flint River Trail through Downtown to the Proposed South Trails This important potential trail connection would provide regional trail users with an enjoyable and safe route through downtown along the waterfront. 20. Tree-lined Trail Waterfront Connection This continued extension of the Flint River Trail connection would build on trail improvement #15 and provide an attractive recreational corridor along the waterfront just east of the busy rail yards along the river. The proposed tree-lined corridor would provide a safe passage for trail traffic between downtown and areas of Burlington South along the river as well as provide a buffer between the rail yards and the riverfront. 22. Downtown Crapo/Dankwardt Park This most southern proposed trail improvement to the downtown and waterfront area would provide a vital connection between downtown Burlington and the large public park complex of Dankwardt Park and Crapo Park. Many residents enjoy these parks year-round and this connection would open up a designated and attractive means for trail users to access both areas and many in-between. 23. Bike Lanes on Main Street Main Street is a major transportation corridor through downtown Burlington and there is an expressed need to make the corridor more pedestrian and bicycle friendly. Simple striping of designated bike lanes accompanied by some attractive trailoriented wayfinding signage would provide a great environment for trail users to access business and services downtown.

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5.7

DOWNTOWN/WATERFRONT

Public Signage Signage can be an important element to bring style and character to a district or community. Aesthetic improvements can easily be made through landscaping, similar to the (before and after images for the sign). Entry or gateway signs into the city should utilize consistent colors and design. 3. Enhance Entry Signage The first impression a traveler from Illinois receives as they pull off Highway 34 should be informative, attractive and inviting. At several meeting during the planning process it was discussed that some landscape and signing improvements could be made to the area just of the westbound ramp from highway 34 into downtown.

BEFORE

AFTER

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CHAPTER 5 LAND USE Riverfront Access and Connections The need for improved usage of the Mississippi River waterfront was a commmon theme of the planning process. Study of the riverfront revealed the need for better access to the river and riverfront area, and better, more attractive connections between the riverfront and the downtown. 14. Visitor Boat Docks The City is currently installing boat docks around the Port of Burlington building to accommodate visitors and residents utilizing the river and downtown. This is an important improvement that could be expanded or replicated if use is strong.

17. Pedestrian Connections from Downtown to Riverfront via Tree-lined Walkways The current routes between the riverfront and inland blocks do not invite pedestrian use. Tree-lined walkways could enhance pedestrian activity and make the riverfront more attractive and inviting to all visitors. 21. Street Trees to Buffer Rail Yard & Maintain Views to Bride/River from Main Street Though an important part of the history and economy of the city, the waterfront rail yards south of downtown are a distraction from the beuty of the river and the Hwy 34 bridge as visitors approach the downtown area from the south on Main Street. A line of ornamental street trees could resolve this concern.

BEFORE

AFTER 5-35


5.7

DOWNTOWN/WATERFRONT

Streetscaping Improvements The downtown area needs streetscaping improvements, especially to enhance consistency. These pages identify important design considerations. There are many aspects of the public street to be considered when designing 16. Replant Overgrown Street Trees There is concern that the existing street trees along many downtown streets have outgrown their setting and no longer offer a canopy that is aesthetically pleasing. New trees should be smaller, easier to maintain and should not obscure signage.

General Streetscaping Improvements

Signage and Lighting Lighting and signage can be integrated in several ways. There are thousands of lighting and signage options to chose from in determining the character of the streetscape.

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CHAPTER 5 LAND USE

Cohesive Character Streetscape design can incorporate many different features and amenities, and, if used consistently, create a sense of continuity throughout a district or corridor. Above, light poles with banners and decorative pavers carry the character throughout the street or district, while the intersections are anchored with wayfinding signage and other elements that create a unique, memorable place identity.

Branding Custom branding can help define the elements of a streetscape even with multiple scales and materials. In these images, the Main Street corridor is adorn with emblems signifying the common thread through branding, whether it’s a light pole base or banner to seating and signage.

Unique, Contextual Materials The materials used can often influence the visual character. For instance, to the left, large powder-coated I-beams serve as seats and hint to the district’s industrial history. This sort of contextual, historical nod may be especially well-suited to the development of the Warehouse District.

Outdoor Seating Outdoor seating for restaurants and cafes enlivens the street with activity. Where sidewalks are too narrow to allow this, space can be created by the strategic reclaiming of on-street parking spaces. This illustration shows how these seating areas can also incorporate additional trees and landscaping, stormwater mitigation techniques, public art and signage.

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5.7

DOWNTOWN/WATERFRONT

Streetscaping Improvements (cont.)

Unique Paving Pavers, whether clay or concrete or natural stone, can provide a heightened sense of character, used either for larger areas or as accents. In some cases permeable pavers may be viable, reducing stormwater runoff. Accents may also be achieved through colored concrete.

Landscaping Trees provide many benefits to a community, including highlighting and protecting pedestrian routes, beautifying (breaking up) the harsh urban hardscape and reducing heat gain. Below illustrates the potential transformation of the downtown waterfront.

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CHAPTER 5 LAND USE

Unique Features Unique features are often the highlight that a user or visitor will remember and talk about. There is a large variety of special elements that can be incorporated. Sculptures are often used to highlight a local artist or provide a level of sophistication through fine art. To the left, large wall boards provide historical information and wayfinding tips, while on the right, large print images built into the sign gives visitors a sense of the historical character of the building facades.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER 5-39


5.7

DOWNTOWN/WATERFRONT

Design Guidelines for Buildings and Sites This plan recommends the adoption of more detailed design guidelines for the downtown area. These pages present the basic categories that should be addressed by any such guidelines. and some specific sample guidelines to inform the development of adopted standards. • Street Relationship: Design the building such that the primary building façade is orientated towards the street and built to the front property line. Minor setbacks may be allowed if space created provides an outdoor seating area, a hardscape plaza, or similar pedestrian space. Provide a public entrance on the primary façade.

Portion of the building is set back from the street, allowing extra room for a larger pedestrian zone.

• Lighting: Pick fixtures that complement the character of the building. Illuminate parking lots and pedestrian walkways uniformly and to the minimum level necessary to ensure safety. Lighting should be energy efficient and should render colors as accurately as possible. Preferred light types include: LED, fluorescent, and highpressure sodium.

Examples of full cutoff fixtures that minimize glare and light pollution.

Building #1

• Landscaping: Provide generous landscaping, with an emphasis on native plant species. Landscaping should be placed along street frontages, between incompatible land uses, along parking areas, and in islands of larger parking lots. • Stormwater: Use rain gardens and bio-retention basins on-site (i.e. in parking islands) in order to filter pollutants and infiltrate runoff, wherever feasible. Consider usinig permeable surfaces, pervious asphalt, pervious concrete, and/or special paving blocks.

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Building #2

• Parking: Fit the parking below the building or place it on the side/back of the building, wherever feasible. Provide shared parking and access between properties to minimize the number of curb cuts. Provide vegetative buffers between pedestrian circulation routes and vehicular parking/circulation. Access drive lanes should have adequate throat depths to allow for proper vehicle stacking.

An example of parking being shared between two developments with parking limited to the side or rear yards (no front yard parking).

Trees and shrubs within and around parking areas greatly improve the aesthetic appearance and overall pedestrian experience.

Examples of permeable surfaces.


CHAPTER 5 LAND USE

• Service Areas: Trash and recycling containers/ dumpsters, street-level mechanical, rooftop mechanical, outdoor storage, and loading docks should be located or screened so that they are not visible from a public street. Screening should be compatible with building architecture and other site features.

• Scale & Articulation: Design the building using architectural elements that provides visual interest and human scale that relates to the surrounding neighborhood context and the downtown’s overall character. • Windows, Doors & Garages: Buildings should activate the street by providing significant visibility through the street-level facade to activities/displays within the building. Clearly define door entryways and design garage doors to be screened from street view (i.e. not on street facade, landscaping, walls), to the greatest extent possible. • Building Projections: Canopies and awnings should be provided along facades that give access to the building. • Signage: Use pedestrian-scaled sign types: buildingmounted, window, projecting, monument, and awning. Signs should not be excessive in height or square footage. • Colors & Materials: Use high-quality, long-lasting finish materials such as kiln-fired brick, stucco, and wood. All exposed sides of the building should have similar or complementary materials and paint colors

Example of a building facade screening rooftop mechanical from ground view.

Desired verticallyproportioned buildings.

An example of large windows providing significant visibility into the building.

A good example of mounted awnings placed below the horizontal expression line.

Free-standing and roof signs are not conducive for a downtown, pedestrian-friendly district. Examples of secondary facades continuing the design quality, material palette, and color palette of the primary facade.

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5.8

ROOSEVELT AVE CORRIDOR Future Future LandLand Use Use PlanPlan

Overview This section identifies specific public and private LEGENDLEGEND projects that would SignOpportunities SignOpportunities enhance the Roosevelt MajorVehicular MajorVehicular CorridorsCorridors Ave corridor, consistent ArterialRoutes ArterialRoutes with the more general Railroad Railroad goals, objectives, and Multi-useMulti-use Trail Opportunities Trail Opportunities strategies in this plan. Due Streetscape Streetscape Improvements Improvements to its length, the corridor ExistingGreen Existing Space GreenSpace is divided into three Development Development Site Site segments for mapping and Hotels Hotels illustration purposes. The CanopyTrees CanopyTrees improvement categories describe improvements in Ornamental Ornamental Trees Trees all three segments.

So Roosevelt Roosevelt Corridor Corridor - Sou South Segment Improvements 17

WestAvenueWestAvenue

18 22 13 26

MasonRd. MasonRd. . aRd

ust

Aug

. aRd

ust

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14 61

15

61

20 24 23

16

EXISTING EXISTING AMENITIES AMENITIES

17

17. Fliint 17. Ridge Fliint Business RidgePark BusinessPark 18. Off-Street 18. Off-Street Trail - Roosevelt Trail - Roosevelt to Rec Plex to Rec Plex 19. Edward 19. Stone Edward Middle Stone School MiddleSchool

IMPROVEMENT IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES OPPORTUNITIES

nt Rd Hu

Hu

nt Rd

.

21. Spirit 21.Hollow Spirit Golf Hollow Course GolfCourse

.

20. Southeast 20. Southeast IowaRegional IowaAirport RegionalAirport

25

22. Trail22. Connection Trail Connection - WestAve./Mason - WestAve./Mason Rd Trail Rd Trail 23. Gateway 23. Signage GatewaySignage 24. Relocate 24. Airport Relocate Terminal AirportTerminal 25. Trail25. Connection Trail Connection - MasonRd./Spirit - MasonRd./Spirit HollowGCHollowGC 26. Continuation 26. Continuation of Masonof Rd.MasonRd. tRd.

Hun

tRd.

Hun

CORRIDOR CORRIDOR (RE)DVELOPMENT (RE)DVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES OPPORTUNITIES 12. Corridor 12. Development CorridorDevelopment Site Site 13. Corridor 13. Development CorridorDevelopment Site Site 14. Corridor 14. Development CorridorDevelopment Site Site 15. Corridor 15. Development CorridorDevelopment Site Site 16. Corridor 16. Development CorridorDevelopment Site Site

21 61

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t

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hSt

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19

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CHAPTER 5 LAND USE

Future Land Use Plan

elt C rrid r - Middle Central SegmentseImprovements LEGEND Sign Opportunities

61

34

Ma or vehicular corridors Corridors to Downtown Railroad Multi-use Trail Opportunities Streetscape Improvements Existing park space

Agency St.

Redevelopment Site Hotels Canopy Trees Ornamental Trees

E ISTING AMENITIES . Cottonwood Park . Public Works Facility . Burlington Community High School

Market St.

. Notre Dame School . Off-Street Bicycle Trail to Rec Plex . n-Striped Bike Route on West Ave.

IMPRO EMENT OPPORT NITIES . Gateway Signage . Wayfinding Signage indicating Historic Downtown . Trail Connection - Rec Plex/Hwy

/BHS /Downtown

. Trail Connection - North/South Route via Old Rail Line . Trail Connection - Roosevelt Crossing

Division St.

. Bike Lane - Division Street . Street Trees to continue pattern or fill in gaps . Roosevelt Ave. Streetscape Improvement . Division St. Streetscape Improvements . Agency St. Realignment Improvements

CORRIDOR RED ELOPMENT OPPORT NITIES . Corridor Redevelopment Site . Corridor Redevelopment Site . Corridor Redevelopment Site . Corridor Redevelopment Site . Corridor Redevelopment Site . Corridor Redevelopment Site . Corridor Redevelopment Site

West Ave.

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5.8

ROOSEVELT AVE CORRIDOR Future Land Use Plan se elt C rrid r rt North Segment Improvements LEGEND Sign Opportunities

61

Ma or vehicular corridors Corridors to Downtown Railroad Multi-use Trail Opportunities Streetscape Improvements Existing park space

e.

Sunnyside Av

Redevelopment Site Hotels Canopy Trees Ornamental Trees

E ISTING AMENITIES . Aldo Leopold Middle School . Ster ings Potato Chips Co .

& Park

. Community Field - Burlington Bee s . Winegard Redevelopment Site nder Construction . Catfish Bend Casino . Fun City . Winegard s Existing Facility . Federal Mogul Champion . West Burlington Swimming Pool

Mt. Pleasant St. IMPRO EMENT OPPORT NITIES . Gateway Signage . Wayfinding Signage indicating Roosevelt Corridor and Historic Downtown . Trail Connection - Aldo Leopold MS/Aspen Grove/Downtown . Trail Connection - Hwy

/Comm. Field/ MCA/Downtown

. Trail Connection - Roosevelt Ave. Crossing . Street Trees to continue pattern or fill in gaps . Mt. Pleasant St. Streetscape Improvements . Trail Connection - North/South Route via Old Rail Line . Roosevelt Ave. Streetscape Improvements . Trail Connection - Fun City/ MCA/Downtown . Trail Connection - Fun City/Downtown via Bike Lanes on irkwood & Lucas Streets . Trail Connection - Hwy

Crossing

CORRIDOR RED ELOPMENT OPPORT NITIES

irkwood St.

. Corridor Redevelopment Site - Sunnyside & Roosevelt . Corridor Redevelopment Site - Roosevelt Open Lot . Corridor Redevelopment Site - Roosevelt Open Lot

34

. Corridor Redevelopment Site . Corridor Redevelopment Site

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Segment Improvements

CHAPTER 5 LAND USE

Infill and Development 1. Corridor Redevelopment Site – Sunnyside & Roosevelt This underutilized area at the far North end of the Roosevelt Study area was noted by citizens as a location for redevelopment. Access to the site off of Sunnyside offers some obstacles but the location is visible and has potential for redevelopment. 2. Corridor Redevelopment Site – Roosevelt Open Lot Redevelopment opportunity site #2 is accessed by an existing frontage road and offers another opportunity for development along the Roosevelt corridor. Situated just south of a bank the site offers existing traffic exposure. 3. Corridor Redevelopment Site - Roosevelt Open Lot Redevelopment opportunity site #3 is accessed by an existing frontage road and offers yet another opportunity for infill development along the Roosevelt corridor. The site is directly across from the main access to the frontage road and Lenox Avenue, which assures excellent exposure and accessibility. 4. Corridor Redevelopment Site This site is currently being used by a radio station and transmission tower but as open/developable land along the corridor continues to become scare and values increase the opportunity for redevelopment of this parcel will continue to increase. 5. Corridor Redevelopment Site Located west of the Pepsi property along Roosevelt and accessed by Sylvania Drive offers a development opportunity for a business that may require both rail and street access.

7. Corridor Redevelopment Site This large redevelopment and infill opportunity has been a contentious site for a number of years but is primed for some large scale mixed use or commercial redevelopment. The site of a former multi-family housing complex is accessed easily from Roosevelt, Market Street and Agency Street and was one of the sites mentioned at nearly every community meeting and development workshop as an area that is a priority for redevelopment. 8. Corridor Redevelopment Site This large site is located behind several existing commercial and industrial business but is a great opportunity for large scale redevelopment. The site has access from a frontage road off South Roosevelt Ave. 9. Corridor Redevelopment Site This underutilized site has several existing storage buildings and manufactured (mobile) homes that offer the opportunity for corridor commercial redevelopment as development land becomes scares in the heart of the Roosevelt Corridor. 10. / 11. Corridor Redevelopment Sites These adjacent sites separated by an access road offer opportunities for small scale commercial development along West Ave., just northwest of McDonalds. 12. Corridor Redevelopment Sites This site is located on Agency just south of HWY 34 and offers opportunity for redevelopment.

6. Corridor Redevelopment Site This site just south of HWY 34 and just off Roosevelt has an existing box store that’s offers the opportunity for commercial or perhaps industrial reuse. The site is accessed off of E Agency Street and has visibility from both HWY 34 and Roosevelt Ave. 5-45


5.8

ROOSEVELT AVE CORRIDOR

Infill and Development 13. Corridor Redevelopment Site This site is a decent sized development area located North of Mason Road and east of Lawrence Street just South of Fareway Foods. To the east is single family housing so a compatible development charter may be a challenge but there is an opportunity to find a use that serves both corridor traffic and surround rooftops. 14. Corridor Redevelopment Site The area on the SE Corner of Roosevelt and Mason Road is a prime development opportunity with great visibility and access. 15. Corridor Redevelopment Site Site #14 is a part of an existing Planned Unit Development and offers great potential for a mix of uses that will anchor the south end of the Roosevelt corridor and offer connection and expansion opportunities to the south and west as development. 16. / 17. Corridor Redevelopment Site These two areas offer access to Roosevelt Ave and Hunt Road at the southern edge of the developed corridor and are in close proximity to the SE Iowa Regional Airport. The offer large scale redevelopment opportunities with excellent visibility and could be oriented towards more business commercial uses to compliment both existing retail commercial development, housing development and airport access.

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CHAPTER 5 LAND USE Signage 1. / 13. / 23. Gateway Signage Gateway signage should be one of the first things a visitor sees with arriving in Burlington. The sign sign could be made of quality material such as stone (granite, limestone), metal and should incorporate a slogan or symbol that is unique to the City of Burlington to reinforce the city’s brand identity. 2. / 14. Wayfinding Signage indicating Roosevelt Corridor and Historic Downtown Wayfinding signage is vital not only to navigation but also to marketing landmarks and points of interest to drive patrons to the area. The signage could consist of specific color and/or images that represent each district or landmark.

Gateway Signage Gateway signage creates a sense of arrival and begins to hint at the character of the destination. Here are some examples of gateway monuments and signs.

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5.8

ROOSEVELT AVE CORRIDOR

Streetscaping The Roosevelt Ave. corridor would benefit from investment in the installation and maintenance of streetscape improvements.

6. / 19. Street Trees to Continue Pattern or Fill in Gaps There have been a number of new developments that have utilized street level trees to improve boulevard aesthetics. The importance of a continuous pattern/design is of the utmost importance to attain the desired aesthetics and feel. 7. Mt. Pleasant St. Streetscape Improvements The use of street trees and unique paving can be used to identify intersections and pedestrian areas while improving the overall aesthetics of the corridor. 9. Roosevelt Ave. Streetscape Improvements The central segment of the Roosevelt Ave Corridor can benefit from the continuation of the street trees is to form a continuous alley to line the avenue and create uniformity and connectivity. The median can be improved with the use of stone, brick or pavers.

Median/Boulevard Treatment The images at right show options for improvements to boulevards and medians. If consistently applied throughout the corridor, these treatments could improve both the continuity and aesthetic quality of the Roosevelt Ave corridor.

9. / 21. Division St. Streetscape Improvements The use of an alley of trees leading to the downtown will create connectivity and draw to the downtown corridor. The consistency of this pattern is vital to the impression and feel entering into the downtown area. 12. / 20. Roosevelt Ave. Streetscape Improvements The use of a consistent design with stone, brick and other types of low maintenance landscaping in narrower portions of the medians and along the corridor has been a very successful way to improve aesthetics while keeping maintenance costs down.

5-48

Lighting Lighting is an essential ingredient of a strong identity for a corridor. It can create a rhythm, or define a space or district, or be used as a sculptural installation to hide or screen undesirable views.

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CHAPTER 5 LAND USE

Streetscaping Treatments Above are plans, sections, and intersections plans for a similar corridor in Iowa. Through pavers, plant materials, street trees, and site furniture streetscapes create aesthetically pleasing spaces that are fully function for everyday use.

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5.8

ROOSEVELT AVE CORRIDOR

Bike Route and Trail Connections In response to strong resident interest in improved bike and pedestrian connectivity in Burlington, this section describes specific projects in the Roosevelt Avenue corridor to establish that connectivity.

3. Trail Connection – Aldo Leopold MS/Aspen Grove/Downtown This improvement opportunity pertains to the expressed need to find additional trail connections between Roosevelt Avenue and the rest of the City of Burlington. This particular connection would link the Roosevelt Avenue to Aldo Leopold School, Aspen Grove and the Roosevelt corridor via an on/off street trail. 4. Trail Connection – HWY 61/Roosevelt Ave./ Comm. Field/YMCA/Downtown This connection opportunity would connect the Roosevelt Ave. corridor businesses with Community Field, the YMCA and then downtown Burlington; a crucial connection to make in several areas of the City and provide trail service to top recreation and entertainment destination in-between. 5. Trail Connection – Roosevelt Ave. Crossing In several public meetings and workshops citizens noted that there needed to some strategic improvements to pedestrian crossings along Roosevelt Ave. At location #5, Roosevelt Ave. cross a busy set of railroad tracks and the intersection can be uninviting for pedestrians and bicyclist making movements across either system. Improvements to this area would include trail/sidewalk crossings that allow automobiles, trail users and trains to all safely navigate the crossing and connect the corridor to the regional trail system.

10. Trail Connection – Fun City/YMCA/Downtown This connection opportunity would connect the Roosevelt Ave. corridor businesses with Community Field, the YMCA and then downtown Burlington; a crucial connection to make in several areas of the City and provide trail service to top recreation and entertainment destination in-between. 11. Trail Connection – Fun City/Downtown via Bike Lanes on Kirkwood & Lucas Streets An additional designated trail connection between Roosevelt Ave./Fun City to the south into downtown also has potential as an improvement. This trail would run on designated routes utilizing Kirkwood and Lucas Street corridors. 12. Trail Connections - HWY 34 Crossing In several public meetings and workshops citizens noted that there needed to some strategic improvements to pedestrian crossings along Roosevelt Ave. At location #12, Roosevelt Ave. crosses HWY 34 and this major crossing has several improvements suggested. Improvements to this area would include trail/sidewalk crossings that allow automobiles, trail users and highway traffic to all safely navigate the crossing. 15. Trail Connection – Rec Plex/Roosevelt Ave/ BHS/Downtown The proposed trail connection would speak to provide a safe on/off street trail link between the Downtown and the Rec Plex. This trail would provide easy access for Burlington High School to and from the Rec Plex and Downtown.

8. / 16. Trail Connection – North/South Route via Old Rail Line This trail option would utilize the already graded and pedestrian wide path created by the Old Rail Line. It will provide an off street pedestrian route with little grading or excavation needed.

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CHAPTER 5 LAND USE Other Improvements 17. Trail Connection – Roosevelt Crossing This crossing proposed is at the busy intersection of Roosevelt and West Ave. This is currently a pedestrian barrier that could be reduced with the help of a pedestrian scale designed crossing. The crossing could incorporate colored brick or concrete along with pavement lights or other devises to get the attention of passing drivers of the crossing. 18. Bike Lane - Division Street This route would be a good middle connection from Roosevelt Avenue to downtown. This street should be striped for bike lanes with wayfinding signs directing them to downtown.

22. Agency St. Realignment Improvements Street enhancements to improve the transition of Agency Street between the City of Burlington and the City of West Burlington at this location. 24. Relocate Airport Terminal The airport’s long term plans are to relocate from Mason Road to southwest side of airport to have better visibilty and access from HWY 61 corridor (Roosevelt Avenue). 26. Continuation of Mason Rd Continuation of Mason Road to Avenue Road would increase development opportunities to the west.

22. Trail Connection - West Ave./Mason Rd This connection would provide a continuous route from the residential nieghborhood on West Avenue to the middle and high schools to the residential development east of Mason Road. 25. Trail Connection - Mason Rd/Spirit Hollow Golf Course This long term regional recreational trail would connect the residents around the Spirit Hollow Golf Course to the trail along Mason Road.

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1 2 3 4 5 6 Implementation & Action Plan Appendix A This chapter outlines how the vision of the Plan is implemented in everyday decisions and annual goalAppendix B setting and budgeting, and how the Plan should be when necessary. The Chapter also provides Appendix C amended a plan for implementing the action items described in Chapter 4, including who is responsible for each action and by approximately when it should be completed.

6.1 Guiding Daily Decisions 6.2 Guiding Annual Decisions 6.3 Action Plan 6.4 Amending the Plan

Page 6-2 6-4 6-6 6-22

Adopted on November 19, 2012


6.1

GUIDING DAILY DECISIONS

City Roles & Responsibilities Responsibility for implementing this plan lies primarily with City Council, City Planning Commission, and City Staff.

City Council City Council sets priorities, controls budgets and tax rates, and often has the final say on key aspects of public and private development projects. The value and legitimacy of this plan is directly related to the degree to which Council members are aware of the plan and expect City actions to be consistent with this plan. Each council member should have a copy of this plan and should be familiar with the major goals and objectives described herein. City Council should expect and require that staff recommendations and actions both reference and remain consistent with this plan.

City Planning Commission Land use and development recommendations are a core component of this plan, and the Planning Commission has a major role in guiding those decisions. Plan Commission members must each have of a copy of this plan and must be familiar with its content, especially Chapter 5: Land Use. It is generally the responsibility of Planning Commission to determine whether proposed projects are consistent with this plan, and to make decisions and recommendations that are consistent with this plan. In cases where actions that are inconsistent with this plan are deemed to be in the best interest of the City, the Planning Commission should initiate efforts to amend the plan to better reflect City interests. This will help to reinforce the legitimacy of the plan as an important tool in City functions.

6-2

City Staff Key City staff have a significant influence on the selection and completion of all kinds of capital and operational projects. It is imperative that individuals in key roles know about, support, and actively work to implement the various strategies and actions in this plan. Specifically, the following people should consult and reference the comprehensive plan during goal-setting and budgeting processes, during planning for major public projects, and in the review of private development projects: • • • •

City Manager Development and Parks Director Public Works Director Finance Director

These key staff members are expected to know and track the various goals, objectives, strategies and actions laid out in this plan, and to reference that content as appropriate in communications with residents and elected and appointed officials. All other department directors should also be aware of the plan and the connections between the plan and City projects. The purpose of this extra effort is to strengthen staff recommendations and reinforce the plan as a relevant tool integral to City functions. The City Manager, as lead administrative official of the City, is responsible to ensure that other key staff members are actively working to implement this Comprehensive Plan.

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CHAPTER 6 IMPLEMENTATION & ACTION PLAN

Education and Advocacy

Utilizing Existing Tools

Implementation of this plan also depends, to a great degree, on the actions and decisions of entities other than City government. The Action Plan (see Section 6.4) indicates responsible parties that the City of Burlington does not control or direct. These include, and are not limited to:

Many of the strategies identified in this plan presume the use of existing City ordinances and programs. The City’s key implementation tools include:

• • • • • • • • •

Greater Burlington Partnership Burlington Community School District Southeastern Community College City of West Burlington Des Moines County Southeast Iowa Regional Plan Commission Downtown Partners Inc. Iowa Department of Transportation Army Corps of Engineers

It is necessary to persuade these entities to be active partners in the implementation of the goals, objectives, and strategies of this plan. The following City activities can support this effort: •

• •

Share this plan with each organization, including a memo highlighting sections of the plan that anticipate collaboration between the City and the organization. Take the lead role in establishing a collaboration Know and communicate the intent of relevant objectives and strategies - partner organizations need to understand and buy in to the rationale before they will act.

Operational Tools • Annual Goal-Setting Process • Annual Budget Process • Capital Improvement Program Regulatory Tools • Land Use Regulations (includes landscape and architectural regulations) • Site Design Standards • Historic Preservation Ordinance • Building and Housing Codes Funding tools • Tax Abatement • Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) Districts • Enterprise Zones • State and Federal Grant Programs • Storm Water Utility

6-3


6.2

GUIDING ANNUAL DECISIONS

Annual Report

Link to Annual Goals and Budget

To provide lasting value and influence, this plan must be used and referenced regularly, especially during budgeting and goal setting processes. To inform these annual processes, City planning staff will prepare, with input from other departments and the City Manager, a concise Comprehensive Plan Annual Report with the following information:

The most important opportunity for this plan to influence the growth and improvement of the City is through the annual goal-setting, budgeting and capital planning processes. These existing annual efforts determine what projects will and will not be pursued by the City, and so it is very important to integrate this plan into those processes every year.

Action items in progress or completed during the prior 12 months (celebrate success!)

Staff recommendations for action items to pursue during the next 12 months.

City actions and decisions during the past 12 months not consistent with the plan (if any).

The compilation of actions in the next section is a resource to support decisions about how and where to invest the City’s limited resources. The Annual Report should draw from these actions. Plan Commission should make formal recommendations for Council consideration, identifying those choices and commitments most likely to further the goals and objectives identified in this plan.

Staff recommendations for any amendments to the adopted plan.

The following recommended:

process

and

schedule

is

July - Staff completes the Comprehensive Plan Annual Report. August - Plan Commission considers Annual Report and makes formal recommendation to Council regarding action items to pursue and comprehensive plan amendments. September - Department Directors consider Annual Report and Plan Commission recommendations, complete goal setting exercises. Council holds a public hearing and considers adoption of any comprehensive plan amendments. October - City Council Goal Setting November to February - Budget preparation process March - Budget Adopted

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CHAPTER 6 IMPLEMENTATION & ACTION PLAN

A note about Plan vs Budget

About the Action Plan

The following 2012 fiscal summary by City Manager Jim Ferneau reinforces the importance of this plan.

The following pages feature a compilation of actions identified in Chapter 4 to help the City achieve its various goals and objectives.

The City of Burlington’s current financial position is challenging, and has been for several years. June 30, 2012 fund balances in several categories are less than what they should be, including the General Fund’s balance of approximately $500,000, which is approximately 3% of fund expenditures (well below the goal of 10-15% balance our Council is currently targeting to attain in 10 years). Other funds are in worse financial shape, with the Road Use Tax Fund, Community Development Fund, Recreation Fund, Parking Fund, Flint Hills Golf Course, Solid Waste, Recplex, Property Maintenance, Vehicle Maintenance, and Park Capital Fund having a combined deficit balance of approximately (-$3,500,000). The City Council for the City of Burlington is prioritizing a systematic approach to eliminating these fund balances over the next 5 to 10 years, primarily through prioritizing revenues from the General Fund.

Deadlines The “deadlines” identified to achieve these actions are not firm - rather they are indications of when the City may choose to pursue an action based on its importance or difficulty. Where multiple deadlines are noted, this indicates an ongoing or repetitive activity.

These Fund Balance priorities will have a significant impact on the ability of the City of Burlington to assist in meeting community priorities; the City Council will have to take into account the fund balance position as decisions are made about financing key components of the Comprehensive Plan. Significant long-term planning efforts, including focused attention on elements of the comprehensive plan, will be paramount in ensuring a proper balance is achieved in funding priorities.

Responsible Parties Most of these actions require leadership and effort by multiple people and organizations. These tables indicate those parties considered necessary to implementation. Funding Sources Most of these actions come with some cost. It is presumed that most could be supported by tax revenue from the City’s general fund. Where other sources of potential funding may exist, such as grant programs, these are noted.

6-5


6.3

ACTION PLAN Housing AcƟons

ObjecƟve Target CompleƟon Responsible this AcƟon Year ParƟes Supports 2013- 2015- 2020-

Update zoning and subdivision ordinances to remove barriers to affordable housing, including allowing dwelling accessory structures and small lot housing and increasing allowed maximum lot coverages.

H3.1

Consider ordinances and programs that encourage the development of affordable and workforce housing integrated with market-rate housing. Inclusionary housing ordinances can provide incen ves to development with certain percentages of affordable housing units (e.g. a density bonus allowing for more total units than otherwise permi ed, or waiving taxes on affordable percentages of development).

H3.3

Maintain and promote exis ng Housing Enterprise Zones, par cularly for redevelopment projects.

H1.2 H3.2

Evaluate the use of density bonuses for mixed price-points or affordable housing units.

H3.2

Update land development ordinances to require or at least allow components of tradi onal neighborhood design and considera on of exis ng neighborhood context. Design features to require/allow include the inclusion of compact, mixeduse components, small lots, narrow front setbacks, deeper garage setbacks, walkable street pa erns, narrower streets and pedestrian ameni es.

H2.2

Train and educate City staff to ensure proficiency in Interna onal Energy Conserva on Code requirements.

H4.1

Create guidance for developers on requirements of the Interna onal Energy Conserva on Code.

H4.1

8

Ensure compliance with energy codes.

H4.1

9

Plan for con nued and expanded support of the Great River Housing Trust Fund and nonprofits offering transi onal and emergency housing.

H3.1 H3.2

2015

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

6-6

2020

2032 City Staff, City Planning Commission, City Council, Low Rent Housing Agency

X

City Staff, City Planning Commission, City Council, Low Rent Housing Agency

X

X

PotenƟal Funding Sources

X

X

City Staff, City Planning Commission, City Council City Staff

X City Staff, City Planning Commission, City Council

X

City Council

US Department of Energy & Housing and Urban Development Training Grants

City Staff, City Planning Commission, City Council

US Department of Energy & Housing and Urban Development Training Grants

X

X X

X X

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CHAPTER 6 IMPLEMENTATION & ACTION PLAN Housing AcƟons

ObjecƟve Target CompleƟon Responsible this AcƟon Year ParƟes Supports 2013- 2015- 2020-

Develop and maintain affordable homeownership programs.

H3.1 H3.2

Allow for a reduc on in mul family parking requirements when projects are located near transit lines.

H2.2

Evaluate future needs for downtown parking structures and be open to suppor ng partnerships for development of such.

H1.1

Develop a sustainable funding source to address the residen al tear-down and acquisi on of abandoned proper es (e.g. a percentage of code viola on fees).

H1.2

Explore incen ves to promote rehabilita on of exis ng housing, beyond current incen ves.

H1.2

Con nue to evaluate tax abatement and other incen ves for new housing and redevelopment of exis ng housing to ensure they remain effec ve in promo ng residen al development.

H1.1

Support homeless shelter and other local agencies that provide shelter for those experiencing homelessness or in need of special housing op ons.

H3.2

Evaluate surrounding communi es’ incen ve programs for residen al development to ensure Burlington remains compe ve in housing development.

H1.1 H3.2

2015 10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

Mobility and TransportaƟon AcƟons

Develop and adopt regula ons that require a mul modal transporta on impact analysis for proposed development on a case-by-case basis as determined by the City. Impacts on traffic and street infrastructure, transit access and u liza on, and bike and pedestrian connec vity should all be considered.

2032

X

X

X

X

City Staff, City Council, Low Rent Housing Agency

Housing Fund (HOME) IEDA, CDBG, Sec on 42 Housing Tax Credits (HUD)

City Staff, City Planning Commission, City Council City Staff, City Planning Commission, City Council, DPI

X

City Staff, City Council

X

City Staff

X City Staff, City Council

X

X

X City Council

X

X

X City Staff

X

X

X

ObjecƟve Target Comple- Responsible this AcƟon Ɵon Year ParƟes Supports 2013- 2015- 20202015

1

2020

PotenƟal Funding Sources

2020

2032

T1.1

City Staff, SEIRPC, City Planning Commission, City Council

X

X

PotenƟal Funding Sources

X

Federal Transporta on and Community and System Preserva on Program

6-7


6.3

ACTION PLAN Mobility and TransportaƟon AcƟons

ObjecƟve Target Comple- Responsible this AcƟon Ɵon Year ParƟes Supports 2013- 2015- 20202015

2

Ac vely par cipate in state-led highway improvement projects within the City to advocate for context sensi ve design streetscaping improvements should be designed with local input and should be unique to Burlington.

T5.1

Develop a City-wide Bike and Pedestrian Plan to establish a con guous, safe network of on-street and off-street bike and pedestrian routes.

T4.1

Priori ze sec ons of the City for sidewalk maintenance and installa on and proac vely react to needed improvements.

T4.1

5

Ensure annual funding for the Sidewalk Reimbursement Program.

T4.1

6

Conduct a transit study to iden fy barriers to bus ridership and make recommenda ons to increase effec veness.

T3.1 T3.2

7

Increase enforcement of sidewalk maintenance and safety viola ons.

T4,1

8

Evaluate transit rider needs for non-running mes (nights/weekends).

T3.1

9

Analyze future road extensions and connec ons for future development areas to maintain proper street connec ons.

T2.1 T5.1

3

4

10

X

2020

2032

X

X

X

City Staff, SEIRPC, City Planning Commission, City Council

Living Roadway Trust Fund

City Staff, SEIRPC, City Planning Commission, City Council

Federal Transporta on Enhancement Program, Recrea on Trails Program (State and Federal), RISE Grants

City Staff, City Council

X

X

X

X

X

X

City Staff, City Council City Staff, SEIRPC

X City Staff, City Council

X

City Staff, SEIRPC

X X

X

X

City Staff, SEIRPC, City Planning Commission, City Council

X

X

X

Work with DOT to ensure safe and proper crossings at Roosevelt Ave and adjacent streets (par cularly Highway 34).

T4.1

X

X

X

12

Assess need for bike racks throughout the community.

T4.1

X

X

X

Parks Advisory Board, City Staff

13

Con nue to develop trail systems and T3.1 interconnec vity of parks, including Flint River T4.1 Trail and RecPlex.

X

City Staff, Parks Advisory Commi ee, City Planning Commission, SEIRPC, Riverfront Advisory Commi ee

6-8

City Staff, City Council

X

X

MSA Professional Services, Inc.

Federal Transporta on and Community and System Preserva on Program

City Staff, City Planning Commission, City Council

Require sidewalks for all new development T4.1 and major redevelopment projects, whether sidewalks currently exist adjacent or not (especially near and west of Roosevelt Avenue). Encourage neighboring proper es to install sidewalks.

11

PotenƟal Funding Sources

Traffic Safety Improvement Program (TSIP)


CHAPTER 6 IMPLEMENTATION & ACTION PLAN Mobility and TransportaƟon AcƟons

ObjecƟve Target Comple- Responsible this AcƟon Ɵon Year ParƟes Supports 2013- 2015- 20202015

14

2

3

4

5

6

2032

Increase accessibility throughout the community by increased installa on of ADA curb ramps.

T4.1

Economic Prosperity AcƟons

ObjecƟve Target CompleƟon Responsible this AcƟon Year ParƟes Supports 2013- 2015- 2020-

X

2015 1

2020

Adopt a Vacant Building Ordinance to be er manage and maintain the City’s vacant building stock. The program should support the costs of inspec ons and maintenance enforcement, and it should both prevent and help pay for emergency ac ons to protect public safety, including demoli on.

E5.2

Iden fy and plan for infrastructure investments required to make priority development/redevelopment sites viable more compe ve for economic development, especially those that serve large areas and/or mul ple parcels such as a major sewer line.

E2.2

Iden fy funding sources and mechanisms for public realm and capital improvements to support economic development

E2.2

Iden fy target industries/business types and offer tax incen ves to businesses in those sectors to locate or expand in Burlington.

E2.1 E3.1

Work with Burlington area schools, Southeastern Community College, Greater Burlington Partnership and local businesses to develop and implement an internship and summer job programs.

E1.1

Update development regula ons to remove barriers to home-based businesses that are compa ble and suitable for residen al areas.

E2.3

X

2020

City Staff, City Planning Commission, City Council

X

City Staff, City Planning Commission, Historic Preserva on Commission, City Council, Greater Burlington Partnership, DPI City Staff, Greater Burlington Partnership, City Council, SEIRPC

X

X

PotenƟal Funding Sources

City Staff, Downtown Partners, Inc., Greater Burlington Partnership, City Council

X

X

Safe Routes to School Fund , Pedestrian Curb Ramp Construc on Fund

2032

X

X

PotenƟal Funding Sources

X

X

X

Greater Burlington Partnership, City Council, SEIRPC

X

Great Burlington Partnership, Southeastern Community College, Regional Public and Private School Boards City Planning Commission, City Staff, City Council

6-9


6.3

ACTION PLAN Economic Prosperity AcƟons

ObjecƟve Target CompleƟon Responsible this AcƟon Year ParƟes Supports 2013- 2015- 2020-

Coordinate with the Greater Burlington Partnership and local educa onal ins tu ons to plan for workforce transi ons from manufacturing to knowledge-based and crea ve industries.

E1.1

Target downtown loca ons for major public cultural investments.

E5.2

Coordinate with Des Moines County to develop a rural and eco-tourism plan that promotes recrea on and tourism outside the City as well as hotel stays inside the City.

E6.2

Upgrade the City website to emphasize the assets of Burlington as a vibrant, modern community with a rich history and an excep onal quality of life, and evaluate the use of mobile and social media digital tools to improve access to City informa on and marke ng materials.

E1.2

11

Work with the Greater Burlington Partnership to prepare and maintain online and print promo onal materials for prospec ve residents that shares the City’s recent progress and visions for the future as iden fied in this plan.

E1.2

12

Develop an easy to understand “one-stopshop” for economic development on the City website, with links to partner resources.

E2.3

Aggressively pursue grants and resources to improve infrastructure.

E2.2

Evaluate poten al public/private partnerships for community benefit.

Many

2015 7

8

9

10

13

14

X

2032

X

X

Greater Burlington Partnership, City Council, SEIRPC, Southeastern Community College (SCC), Regional Public and Private School Boards Downtown Partners, City Council, City Staff

X

Des Moines County Board of Supervisors, SEIRPC, City Council, Greater Burlington Partnership

X

City Staff, City Council

X

City Staff, City Council

X X

X

6-10

2020

X

X

MSA Professional Services, Inc.

X

City Staff, SEIRPC, Greater Burlington Partnership, Downtown Partners

X

City Staff, City Council, SEIRPC, Greater Burlington Partnership, Downtown Partners, Des Moines County Board of Supervisors

PotenƟal Funding Sources


CHAPTER 6 IMPLEMENTATION & ACTION PLAN Economic Prosperity AcƟons

ObjecƟve Target CompleƟon Responsible this AcƟon Year ParƟes Supports 2013- 2015- 20202015

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

Par cipate in monthly communica ons with key stakeholders to discuss the future of the area and maintain an open dialogue among en es.

E2.1

Adopt a design overlay area in Downtown Burlington to promote and protect the character of the area.

E5.2

Promote voca onal educa on/training to fill the needs of local employers.

Create and enhance entry features to the community and to the downtown (e.g. landscaping, signage, banners, etc.).

X

2020

X

2032

X

X

X

Greater Burlington Partnership, West Burlington, Des Moines County, SEIRPC, SCC, and Regional Public and Private School Boards

E1.1

X

X

City Staff, City Planning Commission, Historic Preserva on Commission, City Council, Downtown Partners, Inc.

X

City Staff, City Council, Greater Burlington Partnership

E1.2

Construct and maintain interpre ve signage at key a rac on loca ons to further promote the assets of the community.

E1.2

Evaluate and plan for venues and a rac ons (e.g. indoor sports complex, riverfront ameni es, bou que hotel with river view rooms) to further Burlington as a year-round des na on- resul ng in increased year-round occupancy of local hotels.

E6.1

X

Con nue to evaluate proper es for lis ng E6.2 on the Na onal Register of Historic Places to further solidify Burlington as a historic community and to enable proper es to access historic tax credits.

Greater Burlington Partnership, West Burlington, Des Moines County, SEIRPC, SCC, and Regional Public and Private School Boards City Staff, City Planning Commission, Historic Preserva on Commission, City Council, Downtown Partners, Inc.

X

X

X

X

X

PotenƟal Funding Sources

X

X

City Staff, Greater Burlington Partnership

City Staff, City Planning Commission, Historic Preserva on Commission, City Council, Downtown Partners, Inc., Greater Burlington Partnership

6-11


6.3

ACTION PLAN Economic Prosperity AcƟons

ObjecƟve Target CompleƟon Responsible this AcƟon Year ParƟes Supports 2013- 2015- 2020-

Complete periodic review of “business friendliness” as compared to comparable ci es, including tax rate, u lity rates, and regulatory processes.

E7.2

Promote growth of tax base in all areas of the community, including infill, redevelopment and improvements in exis ng developed areas and con nued growth in planned new development areas.

E8.2

The City will evaluate its property tax levels/rates to be compe ve with other communi es in Iowa and region and to support infrastructure/services in the community.

E7.2 E8.2

The City will develop programs and policies to be compe ve (top 25% in Iowa) with other similar sized communi es in tax and u lity rates.

E7.2 E8.2

Agriculture and Natural Resources AcƟons

ObjecƟve Target CompleƟon Responsible this AcƟon Year ParƟes Supports 2013- 2015- 2020-

2015 22

23

24

25

X

X

X

X

2015 1

2

3

6-12

Evaluate the need for and benefit of a Watershed Management Plan with neighboring jurisdic ons and begin implemen ng projects.

R3.1 R3.2 R3.3

Develop a “GreenPrint” for crea ng an interconnected greenway system of parks and open spaces.

R1.1 R1.2

2020

2032

X

X

X

X

X

2020

PotenƟal Funding Sources

Greater Burlington Partnership

X

City Staff, City Planning Commission, City Council, Greater Burlington Partnership

X

City Staff, County Assessor, City Council, Greater Burlington Partnership, SEIRPC

X

City Staff, City Council, Waterworks Board

PotenƟal Funding Sources

2032

X

City Staff, City Council, Watershed Management Authority, Parks Advisory Board, SEIRPC, Iowa DNR, Army Corps of Engineers

X

City Staff, City Council, Parks Advisory Board, SEIRPC, Iowa DNR, Army Corps of Engineers

X

City Staff, City Planning Commission, Watershed Management Authority, City Council

R3.2 Consider the adop on of best management prac ces (BMPs) for stormwater management R3.3 and low-impact development.

MSA Professional Services, Inc.

Watershed Improvement Review Board


CHAPTER 6 IMPLEMENTATION & ACTION PLAN Agriculture and Natural Resources AcƟons

ObjecƟve Target CompleƟon Responsible this AcƟon Year ParƟes Supports 2013- 2015- 20202015

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Consider the adop on of regula ons for conserva on and restora on of natural features during development.

R1.2

Consider the adop on of stormwater and low-impact BMP requirements for City facili es and opera ons.

R3.2 R3.3

Work to iden fy local point and non-point source pollu on and implement steps for remedia on.

R3.2 R3.3

Develop a stormwater educa on program to inform ci zens of BMPs including the use of rain barrels, rain gardens, green roofs, permeable paving, etc.

R3.2 R3.3

Iden fy and remove barriers to local food produc on.

R2.1

Consider the adop on of local food procurement policies for City events and facili es.

R2.1

Develop procedures for increasing the ability to use electronic and government assistance forms of payment at local farmers markets.

R2.1

Encourage responsible agriculture regionwide with awareness of FSA office guidelines for agricultural prac ces for Des Moines County.

R2.1

2020

2032

X

City Staff, City Planning Commission, City Council

X

City Staff, City Council, Parks Advisory Board, Waterworks Board,

X

City Staff, Watershed Management Authority, Iowa DNR, Des Moines County, City Council Watershed Management Authority, City Staff

X

City Staff, City Planning Commission, City Council

X

City Staff, City Council

X X

City Staff, Downtown Partners, Inc., Greater Burlington Partnership

X

City Staff, Downtown Partners, Inc., Greater Burlington Partnership, Chamber of Commerce

X

PotenƟal Funding Sources

X

6-13


6.3

ACTION PLAN Community FaciliƟes and Services ObjecƟve Target CompleƟon Responsible AcƟons this AcƟon Year ParƟes Supports 2013- 2015- 20202015

1

2

3

4

5

6

Collaborate with the Greater Burlington Partnership and West Burlington to study long-term wastewater treatment op ons to enable growth, especially to the southwest.

Con nue to facilitate and improve park and recrea on facili es, programs, ameni es and special events.

2032

X

City Staff, Greater Burlington Partnership, City Council, City Planning Commission, West Burlington Staff, Commission, and Council, SEIRPC, Des Moines County Board of Supervisors

X

Parks Advisory Board, City Staff, City Council, Des Moines County Board of Supervisors, Greater Burlington Partnership, Downtown Partners

FS2.1

Study feasibility of a public indoor recrea on facility opportuni es for partnerships, and possibility of other public or private en es construc ng such a facility.

FS2.3

Improve supply of informa on (interpre ve signage, websites, online forms, maps, etc.) at and for community facili es and key a rac ons.

FS2.1

Evaluate the need for park space in the North and Southwest areas of the community as opportuni es become available.

FS2.1

X

X

Greater Burlington Partnership, Parks Advisory Board, City Staff, City Council, Conven on and Visitors Bureau

X

City Staff, City Council

X

Provide resources to form neighborhood associa ons to address community issues, including housing, safety and appearance.

FS4.1

7

Pursue grants to update community facili es.

Many

8

Con nue to expand local and regional trail systems.

FS2.1

X

X

X

City Staff, City Planning Commission, Parks Advisory Board, City Council, Des Moines County Board of Supervisors

X

X

X

City Staff, Planning Commission, City Council

X

X

X

City Staff, City Council

X

City Staff, City Council, Parks Advisory Boards, Des Moines County Board of Supervisors, Des Moines County Conserva on, SEIRPC

X

6-14

2020

FS1.2

X

MSA Professional Services, Inc.

PotenƟal Funding Sources


CHAPTER 6 IMPLEMENTATION & ACTION PLAN Community FaciliƟes and Services ObjecƟve Target CompleƟon Responsible AcƟons this AcƟon Year ParƟes Supports 2013- 2015- 20209

10

Conduct regular review of sewer/water capaci es to serve future growth and development.

FS1.2

Pursue shared services among governmental agencies as opportuni es arise.

FS1.2 FS1.3

2015

2020

X

X

X

11

12

13

Evaluate parks for compliance with ADA II standards and prepare a transi on plan to make necessary changes over me.

4

5

X

X

City Staff, Waterworks Board City Staff, City Council, SEIRPC, Des Moines County Board of Supervisors, Des Moines County Conserva on

X

City Staff, Parks Advisory Board, City Council

X

City Staff, Parks Advisory Board, Downtown Partners, Greater Burlington Partnership, City Council, Public School Boards

X

City Staff, Parks Advisory Board, City Council, Regional School Boards, City Council

Create Wi-Fi spots at key community facili es, FS2.1 including parks.

Promote shared usage of public facili es (e.g. school playgrounds for public use).

X

Community Character AcƟons

ObjecƟve Target CompleƟon Responsible this AcƟon Year ParƟes Supports 2013- 2015- 2020-

Establish an Arts Commission.

C1.1 C1.3

2015

3

2032

FS2.1

X

1

X

Prepare a Burlington Cultural Plan.

C1.2

Include a public arts component in development Requests for Proposal for Cityowned sites.

C1.2

PotenƟal Funding Sources

2032 City Council, Southeastern Community College

X

C1.1 C1.2 C1.3 C1.4

Explore the designa on of Cultural and Entertainment Districts.

2020

PotenƟal Funding Sources

City Staff, Historic Preserva on Commission, City Council

X

City Staff, City Planning Commission, City Council

X

X

Arts Commission, City Planning Commission, City Council

6-15


Community Character AcƟons

ObjecƟve Target CompleƟon Responsible this AcƟon Year ParƟes Supports 2013- 2015- 2020-

Update regula ons to remove barriers to live-work studios and nontradi onal venues.

C1.3

Con nue to support the Historic Preserva on Commission and aid in the development of a Historic Preserva on Ac on Plan.

C2.1

Develop and maintain guidelines for development in historic districts.

C2.1

2015 6

7

8

X

X

9

2032

X

City Planning Commission, City Council

X

X

City Council, Arts Commission, City Staff, Historic Planning Commission

X

City Staff, City Planning Commission, Historic Preserva on Commission, City Council, Downtown Partners, Inc.

X

City Staff, Historic Preserva on Commission, City Council, Greater Burlington Partnership City Staff, City Council, Downtown Partners, Inc., Greater Burlington Partnership

X

Develop cohesive historic wayfinding signage . C2.2 C2.3

X

10

2020

Lead the drive for encouraging posi ve outcomes and a tudes.

X

C1.1

X

X

X

X

X

City Staff

11

Encourage use of public spaces/streets for outside fes vals and events.

C1.4

X

12

Consider adding Na onal Register proper es to Local Historic Register.

C2.1

X

Historic Preserva on Commission

13

Evaluate public ac vi es and services that are friendly or a rac ve to young professionals and families.

C1.1

X

X

City Staff, Greater Burlington Partnership, Burlington Young Professionals, local HR managers

Preserve and enhance the downtown skyline as a defining feature of the community.

C2.1

X

City Staff, City Planning Commission, Historic Preserva on Commission, City Council, Downtown Partners, Inc.

14

15

6-16

Sponsor an annual community-wide, or neighborhood specific, clean-up day.

X

X

X

X

X

X

MSA Professional Services, Inc.

City Staff

PotenƟal Funding Sources


CHAPTER 6 IMPLEMENTATION & ACTION PLAN Hazards AcƟons

ObjecƟve Target CompleƟon Responsible this AcƟon Year ParƟes Supports 2013- 2015- 20202015

1

Develop a Disaster Recovery Plan.

2020

HZ3.1 HZ3.2

Develop and adopt a Recovery and Reconstruc on Ordinance.

HZ3.1 HZ3.2

3

Conduct Disaster Recovery Plan table-top exercises.

HZ3.1 HZ3.2

X

5

6

7

Implement NFIP Community Ra ng System (CRS) credited ac vi es and explore applica on to CRS designa on.

HZ1.1

Develop interagency agreements for aid during and a er a disaster and ac vely par cipate in the Iowa Mutual Aid Assistance Compact.

All

Coordinate with the Des Moines County Emergency Manager to develop a sustainable Community Organiza on Ac ve in Disaster (COAD) to build a framework for mee ng disaster vic ms’ needs.

HZ2.1

Iden fy a Disaster Vic m Assistance Officer (as part of the recovery organiza on established by the Recovery and Reconstruc on Ordinance) to partner with the County EMA in advoca ng for quick disbursement of Other Needs Assistance and Disaster Case Management Funds.

HZ3.1 HZ3.2

X

X

City Staff, City Council City Staff, Des Moines County Board of Supervisors, SEIRPC, City Council, West Burlington, FEMA, Army Corps of Engineers

X

4

2032 City Staff, Des Moines County Board of Supervisors, SEIRPC, City Council, West Burlington, Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA

X

2

PotenƟal Funding Sources

City Staff, City Council

X

City Staff, Des Moines County Board of Supervisors, SEIRPC, City Council, West Burlington, FEMA, Army Corps of Engineers

X

City Staff, Des Moines County Board of Supervisors, SEIRPC, City Council, FEMA, Army Corps of Engineers City Staff, Des Moines County Board of Supervisors, SEIRPC, City Council

6-17


6.3

ACTION PLAN Hazards AcƟons

ObjecƟve Target CompleƟon Responsible this AcƟon Year ParƟes Supports 2013- 2015- 2020-

Ac vely par cipate in Flood Awareness Month, Na onal Preparedness Month and Iowa Severe Weather Awareness Week ac vi es.

HZ1.1

2015 8

X

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

6-18

Work with the Des Moines County Emergency Management Agency to con nue to update and disseminate free disaster preparedness materials for individuals and businesses.

HZ1.1

Conduct a public facili es audit for poten al disaster impacts and implement mi ga on strategies.

HZ1.1

Implement mi ga on strategies outlined in the Des Moines County Pre-Disaster Mi ga on Plan.

HZ1.1 HZ1.2

Purchase land or easements to preserve the natural floodway where feasible and appropriate.

HZ1.2

Evaluate redundant capabili es of water, sewer, electric, gas and other u lity systems to reduce or eliminate outages in the event of a disaster.

HZ2.2

Encourage placement of u li es underground for redevelopment and as opportuni es arise.

HZ2.2

Iden fy areas to be protected (exis ng development) versus areas to be preserved (natural/open space opportuni es).

HZ1.3

Examine alterna ve back-up strategies for necessary systems, if there are none already in place.

HZ1.3

Collaborate with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to iden fy and implement the most appropriate flood mi ga on strategies for the Downtown, while preserving physical and visual access to the river.

HZ1.2

X

2020

2032

X

X

X

City Staff, City Council, Greater Burlington Partnership, Downtown Partners, Watershed Management Authority, FEMA, Army Corps of Engineers

X

City Staff, Des Moines County Board of Supervisors, SEIRPC, City Council City Staff

X X X

X X

X X

X

X

City Staff, City Planning Commission, City Council City Staff, Waterworks Board

X

X

City Staff, City Council

X

City Staff, City Planning Commission, City Council,

X

City Staff, Des Moines County Conserva on, SEIRPC, City Council, City Planning Commission

X

City Staff, City Council, Waterworks Board

X

City Staff, City Council, Downtown Partners, Riverfront Board, Army Corps of Engineers, SEIRPC, Des Moines County

MSA Professional Services, Inc.

X

PotenƟal Funding Sources


CHAPTER 6 IMPLEMENTATION & ACTION PLAN CollaboraƟons and Partnerships AcƟons

ObjecƟve Target CompleƟon Responsible this AcƟon Year ParƟes Supports 2013- 2015- 20202015

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Work with SEIRPC and neighboring communi es to study the feasibility of an expanded regional bus system.

CP1.1 CP1.2

Explore op ons for obtaining four-year programs/degrees through exis ng facili es or satellites with regional universi es/colleges in Burlington.

CP1.1 CP1.2

Assemble a joint task force with West Burlington to explore the concept of shared economic development investments coupled with shared tax revenues.

CP1.3

Develop an official City policy on the use of public incen ves to support private development.

CP2.1

Host monthly mee ngs with regional partners to explore ways in which collabora on on programs or services can improve quality, access, and efficiency.

CP1.1

Communicate with other jurisdic ons whenever service contracts or major capital improvements are up for considera on, to iden fy cost savings opportuni es through partnerships and shared service arrangements.

CP1.1

Seek cost efficiencies through shared services with neighboring communi es.

Many

2020

2032 City Staff, City Council, SEIRPC

X

Great Burlington Partnership, Southeastern Community College, Regional Public and Private School Boards

X

City Staff, City Council

X

City Staff, City Council

X X

PotenƟal Funding Sources

X

X

City Staff, City Council, SEIRPC

City Staff, City Council, SEIRPC

X

X

X

X

X

X

6-19


Land Use AcƟons

ObjecƟve Target CompleƟon Responsible this AcƟon Year ParƟes Supports 2013- 2015- 20202015

1

2

3

4

5

6-20

Consider amendments to the Architectural L2.1 Guidelines in the Burlington Zoning Ordinance to incorporate aspects of the design strategies iden fied in Sec on 5.2 of this plan

X

Ensure that newly created zoning and land development ordinances are consistent with the adopted Comprehensive Plan.

L2.1

X

Consult and follow the principles of the comprehensive plan and Future Land Use Map when considering land subdivision and zoning amendment pe ons.

L2.1

Allow landowners or other stakeholders to pe on for changes to the Future Land Use Map consider the goals of the plan when evalua ng any proposed change.

L1.1

Consider the long-term impacts of growth on exis ng developed areas when upda ng the Future Land Use Map and Comprehensive Plan document.

L1,1

X

X

X

2020

2032 City Staff, City Plan Commission, City Council

X X

X

X

MSA Professional Services, Inc.

X

City Staff, City Plan Commission, City Council

X

City Staff, City Plan Commission, City Council

X

City Staff, City Plan Commission, City Council

X

City Staff, City Plan Commission, City Council

PotenƟal Funding Sources


CHAPTER 6 IMPLEMENTATION & ACTION PLAN

6-21


6.4

AMENDING THE 4 PLAN

Plan Monitoring, Amending and Updating Although this Plan is intended to guide decisions and actions by the City over the next 10 to 20 years, it is impossible to accurately predict future conditions in the City. Amendments may be appropriate from time to time, particularly if emerging issues or trends render aspects of the plan irrelevant or inappropriate. The City may be faced with an opportunity, such as a development proposal, that does not fit the plan but is widely viewed to be appropriate for the City. Should the City wish to approve such an opportunity, it should first amend the plan so that the decision is consistent with the plan. Such amendments should be carefully considered and should not become the standard response to proposals that do not fit the plan. Frequent amendments to meet individual development proposals threaten the integrity of the plan and the planning process and should be avoided.

The 20-year planning horizon of this plan defines the time period used to consider potential growth and change, but the plan itself should be fully updated well before 2032. Unlike an amendment, the plan update is a major re-write of the plan document and supporting maps. The purpose of the update is to incorporate new data and to ensure, through a process of new data evaluation and new public dialogue, that the plan remains relevant to current conditions and decisions. An update every ten years is recommended, though the availability of new Census or mapping data and/or a series of significant changes in the community may justify an update after less than ten years.

Any changes to the plan text or maps constitute amendments to the plan and should follow a standard process as described in the following section. Amendments may be proposed by either the City Council or the Plan Commission, though a land owner or developer may also petition Plan Commission to introduce an amendment on their behalf. Amendments may be made at any time using this process, however in most cases the City should not amend the plan more than once per year. A common and recommended approach is to establish a consistent annual schedule for consideration of amendments. This process can begin with a joint meeting of the Plan Commission and City Council (January), followed by Plan Commission recommendation (February), then public notice procedures leading to a public hearing and vote on adoption by City Council (March or April).

6-22

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


CHAPTER 6 IMPLEMENTATION & ACTION PLAN

Plan Amendment Process In the years between major plan updates it may be necessary or desirable to amend this plan. A straightforward amendment, such as a strategy or future land use map revision for which there is broad support, can be completed in about six to eight weeks through the following process.

Step One A change is proposed by City Council, Plan Commission, or staff and is placed on the Plan Commission agenda for preliminary considera on. Private individuals (landowners, developers, others) can request an amendment through the Development & Parks Director, who will forward the request to Plan Commission for considera on. Plan Commission decides if and how to proceed, and may direct staff to prepare or revise the proposed amendment. Step Two When Plan Commission has formally recommended an amendment, a City Council public hearing is scheduled and at least two weeks public no ce is published. No ce of the proposed amendment should also be transmi ed as appropriate to other en es that may be affected by or interested in the change, such as the City of West Burlington or Des Moines County.

Step Three City Council hears formal comments on the proposed amendment, considers any edits to the amendment, then considers adop on of the amendment. Step Four Staff completes the plan amendment as approved, including an entry in the plan’s amendment log. A revised PDF copy of the plan is posted to the City web site and replacement or supplement pages are issued to City staff and officials who hold hard copies of the plan.

6-23



1 2 3 4 5 6 Appendix A Community Indicators Report Community Indicators Report is a summary of current Appendix B The conditions and recent trends in Burlington, based on the best data. The purpose of these indicators is to enable Appendix C available informed choices about the future of the City. This report is included as an appendix to the comprehensive plan so that it may be easily updated from time to time as new data becomes available. Page A.1 Demographics A-2 A.2 Housing A-4 A.3 Mobility & Transportation A-8 A.4 Economic Prosperity A-14 A.5 Agriculture & Natural Resources A-22 A.6 Community Facilities & Services A-26 A.7 Community Character A-32 A.8 Hazards A-34 A.9 Collaboration & Partnerships A-36 A.10 Land Use A-38

Adopted on November 19, 2012


A.1

DEMOGRAPHICS

About the Data These indicators utilize a mixture of local, county, state, and federal data sources. The U.S. Census has historically been a key source of data for many community indicators. Much of the information previously collected by the decennial U.S. Census is now collected only by the American Community Survey (ACS). The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects sample data every year and reports estimates of population and housing characteristics. For communities larger than 20,000 but smaller than 65,000, the best available estimates are reported as rolling averages over 3-year periods – they indicate average conditions over the reporting period rather than a snapshot of a single point of time. Because the ACS estimates are based on a sample of the population, they include some error. The margin of error is reported for each estimate, and is an indication of how reliable the estimate is. As a general rule, the ACS data is quite reliable at the State level, generally reliable at the County level, and less reliable at the municipal level. The margin of error data makes the data much more difficult to interpret. To simplify tables in this plan, the reliability of each value is indicated simply by the formatting of the text. For each ACS estimate, the margin of error is divided by the estimate. If the error is 10% or less than the estimate, the value in the table is bolded and underlined. In graphs, the ACS data exceeding this 10% error threshold will be denoted at the bottom of the graph.

Village of Malibu No.

Per

No.

124

2.2

79,564

1990

138

3.4

100,601

2000

145

10

145,452

378

error exceeds 10%

A-2

This report is a summary of current conditions and recent trends in Burlington, based on the best available data. The purpose of these indicators is to enable informed choices about the future of the City.

Chevrolet County

1980

Avg. 20052009

The second important note when using ACS estimates is that they cannot be compared to decennial census data because they are measured in different ways. While some of the tables in this report show both decennial census data and 2008-2010 ACS data, it is not possible to draw conclusions about trends by comparing the two sets of numbers.

253,053

Per 5.0 6.0

Census data

7.0

ACS data

error less than 10%

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX A COMMUNITY INDICATORS

Population & Age Trends Population trends for the City of Burlington show a 20.7% decrease in population for Burlington between 1970 and 2010. Because Iowa does not calculate population projections for municipalities, high and low projections were calculated for Burlington based on available data. High projections are based on Des Moines County’s projection of a 1.5% decrease in population every 5 years. Low projections are based on the City’s actual decrease of 2% every 5 years over the past decade.

POPULATION TRENDS & PROJECTIONS

An analysis of population change by decade shows that the City of Burlington and Des Moines County have had similar decreases in population since 1980, while Iowa has generally increased in population.

2010

Burlington is an aging City in an aging county, demographically. In 2010, 23.4% of the City population was over the age of 60, and the age group with the highest population in the City was those age 45 to 54 years (13.9%). The median age in the City was 39.7, which is lower than the median age for the County (41.5), but higher than the Iowa median age of 38.1.

Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Iowa Data Center, 2010 Census, MSA

Percent change

Change Source: US Census,Population Iowa Data Center, MSAby Decade 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% -5.0% -10.0% -15.0%

2,538,268

32,430

36,854

2,757,537

30,613

1970

33,740 46,982

32,366

1980

46,203

29,529

1990

42,614

27,208

2000

42,351

26,839 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

40,325

25,663

High

Low

25,278

25,150

25,663 24,899

24,525 24,158

Iowa

2,621,073 2,825,368 2,913,808 2,776,755 2,926,324 3,046,355

25,663

40,356

3,028,666

24,647

39,184

3,172,237

39,732

24,154

38,674

23,671

38,176

3,097,663

3,248,751 3,328,308

SEX & AGE, 2010 Source: 2010 Census

City of Burlington Number Female

Under 5

City of Burlington (High)

15-19 years

# Projections

28,404

1960

Median Age

City of Burlington (Low)

25,832

1950

Iowa

Des Moines County

Des Moines County

1940

Male

POPULATION CHANGE BY DECADE, 1950-2030

City of Burlington

5-9 years 10-14 years 20-24 years 25-34 years 35-44 years 45-54 years 55-59 years 60-64 years 65-74 years 75-84 years 85 or older

12,332

13,331

40 ---

1,783

Percent 48.05%

51.95% 6.95%

Des Moines County Number 19,600

20,725

42 ---

2,638

Percent 48.61%

51.39% 6.54%

1,730

6.74%

2,556

1,584

6.17%

2,546

3,335

13.00%

4,774

11.84%

3,578

13.94%

5,928

14.70%

1,603

1,392

2,989

1,673

1,542

6.25%

5.42%

11.65%

6.52%

6.01%

2,066

8.05%

834

3.25%

1,554

6.06%

6.34%

2,570

6.37%

2,041

5.06%

4,671

2,927

2,578

6.31% 11.58%

7.26% 6.39%

3,529

8.75%

1,185

2.94%

2,382

5.91%

A-3


A.2

HOUSING

Household Counts HOUSEHOLD PROJECTIONS, 2000-2030

A comparison of household size shows that the number of persons per household in the City has been declining at rates slightly faster than the County and the State. This decline in household size is projected to continue in the future. This is consistent with national trends attributed to smaller family size and increases in life expectancy.

Household Projections

Household Counts

Source: US Census Bureau, MSA projections

The shrinking household size means that the number of households in the City is expected to rise slightly (approximately 3%) over the next 20 years, despite an expected drop in total population. The number of households in Des Moines County is expected to decrease slightly (approximately 2.4%) over the next 20 years. This is due to a relatively slower household size decrease in conjunction with a population decrease.

18,000 17,000 16,000 15,000 14,000 13,000 12,000 11,000 10,000 9,000 8,000

City of Burlington

Des Moines County

# Projections based on trend of decreasing household size

HOUSEHOLD COUNTS Source: U.S. Census Bureau

City of Burlington Number 1980 1990 2000 2010 Avg. 2005-2009

A-4

Persons Per

Des Moines County Number

Persons Per

Iowa Number

Persons Per

12,090

2.44

18,567

2.49

1,053,033

2.77

11,102

2.42

17,270

2.45

1,149,276

2.55

10,986 10,938 10,738 ---

2.48 2.35

16,874 17,003 17,126 ---

2.53 2.37

1,064,325 1,221,576 1,215,970 ---

MSA Professional Services, Inc.

2.61 2.49


APPENDIX A COMMUNITY INDICATORS

Occupancy & Housing Stock UNIT TYPE, 2008-2010 AVG

The majority of City residents (71.5%) live in owneroccupied housing. The vacancy rate (10.2%) is relatively high and indicates that there may be an overabundance of rental units. A healthy rental vacancy rate is 5-6%.

Unit Type (2008-2010 Avg.)

Source: American Community Survey 1%

5%

7% Single Family

11%

The majority of residents (77.5%) moved into their current residence after 1990, and 57.1% moved into their current residence after 2000.

2 to 4 Units 5 to 9 Units

76%

10 or more

Burlington’s history of population growth and decline is reflected in the age of it’s housing stock. Nearly 50% of residential structures in Burlington were built prior to 1940 and 67.3% were built prior to 1960.

Mobile Home or Trailer

City of Burlington YEAR STRUCTURE BUILT, 2008-2010 AVG* Year Structure Built (2008-2010 Avg.) Source: American Community Survey

The diversity of Burlington’s housing stock is typical of small cities in the Midwest, with 76% consisting of single family homes. Multi-family housing in the City varies in number of units per dwelling with 11.6% having two to four units, 5% having five to nine units, and almost 7% having 10 or more units.

2005 or later 2000 to 2004 1990 to 1999 1980 to 1989 1970 to 1979 1960 to 1969 1950 to 1959 1940 to 1949 1939 or Earlier

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

* error exceeds 10% for all estimates

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

* error exceeds 10% for all estimates, except 1939 or earlier

OCCUPANCY

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

1990 Number Owner Occupied Renter Occupied Vacant

2000

Percent

Number

2010

Percent

Number

Percent

7,646

69.6%

7,791

70.2%

7,391

67.6%

791

7.2%

883

8.0%

961

8.8%

3,340

30.4%

3,311

29.8%

3,547

32.4%

Homeowner Vacancy Rate

124.0

1.6%

159

2.0%

161

2.1%

Rental Vacancy Rate

259

7.2%

333

9.1%

401

10.2%

A-5


A.2

HOUSING

Affordability & Value Affordable housing opportunities are often provided through the sale of older housing units. Housing is generally considered “affordable” when the owner or renter’s monthly housing costs do not exceed 30% of their gross monthly income. Nearly 28.6% of City homeowners and approximately 45% of renters exceeded the “affordable” threshold during 2008-2010. While these numbers are important indicators of affordability, it is also important to note that some residents may consciously choose to devote more than 30% of their income to household and lifestyle expenses.

GROSS RENT

Despite the fact that more renters do not have “affordable” housing, the median rent in the City ($559) is only slightly less than the County median rent ($566).

Median Rent

The median value of a home in the City has increased steadily since 1990, but is significantly below the County’s median home value of $93,100.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey

1990 Less than $200 $200 to $499 $500 to $749

32.4%

13.4%

0.9%

26.2%

58.0%

$750 to $999

0.2%

$1,000 to $1,499

6.1%

$1,500 or more No Cash Rent

3.8%

$239

1990 Less than $50,000

$150,000 to $199,999 $200,000 to $299,999 $300,000 to $499,999 $500,000 or more Median Value

Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income

Percent

Less than 15%

15.7%

20% to 24.9%

20.9%

15.0% to 19.9% 25% to 29.9% 30% to 34.9% 35% or more

Not computed

A-6

51.0%

33.5%

4.1%

19.4%

39.5%

0.3%

1.2%

0.2%

0.9%

4.8%

8.9%

$437

$569

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey

$100,000 to $149,999

Source: American Community Survey

5.5%

VALUE (FOR HOMES WITH MORTGAGES)

$50,000 to $99,999

GROSS RENT AS PERCENTAGE OF INCOME

Avg. 2008-2010

2000

Avg. 20082010

2000

70.2%

32.8%

48.0%

2.8%

49.8%

10.4%

15.8%

0.5%

4.5%

1.3%

9.3% 6.8%

0.0%

0.2%

25.7% 0.8%

0.1% $38,700

1.1%

2.4%

$63,300

$83,800

SELECTED MONTHLY OWNER COSTS Source: American Community Survey

Selected Monthly Owner Costs as Percent a Percentage of Household Income

7.3%

Less than 20%

44.8%

11.3%

25% to 29.9%

11.3%

6.9%

37.9% 8.9%

20% to 24.9% 30% to 34.9% 35% or more

Not computed

MSA Professional Services, Inc.

17.4%

15.2% 3.6%

25.0% 0.0%

0.3%


APPENDIX A COMMUNITY INDICATORS

Housing Programs Neighborhood Stabilization Program In April 2010, the City of Burlington received federal funds to purchase, rehab, and sell foreclosed or blighted homes to income-qualified persons at no profit. The program is offered to individuals making less than 120% of the Average Median Income (AMI) for Des Moines County, although some properties are required to be sold to individuals making less than 50% AMI.

HOME Grant Christian Action, in partnership with the Burlington Housing Partnership, Low Rent Housing of Burlington and the City of Burlington, was awarded a federal Homeownership Assistance Program (HOME) grant in 2008 for $288,189 to assist eleven first time home buyers in purchasing and rehabilitating their homes. The City of Burlington also received state HOME grants in 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2009.

Pride of the Community Pride of the Community is a City-wide program that “recognizes residents for the high level of maintenance and/or improvements to their property.� This program encourages homeowners to increase curb appeal of their properties, thereby beautifying the surrounding neighborhood and the city as a whole. The program accepts nominations year round and residents that receive an award are recognized at a City Council meeting and are given a temporary sign to display in their yard.

A-7


A.3

MOBILITY & TRANSPORTATION

Commuting Approximately 56% of the City’s commuters age 16 or older work within the City. Most of the workers are employed within Des Moines County. The percentage of those who work out of state is relatively low and is most likely due to the close proximity of Illinois.

Commuting to Work, COMMUTING METHODSMethods TO WORK, 2005-2009 AVG Source: American Community Survey (2008-2010 Avg.)

These commuters, on average, have a travel time to work of 13.4 minutes, which is slightly less than the County (16.2 minutes) and State as a whole (18.6 minutes). A large percentage of Burlington workers have a commute that is less than 15 minutes. These times suggest most residents work in the City or in nearby areas. Commuting in Burlington is mostly done by car, with 79.7% of commuters traveling in a single occupant vehicle. This number is similar for Des Moines County (81.2%) and Iowa (78.7%). Only 1.4% of commuters in Burlington utilize public transportation (which includes taxis).

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

Iowa

100.0%

*error exceeds 10% for all City estimates except Single Occupancy

Des Moines County Burlington

COMMUTING TIME TO WORK, 2005-2009 AVG

Source: American Community Survey Commuting Time to Work (2008-2010 Avg.) 35.0%

30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0%

Less than 10 minutes

10-14

15-19

20-24

25-29

Burlington

30-34

35-39

45-59

60 or more

*error exceeds 10% for all City estimates

Des Moines County Iowa

PERCENTAGE OF RESIDENTS COMMUTSource: American Community Survey

City of Burlington 86.4%

85.5%

Within the City

57.5%

---

Outside the City

42.5%

---

11.7%

12.5%

Within Des Moines County

Outside of County, Within State Outside of State

A-8

Des Moines County

MSA Professional Services, Inc.

1.9%

2.0%


APPENDIX A COMMUNITY INDICATORS

Major Modes of Travel Aviation Service Southeast Iowa Regional Airport, located in Burlington, serves Southeast Iowa, West-Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri. Services include commercial airline service from Air Choice One, a full service FBO in Jet Air, Inc. and Avis rental car agency. The airport, in various iterations, has been operating since 1929, and is subsidized by the Essential Air Service. It is the only commercial airport in a 75-mile radius with daily service to St. Louis and Chicago.

Railroad Service Freight rail runs through the City on several different lines: the BNSF Railway Co, the Burlington Junction Railway Co., and the Norfolk and Southern Railway Co. Passenger rail is provided by Amtrak. A waiting room only station is located at 300 S. Main St. The nearest station with ticket office hours is located in Fort Madison, 17.7 miles southwest.

Intercity Bus Service Burlington is served by two private intercity bus services. Burlington Trailways and Greyhound Lines each operate from the Burlington Trailways facility at 906 Broadway in West Burlington.

The 2012-2016 Iowa Transportation Improvement Plan identifies two road management projects in Burlington: annual washing and rehabilitation for the Great River Bridge, and equipment for use in the Living Roadways Program.

The 2012-2016 Iowa Transportation Improvement Plan also identifies several non-road management projects including rehabilitation of airport hangars, expanded medical shuttle services, and sidewalk extensions for Blackhawk Elementary School.

Iowa DOT provides highway traffic volumes for selected roads and streets in all communities every 4 years (collected as AADT-Average Annual Daily Traffic). See the Transportation Facilities Map for the AADT along state and county highways in the City.

Mississippi River The Mississippi River at Burlington is utilized by freight barges and passenger boats. While the historic Port of Burlington only functions as a visitor’s center, several private companies own elevator docks in Burlington, including ADM/ Growmark and Burlington River Terminal, Inc. Commodities stored and transferred at the docks include corn, beans, wheat, soybean, fertilizer, steel, and precast concrete.

Trucking Service Freight is trucked through the City of Burlington on Highways 61 and 34. Both routes average daily truck traffic count of 500 or more.

Road Management All federal, state, county, and local roads are classified into categories under the “Roadway Functional Classification System” based upon the type of service they provide (see map on the next page for road classifications in the Plan Area). Source: Iowa Department of Transportation

A-9


Feet

MOBILITY & TRANSPORTATION Sulliv

a

h

0

4,200

8,400

Des Moines County, Iowa

Map ationTransportation Facilities

City of Burlington

MAP-4

Legend

002-10) Count

S

County Boundary Functional Classification

City of Burlington

Railroads

Principal Arterial

City of West Burlington

Streams

Minor Arterial

Lakes & Rivers

Collector

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA

B

ran

Local Roads

61

Flint

C re e k

% Change (2002-10) 2010 Traffic Count

ch

Drafted - LSR, Date - 10-08-12, File - p:/12954001

X60

X40

Ho

n ey

Cr

ee

k

3.1% 4,670

-12.8% 12,900

0.7% 15,200

-10.5% 4,920

-10.8% 17,400

34

34

-9.3% 9,700

-5.6% 13,600

-9.6% 3,760

Illinois

C reek 0.7% 4,700

er

S prin g

-11.4% 14,000

8.7% 2,510

B ru

sh

C ree

X62

k 61

15.1% 1,680

83.5% 1,560

Sulliv

A-10

an

gh Slou

Feet 0

4,200

8,400

City of Burlington MSA Professional Services, Inc. Des Moines County, Iowa

Transportation Facilities

Planning Area City of Burlington City of West Burlington

D ry

Planning Area

Transportation Facilities

M is sis s ip pi Ri v

on

A.3

ug n Slo


APPENDIX A COMMUNITY INDICATORS

Bike, Pedestrian & Transit Travel Sidewalks, Trails, & Routes

Transit Service

Pedestrians and bicyclists use a combination of roadways, sidewalks, and off-street trails. The City has a designated bike route creating a loop around the City comprised of off street trails and signage to designate on-street segments. Currently, there are no on-street bike lanes in the City.

Burlington and West Burlington local transit needs are met primarily by Burlington Urban Service (BUS), which operates 12 buses. BUS provides service through a combination of fixed routes and schedules (7-9 am) and fixed-route demand response service (9:00 am to 5:15 pm). All 12 buses are handicap-accessible (ramp or lift), and curb-to-curb paratransit service is available for handicapped and elderly residents needing such assistance.

Long distance regional trails exist in various stages of completion in the Burlington area. The Flint River Trail, set to be completed in 2015, will be 20 miles long, connecting downtown Burlington to Big Hollow Recreation Center. The Hoover Nature Trail (part of the American Discovery Trail) will begin at Burlington Memorial Auditorium and end in Cedar Rapids, IA. When completed, the trail will span six counties. Segments of the trail are in various stages of construction. The Mississippi River Trail also runs through the City for approximately 5.5 miles.

Regional transit needs are met by Southeast Iowa Bus (SEIBUS), which provides intercity transit to Columbus Junction, Grandview, Wapello, Morning Sun, Mediapolis, Fort Madison, Keokuk, and Mount Pleasant. SEIBUS also runs a medical shuttle service to Iowa City hospitals on Tuesdays and Thursdays. SEIBUS buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts, and, like Burlington Urban Service, SEIBUS offers curb-to-curb paratransit service as needed to destinations outside Burlington.

BURLINGTON URBAN SERVICE (BUS) VEHICLE Source: City of Burlington BUS Brochure

A-11


A.3

MOBILITY & TRANSPORTATION

Transit Map

Source: City of Burlington

A-12

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX A S e c t i o n I V : E x i s t i n g T r a n s p o r t a t i o n COMMUNITY S y s t e m I n v eINDICATORS ntory Figure Map 4.17: Region 16 Existing, Planned, and Proposed Trails Trails Source: SEIRPC 2026 Long Range Transportation Plan

SEIRPC 2026 Long Range Transportation Plan

42

A-13


A.4

ECONOMIC PROSPERITY

Education & Income

Burlington

1990 HS Grad

Some College

Bachelor's Degree

37.5%

34.6%

7.2%

8.3%

9.0%

22.2%

27.4%

5.7%

5.7%

10.3%

3.8%

12.3%

High School Grad or Higher

78.0%

84.0%

Some College

19.4%

21.9%

39.3%

25.8%

8.2%

8.7%

10.7%

9.9%

12.7%

High School Grad or Higher

79.0%

85.8%

90.4%

Some College

20.0%

21.4%

22.1%

Bachelor's Degree

11.1%

14.7%

17.2%

High School Grad or Higher

80.6%

86.1%

90.3%

HS Grad

39.8%

Associate Degree

8.2%

Bachelor's Degree

Graduate/Prof. Degree

3.5%

HS Grad

5.2%

37.3%

Associate Degree

36.1%

7.7%

Graduate/Prof. Degree

7.4%

4.5%

INCOME TRENDS

6.5%

89.0%

36.5%

5.5%

33.6% 9.9%

7.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey

1990

Iowa

Per Capita

Median Family

Median Household

2000

Avg.20082010

$12,025

$19,450

$50,073

$25,105

$40,912

$38,336

$30,905

$23,179

13.7%

$33,770 12.6%

14.5%

Per Capita

$12,246

$19,701

$23,115

Median Household

$26,536

$41,158

11.3%

$36,790

Per Capita

Median Household

Below Poverty

Median Family

Below Poverty

Median Family

Below Poverty

A-14

2000

9.0%

Graduate/Prof. Degree

Avg. 20082010

38.7% 19.3%

Associate Degree

Des Moines Burlington County

The City also has a relatively high percentage of individuals living below the poverty level. In the City, 14.5% of the population is below the poverty level, compared to 13% in the County, and 11.9% in Iowa. The Census Bureau uses a set of income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to detect who is poor. If the total income for a family or unrelated individual falls below the relevant poverty threshold, then the family or unrelated individual is classified as being “below the poverty level”.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey

Des Moines County

As with education levels, Burlington’s median and per capita income levels are also lower than the county and state. Median household income in Burlington is $38,336 compared to Des Moines County’s $41,157 and Iowa’s $48,827.

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

Iowa

Education attainment can provide valuable insight into the existing labor force, including availability of skilled and professional workers and demand for training opportunities. The percentage of Burlington residents 25 years or older who have at least a high school diploma (89%) is slightly lower than Des Moines County and Iowa (90.4% and 90.3%, respectively). The percentage of residents who have obtained a bachelor’s degree is also lower (12.3%) compared to the county (12.7%) and state (17.2%). This may indicate a need for additional vocational and adult learning programs.

MSA Professional Services, Inc.

$45,089

$54,161

10.7%

13.0%

$12,422

$19,674

$25,357

$26,229

$39,469

$48,827

$32,097

$31,659 11.5%

$48,005

$61,724

9.1%

11.9%


APPENDIX A COMMUNITY INDICATORS

Existing Labor Force EMPLOYMENT STATUS

A community’s labor force includes all people over the age of 16 classified as employed or unemployed as well as members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Those not included in the labor force include students, homemakers, retired workers, seasonal workers not currently looking for work, institutionalized people, and those doing only incidental unpaid family work.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey

City of Burlington In Labor Force (2000)

Unemployment Rate

In Labor Force (2010)

Unemployment Rate

Burlington’s labor force overall is similar to that of Des Moines County and Iowa. •

13,719 4.1%

---

---

City of Burlington Private Wage & Salary Government Worker Self-Employed

Des Moines County INDUSTRY, 2005-2009 AVG

1,670,300

2.8%

7.5%

6.2%

Iowa

84.6%

78.7%

10.3%

11.2%

14.1%

0.0%

0.0%

0.2%

7.0%

4.2%

Source: American Burlington Community Survey Public Administration Other Services

Arts, Entertainment

Education, Health, Social Prof, Scientific, Admin

Iowa

Real Estate, Finance

Des Moines County

Transp, Warehousing & Utilities Retail Trade

Burlington

Wholesale Trade

Public Administration

Manufacturing

Occupations OCCUPATIONS, 2005-2009 AVGAvg.) (2008-2010

Other Services

Construction

Source: American Community Survey

Ag/Forestry/Mining

0.0%

5.0%

*error exceeds 10% for all

Burlington City estimates Des Moines County

*error exceeds 10% for all City values

20,960

3.7%

86.2%

Industry (2008-2010Avg.)

Iowa

The largest industries in the City include Educational, Health & Social Services (23.7%), Manufacturing (14.7%), and Retail Trade (11.5%).

Sales & Office

1,556,581

Des Moines County

3.5%

Unpaid Family Worker

Occupations in Burlington are relatively evenly split between “Management, Professional & Related”, “Service”, “Sales & Office”, and “Production, Transportation and Materials Moving”.

Service

22,163

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey

The vast majority (86.2%) of workers in Burlington earn a private wage and salary, similar to Des Moines County at 84.6% and Iowa at 78.7%.

Mngmt, Prof, & Related

Iowa

CLASS OF WORKER

Over the last decade the unemployment rate doubled for the County and State. Even though there is no data at the municipal-level, it is likely this increase has also occurred in the City.

40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0%

Des Moines County

Iowa

Natural Res, Prod, Trans, Construction & Mat. Moving

Industry (2008-2010Avg.)

Iowa

Des Moines County Burlington

Public Administration Other Services

Arts, Entertainment

Education, Health, Social

10.0%

15.0%

Arts, Entertainment

Education,25.0% Health, Socia 20.0%

Prof, Scientific, Admin

Real Estate, Finance

Transp, Warehousing & Utilities

Retail Trade

Wholesale Trade

Manufacturing

Construction

Ag/Forestry/Mining

0

*error exceeds 10% for all City estimates

A-15


A.4

ECONOMIC PROSPERITY

Labor Projections Iowa Workforce Development develops occupation projections by region. Region 16 includes Des Moines, Henry, Lee and Louisa Counties. Statewide, the fastest growing occupation is Network Systems/data Communications Analysts. In Region 16, the top growing occupation is Pharmacy Technicians. Healthcare jobs in general are also growing rapidly, both regionally and statewide.

FASTEST GROWING OCCUPATIONS IN REGION 16

Source: Iowa Workforce Development, labor Market & Workforce Information Division

SOC Code

Occupation

29-2052

Pharmacy Technicians

29-1111

13-2011

15-0000

31-1012

53-3032

29-2061

25-2021

25-2022

47-2061

23-0000

53-7051

49-3023

49-9041

27-0000

35-2012

35-3021

19-0000

47-2031

47-2111

43-9061

35-9021

21-0000

13-1079

49-9042

A-16

SC Iowa 2008

SC Iowa 2018

Percent Change

155

200

29.0%

Registered Nurses

1225

1485

21.2%

Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor Trailer

1550

1830

Accountants and Auditors

275

Computer and Mathematical Occupations Nursing Aides, Orderlies and Attendants

Licenses Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Ed

Middle School Teachers, Except Special/Vocational Construction Laborers Legal Occupations

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports & Media Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

Combined Food Preparation & Serving Workers Life, Physical and Social Science Occupations Carpenters

Electricians

360

860

325

865

215

435

265

520

325

330

640

215

Dishwashers

Community and Social Service Occupations

Human Resources, Training and Labor Relations

Maintenance and Repair Workers

430

1020

380

995

245

495

300

585

365

370

715

240

960

1070

700

775

280

280

Office Clerks, General

335

310

310

1150

1265

885

970

200

495

900

MSA Professional Services, Inc.

220

540

980

21.8%

19.4%

18.6%

18.1%

16.9%

15.0%

14.0%

13.8%

13.2%

12.5%

12.3%

12.1%

11.7%

11.6%

11.5%

10.7%

10.7%

10.7%

10.0%

10.0%

9.6%

9.1%

8.9%


APPENDIX A COMMUNITY INDICATORS

Business & Industry Industrial Sites Burlington has an abundance of land available for business development and redevelopment. Flint Ridge Business Park, located at 3800 Division Street includes 50 parcels with over 143 acres of industrial, commercial, service and recreational businesses. In addition to Flint Ridge, there are several individual industrial, commercial and office sites available throughout Burlington. For a complete, current listing, please visit the Greater Burlington Partnership at www.growburlington. com. Major Employers The largest employer in the Burlington Area is Great River Medical Center, with approximately 1800 employees. Other major employers include several large manufacturing operations. According to the Greater Burlington Partnership, there are 65 manufacturing plants in Des Moines County, totaling 4,319 employees or approximately 20% of the county’s labor force.

INDUSTRIAL/BUSINESS PARKS Source: Greater Burlington Partnership

Community

Total Land

Available Land

Percent Available

Burlington

266

133

50%

TOTAL

326

133

41%

West Burlington

60

0

0%

MAJOR EMPLOYERS & MANUFACTURERS, 2010 Source: Greater Burlington Partnership

Employer Great River Medical Center

American Ordinance- IAAAP

Lance Private Brand, Inc

Federal Mogul

Case New Holland

Winegard Company

General Electric

Product/Service

Approx. Employment

Health Care

1780

Baked goods

650

Ammunition, warheads

Spark plugs

Construction equipment

Satellite dishes

Metal switch gear

650

355

355

310

200

U.S. Gypsum Gypsum products Hope Haven Area Development Center Human development

200

Hawkeye Pedershaab

125

Dresser-Rand

Turbines

Concrete technologies

190

141

A-17


A.4

ECONOMIC PROSPERITY Site Map

Retail Gap Analysis

Washington St and N 4th St, Burlington, IA, 52601 Washington St & N 4th St, Burlington, IA, 52601 Drivetime: 5, 10, 40 Minutes

Latitude: 40.81105 Longitude: -91.10356

The retail and food & drink segments of the local economy can be quickly evaluated in terms of supply and demand. We can estimate the demand for various goods and services based on population and income data in a given area, and the supply of those goods and services in the same area. Gaps between demand and supply may indicate opportunities for business growth in Burlington. The map at right shows three analysis areas –drive times from downtown Burlington. These areas roughly correspond to the City of Burlington by itself (5 minute drive time), the Burlington/West Burlington area as a whole (10 minute drive time), and the wider market area in which Burlington/ West Burlington is the dominant economic center (40 minute drive time). There is a net surplus of supply in all three geographic market areas when considering the Retail Trade and Food & Drink “industries” as a whole. The City of Burlington has a total surplus of 3.7%, comparing retail sales to retail potential, the Burlington/West Burlington area has a surplus of 17.2% (reflecting retail growth west along the highway into West Burlington), and the 40-minute market area has a surplus of 4.4%. But, as revealed by the leakage/surplus graphic on the opposite page, there is apparent opportunity for growth in certain sectors. There is a gap between supply and demand in the wider market area, most notably in Clothing Stores, and Specialty Food Stores.

Drive Time 5 Minute 10 Minute 40 Minute

for those purchases. Along similar trend lines, the apparent demand for Electronic Shopping & Mail-Order Houses is likely being met via major online retailers (e.g. Amazon.com) with data centers and logistics facilities located in larger economic centers. The most significant opportunity, or gap, based on the data is Beer, Wine, and Liquor stores, but this finding likely reflects the factDecember that 20, 2011 Made with Esri Business Analyst 800-447-9778 Try it Now! grocery stores sell a greatwww.esri.com/ba deal of these products in Iowa. ©2011 Esri

Page 1 of 1

While each retailer must and will evaluate the local market opportunity using their own criteria, there is reason to look more closely for opportunity in the following retail segments:

Some of the data requires skepticism, for example the apparent demand for Book, Periodical, and Music Stores does not account for the recent shift away from storefront retailers to online merchants

• •

SUMMARY DEMOGRAPHICS FOR ANALYSIS ZONES

Source: ESRI Business Analyst Online

City of Burlington

10 minute Drive Time

40 minute Drive Time

Populaiton

25,456

30,506

92,296

Households

10,746

13,038

37,097

Median Disposable Income

$35,070

$35,070

$35,070

Per Capita Income

$23,301

$23,301

$23,301

A-18

MSA Professional Services, Inc.

• • • •

Clothing Stores Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supply Stores Other Motor Vehicle Dealers Specialty Food Stores Office Supplies, Stationary, and Gift Stores Building Material and Supplies dealers


APPENDIX A COMMUNITY INDICATORS INDUSTRY SUMMARY COMPARISON Source: ESRI Business Analyst Online

40 minute Drive Time

10 minute Drive Time

City of Burlington

Total Retail Trade and Food & Drink Demand (Retail Potential)

Supply (Retail Sales)

Retail Gap

$

$

Leakage/Surplus Factor

Number of Businesses

Demand (Retail Potential)

Supply (Retail Sales)

Retail Gap

Demand (Retail Potential)

Supply (Retail Sales)

Retail Gap

Leakage/Surplus Factor Number of Businesses

-$17,149,640

$

$

-3.7

$

$

Leakage/Surplus Factor

Number of Businesses

223,027,430

240,177,070

Total Retail Trade

242

278,310,654

394,123,971

-$115,813,317

$ $

797,425,017

870,564,699

-$73,139,682

-4.4

863

$8,371,994

$

32,281,362

$

57,802,996

-$25,521,634

2.2

$

$

-17.2 328

190,746,068

182,374,074

Total Food & Drink

160

238,254,322

326,909,203

-$88,654,881

-28.3

82

$

40,056,332

$

67,214,768

-$27,158,436

-15.7

$

$

234

689,866,508

755,250,796

-$65,384,288

-25.3

$

$

95

107,558,509

115,313,903

-4.5

622

-$7,755,394

-3.5

240

LEAKAGE/SURPLUS FACTOR FOR 40 MINUTE DRIVE TIME Source: ESRI Business Analyst Online

A-19


A.4

ECONOMIC PROSPERITY

Development Tools The City of Burlington employs several tools to support economic development within the City. Tax Increment Financing Districts Tax Increment Financing Districts (TIDs) are created for the purpose of funding capital improvement projects using Tax Increment Financing (TIF). TIF is a method of public financing that enables the City to fund projects that would otherwise not occur, such as street resurfacing or reconstruction, sanitary or storm sewer, or streetscaping (sidewalks, street trees, street lights, etc.). Tax increment financing is sometimes used to fund aspects of private development projects that advance city planning goals. All TIF expenditures should directly or indirectly contribute to growth of the tax base, as it is the tax revenue from this growth that pays for the expenditures. There are three Tax Increment Financing Districts in Burlington: The Bottoms TIF District, The Flint Hills TIF District and The Downtown TIF District.

A-20

Enterprise Zones Enterprise Zones are economically depressed areas in which state and/or local tax benefits are available to businesses and developers that make new investments, create or retain jobs and build or rehabilitate housing in those areas. Businesses locating or expanding in an Enterprise Zone may receive property tax exemptions, funding for employee training, sales tax refunds, Iowa income tax credits, or other tax incentives. Self Supported Municipal Improvement District The Downtown Burlington Self Supported Municipal Improvement District (DBSSMID) was established to implement the Burlington Downtown Revitalization Plan. These districts are authorized under Iowa Code Chapter 386, which allows cities to use taxes levied in that district for the purpose of paying maintenance expenses of improvements or self-liquidating improvements. These districts can only be formed in contiguous commercial/industrial areas and historic districts and must be approved by 25% of the property owners within the district (representing at least 25% of assessed value).

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX A COMMUNITY INDICATORS

A-21


A.5

AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES

Physiography & Open Space Physiography

Soils

Burlington is located in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, along the Mississippi River in a drainage valley formed by two ridges in the glacial till plains of Des Moines County. Toward the east overlooking the Mississippi River are limestone bluffs with vertical drops ranging between 50 and 120 feet. These ridges come together and form rolling hills stretching to the river front.

The soils in Des Moines County include: loam, silty loam, and silty clay loam. The most prominent soil associations are the Mahaska-Taintor and Clinton-Lindley Associations.

Agricultural Land and Open Space There is approximately 11,480 acres of agricultural land and open space in the planning area. This is approximately 42.6% of the land.

A-22

•

The Mahaska-Tanitor soils are nearly level, somewhat poorly drained, silty soils on uplands.

•

The Clinton-Lindley soils are gently sloping to very steep, moderately well drained, loamy and silty soils on uplands and high stream benched.

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX A COMMUNITY INDICATORS

Water Resources Surface Water

Ground Water

Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act Groundwater is a critical resource, not only because it requires2010 states to Impaired develop a list ofWaters impaired waters, is used as a source of Region drinking water, but also because in Iowa South East commonly referred to as the “303(d) list.” This list rivers, streams, and other surface water depends on it 29 § ¨ ¦ identifies waters that are not meeting water quality for recharge. Groundwater contamination is most likely Impaired and TMDL needed (303(d) list) (Category 5) standards, including both completed water quality criteria (Category to occur Impaired; TMDL and approved 4a)where fractured bedrock is near the ground for specificOther substances or the designated uses, surface, or where only a thin layer of soil separates the Impairments; TMDL not needed (Category 4c, 4d) and is used as the basis for development of Total ground surface from the water table. Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). Susceptibility to groundwater contamination is 380 JACKSON 218 § ¨ ¦ £ ¤ 151 The following graphic shows waters that are on the determined based on fiveJONES physical resource characteristics: Maquoketa £ ¤ Marion Section 303(d) list. Purple indicatesBENTON that TMDLs bedrock depth, bedrock type, soil characteristics, LINN are still neededTAMA and brown indicates that TMDLs superficial deposits, and water table depth. Groundwater 30 £ Cedar Rapids ¤ Wapsipinicon Riverand nonare not needed. can be contaminated through both point 71 CLINTO £ ¤ point source pollution (NPS). The most common NPS 151 218 De Witt construction) and £ £ £ 30 ¤ pollutants ¤ are sediment (erosion, Hannon Lake CEDAR ¤ Brophy Price Creek Lake MacBride Iowa River nutrients (farming, lawn care). Cedar River Wapsipinicon River Watersheds

£ ¤ 63

North Liberty

The City is£ located along the banks of Kent Park Lake 380 6 6of Burlington 6-63 ¤ £ £ ¤ ¤ § ¨ ¦ 151 £ ¤ the Mississippi River – one of our Country’s greatest Muddy Creek 80 § ¨ ¦ IOWA River POWESHIEK JOHNSON resources. The City lies within the Mississippi Iowa Lake Old Mans Creek drainage basin and Flint-Henderson Subbasin. The City is in the following watersheds: Picayune Creek

Coralville Reservoir Iowa River

Lower Duck Creek

Mississippi River – Duck Creek

Crow MAHASKA Creek – Mississippi River KEOKUK

West Fork Crooked Creek

Ph

Duck Creek

Lake of the Hills

Pike Run

Davenport

MUSCATINE

£ ¤

Muscatine

218

Honey Creek

IMPAIRED WATERSKlum Lake

Source: Iowa Department of Natural Resources Unnamed Tributary to Short Creek

South Skunk River

63

Goose

Washington

Source: Iowa Department of Natural Resources

£ ¤

Candleligh

Sugar Creek

Short Creek

FLINT-HENDERSON SUBBASINNorth Skunk River

Robin Creek Silver Creek

Mud Creek

Iowa River

WASHINGTON

SCOTT

Ralston Creek

English River

Coal Creek

61

Iowa City

Unnamed Trib to Picayune Creek

£ ¤

Unnamed Tributary West Branch Wapsinonoc Creek (aka Hoover Cr.)

LOUISA

Lake Darling

Otter Creek Unnamed Trib to Unnamed Trib to Richland Creek East Fork Crooked Creek

Ottumwa

Sugar Creek Crow Creek

WAPELLO

Fairfield Municipal Reservoir #2

JEFFERSON Fairfield

Greater Ottumwa Central Park Ponds

Allen Green Refuge Marsh Big Creek

Walton Reservoir

HENRY

DES MOINES

Saunders Branch Flint Creek

Illino

Cottonwood Drain

£ ¤ 61

Soap Creek Cedar Creek

Geode Lake

Burlington

VAN BUREN

Des Moines River

Fox River

DAVIS Mississippi River Indian Lake

North Fabius River

Missouri

LEE Fort Madison

£ ¤ £ ¤

61-218

61

A-23


SU

A.5

AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES Sulliv

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Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington Development Limitations Map Development Limitations

MAP-5

Legend Planning Area

Parcels

Streams Soils Slope - Weighted Average

County Boundary

Roads

Wetlands

City of Burlington

Railroads

City of West Burlington

Lakes & Rivers

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA

0 - 12%

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102ND AV

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SUMME R ST

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AV CENT RAL

MAY AV

LEEBRICK ST

STARR AV STARR AV

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4TH ST

VOGT ST

CURRAN ST

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FRA N K LUCAS AV

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DES MOINES AV

AMELIA ST

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WIL LOW AV

G AU

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AGENCY ST

RD

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WEST AVENUE RD

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AV

KIRKWOOD ST

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RIDG E ROW

KR

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9 C9

AR LP

SU NN

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MT PLEASANT ST

LAYNE DR

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RD

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NK

107TH ST

115TH ST

FLORENCE AV

MO

PL A

RD

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ME

IRIS H

KIOWA RD

91ST AV

RIDG

115TH ST

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TA M

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X40

GU

D

RO

15TH ST

61

LYNNWOOD DR

ON AV

Mis

60TH ST

GLENMARK DR

PRIVATE DR

X62 AV

50TH ST

SULLIVAN SLOUGH RD

109TH AV

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Sulliv

City of Burlington A-24

ippi R iv er

ST

T KS S

siss

TH 60

BR OO

MADIS

HA

SK E

115TH ST

HUNT RD

eek

108TH AV

Cr

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65TH ST

Bru sh

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Des Moines County, Iowa

Professional Services, Inc. DevelopmentMSA Limitations

MAP-5


APPENDIX A COMMUNITY INDICATORS

Natural Resources Iowa State Preserves There are five categories of preserves which exist in the State of Iowa. Some designated areas qualify for preserve status in more than one category. 1. Natural Preserves highlight the State’s outstanding biological features. 2. Geological Preserves highlight Iowa’s ancient past. 3. Archaeological Preserves provide a glimpse of the original inhabitants. 4. Historical Preserves include significant structures or objects associated with early Euro-American occupation. 5. Scenic Preserves are areas which highlight the natural beauty of Iowa. The preserves are often open to hiking and photography, and many of the preserves are also Wildlife Management Areas. •

Starr’s Cave State Preserve is a 184 acre preserve located in Burlington. The Preserve consists of rugged, semi-forested landscape and Starr’s Cave, a long narrow cavern within the bluff along the north side of Flint Creek Valley.

Malchow Mounds State Preserve is located in Des Moines County 13 miles north of Burlington. This 6 acres Preserve consists of 60 Middle Woodland period mounds.

RARE SPECIES

Source: Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Group

Number of Species

Amphibians

1

Fish

3

Birds

Freshwater Mussels Mammals

2 6 1

Plants

37

TOTAL

53

Reptiles

3

Wildlife Management Areas The Iowa DNR Wildlife Bureau manages over 356,000 acres of land that is available for public recreational use every day of the year. These wildlife management areas provide habitat for Iowa’s native wildlife species and those species which migrate through the state. The primary objective of these areas is to ensure that wildlife species have a safe place to breed, rest, and feed, though there are also passive recreational opportunities at these areas. There are no Wildlife Management Areas in the City; however, there are two in Des Moines County. The closest of these is Blackhawk Bottoms, located along Hwy 61 four miles south of Burlington.

Sustainability Cirlces Beginning in June 2011, Burlington took part in a six-month journey to increase the sustainability and profitability of local enterprises through the Sustainable Circle process. This process was led by True Market Solutions and was paid for in part by a grant from the Iowa Power Fund. Several businesses and organizations participated in the Circles including Hope Haven, Iowa State Bank, Southeastern Community College, the City of Burlington, Matt’s Greenhouse, and the Burlington School System. The Circles focus on six “ingredients” for sustainability and success: 1. TMS Circle Leaders coach and facilitate incorporation of sustainability into the business models of each participant 2. Each participant receives a suite of tools to create customized sustainability and profit improvement Action Plans 3. Relevancy of Circles are increased through locallyspecific expertise 4. Local expertise is supplemented by world leading expertise 5. Participants gain the ability to implement best and next practices 6. Circles provide affordable, “high-touch”, peer community-building propositions for small and medium enterprises

A-25


A.6

COMMUNITY FACILITIES & SERVICES iv e

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Feet

2,800

5,600

Mi

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Community Facilities Map mmunity Facilities

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D

City of Burlington

re e k

City of West Burlington County Boundary

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Government Building

Roads

X60

Br

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Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA

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Riverwalk Park

North Hill Park Burlington Public Library

34

Nancy Neafie Park

34

Burlington Public Works

Burlington

Burlington City Hall

Clark Fieldhouse

Fire Department

South Hill Park

Burlington Regional Rec Complex

Kersch Park

Corse Elementary School

Notre Dame Catholic School

Perkins Park

Edward Stone Middle School

Fire Station #2

Illinois

DeEdwin and Gladys White Memorial Park

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Burlington Parks and Rec

61

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Dankwardt Park

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iv e

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City of Burlington A-26

Des Moines County, Iowa

MSA Professional Services, Inc. Community Facilities

MAP-2


APPENDIX A COMMUNITY INDICATORS

General Facilities Health Care Facilities

School & College Facilities

The City of Burlington is served by the Great River Medical Center, located in West Burlington. This 378 bed facility is continually expanding and adding new medical specialties to its inventory. Current specialties include Internal Medicine, Family Practice, and Orthopedic. In addition, there are 34 health care and medical service clinics located within the City of Burlington, including the Burlington Medical Center.

The City is served by the Burlington Public School District, Burlington Notre Dame, and the Great River Christian School. The Burlington Public School District is a K-12 public school system of 4,300 students. The district operates five elementary schools, two junior high schools, and two high schools. Burlington Notre Dame is a K-12 private, Catholic institution of 330 students. The students are housed in two buildings.

There are three assisted living facilities in the City: Bickford Assisted Living and Memory Care, Klein Center, and SunnyBrook Assisted Living.

Burlington is also home to Southeastern Community College, with 3,500 registered students. While there are no four year universities in Burlington, there are several near by including:

Police & Emergency Facilities Law enforcement in the City is provided by the Burlington Police Department, located at 424 North 3rd Street. Fire protection and emergency services are provided by the Burlington Fire Department and Ambulance. The Department consists of 49 firefighters and is funded through the fire equipment/ truck fund. The fire department has two stations: • Fire Department: 418 Valley Street •

Fire Station #2: 2223 Summer Street

Cemeteries There are three cemeteries located within the City of Burlington. •

Aspen Grove Cemetery - located at 2043 Sunnyside Ave

Sacred Heart Cemetery - located at Crapo Park

North Sixth Street Cemetery/ Burlington Roman Catholic Cemetery - located at North 6th St and Rorer Ave

Library Facilities

• University of Iowa - located 75 miles northwest in Iowa City, this major state university enrolls over 30,000 students. • Iowa Wesleyan - a private liberal arts institution located in Mt. Pleasant (30 miles northwest), enrolls approximately 850 students. • Western Illinois University - located 50 miles southeast of Burlington in Macomb, IL enrolls 13,600 students. • Monmouth College - an exclusively undergraduate institution, is located 30 miles northeast in Monmouth, IL.

Other Government Facilities •

City Hall was built in 1923 and is located at 400 Washington St.

Burlington Public Works is located at 3510 Division Street.

Burlington Parks and Recreation is located at 704 Dankwardt Drive.

Burlington is serviced by the Burlington Public Library, located at 210 Court Street. The library has existed in some capacity since 1868. The first dedicated library structure was built between 1896 and 1898. The current building opened in 2006.

A-27


° COMMUNITY FACILITIES & SERVICES " )

A.6

X62

Feet

0

2,800

5,600

Des Moines County, Iowa

of Burlington

Parkland Service Area Map Areas MAP-# rk Facility Walkable Service Dr y

County Boundary

Community Playfield Service Area (1 MI) Village Parks - Walkable Service Area (1/4 MI) School Property - Walkable Service Area (1/4 MI)

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Br The National a n Sources: Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) ch Data - County Base recommends 6-12 total acres of parks or recreation - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA space per 1,000 people within a community. NRPA also defines park and open space types, including desirable size, service area, and total acres needed to service a community.

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City of Burlington A-28

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Des Moines County, Iowa MSA Professional Services, Inc.

Park Facility Walkable Service Areas MAP-#


APPENDIX A COMMUNITY INDICATORS

Parks & Recreation In total, the City has approximately 196 acres of parkland. Based on the National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) standards, the City currently has a surplus of 42 acres using the standard of six acres per 1000 people. Assuming the population projections are correct and the City doesn’t add additional parkland, the City will have a surplus of 54 acres by year 2030. Although the total acreage is an easy indicator that a community has met its recreation and parkland needs, it is not the only indicator. Access to parkland is also an important indicator. Generally speaking, any park is accessible by vehicle; however, walkability is even more important, especially for children and young adults. Therefore neighborhood parks need to be within a 1/4 mile in order to service that neighborhood. As the Parkland Service Map on the previous page illustrates, there are several neighborhoods (yellow areas) lacking easy walkable access to parkland. Community parks and playfields provide a wider variety of recreational activities and, therefore, can justifiably service a larger area (one mile as shown). The following are the park spaces within the City: •

Crapo Park - This 85 acre park has four shelter houses, walking trails through the arboretum and a number of beautiful gardens, and Lake Starker.

Dankwardt Park - This 72 acre park is directly adjacent to Crapo Park and includes tennis courts, ball diamonds, and the municipal swimming pool.

DeEdwin and Gladys White Memorial Park - The 1.3 acres in this park, adjacent to the 300 block of Angular Street, offers large shade trees, basketball courts, tables, and playground equipment.

Kersch Park - This pocket park located in the 500 block of South Sixth Street includes picnic tables, playground equipment, and a basketball court.

Mosquito Park - This park is located at the junction of North Third and Franklin Streets offering a spectacular view of the Mississippi River as it flows into the Burlington area.

Nancy Neafie Park - Dedicated to the memory of the first female mayor of Burlington, this park occupies the corner of Sixth and Jefferson Streets, one block south of Snake Alley.

PARKLAND NEEDS FORECAST, 2010-2030 Source: 2010 Census, MSA Predictions

2010 Population

Demand (6 acres/1,000)

Demand (12 acres/1,000)

Total Supply

Surplus/Deficit (6 acres/1,000)

25,663

154.0

308.0

196.1

42.1

2020 24,647

147.9

295.8

196.1

48.2

North Hill Park - Located on North Fourth between Court and High Streets, this is one of the two original city parks. This park was the site of the first Methodist church in Iowa (founded in 1883).

Perkins Park - An 18 acre tract includes a shelter house, gazebo, playground, and several footbridges.

Riverside Park - Visitors to the riverfront can walk along the river from the south boat ramps to the welcoming gazebo at the north end of this 11 acre park.

South Hill Park - South Hill is the second originally city park and offers an outstanding view of the downtown commercial district and the river beyond.

Summer Street Park - Another of Burlington’s pocket parks, this one-half acre park is located on Summer Street between Pine and South Streets, and includes a picnic table and some playground equipment.

Sunnyside Park - Adjacent to the Sunnyside School, this 4 acre park contains three Little League ball diamonds, playground equipment, an open shelter, and picnicking amenities.

2030 23,671

142.0

284.0

196.1

54.1

Burlington Regional RecPlex The Burlington RecPlex, located at Division and South Broadway Streets, features five softball/baseball diamonds, eight regulation-sized soccer fields, four lighted sand volley ball courts, one all purpose field, six station automatic batting cages, 1.2 miles of paved walking/biking trail, a guest services/ concessions building available for rental, shaded outdoor mezzanine seating, and a Tot-Lot playground.

A-29


A.6

COMMUNITY FACILITIES & SERVICES

Utilities & Services Water Supply

Stormwater Management

Burlington Municipal Waterworks operates the potable water supply system in Burlington, with a total capacity of 15.9 million gallons (elevated storage capacity of 8.5 million gallons). The systems averages 5.2 million gallons per day and has a peak Morning Sunmillion gallons per day. demand of 11 Louisa

Stormwater management typically includes the collection and controlled release of storm runoff to P natural receiving systems, typically through detention P Winfield and/or retention facilities. The City addresses stormwater in several ordinances including: Swedesburg •

Code of Ordinances Chapter 96.07 Discharging of Storm Water Drainage

Code of Ordinances Chapter 100 Storm Water Utility System Mount Union

P

Telecommunications Facilities

P

The City of Burlington established a Storm Water Utility in 1999 which allows the City Council to assign Yarmouth P fees for stormwater management services, charged in conjunction with water services. While the City does not have a formal stormwater management system at this time, evaluation of stormwater management needs are being coupled with current and future sewer separation projects.

ount Pleasant

There are many telecommunication providers for the Burlington area. Telephone service for the City is provided by Qwest and Iowa Telecom. Cable television is provided by Mediacom. Internet services are provided by Mediacom, Qwest, and Danville Telecom. Mediapolis P

In addition, Connect Iowa (a non-profit whose goal is to create detailed maps of broadband coverage) shows that Burlington has access to cable broadband as indicated by pink on the below map. Broadband Pleasant Grove P is defined as speeds of at least 768 kbps downstream and 200 kbps upstream.

Henry

Sanitary Sewer System

All sanitary wastewater generated in the City is London treated by the BurlingtonP New Wastewater Treatment Des Moines Plant. The Burlington Wastewater Treatment Plant is BROADBAND ACCESS a secondary treatment facility located at 101 South Source: Connect Iowa Street. The plant was built in 1979 and is designed to treat a maximum wet weather flow of 18 million gallons per day (MGD). The average flow is 5.8 MGD. Currently, the City of Burlington is working with a Danville consultant and making improvements to wastewater P treatment plant which will ultimately increase the facility’s BOD capacity by 38% and its hydraulic capacity by 15%. Middletown West Burlington The City is also undergoing incremental sewer P P separation projects designed to eliminate the Burlington systems’ Combined Sewer Overflow points. P

Solid Waste & Recycling Facilities Solid waste services are provided by the City and P recycling services are provided by the Des Moines County Area Recyclers. Solid waste is disposed of at the Des Moines County Landfill. The City also Denmark provides a spring clean-up and yard waste pick-up. P Saint Paul

A-30

West Point

P

Lee

MSA Professional Services, Inc.Wever P

P

Oakville


APPENDIX A COMMUNITY INDICATORS

Renewable Energy & Conservation To manage rising energy costs, promote local economic development, and protect the natural environment, many Iowa communities are looking at renewable energy resources to meet community energy demands and grow jobs. Currently, there are no publicly-owned renewable energy systems in the City of Burlington, and there is no tracking system for privately-owned systems.

Renewable Energy Advisory Committee The Renewable Energy Advisory Committee was established to advise the City Council on programs and policies, both existing and new, with regard to renewable and alternative energy options as well as energy conservation. The committee’s 8-12 members are appointed by the Mayor and City Council for three year terms. Duties include: 1. Research renewable energy and alternative energy options and energy conservation. 2. Encourage and educate the Council and the public in regards to energy and its conservation. 3. Advise the Council in matters concerning energy and its conservation with regard to establishing and maintaining programs and policies. 4. Establish subcommittees as deemed appropriate by the Committee for a specific purpose or event. 5. Hold meetings open to the public and provide opportunity for public comment. 6. Submit the meeting agendas and minutes to the City for purpose of public record.

A-31


A.7

COMMUNITY CHARACTER

Historic Preservation Historic Preservation Government (CLG)

Certified

Local

A historical preservation ordinance typically contains criteria for the designation of historic structures, districts, or places, and procedures for the nomination process. The ordinance further regulates the construction, alteration and demolition of a designated historic site or structure. A community with a historic preservation ordinance may apply for CLG status with the State Historical Society of Iowa. Once a community is certified, they become eligible for: •

Free start-up preservation reference library

Matching sub-grants from the federal Historic Preservation Fund

Grants from the REAP Historic Resource Development Program

The City of Burlington is a CLG community. Chapter 25 of the Burlington Code of Ordinances establishes a Historic Preservation Commission. This ordinance outlines the powers and duties of the Commission, criteria and procedures for

historic designation of structures, and standards for review. Iowa Site Inventory The Iowa Site Inventory contains information on more than 112,000 architectural, historical and National Register listed archaeological properties around the state. Information on each property includes location information, property name, historic and current functions, building materials, architect and builder, architectural style, and National Register status. The State Historical Society of Iowa is currently in the process of converting this system to a digital registry that would be available for public queries. Information about specific sites can be obtained by contacting the Historical Society. At this time, there are over 1500 sites listed on the Iowa Site Inventory as “Opinion of Eligibility”, “Listed on NRHP”, “Contributing in District”, “Contributing in Potential District”, “Not Eligible”, or “More Research Recommended”, “Eligible”, or “More Research Recommended” .

National Register of Historic Places: The National Register of Historic Places lists 24 sites in the City of Burlington: 1. Burlington and Missouri River Railroad Passenger Station 2. Burlington Public Library (Heritage Center) 3. Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Freight House 4. Cascade Bridge 5. Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Station 6. Church of St. John the Baptist 7. Crapo Park and Arboretum Historic District 8. Mary Darwin House 9. Des Moines County Courthouse 10. Augusta Caesar Dodge House 11. First Congregational Church 12. Flint River Bridge 13. James M. Forney House

A-32

14. German Methodist Episcopal Church 15. Hedge Block 16. Heritage Hill Historic District 17. Hotel Burlington 18. Jagger-Churchill House 19. Schramm Building 20. Snake Alley 21. Snake Alley Historic District 22. Starker-Leopold Historic District 23. The Capital Theater 24. Union Hotel 25. West Jefferson Street Historic District

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APPENDIX A COMMUNITY INDICATORS

A-33


A.8

HAZARDS

Floodplain The floodplain includes the floodway, the flood fringe, and other flood-affected areas. The floodway is the channel of a river and the adjoining land needed to carry the 100-year flood discharge. Because the floodway is characterized by rapidly moving and treacherous water, development is severely restricted in a floodway. The flood fringe, which is landward of the floodway, stores excess floodwater until it can be infiltrated or discharged back into the channel. During a regional flood event, also known as the 100-year, one-percent, or base flood, the entire floodplain or Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) is inundated to a height called the regional flood elevation (RFE). •

Two hundred and eleven (211) acres within the City is within the 100-year or 500-year floodplain. Most of this is undeveloped lowlands along the river at the north edge of the city, but a portion extends into and through the downtown.

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Plan The City of Burlington is included in the FEMAapproved Des Moines County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Plan identifies applicable hazards and offers strategies for damage prevention and mitigation.

Source: New YorkTimes, June 2008

A-34

Source: David Hay Jones/ Science Photo Library June 2008

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX A COMMUNITY INDICATORS

Des Moines County, Iowa

rlington Floodplain Map

MAP-#

°

Legend Floodplains

Planning Area City of Burlington

100 Year

City of West Burlington

500 Year

Streams

Kn o

1

4,000

ek

0

Dr y

Lakes & Rivers

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA

Feet

County Boundary

t t y C re

ds

61 lint C re ek £ ¤ F

Br

8,000

an

ch

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on

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34 £ ¤

sh

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Mi ss

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Creek

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ek

City of Burlington

Hazards

61 £ ¤

Illinois

" ) X62

Des Moines County, Iowa

MAP-#

A-35


A.9

COLLABORATION & PARTNERSHIPS

Existing Areas of Collaboration Organization/Entity

Des Moines County

City of West Burlington Burlington Community School District State SEIRPC

Other Entities

A-36

Existing Collaboration Efforts ⦁ Collaboration on snow plowing, public works equipment & services ⦁ Shared Safety Director and Assistant ⦁ Co-owner of Des Moines County GIS system ⦁ Shared E911 Communication Center ⦁ Shared Drug Task Force ⦁ Provide officers with County for Tactical Response Unit ⦁ Provide assistance and boats with County for Water Response Unit ⦁ Provide backup law enforcement when needed ⦁ Shared police public relations ⦁ Parks & Forestry- share equipment ⦁ Burlington Public Library provides library services ⦁ Mutual Aid agreement between Fire Dept and West Burlington ⦁ Collaboration on snow plowing, public works equipment & services ⦁ Shared E911 Communication Center ⦁ Shared Drug Task Force ⦁ Provide backup law enforcement when needed ⦁ Shared police public relations ⦁ Burlington Municipal Waterworks supplies water ⦁ Burlington Public Library provides library services ⦁ Parks & Forestry- share equipment

⦁ Transportation, transit and trail planning

⦁ Work with Greater Burlington Partnership on economic development ⦁ Provide City Township Ambulance Association with paramedic Ambulance response ⦁Provide Quad Townships with fire response ⦁ Paramedic intercept agreements with Biggsville, Gladstone, Keithsburg, laHarpe, Lomax, Oquawka, Stronhurst ⦁ Supply water to Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, Danville, Middletown

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX A COMMUNITY INDICATORS

Potential Areas of Collaboration Organization/Entity

Des Moines County

City of West Burlington Burlington Community School District State SEIRPC Greater Burlington Partnership U.S. Army Corp of Engineers

Other Entities

Potential Collaboration Efforts

⦁ Marketing regional natural amenities ⦁ Developing a regional trail system ⦁ Decreasing property tax competition ⦁ Planning for rural growth ⦁ Wastewater treatment capacity for southwest growth ⦁ Connected trail system ⦁ Revenue sharing/ collaborative economic development ⦁ Plan for the adaptive reuse of decommissioned school properties ⦁ Support innovation in the classroom and facilitiy improvements

⦁ Collaboratively improve highways

⦁ Planning for transportation and transit improvements ⦁ Collaborate to plan for growth to the southwest ⦁ Plan for collaborative economic growth/revenue sharing

⦁ Implement appropriate flood mitigation strategies ⦁ Work with DPI and downtown businesses to plan for downtown hotel and improved conference space ⦁ Work with higher education entities to plan additional post secondary facilities ⦁ Collaborate with Illinois neighbors on appropriate flood mitigation strategies ⦁ Work regionally to create a healthier watershed ⦁ Support the Airport with possible relocation of terminal to aid access and potential serve the business park growth area ⦁ Work with private businesses to help approve curb appeal on Hwy 61

A-37


A.10 LAND USE Existing & Projected Land Uses The City of Burlington is bordered by West Burlington on the west and the Mississippi River on the east. Most of the open land available for development and not encumbered by steep slopes or wetlands is located at the south and southwest edges of the City. Approximately a quarter of the land within the City limits is currently agriculture or open space use, and another quarter is transportation facilities, including highways, roads, airport, and port. About 20% of the City is residential uses, and another 15% public/institutional uses, including schools, parks, and City buildings. The “planning area” identified on the existing land use map is the City limits plus a buffer of two miles from those limits, corresponding to the City’s extraterritorial land use and subdivision review jurisdiction. The planning area features a significant amount of agricultural or open space use (about 50%), though less than might typically be found around a rural city due to the presence of the river, West Burlington, and the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant. About 33% of the land in the planning area is developed, including 19.7% residential, 6.8% commercial/office and 2.9% public/institutional. Developable land is limited by several natural features including floodplains, slopes greater than 20%, and wetlands. After accounting for these development limitations, only 36.7% of the City and 35.6% of the plan area is developable.

BURLINGTON EXISTING LAND USES, 2012 Source: MSA Mapping

Acres 2604.49

Agricultural/ Open Space Road ROW Residential Public/Institutional Commercial/Office Water Industrial Recreational Commercial Total

3094.06 3081.62 1874.46 1074.88 507.07 392.92 177.13 12806.63

Source: MSA Mapping

City Limits Acres Percent Developed Development Limitations Developable

6601.0

1502.4

4703.2

Total

12806.6

51.5%

11.7%

36.7%

100.0%

Population Households Residential (acres) Commercial (acres) Industrial (acres) Undeveloped Land (acres)

A-38

25,663

10,938

3,082

1,075 393

4,703

25,150

11,178

3,263

1138 416

4,436

Plan Area Acres Percent 7,888.6

7,659.1

8,583.5

24,131.2

32.7%

31.7%

35.6%

100.0%

Using the projected population and household sizes, it is expected that Burlington will need an additional 28 acres of residential land, 10 acres of commercial land, and 4 acres of industrial land in the next 20 years. Residential use projections were calculated by multiplying the change in projected households by the 2012 typical parcel size. Approximate existing land uses in the City and planning area as of year 2012 were based on aerial photography. Projections are based on current acreages, and reflect only what is needed to sustain the status quo. Actual land needs are based on several factors as discussed in the future land use section of Chapter 5.

Source: MSA Predictions

2015

24.1% 20.3% 14.6% 8.4% 4.0% 3.1% 1.4% 100.0%

DEVELOPMENT LIMITATIONS

PROJECTED LAND USE NEEDS, 2012-2030 2012

Percentage 24.2%

2020

2025

2030

24,647

24,154

23,671

1,082

1,083

1,085

11,203

3,101 395

4,675

11,234

3,105 396

4,668

MSA Professional Services, Inc.

11,272

3,110 397

4,661

20 Year Change (1,992) 334

28

10 4

(42)


M ississip

ROCK SPRING RD

p i River

APPENDIX A COMMUNITY INDICATORS Feet

0

4,200

8,400

Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington

Existing Land Use Map

Existing Land Use

MAP-6

PFEIFF RD

90TH AV

Legend Roads

Existing Land Use

Recreational Commercial

Railroads

City of West Burlington

Streams

Single Family Residential

Industrial

Multi-Family Residential

Public/Institutional

County Boundary

130TH ST Commercial

Transportation Surface Water GO

Drafted - LSR, Date - 10-08-12, File - p:/12954001

B

CO

UR

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ra n ch

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UPPER FLINT RD

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F lint

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA

Parks & Recreation

130TH ST

D ry

City of Burlington

Agriculture/Open Space

102ND AV

Planning Area

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ME

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Feet 0

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Des Moines County, Iowa

MAP-6

A-39


Feet

M ississip

ROCK SPRING RD

p i River

A.10 LAND USE

0

4,200

Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington

Existing Land Use Map-Downtown

Existing Land Use

Multi-Family Residential

Public/Institutional

ST

S

K

O

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1,400

ST

ST

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MSA Professional Services, Inc.

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6TH ST

7TH ST

MARSHALL ST

VAL L E

ET S T

8TH ST

9TH ST

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ON S T

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ST

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0

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ST

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LEEBRICK ST

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ST

N

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Feet

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ST

MT PL EASA

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9TH ST

Transportation Surface ST Water LINDEN

O

REMICK ST

CHALFANT ST

KROEGER ST

County Boundary

Commercial

7TH ST

Industrial

DOEMLAND ST

Single Family Residential

CAROLINE ST

Streams

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA

RD

Railroads

City of West Burlington

SYCAMORE ST

Parks & Recreation

FF

City of Burlington

OSBORN ST

DEHNER ST

Recreational Commercial

Agriculture/Open Space

Drafted - LSR, Date - 10-08-12, File - p:/12954001

ADAMS ST

Legend

Existing Land Use

Roads

MAP-6 U BL

GNAHN ST

Planning Area

8,400

Des Moines County, Iowa

Existing Land Use - Downtown

MAP-6


APPENDIX A COMMUNITY INDICATORS

Existing Land Use Map - Insets nc h

Bra

nt

Cr ee

k

TAMA RD

FLORENCE AV

ND

AP

W

99

W OO D

LA

C DM

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9TH ST

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N T S T Existing Land Use

Planning Area

Roads

City of Burlington

Streams

Agriculture/Open Space

City of West Burlington

Parcels

Residential Recreational Commercial Commercial

Public/Institutional

7TH ST

ORCHARD ST

6TH ST

4TH ST

WHITEWOOD ST

CRESTVIEW DR

12TH ST

DUNHAM ST

CENTRAL AV

13TH ST

SWEENY AV

6TH ST

8TH ST

13TH ST 14TH ST

15TH ST

CHEROKEE DR

16TH ST

SUMMER ST

ACRES ST

MILLER ST

12TH ST

DENMARK ST

3RD ST

10TH ST

15TH ST

14TH ST

ST WHITTIER

LAUREL ST

CONCORD DR

CA S

14TH ST

PARK AV

SANDELL DR

CA

DE

BL VD

5TH ST

AV MADISON

DR POTTER

BROOKS ST

er

BROOKS ST

SIOUX DR

KOESTNER ST

KOESTNER ST

Feet

0

700

Existing Land Use - South

MAP-6

Legend

Insets Drafted - LSR, Date - 05-09-12, File - p:/12954001

1,400

Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA

i Riv

SIOUX DR

PARKWAY DR

sipp

STARR AV

NAVAJO ST

14TH ST

PARKWAY DR

MIDDLE ST

CENTRAL AV

SHOQUOQUON DR

LYNNWOOD DR

Missis

DELMAR ST

PAGE ST

OLIVE ST

GRANT ST

STARR AV

PLANE ST

HAGEMANN AV

IRONWOOD ST

HASKELL ST Industrial

GLENN AV

ACRES ST

HEDGE AV

HILLARY AV

MAP-6

Legend

GRAND ST

DR

SPRAY ST

Des Moines County, Iowa

County Boundary

IVA TE

GREEN ST

Existing Land Use - West

Insets

ED R

LOUISA ST

HARRISON AV

SUNSET AV

Sources: - County Base Data POLK ST - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA

LEWIS ST

ACRES ST

DENMARK ST

TS T

CLAY ST

ST

HEDGE AV

WILLIAMS ST

WEST AV

City of Burlington

Drafted - LSR, Date - 05-09-12, File - p:/12954001

IRONWOOD ST

MORNINGSIDE DR

GLENDALE DR

EASY ST

WILLOW AV

WESTLAND AV

STERLING DR

AN

PARK PL

TERRACE DR

FRONTAGE RD ROOSEVELT AV WEST AV

ADAMS ST

CT CATHMAR ST

AMELIA ST

PR

Public/Institutional

6TH ST

PERKINS AV

D AV

LEEBRICK ST

GARFIEL

CURRAN ST

GRATTON ST

EMMETT ST

SHIELDS ST

HAYES ST

RY CR

ARGYLE CT

NEWBU

DEHNER ST

GRATTON ST

EMMETT ST

HAYES ST

BELMONT CT

COTTONWOOD CT

COLUMBUS DR

UNION CT

ORDINANCE CT

GERTRUDE ST

FRONTAGE RD

ROOSEVELT AV

OD CLEARVIEW AV JOHANNSEN DR

DR

AIR L

SMITH ST

AETNA ST SUNRISE LN

Commercial LEWIS

FR ON

WIGHTMAN ST

7TH ST

WO

DIVISION ST

Streams

ACRES ST

JACKSON ST

MARKET ST

DIVISION ST

Residential

Recreational Commercial

LOUISA ST

IAR DR

WINDSOR CR

SMITH ST

Agriculture/Open Space

County Boundary

BARRET ST

VALLEY ST

Industrial

City of West Burlington

DODGE ST

HEISEY ST

GREENBR

ST

Parcels

INDIAN TERR

PAGE ST

PLANE ST

FRONTAGE RD

34

UT

AV

S AV

GREENBRIAR

HAYES CT

ON TT CO

FLEMING CT

FLINT HILLS DR

W

SOUTH ST

Insets

N

L City of A Burlington

PINE ST

ACRES ST

AGENCY ST

VALLEY ST

MARKET ST

LUCA

PLANE ST

AV

BURLINGTON AV

CY RD

NT S T

ST Existing Land Use UT

Planning Area

Drafted - LSR, Date - 05-09-12, File - p:/12954001

LUCAS AV

HERMAN

ASA

LN

Legend

E LL

Recreational Commercial Commercial ST KIRKWOOD

MT P LE

WA

PB

Drafted - LSR, Date - 05-09-12, File - p:/12954001

Public/Institutional

MAP-6

SOUTH INSET M CA

Residential

Parcels

County Boundary

Insets

AGEN

Agriculture/Open Space

City of Burlington Streams ST VINEYARD City of West Burlington

Sources: S ST- County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA

T TS

ST

1,400

ARD

US

ST

700

EDW

Industrial

C LO

DILL ST

9T H

SYLVANIA DR

Existing Land Use

Roads

SHIELDS ST

0

Planning Area

Existing Land Use - Northside

MAP-6

WEST INSET

Legend

Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington 8T H

Feet

D

RIVER ST

A

Existing Land Use - Northwest

R

MAIN ST

S

OAK ST

FF

8TH ST

ASH ST

9TH ST

A

THUL ST

LE

MARK LN

CHARLES ST

BITTERSWEET PL

GRUBE ST

LINCOLN ST

8TH ST

CORSE ST

GNAHN ST

P

Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington

CASH ST

VIRGINIA AV

LINCOLN ST

T M

DR ATE PRIV

FRONTAGE RD

AV

ROOSEVELT AV

MELVIN AV

GRACEA AV

E ID YS

DEHN ST

WEIMER ST

DEER RUN DR

ISABELLA AV

CONNER AV

DES MOINES AV

AV

HIGHLAND AV

STEUBEN ST

ER LG PI

NN SU

DOUGLAS AV

POND ST

THE OAKS

GEAR ST

RIDGE ROW

FRONTAGE RD

LE SYLVIA ST

POND ST

BOCK ST

GRUBE ST

BOCK ST

HERBLO DR

VOGT ST

IDE AV

MATHIAS ST

YS SUNN

DEHN ST

SUBILBE AV

SUNNYSIDE AV

LENOX AV

CLIFF RD

YODER DR

ROOSEVELT AV

NORTHWOOD AV

RD

TD R

LO

SURRY RD CR ES

EL

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W

113TH ST

91ST AV

VA L

RIDGEVIEW DR

D

1,400

Dry

EW YV I

700

LE

RD H RID GE

0

VALHALLA LN

DR

FA

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k

CRYSTAL DR

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IROQUOIS RD

RE D FO X RD

Fli

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CAVE RD STARR'S

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1,400

MILL DAM RD

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NORTH INSET

Feet

LN

Feet 0

RD

NORTHWEST INSET

WHITETAIL RD

Existing Land Use

Planning Area

Roads

City of Burlington

Streams

Agriculture/Open Space

City of West Burlington

Parcels

Residential

County Boundary

Recreational Commercial Commercial

Industrial Public/Institutional

A-41

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA


A.10 LAND USE Redevelopment Opportunities 9TH ST

ST

3RD ST

6TH ST

3RD ST

4TH ST ST

HIG HS T CO U RT S T

ST

3RD ST

34 £ ¤

MAIN

N ST

Y ST

FRON T ST

8TH ST

10TH

7TH ST MBIA

VALL E

KET ST

KET ST

3RD ST

7TH ST

MAY AV

5TH ST

10TH

ST

9TH ST

ST WOODLAWN AV

MARIETTA ST

ST

HING TON ST

RS O

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VINE ST

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MAPLE ST MAPLE ST

ST

ST

4TH

SUMM ER ST

6TH ST

MARSHALL ST

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ELM ST

9TH ST

GUNNISON ST

JEFF E

8TH ST

HIGBEE AV

ARC

G ST

AETNA ST

10TH ST

GUNNISON ST

WAS

ST

GARFIELD AV

ST

M AR

AV

GARFIELD AV

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DIVISION ST

AETNA ST

T ES

T ES P IN

ST

Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington

Property Value Ratio - Downtown Legend City of Burlington

°

ST

GREEN ST

ST CU LO

4TH

ST

ST AR ED

ST

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5TH

SP

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H ST

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CENTRAL

LEEBRICK ST

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FRAN

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7TH ST

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ST WELLS

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CHALFANT ST

AGENCY ST

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Feet

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IOWA ST

NT ST

MARSHALL ST

NC

Mississippi River

ASHMUN ST O O

K

S

ST

DOEMLAND ST

KROEGER ST

DEHNER ST

CAROLINE ST

REMICK ST

NOR T

PLANK ST

VALLEY ST

ADAMS ST

LINDEN ST

RD

OSBORN ST MT PL EASA

LUCAS AV

AG E

°

SYCAMORE ST

F UF BL

GNAHN ST

N ST

Property Value Ratio Map The property value ratio maps on these pages illustrate the ratio of improvement value to land value within the City of Burlington, excluding municipal properties (black) and undeveloped land (gray). These maps offer one means of identifying parcels and parcel groups that may be redevelopment opportunities because the improvements on the parcel (buildings, parking, etc) are worth relatively little compared to the land. Parcels in red are those with improvements value lower than land value, and should be considered redevelopment candidates.

DOWNTOWN

CAMERO

Redevelopment opportunities are buildings or parcels that have fallen into disrepair and are no longer contributing positively to the social or economic life of the City. Redevelopment is typically synonymous with infill development, which is development within existing urban areas that utilizes existing public infrastructure. Such investments help to make communities more efficient and sustainable.

Assessed Ratio

2.01 - 5.0

Not Evaluated

City of West Burlington

0 - 1.0

5.01 - 10

Public (No Data)

County Boundary

1.01 - 2.0

More than 10

MAP-# Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA

Lakes & Rivers

Contaminated Sites Brownfields sites can offer a glimpse into the industrial history of an area as well as provide prime sites for redevelopment. According to the Iowa DNR’s Contaminated Site Program, there are 13 closed and three open sites environmental remediation sites.

A-42

Drafted - LSR, Date - 02-24-11, File - p:/

OPEN ENVIRONMENTALLY CONTAMINATED SITES

Source: Iowa Deparrtment of Natural Resources

Site Name

Site Address

Burlington Coal Gas

Intersection of Highway 34 and 99

R.W. Commercial Plaza

2850 Mount Pleasant St

Mendenhall Oil

MSA Professional Services, Inc.

800 Cash Street


Sp

°

ri n

) "

g

X62

C re

ek

0

City of Burlington

Property Value Ratio Map Property Assessed Ratio

Des Moines County, Iowa

MAP-#

Legend

County Boundary

1.01 - 2.0

5.01 - 10

Public (No Data)

More than 10

Lakes & Rivers

) " X60

Br Sources: - County Base Dataa n - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA

k

Flint 0 - 1.0Cr

Not Evaluated

ch

e ek

City of West Burlington

ry

2.01 - 5.0

Flint Cr ee

Assessed Ratio

D

City of Burlington

APPENDIX A COMMUNITY 2,800 5,600 INDICATORS Feet

afted - LSR, Date - 02-24-11, File - p:/

61 £ ¤ Ho

ne

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k

34 £ ¤ 34 £ ¤ Burlington

Illinois Mi s sis s ip pi River

61 £ ¤

Sp

ri n g

°

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Feet

ek

City of Burlington

Property Assessed Ratio

0

2,800

5,600

Des Moines County, Iowa

MAP-#

A-43



1 2 3 4 5 6 Appendix A Appendix B Public Input Appendix C This Appendix is a compilation of stakeholder input

collected during the comprehensive planning process. The goals, objectives and policies of this comprehensive plan were created in response to the issues and ideas collected here. Page B.1 Citizen Survey B-2 B.2 Public Visioning Meeting B-22 B.3 Focus Groups B-42 B.4 Growth & Development Workshops B-52

Adopted on November 19, 2012


B.1

CITIZEN SURVEY 4

Citizen Survey In the months of January and February 2012, the City of Burlington conducted a citizen survey. The Citizen Survey was designed to gather stakeholder opinions on a range of topics relevant to preparing a plan to guide growth and change in Burlington over the next 20 years. The survey covered quality of life, city facilities and services, economic development, housing, and land use and development. The survey also collected respondent information to analyze how well the survey responses represent the overall population of the community. The survey was available in several locations: digitally using SurveyMonkey, a downloadable version on the Comprehensive Plan website, and as paper copies through the City of Burlington’s Planning and Development Office. To encourage citizens to take the survey, respondents could enter a drawing to win up to $100 in Chamber Bucks. Approximately 4.2% (1,078) of citizens responded to the survey. Only 3.7% of the responses were from citizens under the age of 25, while 63% of the respondents were over the age of 45. In addition, those who live in single family homes and homeowners were overrepresented by 15% and 19.5%, respectively. Response rates per question varied, with all questions over 90% except Question 20 (Place of Employment). Response rates ranged from 89.5% to 99.6% for individual questions. This section provides comparative data on the profile of respondents, results from the survey, and selected respondent comments for each survey question. Complete survey data was provided to the City of Burlington.

B-2

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT

Profile of Respondents Type of Dwelling Type of Dwelling

Age

Age 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0%

Age

10.0%

100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% Census Data (2010)50.0% Survey Respondents40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%

ACS 3 Y 2010) Survey

Place of Employment

5.0% 0.0% Younger 18-24 than 18

25-34

70.0% 45-54 35-44 60.0%

55-64 65 and older

Single Family

50.0% 40.0% Census Data (2010) 30.0% Survey Respondents 20.0%

Duplex or Apartment

Mobile Home

Other

ACS 3 Year Avg. (20082010) Survey Respondents

10.0% 0.0% 45-54

Within Burlington

55-64 65 and older

Occupancy Occupancy

Age

100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%

Outside Burlington, but in Des Moines County

Other

of Employment Place ofPlace Employment 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0%

ACS 3 Y 2010)

30.0% Census Data (2010) 20.0%

Survey

Survey Respondents 10.0%

0.0% Place of Employment Within

Burlington

70.0% Own

60.0% 50.0%

Rent

40.0%

Outside Burlington, but in Des Moines County

Other

ACS 3 Year Avg. (20082010)

Census Data (2010) 30.0% 20.0% Survey Respondents 10.0%

Survey Respondents

0.0% 45-54

55-64 65 and older

Within Burlington

Outside Burlington, but in Des Moines County

Other

B-3


B.1

CITIZEN SURVEY 4

Burlington Comprehensive Responses & Selected Comments Plan Citizen Survey 1. What are the three most important reasons you and your family choose to live in the City of Burlington? Response

Response

Percent

Count

Community services

6.9%

74

Near job

63.2%

677

Appearance of homes

2.2%

24

Property tax rates

2.2%

24

Quality neighborhood

14.7%

157

Cost of housing

18.2%

195

Quality schools

13.7%

147

Recreational opportunities

11.6%

124

Low crime rate

8.9%

95

Urban/City atmosphere

9.4%

101

Natural beauty of area

29.0%

311

Near family and friends

66.9%

717

14.7%

157

answered question

1,071

skipped question

7

Other (please specify)

SELECTED COMMENTS • I’ve lived here all my life. • Good Place to Raise Kids • Community sense of history and enjoyment of historic homes • Beautiful parks, culture (Civic Music, Little Theater, etc.) and historic atmosphere • I work in Burlington. • The Mississippi River. • small town feel 1 of of 136community • Regional medical facility, cultural events, size

B-4

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT

2. Overall, how would you rate the quality of life in Burlington? Response

Response

Percent

Count

Excellent

7.9%

84

Good

62.1%

664

Fair

27.1%

290

Poor

3.0%

32

Comments

102

answered question

1,070

skipped question

8

SELECTED COMMENTS • Burlington is where I want to be. • We’ve lived here 7.5 years, and it is the best place to raise a family.• • There’s no where else I’d rather be. We live within about 4 hours of Chicago, St.Louis, Milwaukee, Des Moines and cities in between----perfect for a weekend trip of culture and other activities----and then we can come home to the quality of life we enjoy here, along with a 6-minute commute to work, bearable traffic and decent parking. We’re not perfect, but we’re closer to being “Heaven” here in Iowa than any place else I’ve ever been. • City has a “you aren’t from around here” mentality. • Could be improved with more emphasis on bike trails, indoor sports facilities and healthy lifestyles. • Crime rate increasing and neighborhoods declining.

B-5


B.1

CITIZEN SURVEY 4 3. Please indicate up to four changes you think would improve the quality of life in Burlington.

Improve K-12 education

Response

Response

Percent

Count

31.8%

342

13.8%

148

Improve recreational facilities

24.6%

264

Increase diversity of housing types

3.4%

37

Increase affordability of housing

7.4%

80

Decrease taxes and fees

32.3%

347

Improve road infrastructure

37.3%

401

12.6%

135

73.2%

786

Expand retail shopping options

29.0%

311

Improve community services

11.2%

120

Improve quality of housing

11.6%

125

Decrease crime rate

46.7%

502

27.0%

290

6.7%

72

14.3%

154

answered question

1,074

skipped question

4

Improve post-secondary education opportunities

Improve utility service (including telecommunications) Increase employment opportunities

Improve bike and pedestrian facilities Improve public transit Other (please specify)

SELECTED COMMENTS • Increase places/things for kids to go to and do. Don’t close the swimming pool! • Focus on revitalizing downtown. 3 of 136 • Become less restrictive to business start-ups. • Housing standards need improvement from the City. There are too many rental problems that are not maintained. Increase enforcement of housing inspection. • More and better paying jobs • Commit to public safety B-6

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT 4. The City maintains a wide array of public facilities and infrastructure with a limited budget. How would you like the City to prioritize maintenance and construction investments? Please indicate your investment preferences based on your satisfaction with these public facilities. Response

More $

Same $

Less $

No Opinion

Major streets

34.2% (342)

61.1% (610)

3.1% (31)

1.6% (16)

999

Neighborhood streets

57.0% (577)

39.4% (399)

1.9% (19)

1.7% (17)

1,012

Sidewalks

38.1% (369)

47.5% (460)

10.0% (97)

4.4% (43)

969

Bike routes and trails

39.8% (397)

29.5% (294)

26.2% (261)

4.6% (46)

998

Riverfront and river access

38.0% (378)

45.0% (448)

13.5% (134)

3.5% (35)

995

Parks

21.8% (218)

70.6% (705)

5.9% (59)

1.6% (16)

998

City Hall

1.2% (12)

56.9% (564)

34.4% (341)

7.6% (75)

992

Public Library

8.5% (85)

61.7% (616)

26.3% (263)

3.5% (35)

999

19.3% (193)

69.4% (695)

5.0% (50)

6.3% (63)

1,001

22.3% (224)

65.4% (656)

6.2% (62)

6.1% (61)

1,003

12.4% (124)

79.2% (792)

2.6% (26)

5.8% (58)

1,000

38.6% (59)

17.0% (26)

8.5% (13)

35.9% (55)

Sanitary sewers and treatment systems Stormwater management systems (sewers, ponds, etc.) Public water supply Other

If "Other", please specify or enter comments:

Count

153

119

answered question

1,028

skipped question

50

SELECTED COMMENTS • Wiser use of the budget • Repair the Depot • The pool and Cascade Bridge should remain top priorities. • Remove empty, unwanted buildings • Sidewalks are most important 4 of 136

B-7


B.1

CITIZEN SURVEY 4 5. The City supports many public services with a limited budget. How would you like the City to prioritize spending on these services? Please indicate your spending preferences based on your satisfaction with these public services. Response

More $

Same $

Less $

No Opinion

40.0% (399)

53.8% (536)

5.0% (50)

1.2% (12)

997

17.8% (178)

75.9% (759)

4.6% (46)

1.7% (17)

1,000

14.4% (143)

58.0% (578)

23.6% (235)

4.0% (40)

996

45.8% (461)

39.0% (392)

11.8% (119)

3.4% (34)

1,006

General City-wide clean-up, etc.

43.6% (442)

50.0% (507)

5.2% (53)

1.2% (12)

1,014

Arts/Culture program funding

21.8% (219)

45.4% (457)

29.4% (296)

3.4% (34)

1,006

Recreational programs

31.3% (316)

51.7% (521)

14.7% (148)

2.3% (23)

1,008

Affordable housing

14.8% (147)

55.0% (548)

26.1% (260)

4.1% (41)

996

Historic preservation

21.7% (217)

46.7% (467)

29.2% (292)

2.3% (23)

999

Housing Rehabilitation

27.5% (274)

48.6% (485)

20.8% (208)

3.1% (31)

998

Programs for the elderly

22.7% (227)

62.2% (622)

11.7% (117)

3.4% (34)

1,000

Programs for youth

41.1% (413)

47.2% (474)

9.9% (99)

1.8% (18)

1,004

Transit system (bus)

10.1% (101)

66.3% (661)

19.7% (196)

3.9% (39)

997

Economic development

55.0% (550)

36.9% (369)

6.1% (61)

2.0% (20)

1,000

Yard waste/ City composting

14.4% (143)

63.5% (632)

18.6% (185)

3.6% (36)

996

27.8% (30)

12.0% (13)

13.9% (15)

46.3% (50)

108

Police protection Emergency medical/ambulance services Inspections (building code enforcement) Demolition Program (Removal of Dilapidated Structures)

Other

If "Other", please specify or enter comments:

Count

81

answered question

1,028

skipped question

50

SELECTED COMMENTS 5 of 136 • City-wide cleanup - every citizen can and should participate - need to educate & raise public awareness • Real economic development- not corporate handouts- would be great! • Enforce codes to clean up our neighborhoods • Improve downtown area. B-8

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT 6. The recent Imagine Our Future initiative resulted in five core vision ideas, two of which address health and recreation. Please indicate up to four types of recreation amenities that you would like to see expanded or improved in Burlington, either by the City or by the private sector.

Playgrounds and playground

Response

Response

Percent

Count

36.2%

363

Baseball/softball diamonds

15.4%

154

Soccer/football fields

7.5%

75

Indoor soccer facilities

15.0%

150

Basketball courts (outdoor)

6.1%

61

Basketball courts (indoor)

12.7%

127

Tennis courts (outdoor)

6.7%

67

Tennis courts (indoor)

6.7%

67

54.2%

543

20.4%

204

Bike trails

52.1%

522

Golf courses

8.1%

81

Disc (frisbee) golf courses

7.5%

75

Skate parks (outdoor)

6.9%

69

Skate parks (indoor)

6.0%

60

Picnic areas

33.0%

331

Weightlifting and fitness centers

14.5%

145

18.4%

184

answered question

1,002

equipment

Swimming pools or splash parks (outdoor) Swimming pools or splash parks (indoor)

Other (please specify)

6 of 136 SELECTED COMMENTS • Running/walking/bike trails • Indoor ice skating rink • River Front and river access • Indoor soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball facility

B-9


B.1

CITIZEN SURVEY 4

skipped question

76

7. How secure do you believe your employment to be over the next 3-5 years? Response

Response

Percent

Count

Secure

35.7%

362

Somewhat secure

33.7%

342

Insecure

10.5%

106

Don't know

6.1%

62

Unemployed

1.5%

15

Retired

12.5%

127

Comments

46

answered question

1,014

skipped question

64

SELECTED COMMENTS • All areCity struggling. 8. Dosmall you businesses believe the of Burlington should commit additional tax dollars to attract, • I work outside of Burlington retain, and replace lost jobs in the private sector in Burlington? • The school system is constantly threatening to cut my position due to lack of funding. • We need to bring things to this town to attract people here to make them want to stay... Response Response • Job market is horrible. Either high-tech or low-end jobs, not much in between. Percent Count • No one really knows, it can be here today and gone in the blink of an eye. Yes

69.8%

699

No

21.3%

213

No opinion

8.9%

89

Comments

B-10

MSA Professional Services, Inc. 7 of 136

92

answered question

1,001

skipped question

77


46

1,014 APPENDIX B skippedPUBLIC question 64 INPUT

answered question

8. Do you believe the City of Burlington should commit additional tax dollars to attract, retain, and replace lost jobs in the private sector in Burlington? Response

Response

Percent

Count

Yes

69.8%

699

No

21.3%

213

No opinion

8.9%

89

Comments

92

answered question

1,001

skipped question

77

SELECTED COMMENTS • Just reduce regulation and make Burlington more business friendly. • Need to attract new manufacturing jobs. 7 of 136 • Need to spend money on improving amenities so Burlington will be a city that attracts people!!! • To the extent it does now. Mostly to retain existing jobs. Leave the recruiting to the Chamber. That’s what the City pays its dues for. 9. How often do you shop downtown? Response

Response

Percent

Count

Never

12.7%

128

Daily

3.1%

31

Weekly

16.2%

163

Monthly

32.9%

332

At least once per year

35.2%

355

Comments

79

answered question

1,009

skipped question

69

SELECTED COMMENTS •10. Poor stores and overpricedBurlington items. area to shop? Howselection often doof you leave themostly Burlington/West • What is there to buy downtown except nic nacs? Response Response • There is nowhere to park. Most shops are closed and the ones that are open are high priced Percent Count because they have to pay extra to have their shop downtown. Never

4.4%

44

Daily

0.6%

6

B-11


B.1

CITIZEN SURVEY 4

answered question

1,009

skipped question

69

10. How often do you leave the Burlington/West Burlington area to shop? Response

Response

Percent

Count

Never

4.4%

44

Daily

0.6%

6

Weekly

7.3%

73

Monthly

44.3%

445

At least once per year

43.4%

436

Comments

69

answered question

1,004

skipped question

74

SELECTED COMMENTS • I frequently go to Coralville or the Quad Cities to shop because they have better malls, more options. • We purchase a lot of items online. • 4-5 times per year • I have everything I need here. 8 of 136 • I go to movies that never come here, shop for media and clothing, and frequent concerts outside of our community. • Only way to shop at a Scheel’s and /or Bass Pro Shop, Red Lobster, etc. • If you asked me about online shopping though, I would have to say “All the time!”. I keep my UPS and Fed Ex folks busy. • Iowa City and Quad Cities offer much more shopping/dining options than around here.

B-12

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT 11. Please share your opinions about the supply of various retail and service businesses in the Burlington area (including West Burlington). Have too

Have Enough

71.2% (717)

19.7% (198)

2.7% (27)

6.5% (65)

1,007

20.3% (203)

71.3% (713)

3.2% (32)

5.2% (52)

1,000

35.4% (354)

60.2% (601)

2.5% (25)

1.9% (19)

999

Boutique and specialty retail stores

43.6% (438)

46.3% (465)

4.7% (47)

5.4% (54)

1,004

Apparel and shoe stores

40.7% (404)

54.9% (545)

2.6% (26)

1.8% (18)

993

7.7% (77)

86.8% (865)

4.1% (41)

1.4% (14)

997

7.1% (71)

59.0% (589)

33.1% (331)

0.8% (8)

999

60.1% (603)

35.4% (355)

3.4% (34)

1.2% (12)

1,004

57.3% (75)

8.4% (11)

4.6% (6)

29.8% (39)

Downtown retail shopping/services Convenience retail/services in/near my neighborhood Department and general merchandise stores

Hardware and building supply stores Fast-food restaurants Sit-down restaurants Other

much

Not Sure

Response

Need More

If "Other", please specify or enter comments

Count

131

125

answered question

1,017

skipped question

61

SELECTED COMMENTS • There are NO HUNTING AND FISHING specialty stores around here. They are definitely needed. We have to go to Iowa City or Prairie du Chien or Peoria to find a good one. • We just need good sit-down restaurants. • Burlington lacks anything that really draws anyone to stay in town and shop. The mall is significantly lacking in sufficient variety of stores due to their outrageous rent. Downtown could be quite the hub of town, however, there is nothing really down there- no sense of cohesiveness amongst what is. There is Digger’s Rest, but hardly entices anyone to come in or think “hey, let’s go to that coffee shop downtown”...I forget it’s even there. And the restaurants are decent enough, but there seems to be lacking a middle of the road “nice” place to eat. It’s either expensive (Martini’s, Drake, Boogaloo) or cheaper (AppleBee’s, Gator’s)...but what about the in-between (Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Famous Dave’s, or Roadhouse). • Kids museums, educational businesses B-13


B.1

CITIZEN SURVEY 4 12. Please share your opinions about the supply of various housing types in the City of Burlington. Have too

Have Enough

25.7% (251)

58.0% (566)

2.3% (22)

14.0% (137)

976

Mobile home parks

3.6% (35)

50.2% (494)

32.4% (319)

13.8% (136)

984

Duplexes (2 units)

16.5% (160)

52.0% (505)

6.3% (61)

25.3% (246)

972

Apartments (studio/efficiency)

22.6% (222)

42.8% (421)

5.1% (50)

29.6% (291)

984

Apartments (1-2 bedrooms)

25.9% (254)

41.9% (410)

4.5% (44)

27.7% (271)

979

Apartments (3+ bedrooms)

27.4% (264)

37.8% (364)

3.5% (34)

31.3% (302)

964

Townhomes and condominiums

32.5% (320)

41.4% (407)

4.0% (39)

22.2% (218)

984

Affordable housing

42.2% (416)

34.7% (342)

8.5% (84)

14.5% (143)

985

34.5% (339)

42.7% (420)

2.4% (24)

20.3% (200)

983

Assisted living facilities for seniors

23.6% (232)

53.2% (523)

2.9% (29)

20.3% (200)

984

Starter (first time buyer) homes

39.0% (383)

41.7% (409)

2.7% (26)

16.6% (163)

981

Executive (high-end) homes

8.4% (83)

56.0% (550)

15.5% (152)

20.1% (198)

983

Downtown upper-story living

49.3% (482)

26.5% (259)

4.5% (44)

19.7% (193)

978

Single-family housing

Senior condominiums and apartments

much

Not Sure

Response

Need More

Comments

Count

88

answered question

998

skipped question

80

SELECTED COMMENTS • The number of affordable housing/starter homes is adequate, however, the quality is lacking. • Once I moved back into town I couldn’t find an apartment because I wasn’t on Section 8 housing... Burlington has too many slum-lords, and not enough nice rental properties • We need to renovate the historic and beautiful homes we already have. • There are currently many > 300K homes on market; perhaps with economic improvement, we will have more residents who can afford those homes • Focus should be on infill development utilizing existing lots/infrastructure. Quality apartments are especially needed for young graduates. Focus on upperstory redevelopment downtown or new building in vacant lots downtown. 10 of 136 B-14

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT 13. Which one of the following aspects of housing is most important to improve in the City of Burlington? Response

Response

Percent

Count

Housing supply

4.2%

42

Housing cost

27.8%

278

Housing quality

59.5%

594

No Opinion

8.5%

85

Comments

75

answered question

999

skipped question

79

SELECTED COMMENTS • Improve neighborhoods • Too many homes in disrepair and or falling apart • For young professionals, the sort you want to come to your community, there is little up-scale or middle income apartment living. It certainly does not bode well for a young person to come to burlington knowing that the only apartment they can find is in a neighborhood where they are frankly afraid to go out at night. • Too many rental properties and slum lords! • Need more housing for the lower end of the middle class and upper end of the lower class • Houses are affordable, taxes are not in my neighborhood!!

B-15


B.1

CITIZEN SURVEY 4

14. How do you rate the following aspects of the City of Burlington? Don't

Response

Know

Count

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Access to parks

37.2% (371)

45.8% (457)

12.2% (122)

4.6% (46)

0.1% (1)

997

Access to the Mississippi River

27.2% (273)

48.0% (482)

18.1% (182)

6.2% (62)

0.5% (5)

1,004

Number of street trees

20.0% (199)

55.5% (551)

19.2% (191)

3.4% (34)

1.8% (18)

993

12.7% (126)

58.8% (585)

20.8% (207)

5.7% (57)

2.0% (20)

995

Noise control

9.8% (98)

58.1% (582)

22.5% (225)

6.9% (69)

2.7% (27)

1,001

Lighting control

8.0% (79)

53.1% (527)

28.6% (284)

7.2% (71)

3.1% (31)

992

7.9% (78)

48.6% (480)

27.4% (271)

7.7% (76)

8.4% (83)

988

2.5% (25)

20.0% (199)

44.0% (437)

32.9% (327)

0.6% (6)

994

Signage control (size and location of signs)

Aesthetic design of new development Property upkeep/cleanliness

Comments

146

answered question

1,007

skipped question

71

SELECTED COMMENTS • Owners of property should be strongly encouraged to maintain and clean their property. • Most streets could use more lighting for safety and crime prevention purposes. I won’t get started on property upkeep. • Burlington access to the Mississippi River is probably one of the worst in the state. There is no place to park a boat and walk to downtown without getting a ticket. • Need better access to Crapo Park... Cascade Bridge fixed!!!! • The river front is a huge asset that we do not take full advantage of. • Muscatine’s riverfront is a great example of what I’d like to see downtown. Signage for area attractions is not visible. Galesburg, Ames, Des Moines are good examples of colorful, attractive signage throughout town. • There are some side streets that do not have enough street lights, It would also be nice to see some new trees planted on streets where trees have been removed.

B-16

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT 15. Should the City offer financial incentives to encourage development and investment? Response

Yes

No

It Depends

For residential units

35.7% (351)

44.2% (434)

20.1% (198)

983

For retail businesses

60.4% (597)

21.5% (213)

18.1% (179)

989

For non-retail employers

62.3% (611)

18.5% (181)

19.3% (189)

981

In the downtown area

62.3% (616)

24.1% (238)

13.7% (135)

989

51.2% (503)

28.7% (282)

20.1% (197)

982

26.9% (260)

53.6% (517)

19.5% (188)

965

On vacant infill sites outside the downtown area On undeveloped land (e.g. farmland)

Comments (please explain any "it depends" responses:

Count

159

answered question

1,001

skipped question

77

SELECTED COMMENTS oftoResponder •16. CityAge needs be able to respond to opportunities when they arrive. If the opportunity fits into the overall direction for the city, then incentives may be needed. Each opportunity should be evaluated in context, not just an isolated Response opportunity that looks good. When we have visitors to the community, the constant comments relate to Response the overall Countthe image of the city in terms of first impressions. Some of the things are cosmetic, but could doPercent a lot to enhance appearance of the community. Instead, we tagged as being a dirty old river town. Thank goodness Twin Rivers and <18 0.8% 8 Diamond Vogel and service organizations have worked on this. Our visitors continue to applaud the new library and it’s appearance. It is a real boost to the city’s image. 2.9% 29 • Will it increase jobs? Will 18-24 it draw businesses into the Burlington area? • Only if property taxes won’t increase. Incentives should not be on the backs of those who pay property taxes. 25-34 16.5%that residents 165 • Getting untaxed properties in the tax base should be given a high priority. Look at the properties and businesses are currently maintaining and “offer” to sell or give them away to increase tax income. Having empty 35-44 16.5% 165 buildings and large lots “filled” is important. The buildings are maintained better than when they are empty. Image is everything! 45-54 weakens our economy- so “it depends”. 23.8% 238 • A reliance on corporate welfare 55-64

26.0%

260

65 and older

13.6%

136

answered question skipped question

1,001 B-17 77


B.1

CITIZEN SURVEY 4

answered question

1,001

skipped question

77

Response

Response

Percent

Count

16. Age of Responder

<18

0.8%

8

18-24

2.9%

29

25-34

16.5%

165

35-44

16.5%

165

45-54

23.8%

238

55-64

26.0%

260

65 and older

13.6%

136

answered question

1,001

skipped question

77

13 of 136

17. What type of dwelling do you live in? Response

Response

Percent

Count

Single-Family Home

90.6%

906

Mobile Home

1.0%

10

Unit in a duplex

1.5%

15

Unit in a building with 3+ units

4.4%

44

Unit in an assisted living facility

0.0%

0

2.5%

25

answered question

1,000

skipped question

78

Response

Response

Other (please specify)

18. Do you rent or own your dwelling? B-18 MSA Professional Services, Inc.


answered question

APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT skipped question

1,000 78

18. Do you rent or own your dwelling? Response

Response

Percent

Count

I own my home

87.1%

867

I rent or lease my home

12.9%

128

answered question

995

skipped question

83

19. In what community do you currently live, and how long have you lived there? (Check one) Less than 1 Year

1-5 Years

6-10 Years

11-25 Years

More than

Response

25 Years

Count

City of Burlington

2.5% (20)

12.3% (100)

11.9% (97)

27.1% (221)

46.3% (377)

815

City of West Burlington

16.1% (10)

24.2% (15)

12.9% (8)

32.3% (20)

14.5% (9)

62

6.4% (10)

15.4% (24)

13.5% (21)

34.0% (53)

30.8% (48)

156

Des Moines County, IA (not in Burlington or West Burlington)

14 of 136

Lee, Henry, or Louise County, IA

30.6% (11)

13.9% (5)

2.8% (1)

25.0% (9)

27.8% (10)

36

Henderson County, IL

52.6% (10)

15.8% (3)

5.3% (1)

10.5% (2)

15.8% (3)

19

Other

15.4% (2)

38.5% (5)

15.4% (2)

7.7% (1)

23.1% (3)

13

If "Other", please specify:

SELECTED COMMENTS • We have live in Des Moines County all of our lives... • I moved to Danville for the better schools. • Considering moving out of Burlington.

17

answered question

1,002

skipped question

76

Response

Response

Percent

Count

20. Where is your place of employment?

City of Burlington

62.7%

605

City of West Burlington

14.5%

140

4.6%

44

Elsewhere within Des Moines County, IA

B-19


B.1

CITIZEN SURVEY 4

21. What is the approximate distance of your commute to work (each way)? Response

Response

Percent

Count

< 1/2 mile

5.6%

55

1/2-1 mile

4.4%

43

1-3 miles

27.7%

271

3-5 miles

22.3%

219

5-10 miles

13.6%

133

>10 miles

10.7%

105

None-work from home

3.4%

33

None-retired

12.3%

121

answered question

980

skipped question

98

22. Do you currently serve or have you served on City Council, Planning Commission, Park Advisory Committee or other public boards or commissions in Burlington?

B-20

Response

Response

Percent

Count

Yes, currently

5.7%

57

Yes, in the past

6.3%

63

No

88.0%

880

answered question

1,000

skipped question

78

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT

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B-21


B.2

PUBLIC VISIONING MEETING 4

Public Visioning Meeting This section provides detailed information gathered from the Public Visioning Meeting held January 11, 2012 at the Burlington Public Library.

Station #1: Community Identity & Vision Q: What word or phrases describe your City as you want it to be 20 years from now? A: • “Come back to Burlington!” Or “Pride in Our Community!” • A clean, attractive, progressive city. • Beautiful. No trash on streets. Homes maintained. • Vibrant, sustainable, growing, positive attitude • Friendly, clean • Vibrant, active, clean, friendly, low crime • Vibrant, creative, filled with public art • A leader in renewable energy use. Encouraging and appreciative of the arts, literature, education and music. Mindful of nature, conservation, education for natural science. Attractive and innovative for its citizens to build upon. • Vibrant, fun, green, enticing, historic, walkable easy to get around, stewardship, safe • Most progressive one on the Mississippi River • Progressive, growing

• Vibrant, hip and happening, fun, the place to live and work in Iowa • The river, the bluffs, the hills, great views from parks • Innovative, healthy, entertaining • Updated • Vibrant, historic • Intelligent, just and fair, clean, safe, diverse • Vibrant, growing, prosperous, youthful • A destination point. A regional hub. Progressive. A clean and beautiful city. Visitor friendly. Youth oriented city. A growing community.

Q: What do you like most about Burlington and wish to preserve? A: • The parks have been here since we were kids, and each generation after can come back and enjoy them. We have some of the best parks around. Keep the riverfront attractions. • Historical significance to the history of Iowa would be promoted and preserved. • Parks, library, historic buildings, history. • Historic structures, river views and access, parks and recreational opportunities, nice people. • The Burlington Dankwardt outdoor swimming pool. We need to preserve our park for our children and adults. The lap pool is the only one around. It’s open and accessible. • Our architectural heritage • The architectural diversity, the size, the library services, the public safety services • I like most the old structures downtown. I like old stories of its history and famous Burlingtonians. I like its waterfront and improvements. I wish to preserve

B-22

all of the old buildings; without them there isn’t much appeal aside from the Mississippi and nature. • Historic buildings, variety of cultural activities, scenic views, local businesses, brick streets, riverfront access, parks, downtown. • River, historic points, architecture, parks • Character as a river town with a history. • Friendliness of the people, the cost of living • Park system • Snake Alley, Starr’s Cave (county but bike accessible), Riverfront park area • Architecture, trees, roads • Downtown, riverfront, parks • Scale, not too big and not too small • There are many things to do in the city if you choose to become part of the community or to partake in the events. I would like to preserve that and build on this.

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APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT Q: What would you most like to change about Burlington? A: • Clean up the dilapidated houses in Burlington. Get an enforcement code like they for to landlords, clean up the property as many are eyesores around town as paint is peeling on many houses. Give incentive to put siding on, etc. • Change any negative attitudes to positive attitudes. Have the local media stress the priorities of Burlington such as our medical center, schools, SCC, minor league baseball, etc. Put the negative stories of murders, rapes, burglaries and drug deals on the back pages of the Hawk Eye. • Replace Cascade Bridge. Make the city attractive. Property owners need to be responsible to keep property clean. Fix up the train station. • Reverse the negative attitude. Change the perception of “a dirty river town.” • Lower the crime rate • The tendency to settle for mediocrity. • I don’t like that a gambling casino was allowed here or that an unappealing name like Fun City was chosen. It makes the city sound tacky. I’d like for the arts to be encouraged and therefore the artists who are invaluable to a city would want to stay and make Burlington their lifelong home. • Negative attitudes, more white collar employment opportunities, increase pride in keeping property, slowto-change attitudes, embracing sustainability, protect

historic buildings. • Attitude from negative to positive • Old housing inventory and arcane method of utilizing architecturally significant facilities. Make changes to allow garages, etc. • Attract businesses. Growth in economy. Attract more young people. A strong leader. Build a more positive self image for the community. • We have great educational facilities for now. I wonder if education K-12 could be improved. I don’t know how we stack up compared to the rest of the state. • The empty downtown buildings. Lack of interesting shops. • Deal with younger population. Create cultural welcome committee for new, different citizens. Grow the population! 10% over the next 10 years…. • Short-sightedness. • Burlington needs to be more welcoming to new businesses and residents. More jobs must be added. We need to provide a reason for employees to locate to our community that differentiates as from our competition. Perhaps we need to be a low cost business location with labor availability. • Many good things exist in Burlington but a negative attitude seems to prevail. I would like for the attitude to become more positive.

B-23


B.2

PUBLIC VISIONING MEETING

Q: What are the essential features that make Burlington, Burlington? A: • The town hasn’t changed that much in 50 years. The • All of the old structures, the river, the parks, the old buildings are still standing; many of them empty for 20 years or so and need to tear them down and have someone build something nice as a restaurant or park on the lot. To have people move back, the town needs to look nice, and have jobs created. • The historical features of the downtown, the river and the beautiful scenic and river vistas. Our industrial base here is a positive, CNH, Amer. Ordinance, etc. • Snake Alley, Crapo and Dankwart Parks, Band Concerts, City Pool, Mosquito Park, Mississippi River, cultural opportunities, civic musis, art center, Players Workshop, Heritage Center. • Snake Alley, Bees Stadium, Rec Plex, River Front, railroad • The river front, the hills, the churches • Riverfront and historic downtown, Snake Alley • Library, caring people

B-24

cemeteries, Victorians, the hills, Fairway Center seems like a perfect place to have something great happen. Perfect location. • Snake Alley, parks, riverfront, downtown, hills and ravines. • River, downtown, rail depot, parks • River, hills (bluffs), Snake Alley • Professional baseball. Library • The river. The downtown. We should continue to refurbish all of the old attractive buildings downtown. • Historic homes and buildings, Riverfront • River, railroad • River, railroad, old industries, people, open minded…. • Tradition, topography, and climate. Slow to adapt. Quick to give negative criticism. • Family oriented activities such as the Rec Plex

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT Community Identity and Vision

Community Life Recreation | Entertainment | Art

Choose the most appealing qualities

2

1

3

2 3 1

1

8

3

1

1

3

2

1

2

1

2

3

1

2

1

1

1

B-25


B.2

PUBLIC VISIONING MEETING Community Identity and Vision

Growing Prosperity

Industries | Transportation | Architecture | Commerce

2

Identify Burlington’s character

7

2

2

2

3 3

2

1

1

2

1

2

2

6

3

B-26

MSA Professional Services, Inc.

5


APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT Community Identity and Vision

Regional Identity The River | Agriculture | Landmarks

Choose the most prominent regional features

2

1

2

2

2 2 3

1

3

1 3

2

2 3

2

1

1

1

7

8

2 3

1 Images courtesy of Greater Burlington Partnership’s Community Guide, Ed Minard Photography (www.edminardphotography.com), Kim Anne Photography (http://www.kimanne.com), http://www.fairsandfestivals.net/events/details/burlington-steamboat-days2/, http://www.savannaillinois. com/images/speedboat.jpg, Catsh Bend Casino, and Pazazz, http://www.riverboatgallery.com/Catsh_Bend_Casino.php?pic=3&tnc=1, http://www. billyspostcards.com/Postcard/37468_Postcard_Mississippi_Queen_Riverboat_Burlington_Iowa.html, http://www.ickr.com/photos/bk1bennett/3001622852/ sizes/l/in/photostream/, http://www.burlington.lib.ia.us/libtour/LIBTOUR.HTM, http://www.ia-bednbreakfast-inns.com/BallaMachree.htm, http://www. metzgerjohnson.com/portfolio/, http://www.golfweek.com/photos/2009/dec/03/2846/, http://thegazette.com/tag/spirit-hollow/, http://iowabackroads. com/tag/des-moines-county/, http://www.daviscountyouttters.com/, Some rights reserved by TeamSaintLouis http://www.ickr.com/photos/ usacestlouis/5405190239/sizes/z/in/photostream/ , http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/missriver/, http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/7a074/, http:// chronicle.com/article/At-Public-Colleges/66044/, http://www.iptv.org/iowapathways/artifact_detail_large.cfm?aid=a_000083&oid=ob_000002, http:// www.mortgainesphoto.com/images/00329_BRL_Bridge250a_moonctx8x10_72P640.jpg, http://www.mortgainesphoto.com/images/Cascade_Bridge_ Burlington_Iowa_MGP0264Mctxtx57a504P.jpg, http://www.mortgainesphoto.com/images/01993ALcurlyQ64072ctx.jpg, http://www.mortgainesphoto.com/ images/01993ALcurlyQ64072ctx.jpg, http://www.jaypl.com/oldpage2/oldpage/sum99_burl/2.html, http://www.brumm.com/genealogy/showmedia.php?me diaID=6775&all=1&PHPSESSID=4def63b3b2c56c130cba6f9e455ec3d1, http://wn.com/Chicago,_Burlington_and_Quincy_Railroad, http://www.scciowa. edu/, http://communitylink.com/burlington-iowa/, http://www.panoramio.com/photo/52367384, http://www.ickr.com/photos/bcarpenter/3837789518/ sizes/z/in/photostream/, http://www.westlandmall.net/, http://www.blueheronwings.com/bh/storys/bhstLakeGeodeIA.php, http://www.treehugger.com/ corporate-responsibility/the-us-needs-a-a-trueatm-biofuels-policy-environmental-working-group.html, http://www.memberconnections.com/olc/pub/GNL/ cpages/homepage.jsp?chapter=120, http://www.huntearth.com/client/2554/bluff_harbor_marina, http://www.brumm.com/genealogy/showmedia.php?medi aID=6768&all=1&PHPSESSID=37721b49aee0861e10c15ab1df26ad17, http://www.fadingad.com/fadingadblog/?p=291, http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/ outposts/2009/04/waterfowl-hunting-good-for-the-economy.html

B-27


B.2

PUBLIC VISIONING MEETING

Station #2: Land Use & (Re)Development Q: Are there any specific areas or sites that you feel are primed for redevelopment? Please describe the site location and any specific uses you would like to see there. A: • The Manor project- sitting empty for years. We need a nice mall with a major restaurant located there to help draw people. • The 27 acres along Hwy. 61 where Flint Hills Manor South Madison are north of Klein Center. • Downtown empty store fronts. • Old Manor, old railroad shops, depot, Apollo School, Fairway Center, Downtown buildings • The downtown as upper-story residential and 1st floor retail • I’d like to see something great happen with the train station, the block on Main Street that was torn down and the empty warehouses. • Buildings on N. 3rd next to police department are perfect for condos. Former typewriter shop boutique hotel for downtown. SE corner 4th and

Court brownstone style townhouses. 200/300 blocks S. Main small scale, high density, mixed use. Area between Jefferson and Washington parkland. • Old Wal-Mart area • Roosevelt, Mt. Pleasant, Fairway Center is great potential • Much more could be done with downtown. I hear a lot of complaints about City bureaucracy discouraging individual efforts in this area. • Renovate Dankwart Park pool and downtown buildings. • The Manor • Bracewell Stadium should be updated/upgraded. It should be turfed and made available for public use. • The old manor site is prime a development site for commercial. I would like to see that property sold.

Q: Do you have a favorite redevelopment project completed in the City in the past 10 years? A: • There hasn’t been any big projects completed. We need aggressive people that aren’t afraid to make good decisions. • The new library and reuse of the old library as the Heritage Center. • Burlington Public Library, Heritage Center • River Park Place, new library, Alda Leopold • Soon to be completed Capitol Theater • Library, the Heritage • The Bridge was a nice improvement; looks just like Oakland, CA Bay Bridge span. Mister Motos is what I’d like to see more of and 9 the Art Gallery. Skate park.

B-28

• Library • Mercy Building • Fun city, Pizzazz, GRMC, the industrial park. • Library, community field, the hospital • Downtown apartment developments • Downtown apartments/downtown riverfront • Riverfront • Burlington Apartments • The Vision Iowa Projects seem to be most significant. For a rather small investment of public funds we had nearly 29 million in improvements.

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT Q: Are there any recent redevelopment projects that you have not liked? If so, what and why? A: • The Manor project. We had poor organization... and are now in a large debt over it with nothing but empty ground. • Moving James Madison Middle School. • Replacing James Madison School with a new middle school. It has a beautiful location and plenty of room to add on. • Didn’t like pouring money into the old depot, the Old Capitol • Super Wal-Mart because it causes people to believe they are getting “bargins” at the expense of independent businesses. • The development that is going on in West Burlington using prime blocks soiled farm ground that is irreplacable. Hospital could have been where Fairway Center is?

• Catfish Bend. If is good for the community but the building itself is unattractive. • Manor, only because nothing has happened. • The money sunk into the auditorium has STILL left us with a fossilized building. • Plan and develop the Manor. It would be nice to leave it as an open green space. Eventual 61 bpass will not be favorable to retail development of that area. • Roosevelt Ave. median strips were poorly designed for maintenance. • Most projects have been a positive.

Q: Are there any specific areas or parcels at the edge of the City that you think are most appropriate for new development? Are there any specific uses you would like to see there? A: • The Industrial Park, the Shell building standing empty, we need new development there and south of town, otherwise West Burlington’s tax base will grow, not ours. • South Madison Ave. south of Klein Center would be ideal location for an upscale retirement complex. • South area west of airport. Old Manor Area. • I would like to see less sprawl and more in fill • A real state park for young people, not metal makeshift stuff! • Fill in the gaps between existing development on S. Roosevelt.

• South and north on Hwy. 61 • Encouraging further widening of 61 north of Burlington would greatly enhance the transportation features of this area. • Haskell Road • Along south end of Roosevelt • All of the area to the southwest of the city is good for development. I would like to see expansion there.

B-29


B.2

PUBLIC VISIONING MEETING

Q: What kinds of development do you believe the City is in need of in the next 20 years, and why? A: • Burlington needs more jobs, good paying ones, to keep our younger generation here, and more, nicer housing areas. • Tear down odd dilapidated housing and build new housing. • Public-Private partnerships. Industrial parks. Intermodal facility. • Preservation of existing stock of older buildings • Better street lighting for pedestrians, better sidewalk maintenance for pedestrians. • Centers for the arts, music, a university, a teen center to keep the young people here; give them an opportunity for a 4 year degree, real entertainment, ask young people what they want for their city. • Small to medium office space. We don’t have the structures for good paying white collar companies. • Housing, entertainment

• Mixed development, residential. Also a new convention center like Ottumwa! • New ice arena. New condos. River Road bike and recreation path. FUN recreation to attract young people. • More industry. Are we pursuing Caterpillar? They came here once before. • Needs more industry. More small businesses downtown. Indoor recreation for children that all can afford and an outdoor pool that actually has space for swimming, not just slides. • Remove small, old houses to make lots for new homes. • All areas should grow. Must have jobs/employers to make a reality. • Housing always seems to be an issue (or shortage). Development of new homes of moderate cost would be good.

Q: What kind of new land development do you feel the City should not encourage? A: • Do not need more low-rent housing... • Mobile home parking • Small PUDs less than 6 acres. • Mobile home development • Casinos, things that drain the citizens of their funds and end up not bettering the quality of life. • We should not expand commercial or residential new development when we have existing buildings and infill sites. This is unsustainable environmentally and economically especially if our population is not growing. • Fast food restaurants, fewer chains • Keep industrial out have enough that it doesn’t close off commercial and residential. Case, etc. blocked river development North of Burlington.

B-30

• None! The more the better. • No more Big Box Stores. They discourage the small retailers downtown. • Leave Manor as green space. Develop the downtown first. We don’t need another superstore that would be the same in every community. • Rentals, multi rentals • Do not encourage sprawl! • Anything that would be detrimental to the image of our community (although that would of course be debatable in some cases). For the most part, any development if in compliance with current codes and land use should be a positive.

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT

B-31


B.2

B-32

PUBLIC VISIONING MEETING

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT Station #3: Transportation Q: Describe any specific streets or intersections where either congestion or safety is a concern to you. A: • Too many people running red lights- need cameras at the intersection, especially on Roosevelt. • Rebuild the Cascade Bridge. • Sunnyside at new Aldo Leopold School. Central Avenue/Osbourn Street intersection. • Blackhawk School area. 14th Street needs to return to a 2 way street due to the new subdivision being built. • Any downtown corner is a hazard for a pedestrian! It is safer to “jaywalk” because there is no expectation the drivers will stop as they should at a stop sign.

• Bottom of Central Avenue and Osbourne Street • Roosevelt and Agency. Roosevelt and Mt. Pleasant. Roosevelt and West. Roosevelt and Main Road. • Roosevelt and Agency (dangerous) • Division/Curran • Agence and Curron intersection can sometimes be a problem area. Cars going north on Curran wanting to turn left many times backs traffic up for nearly a block.

Q: Did you use either the Burlington Urban Service (B.U.S) or SEIBUS regional bus service in 2011? If yes, please describe the quality of your experience. If no, please indicate why not. A: • No, because I drive a car. • No, BUS; Yes, SEIBUS; I rely on my automobile. • No need (for either) but I know others need these services. • No; No • No, I drive or walk. Are both of these services really necessary for the size of the community? • No • No • No, live in the country • No, I live 1.5 miles from work so it is an easy drive. I might consider it is the bus ran more often. I think we need to offer more public transportation options; the costs of car ownership are high but largely hidden.

• No • No • No, not convenient to where I live • No • No • “Schedule” and 24-hour “service” process took me a year to understand. “Service” level so low that system is difficult to comprehend. • No • No, I have however ridden on both and they seem to be quality services.

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Q: Are there any improvements you would like the City to make to walking or biking facilities (sidewalks, bike lanes, bike trails, etc.)? If yes, what and where? A: • There are signs up on West Ave for bike lanes, which is way too busy and a good place to get hit. Other towns have a lane painted and marked bike lanes which is safer. • The city is doing a good job at Crapo Park walk and bike ways. • North/South overpass for vehicles and pedestrians and bikes over railroad from Sunnyside to Mt. Pleasant Street. • Bike trails available • I would like to see bike lanes that give access across the city. Sidewalk maintenance a priority. • Since I have been in Burlington, I have wanted to walk form Crapo Park to the gazebo at Riverfront Park along the river. Let’s make that happen! • I used to be able to walk and ride my bike on the road that I live on presently and (grew up on). Now I am for the most part fearful that I will be hit by a car if I do either. Cars consistently drive over the speed limit since it is now a paved road. This is on Gear Avenue. • We ought to add walking trails along the sewer lines in the ravines (they are used already). Bike trails should be put in whenever possible.

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• Complete walk/bike routes to connect major points of interest throughout the city. Marked bike lanes, routes. Bike racks at points of interest. • Continue development of bike/trails. Someday put Irish Ridge all the way from Sunnyside to Mt. Pleasant. It’s frustrating to have to go around the ends of Sunnyside and it would alleviate traffic on Roosevelt Avenue. • Yes, all of the above, especially along the river. • Bike lanes on West Avenue, Mt. Pleasant and Sunnyside • More bike lanes, especially in park areas. • Sidewalk down Sunnyside • Provisions for pedestrian and bike traffic are generally abysmal especially across and along Roosevelt Avenue and areas west of Roosevelt. • Over Roosevelt at West Avenue. Along Mason by new middle school. • We need to continue the sidewalk improvement program assuring that curbs at the sidewalk are accessible by disabled persons. Bike trails in the city would be nice but not all roadways are wide enough for them and costs might be prohibitive.

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APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT

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PUBLIC VISIONING MEETING

Station #4: Economic Development Q: Would you like the City to actively encourage or discourage growth in any specific economic sectors? For example: Entertainment, Retail, Professional & Technical Services, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Health Care & Social Assistance, Educational Services, Construction, Transportation & Warehousing. A: • The City should encourage manufacturing and probably all of the above, which they should have been doing in the past. This town needs a larger tax area because property owners here are over-taxed compared to other areas with more industry, etc. • Our transportation is important. • Encourage entertainment, professional and tech services, manufacturing • Retail and restaurants • Encourage tourism, downtown retail, manufacturing and education services • Please pursue the installation of residential water meters. I believe that the present method of billing encourages substandard housing and discourages improvement of single family homes. • I’d like for all aspects to be encouraged especially

information technology and renewable energy using solar, wind, and geothermal. • Encourage entertainment, IT, education, cultural opportunities. Discourage warehousing. • Encourage all sectors. • Encourage all the above and look for new ideas and work on our airport! • Growth in new housing • Improve K-12 education (and other factors for educational success). Upgrade public transportation (especially for young and elderly) • Encourage all • I would encourage any growth in compliance with codes and the land use plan. It is also very important to support current businesses in the Burlington area.

Q: Are you aware of specific economic development efforts by the City, Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau, or Downtown Partners? Which of those efforts, if any, do you see as successful and worth the effort? A: • The public sees very little in development efforts by these groups which are probably over-paid for the work getting done. • Visitors Center is very important. Chamber works for all of us. Downtown Partners has helped with downtown development. • Yes, all of them. • The redevelopment of historic buildings downtown • I am on the Renewable Energy Committee. We are seeking to fundraising to install wind energy or solar at the Port of Burlington. Also, we are investigating installing light tubes in the welcome center.

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• Nearly everything they do! • Downtown, riverfront, manufacturing, GE case • Downtown Partners, very worthwhile • Tech and manufacturing • Aware of Chamber’s local efforts, but appalled at Chamber’s anti-human political activities at national level. • Tax abatement and TIF • Burlington needs to expand on the waste water treatment quality and the water distribution system to provide for additional industry and manufacturing.

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APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT Q: What challenges do you see the community struggle with as it works to retain and grow businesses? A: • We need to push harder for a 4-lane highway connecting us to Monmouth and going north on Hwy 61 which is a major factor when an industry or large business wants to locate here which is faster and easier to ship out their products. • The city needs to have an attractive look. No one wants to move to a community that is not kept up. • Negative perception by local residents. Higher crime rates. • Quit providing incentives to businesses to either stay open or add a job or two. • Negative comments in the paper. • Water conservation • Some lack of vision with some people. In order to move forward different angles need to be tried. • Nostalgia for heavy industry/manufacturing jobs. Increase in online shopping. Lack of sufficient skilled workers. • Negative attitude too many residents never leave Des Moines County!

• Infrastructure. School development, library, etc. are the kinds of projects that make the city look as if it is progressing. A great convention center (a la Ottumwa) is a possibility. • Aging population. We need more young and highly educated people • Keeping enough high paying jobs to support growth and retaining young people. • Taxes • Problem of inadequate education of local workforce and poor transportation options for that workforce. • We need to be low cost alternative. We should develop ways to provide low cost utilities and health care costs. • The city has been confronted with tight budgets for some time and that will most likely continue for a few years. The best way to insure progress to create positive improvements will be through public/private partnerships.

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APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT Station #5: Parks & Recreation Q: What park and recreational facilities do you currently enjoy using? A: • All the parks are used and we enjoy them. The Blackhawk trails are fun to show visitors, just keep up the pathways. • Crapo Park, North Hill Park, • Dankwardt and Crapo Park. • Sunnyside Park and Rec Plex. • The Dankwardt swimming pool as it is an outdoor facility, accessible, and friendly. It is inviting to adults as well as children. The indoor facilities are noisy and not contusive to the adult population as well as the children. The West Burlington Pool is strictly for children. Maintain the existing pool with plans and action to either build around it or in the Dankwardt Park location. • South Hill Park, great views. Dankwardt Park, dog park. Crapo Park • Walking trails in Crapo Park and Riverfront Park

• I enjoy using Dankwardt, Crapo, Perkins, Starrs Cave and the YMCA. • Crapo Park • Crapo and Dankwardt Park • Fun City, Dankwardt and Crapo, Riverfront events, BSD, Snow Ball, etc. • Dankwardt Pool and Crapo Arboretum. I can’t imagine a city this size without a municipal pool. That certainly would not be a selling point for anyone who wanted to move here. • Dankwardt pool, Bees Park • Riverfront, Crapo • Dankwardt Park Pool, South Hill Park passive space, Dankwardt and Crapo picnic space. • The Rec Plex. It has been a great investment in terms of drawing people to our community thereby creating an economic impact for businesses here.

Q: Are there any improvements you would like to see to any of these parks? What and where? A: • The parks are nice, just keep up the roads and don’t have potholes in them. Crapo had too many last year. • Keep the Swimming Pool open. • Keep the municipal pool open • More parking at Rec Plex. • The young people should have a professionally designed state park • I would have to think about it. Maybe having educational classes on botany. The parks are pretty perfect to me. • Restore Cascade Bridge • More flowers • Update some of the necessary facilities. They are kind of dated.

• New swimming pool, new recreation center • Every city around us (even Mediopolis) has a better pool than we do with features that make people want to go there. West Burlington’s pool puts us to shame. • Renovate the pool. Keep lap area in design. • Road repair • Need to maintain and improve pool at Dankwardt. Should maintain South Hill Park preferably with fewer “amenities” there actually. • Expand Rec Plex to include indoor facility. Fix Dankwardt Pool. • I have always thought an indoor facility at the Rec Plex would be good. The issue of course is the capitol investment.

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PUBLIC VISIONING MEETING

Q: Would you like to see any new parks and recreational facilities (public or private) in the City? What and where? A: • The kids need entertainment in this town as an indoor ice-skating rink and basketball practice area. • I think the city needs our open swimming area for our citizens. We don’t always need all the bells and whistles to have something nice. • If there were any, I would like to see a dog park closer to West Burlington. • The area west of Hawkeye Street between Jefferson. Washington is an ugly wasteland and would be good for passive recreation. Ditto the south side of Valley between 5th and 7th. Bonn’s Hollow. • Bigger park north side of town.

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• Yes, at the Manor. Put some green space in there. • Yes, yes, yes • Manor would be a great park location. • An indoor playroom would be great for young children during inclement weather. Recently went to one in Raleigh that had a climbing area and various recreation equipment. There was an adjacent room that could be rented for private use for parties or group meetings. • Indoor facility at the Rec Plex to include basketball courts. • We have some great parks but we really don’t need more.

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APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT

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FOCUS GROUPS 4

Focus Group Guidelines Comprehensive Plan Update 2012-2032

Focus Groups – City of Burlington Comprehensive Plan Update Location: City Hall Council Chambers (3rd Floor), 400 Washington St. The City of Burlington is in the process of updating the Comprehensive Plan for the community. The new Comprehensive Plan will be utilized by the City to define policies and priorities for coordinated growth; community revitalization; and the provision of public services/infrastructure. The planning document will include policy statements, goals, objectives, guidelines, maps and graphics to serve as a guide for future land use and fiscal decision-making. Additional information on the City can be found at: www.burlingtoniowa.org Additional information on the Comprehensive Plan, along with a community survey can be found at: www.BurlingtonCompPlan.com Focus Groups are being held to bring community leaders and interested individuals together and gather input and hold discussion on particular topics. General topics / questions can be found below, though the discussion is not limited to these.

Wednesday, February 8, 8:00-9:30 AM •

Youth o Topics:  How do you describe Burlington to others?  What do you like about living and going to school here? Has it been a good place to grow up?  What would you like to change about Burlington?  Do you think you will stay in Burlington after graduation? If not, do you think you will you move back some day? Why or why not?

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APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT Wednesday, February 8, 10:00-11:30 AM •

Land Use and Development o Topics:  What are the current real estate trends, in terms of sales, lease rates, etc.?  What do you consider to be Burlington’s growth opportunities, in terms of either land use types or development location?  What are the greatest challenges to real estate investment in Burlington?  What is the relationship between the development community and the City in Burlington? Does the City have a reputation as being either easy or difficult to work with on development projects?

Wednesday, February 8, 3:00-4:30 PM •

Healthy Living (Recreation, Parks Facilities, Quality of Life & Healthcare)

o Topics:  What are the most important recreation facilities in the City and region? What is missing?  In what ways are healthcare or recreation part of the Burlington identity today? In what ways could they be?  What quality of life characteristics stand out to you? What could be enhanced to elevate the quality of life in Burlington?

Thursday, February 9, 8:00-9:30 AM •

Downtown, Waterfront, and Tourism o Topics:  What are the current success stories in the Downtown area?  What role does downtown play in tourism promotion, and in tourism spending?  Downtown parking – how difficult is it to find parking, and what is the general perception?  How is downtown residential growth affecting perceptions of the downtown area? How is it affecting merchants?  How are people using the waterfront now? Is there potential for more use, especially for recreation and tourism?

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FOCUS GROUPS 4 Thursday, February 9, 10:00-11:30 AM •

Employment and Economic Development o Topics/questions:  What trends are you seeing in the local economy, especially regarding employment?  What are the advantages to operating a business in Burlington? Disadvantages?  For corporate leaders: why is your business operating in Burlington?  By what methods does the community (City, GBP, etc.) actively work to attract, grow, and retain jobs  What should the city or community be doing to attract, grow and retain jobs?  Are there any shortcomings to the local transportation network inhibiting success or growth, including transit, road, rail, airport and port infrastructure/service?

Thursday, February 9, 1:00-2:30 PM •

Civic Groups and Non-profits o Topics:  In your experience, relative to other communities where you have lived or worked, how active and engaged are residents in civic organizations?  Are the leaders and participants of the various civic and nonprofit groups in the city sufficiently unique and diversified, or is there significant overlap, such that a small group of the same people is sustaining many different organizations?  Is there a shortage of leadership and participation in civic organizations? If yes, define that shortage – what demographics are underrepresented?  What else could civic organizations be doing to encourage and develop leaders?

Thursday, February 9, 3:00-4:30 PM •

Service and Retail Business Success o Topics:  What trends are you seeing in the local economy affecting your business success (positive or negative)?  What challenges are you facing today or do you anticipate in the next 12 months?  Could the City/Chamber/DPI/etc. be doing more to support your success? If so, what?

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Focus Group Participants Employment and Economic Development x Jason Hutcheson Grow Greater Burlington Rob Ritson Two Rivers Bank Jason Martin CNH Jenny McNeil Temp Associates x Dan Gifford West Burlington City Administrator Chuck Griffin American Ordinance Gloria Warner Dresser Rand Jim Davidson Mayor Burlington Rob Higgins GRE - Pzazz Complex Service and Retail Business Success Jon Bullips Don Sheedy x Jason Hutcheson x Dan Gifford x Bryan Bross

Bullips Tire Peaches Restaurant Burlington Partnership, Econ Dev West Burlington City Administrator Klingner Engineering

Land Use and Development x Mike Pierson Deb Fowler Sherry Reed Sheila Crowner x Jim Olson Scott Peck Justin Bushong Matt Warner Bob Fleming Bob Brueck

Land Developer, Pierson Inc Century 21 - Realtor Century 21 - Realtor RE/Max - Realtor President, Two Rivers Financial Group Residentail Developer SEIRPC County Assessor City Council Local Developer, Brueck Construction

Downtown, Waterfront, and Tourism x Steve Frevert Burlington Partnership, DPI Charlie Walsh F & M, Riverfront Advisory Shawn Foehring Bistro 322 x Beth Nickel Burlington Partnership, CVB Bob Brueck Local Developer, Brueck Construction Dave Walker Fun City / Pzazz Manager Todd Darnall McConnell Lofts, Downtown Development Dana Johnston Drake Hardware & Software Becky Anderson City Council, Downtown Developer

Youth Morgan Shaver Matt Hard Amber Mead Britney Grimshaw Alex Gaddis Liz Darnall Hannah Ebbing Lauren Hillyer Patrick Moore Chris Reed Civic Groups and Non-profits Michelle Randal Win Boyd Scott Noll Sharon Ford Bob Bartles x Bill Ell Deb Mulch Healthy Living Brad Selby Kim Perlstein Kirk Danforth Deb Mulch Kevin Brueck Tyler Bickel Jaimie Dengler Madeline Emmerson Chris Reed x

BHS BHS BHS BHS BHS BHS Burl/ND Burl/ND Burl/ND City Council

Kiwanas Rotary Burlington YP Community Action Hope Haven Retired City Council/Fire Chief, Library Board, Steamboat Days, YMCA

Parks Dept DMC Conservation Rec Plex YMCA Director Team BEAST Bike Burlington Great River Medical SEIRPC City Council

Comp Plan Advisory Committee Member

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FOCUS GROUPS

Youth Focus Group Notes • Would move back to Burlington after school/college but did not believe there would be jobs available for them. • The riverfront is very busy, parking and trailer parking is completely used in the summer and during Steamboat Days. • Excited about stores and shopping downtown as well as the improvements; want to see more downtown development. • Most are leaving for school, several are staying. • Proud of Burlington and want to see more pride in the community, especially at school sporting events. • Burlington is a safe city to grow up in. • Burlington has a reputation as a small river town with family-oriented activities. • They felt there was plenty of visual access to the river, but limited physical access.

• Would like to see more river front parks including beach access • They expressed a disappointment with The Hawkeye’s notification of events/happenings after the fact, their portrayal of the reputation of Burlington, and the lack of sports coverage for the Burlington High School sports programs • Would like to see extended pedestrian/bike connections between parks, Rec Plex, and the high schools/SCC • A safe crossing of Hwy 61 (Roosevelt Ave.) is desired

Land Use & Development Focus Group Notes • Need more quality rental homes/units; renting out for sale homes to many families that are not ready to buy or building. Need higher quality rentals/executive rentals. • Need more area to develop for housing, different price-points of housing. • Affordable housing is dependent on who is the buyer/renter and what they can afford. • Would like to see more townhouse/row house/condo units downtown and in other growth areas. • New commercial growth is set up for HWY 61/ Roosevelt, West Burling ton and redevelopment downtown. • Burlington’s development polices and incentives are not in line with West Burlington’s, there is a disadvantage for many to develop in Burlington. • Amenities are a huge factor in selling the region and need to be incorporated into redevelopment and new residential development… question is how to pay for them. • Bike trails are needed, like ones in Fairfield, IA.

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• Burlington needs to use TIF more to help new development and provide infrastructure • The group felt a convention center on the site of the existing post office would be of great benefit to the downtown • Commercial properties downtown are available but no businesses to fill them • There is a lack of high-end or market value rental properties in town • The group expressed a corrosive atmosphere between developers and the city officials • Would like to have better working relationships between Burlington, West Burlington, and Des Moines County • A lack of river front amenities: temporary boat docking, beach access, more river front park area

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APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT

Healthy Living Focus Group Notes • City needs to connect trails sidewalks and add more/clearer wayfinding signage for recreation and community facilities • Bridge at park needs to be replaced/fixed/open. • Need more parks on North side of town and in new residential neighborhoods. • Very few kids bike to school. • Pool is great amenity that needs to be kept open. • Ignorant drivers and rude drivers are a huge problem to bikers and runners; swerve to hit both a lot – unsafe • Need more shade in parks, trees in well-used spaces on edges for people to relax under. • Water recreation/river recreation needs to be more developed and promoted. • Want to continue Blue Zone concepts. • Need better food quality restaurants, less fast food. • City needs to continue trail development. • Need to promote and provide more information on recreational facilities – maps for trails. • Need bike light at Rec Plex for safer crossing • Public boat ramps need improvements • Need facilities/amenities map of riverfront • Non-boaters need better connections to river • Amtrak Station needs renovations, great opportunity. • Unofficial mountain bike park could be promoted? • Seniors need to know about existing recreation opportunities • Need more urgent care facilities • Very hard to find a Family Doctor, hospital is trying to attract more doctors to the region. • Single Source Recycling is needed. • Count needs to step-up recycling abilities and services. • Need more planters- more attention to planters downtown. • Sewer trails are an amenity that could be improved and promoted. • Lack of winter recreation opportunity • Need more bike racks at parks • It is tough to plan new community events • Need amenities for young professional families • Need Community Pride to be increased • A microbrewery would be great

• Minor League baseball team is a huge asset and needs to see continued/growing support. • Youth need places to hang out without causing trouble. • Would like to see row houses and infill downtown. • Expanded Bike trails and better, more helpful signage, stretching stations/exercise nodes • Sidewalks and roads in bad shape for runners and riders • Lack of bike trails to parks • Many playgrounds in parks around town have no shade. Would like to see shade structures or build playgrounds nearer to existing trees • Lack of park maintenance, non-working drinking fountains, inadequate maintenance of bathroom facilities, which are often closed • Mention of a Safe Routes to School grant that should be utilized for all the new school district developments • A desire for an indoor complex at the Rec Plex, the 2 gyms at the YMCA are always booked • A need to promote or educate what facilities are where to the citizens • Need a bike crossing at Roosevelt and West Ave. • The flint trail project was discussed as a step in the right direction for regional recreation planning • The train depot is not aesthetically pleasing • More medical clinics would be a great benefit to everyone in the community • Opportunities for volunteers to help keep Burlington beautiful, clean-up sponsors • The group discussed a need for an ‘Event Planner’ or some sort of city liaison to educate people on events and amenities

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FOCUS GROUPS

Downtown, Waterfront & Tourism Focus Group Notes • Very focused on using existing urban fabric to support infill growth over costly suburban growth. • Capital Theater and new housing projects are a huge success and can continue to promote downtown. • Need to support more infill and renovations. • Need shuttles between downtown/riverfront and casino to connect and promote both. • Casino is a huge asset to tourism along with Rec Plex. • Create district for tourism promotion • Many warehouses and older buildings need to be renovated and out of town owners are just letting them fall apart. • Need more market rate rentals downtown, enough subsidized. • $95K-$115K condos/lofts/row houses units needed • Key attractions study is important. • Regional COG moving out of downtown was big blow to downtown employment and traffic; need to keep these types of businesses downtown. • Success Stories: Capitol Theater, Residential Rehabs, Library, Heritage Center, Arts Center, Restaurants, Tom’s Market • Want better wayfinding signage around town to direct to downtown/Roosevelt/Rec Plex • There is not a parking problem downtown, there is a walking problem. Too many vacant storefronts between shopping destinations. People just drive and park all around downtown • Could offer tourism packages = flights/dinner/ movie/lodging • City’s website needs to be updated to be a useful promotion tool • Desire for a downtown hotel with gym/pool/spa • Roof decks and gardens are great spaces for downtown residents • Need to incentivize downtown development • Need an attraction map for the city, more education and training of “front-line” people, i.e. hotel clerks, gas station attendants, etc. • Burlington is beautiful, lots of photography opportunities

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• River boats will be making nine different stops in Burlington, only here for a day or less, how to best welcome them? • SCC and Capitol Theater are working on a shared space agreement for the second floor of the old Capitol Theater • Surge in airport use is a good thing that will help continue to make Burlington a regional destination • Winery tours are available but not well promoted, could expand that market • The ‘Warehouse District’ has a lot of potential for development • There was discussion on how to go about developing and reinvesting in properties owned by absent/outof-state landlords • Mention of strongtowns.com • There is a lack of connectivity between visitors and means of accessing river recreation opportunities • Expand train service and renovate train depot • Lack of child care services downtown • A sports field downtown would be beneficial • Most downtown shops are closed on Sunday mornings when a large amount of church-goers are there • A website should be developed to let business owners and entrepreneurs know what types of funding, assistance, and protocols need to be followed to start a business • There is a lot of outside interest in Burlington, but a general lack of pride from within the community • Identified a ‘Developer vs. City’ mentality that should not exist • The Hawkeye fuels the negativity and tarnished reputation • Visitor docks on the riverfront and boat excursion company to offer way to enjoy river for visitors

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APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT

Employment & Economic Development Focus Group Notes • Casino is a huge asset, employment draw. • Manufacturing is strong and continues to see huge need for skilled workforce…. Looking outside region to attract workers. • Community College and schools are dropping the ball on preparing kids in Burlington for skilled labor employment. College-only career path is not good for the region and employment needs…keeping people raised here at skilled positions is much easier than attracting outsiders. • Advantages: o No traffic jams o Quality of life o Choices in housing o River o Recreation o Scale of community and services available o Local technical workforce o Excellent schools • This plan has to be a guide for doing what needs to be done… one that will outlast the current elected officials and staff and give them the tools and backing to make tough decisions for the community. • Need more pride throughout community • Cost of living is a huge asset • Need to better network young professionals and interns in major employers • Family environment is a huge asset • Need more young professional involvement in community • Burlington is a great community…promote that!! • Need temporary/rental housing that is quality, and condos. • The current media conditions feed unnecessarily on negativity • NIMBY’s are a problem. • The Hawkeye is very negative; City and Community need to get positive stories out. • Winegards’s expansion is great for the community and that area. • Need better transportation routes... 61 to north would be great as a four-lane and 34 into Illinois should also be four- lane to improve Burlington’s connections.

• Amtrak needs ticketing or a kiosk • Many streets need patching and improving • BNSF is a huge asset to manufacturing and economic development as well as the river port. • Regional Airport with Commercial Service is great for economic development • Burlington is a blue-collar community based on manufacturing, but there is a lack of technically skilled workforce in Burlington and hard to recruit good employees • Employers have lowered the standards of job applicants • Disappointment in SCC’s fostering of technical programs, no or limited skill/trade training • Pros: small town/short commutes, centrally located between major metros (Chicago, St. Louis, Des Moines, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Omaha) • Historically excellent technical workforce • The outside perspective of potential employees when researching Burlington is always negative (Google clean-out of negative hits) • Burlington has been described as a “social desert”, more suited for families, which can make it hard to recruit employees • “We’ve allowed the nay-sayers to be the spokesmen of Burlington” (C.A.V.E. People, Citizens Against Virtually Everything) • Lack of decent temporary housing for new residents/ employees • Road maintenance contributes to bad reputation • Rail/river opportunities, what are the potentials for growth

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FOCUS GROUPS

Civic Groups & Non-Profits Focus Group Notes • Many citizens and churches are very involved, always could use more but likely average for City’s of similar size. • Hard to find dedicated long-term volunteers to turn over important project leadership to. • Need for more quality rental housing • Need for affordable housing (purchase) • Need more kids involved with community organization • After school programs are great and want to expand • Hospital has tons of great volunteers • Community news is focused on the negative things, need more pride, more positive coverage. • Large employers are great at helping with volunteer recruitment but there is room for improvement and companies need to continue to support employees volunteering to show community they care. • Need to list volunteer and community service opportunities to promote them to people who may not know about them all. • Need to find more support for vocational and skilled labor educational opportunities.

• Overall, there are few/limited citizens involved in community activities and a majority that is disconnected • The involvement from those participants is fantastic, but taken for granted by most • There are too many “slum-lords” or landlords that do nothing to maintain their low-rent properties • Lack of housing for disabled • Some city codes are unnecessarily prohibiting development of more housing for the disabled • One way to get/keep youth and young professionals involved in civic organizations is to give them responsibilities and tasks. • Should try to limit organizations board members from staying in the same positions for too long • There is a lack in child care facilities for those with disabilities and mentoring opportunities • The Hawkeye newspaper was brought up again as a strong source of negativism

Service and Retail Focus Group Notes • Identified the Chamber as a good use of funds for promotion and business development • The “shop locally” campaign should be expanded to all local businesses not just “mom and pop shops” • City is viewed as a roadblock to development • Inconsistencies in the enforcement of code throughout the city • There needs to be dedicated project managers for each development project so developers are not getting inconsistent information from different city staffers • Need to communicate to citizens how great Burlington is! • The work ethic of people in town seems “sour” • The school system is seen as a bright spot in the community

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• Retail business is good, potentially not really a need for retail growth with the expansion of online shopping • The Manor development needs to be re-branded. The manor name is carrying a negative connotation • Website that has “keys to the city” or development standards – city/banks/developers = A,B,C’s of development • Expand low-impact low-cost recreation opportunities, such as disc golf • A downtown catalog should be developed to let developers know which properties are available for development

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GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

Growth & Development Workshops In May 2012, the City of Burlington hosted three workshops and a public open house to discuss land use and development issues. The workshops were designed to gather stakeholder opinions on “Regional Collaboration”, “Downtown/Waterfront” and “Highway 61 and Residential Neighborhood Growth”. The workshops were held over two days (May 29th and 30th) and concluded with a public open house to discuss the ideas gathered during the workshops. Approximately 40 people participated in the workshops and open house. A list of participants can be found on the following page.

Regional Collaboration Objectives • Identify issues/opportunities that may/may not exist • Facilitate regional conversation & develop a common understanding among regional agencies • Foster economic development possibilities and policy discussion Topics • Growth and development expectations (location)Comparison of City of Burlington growt areas to growth/development expectations of West Burlington, Des Moines County and other regional activity • Growth and development expectations (type)Industrial growth, retail/service/tourism growth • Transportation needs and issues- transit, trails, freight, Highway 61 realignment • Park and recreation facilities and services • Education issues and opportunities (K-12, postsecondary)

B-52

Downtown/Waterfront Objectives • Maps indicating locations of key public and private improvements • Written goals, strategies, guidelines Topics • Future land use- emphasize certain uses in certain places within “Downtown Mixed Use”? • Private property guidelines- parking, building setbakcs, building design, signage, landscaping • Discussion on the difference between a standard (integrate into zoning) and a guideline (only in plan) • Public ROW improvement- streetscape standards/ guidelines, streetscape improvement priorities by location, waterfront access and amenities

Highway 61 & Residential Neighborhood Growth Objectives • Maps indicating locations of key public and private improvements • Written goals, strategies, guidelines Topics • Future land use • Private property guidelines- parking, building setbakcs, building design, signage, landscaping • Discussion on the difference between a standard (integrate into zoning) and a guideline (only in plan) • Public ROW improvement- streetscape standards/ guidelines, streetscape improvement priorities by location, desired transportation improvements to address congestion and safety, bike/pedestrian/transit enhacements • Examine residential growth areas- greenspace needs/ wants, transportation routes, guidelines on development

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT

Workshop Participants Regional Collaboration

Highway 61 & Residential Neighborhood Growth

Ron Knoke

City of Burlington

Steve Hartman

City of Burlington

Steve Hartman

City of Burlington

Martin Salino-Hugg

Metzger-Johnson Architects

Jason Hutcheson

Greater Burlington Partnership

Madeline Emmerson

SEIRPC

Bryan Bross

Burlington Planning & Zoning Commission

Ryan Gourley

City of Burlington

Eric Tysland

City of Burlington

Don Sheedy

Triple S Leasing

Amber Verkuilen

City of Burlington

Matt Shinn

Two Rivers Bank/Imagine Campaign

Beth Nickel

Greater Burlington Partnership

Mike Pierson

Pierson Inc.

Mary Beaird

Southeast Iowa Regional Airport

Jim Olson

Two Rivers Financial Group

Kim Perlstein

Des Moines County Conservation

Susan Diehl

Downtown Partners, Inc.

Tom Broeker

Des Moines County

Bob McCannon

Downtown Partners, Inc.

Mike Norris

SEIRPC

Mark Miller

Ruhl & Ruhl

Jim Olson

Two Rivers Financial Group

Amber Verkuilen

City of Burlington

Dan Gifford

City of West Burlington

Eric Tysland

City of Burlington

Jim Ferneau

City of Burlington Public Open House

Downtown and Waterfront

Mark Morris

KBUR

Amber Verkuilen

City of Burlington

Steve Zager

Zager Properties

Eric Tysland

City of Burlington

Mike Hartman

Retired

Don Tramon

Downtown Partners, Inc.

Ann Distelhorst

Bryan Bross C.E. Walsh

Burlington Planning & Zoning Commission Farmers & Merchants Bank

Mike Pierson Jeff Heland

Pierson, Inc. Friends of the Depot

Janet McCann

Downtown Partners, Inc.

Don Tramon

Downtown Partners, Inc.

Hal Morton

Downtown Partners, Inc.

Diane Sweiden?

Friends of the Depot

Dennis Imler

Farmers & Merchants Bank

Mark Moore

Friends of the Depot

Dana Johnston

Drake Hardware and Software

Florence Paterno

Downtown Partners, Inc.

Scott Zaiser

Zaiser's Landscaping, Inc.

Mark Miller

Ruhl & Ruhl

Beth Nickel

Greater Burlington Partnership

Beth Nickel

Greater Burlington Partnership

Mike Darnell

McConnell Lofts

Jim Olson

Two Rivers Financial Group

B-53


B.4

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

Regional Collaboration Workshop Notes • Southeastern Regional Airport has a 5 yr Master plan which is considering things like zoning and purchasing adjacent properties within the runway clearance zones, which may increase traffic loads from the new Edward Stone middle school. Also considering relocating the terminal to the west side of property to take advantage of the Highway 61 corridor access.

• Employment impact with possible large fertilizer development just south of Burlington. Project would create 2,400+ construction jobs for 24 months and contribute 160+ full time positions.

• The Comfort Inn on the SW side of town is the extent of the current water and waste water infrastructure. The infrastructure currently existing to the north of this point towards town, but does not cross Highway 61 to service the area immediately west of the airport.

• Multijurisdictional collaboration needed to discuss techniques to mitigate on both Iowa and Illinois side.

• The city of Burlington and West Burlington are both implementing projects to increase capacities for their waste water treatment plants, but the increase in the capacity will not be able to handle further growth to the SW. The two cities will need to collaborate on increasing the capacity for the benefit of future development. • The Flint Creek Watershed study may have regional impacts from a mitigation of erosion/sedimentation/ pollution standpoint from the confluence of the Mississippi west to New London. • Future Highway 61 upgrade extends 4-lanes from just north of Burlington to South of Muscatine where the 4 lanes currently transition to 2 lane. Currently in the land acquisition and ROW delineation phase. • Highway 34 is planned to be widened to 4 lanes between Burlington and Monmouth with a bypass around Biggsville. This is currently in the planning stages.

• Flood control issues north of Case Corp. on the Flint creek need to be addressed.

• Efforts should be focused on Highway 61 alignment, upgrades and possible north-south alternative (e.g. Curran/Plane). A bypass scenario may be discussed in the future if traffic loads increase. • The Flint River trail is a precedent-setting trail for the region and many of the participants thought that a more extensive network of regional trails was desired to connect all of the natural amenities in the region. The Des Moines County greenway study should be utilized for trail planning. • Starrs Cave Nature Preserve is owned by the state and leased to Des Moines County, with their lease coming to an end within 5 years. The plan is to move those functions to the proposed Aldo Leopold Interpretive Center which is planned as a 235 acre eco-tourism attraction off of Mill Dam Rd. • Big hollow recreation area to be completed soon. • There needs to be a bigger education and marketing push to highlight the natural amenities of the region.

• Some of the regional similarities compared to Burlington are population decline, infrastructure needs, and rural growth.

• Campgrounds on the river have been requested by citizens, but the participants discussed the difficulties of maintenance.

• Des Moines county has zoned lands for two miles surrounding the city of Burlington, but not zoned any other lands within the county. (2 mile Zoning Plan)

• All call for more bike lanes and better way-finding signage along bike routes was mention.

B-54

• ADA Accessibility issues within the conservation attractions

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT • Des Moines County Conservation has encouraged exploring opportunities to expand public hunting within conservation lands • Regional collaboration is needed to decrease competition among Burlington, West Burlington and Des Moines County for tax base and development. • West Burlington’s residential growth area is the farm land to the west of Target off of Gear Ave. Their industrial growth area would be located further west, near the new ethanol facility. • West Burlington has postponed building a new public works building to facilitate a Deery Bros. growth area. • West Burlington does not want to annex any land unless that land is volunteered to be annexed. • The Regional Housing Trust Fund that has plans for 95 homes with half of those completed • Educational infrastructure has a definite regional impact. The open enrollment policy seems to affect how efficiently infrastructure is utilized. • The School Board and City should work on aging or decommissioned school properties to address the vacancies prior to the building becoming empty. So the city may address in-fill growth opportunities and proper conversion of the use/zoning. • Development of a regional technical school needs to be seriously discussed. Whether that be through SCC or other means, possibly through the use other vacant school properties

• Trails need to have connections with other trails throughout the city • Wayfinding signage needs to be uniform to the region but individual districts have unique character. • The desire for improved conference center locations in the regional was expressed, in particular the options of having appropriately sized break-out spaces has been an issue with not getting certain conferences in the recent past. • At one time Burlington’s airport serviced 38,000 passengers yearly. It is now down to 7,000. They need at least 10,000 for certain grants or funding opportunities. Ways to increase commercial flight activites should be considered with regional growth to the Southwest. •“Close to home” vacations is the marketing push right now to encourage people to vacation but to use the local amenities. • Fairway Winegard facility is implementing innovative stormwater techniques and should be utilized as an example of best practices. • Burlington’s short-line freight is award winning. Is there a way to capitalize on this? • Public/private partnership opportunities should be further discussed. • Greater Burlington partnership should facilitate regional cooperation on growth issues and development opportunities.

• The region’s tourism season runs from May to sept/oct. • The Rec Plex is a big regional draw with talks of an indoor rec center being developed • The crowds drawn by the Rec Plex tournaments sometimes are causing a shortage of hotel inventory and guests are being directed to Monmouth and ft. Madison which means that hotel tax dollars are being spent elsewhere. Where is the appropriate place to develop a hotel?

B-55


B.4

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

Downtown/Waterfront Workshop Notes • There is a desire to have a hotel downtown, whether a new building or re-use of an existing structure. A downtown hotel would help sell Memorial Auditorium opportunities. • There is a facade restoration grant being applied currently to a several blocks of Jefferson St. The grant does not specifically require facades to be done with historical accent but that is encouraged or desired from all of the participants. • For most passer-bys, Burlington is like every other town that just travels the commercial corridor of Highway 61 and never experiences, or is even aware, of the beauty and historical significance of downtown. An effort needs to be concentrated on getting Roosevelt traffic to experience downtown. • Several trails from downtown should be developed to Roosevelt, ideally one to the north, central and south portions

B-56

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT

Highway 61 & Residential Study Workshop Notes • Maintenance of roadway and curbs/medians is lacking.

• Currently each of Burlington’s “entry signs” has a different look. Signage should be uniform.

• How do we maintain current median plantings? How can we expand that treatment or some treatment to create uniformity and continuity throughout the corridor?

• A technology based signage would be helpful when looking to the future. With at least a scan code that could update traffic status or upcoming events and possibly lead visitors to the downtown area.

• Discuss possibility of having business owner’s maintain/clean the ROWs adjacent to their sites.

• The entry sign on the south end of Highway 61 should be moved further south (the bend by Comfort Inn) to represent Burlington’s true boundary

• Complete Streets should be used to safely incorporate alternative modes of transportation safely. • Sidewalks/trails should be added to Roosevelt. Bike lanes could also be added to the frontage roads.

• Infrastructure upgrades (including locating the post office or other public facilitiy)could help spur development at the “Highway 61 Redevelopment Area”.

• West Ave seems like the most reasonable location for a crossing, either elevated or under the roadway, because of the existing trail. Ideally, there should be other crossings at Division St. or Agency St. and Mt. Pleasant St.

• Trails should connect Rec Plex to Crapo through Perkins Park. Trail development overall should be prioritized by cost. For example, the easiest to implement seems to be those that could accomodate on-street bike trails.

• The highway overpass bridge is not safe for pedestrians, but is heavily used by them. What is the best way to provide crossing opportunities to reduce this risk? • The comprehensive plan should incorporate a comprehensive trail/bike lane map for those currently existing and for future trail routes. • Further discussion is still needed on the extent of architectural standards that should be required in the Highway 61 Corridor. However, all agreed that some uniformity could occur through landscaping.

B-57


B.4

B-58

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

MSA Professional Services, Inc.


APPENDIX B PUBLIC INPUT

B-59



1 2 3 4 5 6 Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Maps This Appendix is a compilation of plan maps, including larger versions of those in the plan, and insets that show existing and future land use in greater detail. Page C.1 Transportation Map C-1 C.2 Development Limitations Map C-2 C.3 Community Facilities Map C-3 C.4 Parkland Walkable Service Area Map C-4 C.5 Hazards Map C-5 C.6 Existing Land Uses Map C-6 C.7 Planning Areas Map C-12 C.8 Future Land Use Maps C-13

Adopted on November 19, 2012



D ry

APPENDIX C MAPS

B

ran

61

C re e k Flint

ch

X60

Ho n ey Cr

ee

3.1% 4,670

k -12.8% 12,900

-10.5% 4,920

0.7% 15,200

-10.8% 17,400

34 34

-9.3% 9,700

-5.6% 13,600

-9.6% 3,760

Illinois

C reek 0.7% 4,700

8.7% 2,510

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0

Transportation Facilities

MAP-41

Legend Planning Area

County Boundary Functional Classification

City of Burlington

Railroads

Principal Arterial

City of West Burlington

Streams

Minor Arterial

Lakes & Rivers

Collector Local Roads

C-1

Drafted - LSR, Date - 10-08-12, File - p:/12954001

8,400

Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington

% Change (2002-10) 2010 Traffic Count

4,200

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA


102ND AV

APPENDIX C MAPS

V HA 90 T

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125TH ST

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Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington

Development Limitations

2 MAP-5

Legend Planning Area

Parcels

Streams Soils Slope - Weighted Average

County Boundary

Roads

Wetlands

City of Burlington

Railroads

City of West Burlington

Lakes & Rivers

Floodplains 100 Year 500 Year

C-2

Drafted - LSR, Date - 10-08-12, File - p:/12954001

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA

0 - 12% 12 - 20%

Feet

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4,200

8,400


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APPENDIX C MAPS

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Aldo Leopold Middle School

Mosquito Park North Hill Elementary Riverwalk Park

Burlington Alternative High School

North Hill Park Burlington Public Library

34

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34 Burlington Public Works

Burlington

Burlington City Hall Clark Fieldhouse

Illinois

Fire Department

South Hill Park Kersch Park

DeEdwin and Gladys White Memorial Park

Corse Elementary School

Burlington Regional Rec Complex

Grimes Elementary

Notre Dame Catholic School

Perkins Park Summer Street Park

Edward Stone Middle School

Fire Station #2

Burlington Parks and Rec

Burlington Alternative High School

61

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Black Hawk Elementary School

Crapo Park

pi R

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City of Burlington

Community Facilities

3 MAP-2

Legend City of Burlington City of West Burlington County Boundary Roads Lakes & Rivers

C-3

Drafted - LSR, Date - 10-08-12, File - p:/12954001

Education Government Building

Park/Rec

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA


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Community Playfield Service Area (1 MI) Education

County Boundary Roads Lakes & Rivers

C-4

Drafted - LSR, Date - 10-08-11, File - p:/12954001

Village Parks - Walkable Service Area (1/4 MI) School Property - Walkable Service Area (1/4 MI)

Park/Rec Residential Areas

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA


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City of West Burlington

500 Year

Feet

County Boundary Lakes & Rivers Streams

C-5

Drafted - LSR, Date - 12-16-11, File - p:/12954001

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA

0

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APPENDIX C MAPS

130TH ST

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Legend Roads

City of Burlington

Railroads

City of West Burlington

Streams

County Boundary

C-6

Drafted - LSR, Date - 10-08-12, File - p:/12954001

8,400

Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington

Planning Area

4,200

Existing Land Use

Recreational Commercial

Parks & Recreation

Agriculture/Open Space

Commercial

Transportation

Single Family Residential

Industrial

Surface Water

Multi-Family Residential

Public/Institutional

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA


CURRAN ST

LUCAS AV

GRATTON ST

EMMETT ST

SHIELDS ST

HAYES ST

HEISEY ST

MARKET ST

T DC

SMITH ST

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DIVISION ST

STERLING DR

HASKELL ST

STARR AV

PLANE ST

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SPRAY ST

WILLIAMS ST

MIDDLE ST

STARR AV

WILLOW AV

WEST AV

WESTLAND AV

CATHMAR ST

GLENDALE DR

JOHANNSEN DR

MORNINGSIDE DR

CLEARVIEW AV

IRONWOOD ST

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BURL INGTON AV

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MT PLE A

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VINEYARD ST

EMMETT ST

1,400

GRANT ST

FRONTAGE RD

700

EDW

ROOSEVELT AV

0

SYLVANIA DR

SHIELDS ST

APPENDIX C MAPS

Feet

WEST AV

GREEN ST

Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington

Existing Land Use - West

MAP-6 a

Legend Roads

City of Burlington

Streams

Agriculture/Open Space

Parcels

Residential

City of West Burlington

Insets C-7

Drafted - LSR, Date - 05-09-12, File - p:/12954001

Existing Land Use

Planning Area

County Boundary

Recreational Commercial Commercial

Industrial Public/Institutional

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA


MAIN ST

MILLER ST

DUNHAM ST

CRESTVIEW DR

WHITEWOOD ST

CONCORD DR

CA S

14TH ST

PARK AV

SANDEL L DR

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HILLARY AV

PARKWAY DR

POTTER

DR BROOKS ST

BROOKS ST

KOESTNER ST

KOESTNER ST

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SIOUX DR

0

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Missis

SIOUX DR

Ri ve

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NAVAJO ST

14TH ST

PARKWAY DR

5TH ST

LYNNWOOD DR

MADISON AV

SHOQUOQUON DR

CENTRAL AV

PARK PL

IVA TE

RIVER ST

ORCHARD ST

6TH ST

HEDGE AV

CENTRAL AV

12TH ST

13TH ST

SWEENY AV

3RD ST

8TH ST

HARRISON AV

SUNSET AV

ACRES ST

ACRES ST

DENMARK ST

HEDGE AV

GLENN AV

4TH ST

DENMARK ST

GRAND ST

ELM CT

10TH ST

ACRES ST

13TH ST

14TH ST

CHEROKEE DR

ED R

LOUISA ST

6TH ST

12TH ST

14TH ST

15TH ST

15TH ST

SUMMER S T AN

16TH ST

WHITTIER ST

DE LMAR S T

AIR L

6TH ST

7TH ST

PERKINS AV

AV

LEEBRICK ST

GARFIE LD

OL IVE ST

LAUREL S T

DR

LEWIS ST

7TH ST

R DR

WINDSOR CR

PR

JACKSON ST

POL K ST

AV

ACRES ST

BARRET ST

SELECTED COMMENTS • Running/walking/bike trails • Indoor ice skating rink • River Front and river access GE ST baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball facility PAsoccer, • Indoor

PAGE ST

E LL

INDIAN TERR

GREENBRIA R

PB

LOUISA ST DODGE ST

TS T

CLAY ST

LEWIS ST

ACRES ST

FR ON

WIGHTMAN ST

SOUTH ST

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U LN

ST

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8TH

WA

PINE ST

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ST

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APPENDIX C MAPS

C LO

ST ST

Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington

Existing Land Use - South

MAP-6 b

Legend Roads

City of Burlington

Streams

Agriculture/Open Space

Parcels

Residential

City of West Burlington

Insets C-8

Drafted - LSR, Date - 05-09-12, File - p:/12954001

Existing Land Use

Planning Area

County Boundary

Recreational Commercial Commercial

Industrial Public/Institutional

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA


LN YV I EW LE

RIDGEVIEW D R

D

FLORENCE AV

DR

R

VALHAL LA LN

B.1

FA

N W

k

CRYSTAL DR

STARR

RE D F OX RD

n

ree tC

VA L

W A T K M A

R

IROQUOIS RD

Fli

RIDG

D

R

W A RD

1,400

IRIS H

700 KIO

'S CAV E RD

0

E RD

Feet

IN

APPENDIX C MAPS

WHITETAIL RD

W OO D

LA

ND

QUAIL RIDGE DR

AV

BOCK ST

BITTERSWEET PL GRUBE ST

STEUBE N ST

T M

DR ATE PRIV

P LE A S A N T

FRONTAGE RD

GEAR ST

DE HN ST

WEIMER ST

ROOSEVELT AV

CHARLES ST

MELVIN AV

LE SYLVIA ST

DE ER RUN DR

ISABELLA AV

DOUGLAS AV

FRONTAGE RD

HERBLO DR

BOCK ST

GRUBE ST

E YSID

VOGT ST

SUNN

SUNNYSIDE AV

LENOX AV

CLIFF RD

SUBILBE AV

MATHIAS ST

TD R

NORTHWOOD AV

DEHN ST

CR ES

ROOSEVELT AV

SURRY RD

HIL L

YODER DR

FAIR ACRES DR

S T

Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington

Existing Land Use - Northwest

MAP-6 c

Legend Roads

City of Burlington

Streams

Agriculture/Open Space

Parcels

Residential

City of West Burlington

Insets C-9

Drafted - LSR, Date - 05-09-12, File - p:/12954001

Existing Land Use

Planning Area

County Boundary

Recreational Commercial Commercial

Industrial Public/Institutional

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA


RD OC ON Mi ss N iss i pp E L L iR i ve B E A r CH

nc h Br a

700

1,400 91ST AV Fli

nt

Cr ee

Dry

0

MILL DAM RD

APPENDIX C MAPS

Feet 113TH ST

k

TAMA RD

C DM AP W

99

EL LO

GOLF LN

CHARETTE LN

RD

POND ST POND ST

OSBORN ST

GNAHN ST

NN SU

DE S MOINES AV

CONNER AV

AV

HIGHLAND AV

CASH ST

8TH ST

LINCOLN ST

AV

9TH ST

E ID YS

GRACEA AV

VIRGINIA AV

BARTLETT ST

B LU

ASH ST

OAK ST

8TH ST

THUL ST

GNAHN ST

LINCOLN ST

MARK LN

CORSE ST

9TH ST

ER LG I P

RIDGE ROW

THE OAKS

FF

R

D

Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington

Existing Land Use - Northside

MAP-6 d

Legend Planning Area

Insets C-10

Drafted - LSR, Date - 05-09-12, File - p:/12954001

Existing Land Use

City of Burlington

Agriculture/Open Space

City of West Burlington

Residential

County Boundary

Recreational Commercial

Streams

Commercial

Parcels

Industrial Public/Institutional

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA


9TH ST ST

ST

ST

3R D

ST

6TH ST 4TH

T ST

3R D ST

ON S T

FRO

Y ST

ET S T

3R D S T

ST

VINE S T

LA R

ST

4T

U ANG

T ES

12T

ST C LO

US

E PIN

ST

ST

GREEN ST

T TS

4T H

T HS

R DA CE

T DS

C RU SP

3R

T HS

SUMMER

T MAPLE S

5TH ST

6TH ST

MAY A V

ELM ST

GROVE ST

Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington

Existing Land Use - Downtown Legend

Insets C-11

Drafted - LSR, Date - 05-09-12, File - p:/12954001

ST

ST

TON ST

HIG H

MAIN

MARIETTA ST

WOODLAWN AV

COU R

ST

VAL L E

7TH ST

HIGBEE A V

HING

ET S T

8TH ST

MAPLE ST

WEST AV

ERS

ST

ST

ST

7TH

MARSHALL ST

JE FF

3R D

ST

ST

10TH

HIGH

5TH

ST

ST

8TH

ARC H

NT S T

10TH

9TH

ST 10TH

ST WELLS

ING ST

T AE TNA S

AETNA ST

MARSHALL ST

SPR

DIVISION ST

9TH ST

GUNNISON ST

ST

MAR K

10TH ST

GUNNISON ST

NKL IN

WAS

ST

GARFIELD AV

FR A

COL UMB IA

MAR K

AV

GARFIELD AV

AGENCY ST

H ST

IOW A ST

EYE

SMITH ST

SPRAY ST

ST

CE NTRAL

LEEBRICK ST

7TH ST

ST B R

NOR T

K HA W

MARKET ST

ADAMS ST

1,400

O

O

K

S

DOEMLAND ST

KROEGER ST

CAROLINE ST

DEHNER ST

REMICK ST

CHALFANT ST ON ERS

VALLEY ST

WEST AV

700

B.1

T PAT

ST

0

RD

OSBORN ST

CAMERON ST

PLANK ST

Y

Feet

FF

LINDEN ST

AN T S T

LUCAS AV

NC

U BL

GNAHN ST

APPENDIX C MAPS

MT PL EAS

34

AG E

SYCAMORE ST

City of Burlington

Agriculture/Open Space

Industrial

City of West Burlington

Residential

Public/Institutional

Lakes & Rivers

Recreational Commercial

Parcels

Commercial

MAP-6 e Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA


PFEIFF RD

90TH AV

32

102ND AV

FLINT BOTTOM

D ry

APPENDIX C MAPS

130TH ST

130TH ST

GO

LF

Br

CO

UR

SE

125TH ST

an ch

RD

FLINT BOTTOM RD

X60

61

20

ROOSEVELT AV

26

GEAR AV

C reek

OSBORN ST

13 29

G AU

US

R TA

D

TA M

AV

WES T AV

12

MASON ST

11

8

7

10

ST 65TH ST

TH 60

C re ek

ST

LL SK E

D

HA

TR

TH

ST

HART MAN RD

HUN

7T H ST

U SO

28 30

B r us h

5

ANGULAR ST WEST AV

Illinois

MA PLE ST

SU MMER ST

S prin g

27

AV

AMELIA ST

ST

ST WE

1

DIVISION ST

9T H

WEST AV

CLE ARVIE W AV

2

MADISON AV

DIVISION ST

4

DR

6

MAIN ST

14 ILLS FL INT H

PLANE ST

ROOSEV ELT AV

SUMMER ST

WEST BURLINGTON AV

AGENCY ST

Y RD

3

RD

C AG E N

34

18

FF

34

25

16

U BL

GEAR AV

MT PLEASANT ST

17

4T H S T

22

24

HAGEMANN AV

D

V S IDE A

CENT RAL

KR Y SU NN

CURRAN ST

RD

DE S MOINE S AV

BEAVER DALE RD

AR LP

NK

15 21

R IA

PL A WAS HINGTON RD

MO

23

19

IRIS H

ME

GEAR AV

RIDG

E RD

40

D

C re ek

AR

F lint

9

60TH ST

31 X62

61

50TH ST

M is s i s s i p p

ROCK SPRING RD

i River

32

Feet 0

4,200

8,400

Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington

Planning Areas

MAP-77 Legend

Planning Area

05- South Hill

13- Mason/Clearview

21- Irish Ridge

29- Roosevelt Ave. Corridor

City of Burlington

06- North Hill

14- Cottonwood

22- Vogt St

30- Spring Ridge Business Park

City of West Burlington

07- Crapo/Dankwardt

15- Aspen Grove/Golf Club

23- Memorial Park

31- Spirit Hollow 32- Rural Lands

SubAreas

08- Orchard St.

16- North Industry

24- Western Edge

01- Waterfront

09- Nikonha Growth Area

17- Sunnyside

25- Mt. Pleasant St

02- Downtown

10- Airport

18- Oak Ridge

26- Flint Ridge Business Park

03- Osborn Redevelopment Area

11- Harrison St

19- Northern Edge

27- West Ave

04- Saunderson Heights

12- Central Neighborhoods

20- Flint Creek Open Space

28- Stonegate

C-12

Drafted - LSR, Date - 10-08-12, File - p:/12954001

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA


PFEIFF RD

90TH AV

102ND AV

FLINT BOTTOM

D ry

GO

LF

CO

UR

r an ch

SE

125TH ST

RD

UPPER FLINT RD

FLINT BOTTOM RD

C re ek

X60

61

IRIS H

ME

GEAR AV

RIDG

TA M

E RD

40

AR

D

F li n t

B

R IA

OSBORN ST MASON ST

AV D AV

D

Creek

TH

ST

HARRISON AV

MADISON AV

R TA

SU MMER ST

US

U SO

B r u sh

C re

TH 60

ek

ST

ON AV

65TH ST

MA DIS

SK E

D

HA

TR

HART MAN RD

HUN

LL

ST

S prin g

G AU

WES T AV

ST LA R

MAIN ST

ROOSEVELT AV

V ST A

Illinois

MA PLE ST

GARFIEL

WE

AMELIA ST

U AN G WEST AV

Y ST

DIVISION ST

ST

WEST AVENUE RD

CLE ARVIE W AV

VA LL E

9T H

GEAR AV

DIVISION ST

WEST AV

CENT RAL

ILLS DR

PLANE ST

FL INT H

7T H S T

ROOSEV ELT AV

WEST BURLINGTON AV

SUMMER ST

WEST BURLINGTON AV

AGENCY ST

34

RD

RD

FF

Y AG E NC

OAK ST

U BL

34

V S IDE A

DE S MOINE S AV

GEAR AV

D

MT PLEASANT ST

Y SU NN

4T H S T

KR

RD

HAGEMANN AV

NK

AR LP

BEAVERDALE RD

MO

PL A WAS HINGTON RD

CURRAN ST

APPENDIX C MAPS

130TH ST

130TH ST

60TH ST

X62

61

Feet

M i s si s s i p

ROCK SPRING RD

p i Rive

r

50TH ST

0

4,200

8,400

Des Moines County, Iowa

City of Burlington

Future Land Use

MAP-88 Legend

Planning Area

Roads

City of Burlington

Proposed Roads

City of West Burlington County Boundary

C-13

Drafted - LSR, Date - 10-08-12, File - p:/12954001

Future Land Use

Neighborhood Mixed Use

Parks, Recreation & Open Space

Rural Lands

Downtown Mixed Use

Transportation

Railroads

Low Density Residential

Business Park

Surface Water

Streams

Higher Density Residential

Industrial

City to Remark

Drainageway Buffer

Commercial

Public & Institutional

Sources: - County Base Data - 2010 NAIP ortho provided by USDA


Br u

sh

C re

ek

APPENDIX C MAPS

GEAR AV

65TH ST

HUN

60TH ST

k

TR

D

T

S p r i n g Cr e

RS ME

61

M SU

ek

TH 60

ST

HILLARY AV

HARTMA N RD

B.1

S k un

an

Sl oug h

X62

r

AV MADIS ON

iv e

R pi ip iss iss M

AV O N IS AD M

D R E O LL EG

C SH U BR

HA SK EL LS T

Su ll i v

Future Land Use

City of Burlington Des Moines County, IA

Southern Inset

Legend

Planning Area

City of Burlington

City of West Burlington

Proposed Roads

Drainageway Buffer

Transportation

Surface Water

Feet

2,200

4,400

Parks, Recreation & Open Space

Public & Institutional

Industiral

Business Park

Downtown Mixed Use

Neighborhood Mixed Use

Commercial

Higher Density Residential

Low Density Residential

Rural Lands

Future Land Use

0

Sources: - Base data provided by Des Moines Co. - 2010 NAIP Ortho provided by USDA

Sl

ou

Drafted - LSR, Date - 10-08-12, File - p:/12954001

C-14

gh

MAIN ST


4

WAS HINGTON RD

WE

Y RD

AGENCY ST

34

NY DE SI AV OSBORN ST

l in t F

C re

U BL

UTH

ST LA R

SO

T

ek

FF

9TH

Mi

ss

ST

iss

HARRISON AV

ST

HING TO N S

G ST

U ANG

MAP LE ST

VA LL EY S T

WAS

SP RIN

OAK ST

CORS E ST

DES MOINE S AV

DR

DIVISIO N ST

WES T AV

AMELIA ST

N SU

FLINT HILLS

CLEARVIEW AV

WEST AV

7TH S T

5TH S T 4TH S T

SUNNYSIDE AV

C AG EN

WEST AV

MASON ST

CURRAN ST

ip p

i Riv

MASON ST

RA L A V CENT

ROOSEVELT AV ROOSEVELT AV

PL A NK RD

D

DIVISION ST

MT PLEASANT ST

V ST A

R TA US

D

TERRACE DR

WEST BURLINGTON AV WES T BURLINGTON AV

TR

MADISON AV

SHIELDS ST

WEST AVENUE RD

G AU

HUN

SUMM ER ST

PLANE ST HAGEMANN AV

GARFIELD AV AV GA RFIEL D

GEAR AV GEAR AV

APPENDIX C MAPS

ST HA SK EL L

GEAR AV

GEAR AV

MAIN ST

Future Land Use

City of Burlington Des Moines County, IA

Central Inset

Legend

Planning Area

City of Burlington

City of West Burlington

Proposed Roads

Drainageway Buffer

Transportation

Surface Water

Feet

2,200

4,400

Parks, Recreation & Open Space

Public & Institutional

Industiral

Business Park

Downtown Mixed Use

Neighborhood Mixed Use

Commercial

Higher Density Residential

Low Density Residential

Rural Lands

Future Land Use

0

Sources: - Base data provided by Des Moines Co. - 2010 NAIP Ortho provided by USDA

Drafted - LSR, Date - 10-08-12, File - p:/12954001

C-15

RD

er


FLINT BOTTOM RD

61

130TH ST

130TH ST

D ry B

ot t

GOLF COURSE RD

IRIS H RIDG E RD

X60

YC

AM

PR D

BL U

FF

R

D

D AR TA M

102ND AV

r e ek Flin t C

Kn

RD

UPPER FLINT RD

PL AN K

H on

ey

Cre MO ME

WEST BURLINGTO N AV

90TH AV

RIA AR LP KR D

N SU NY DE SI

DES MOINE S AV

OAK ST

ek AV 7TH ST

SUNNYSIDE AV

ROOSEVELT AV

ek

C re y

MT PLEASANT ST

APPENDIX C MAPS

SUMMER ST

125TH ST

is s M

i ss

p ip

iR

iv e

r

Future Land Use

City of Burlington Des Moines County, IA

Northern Inset

Legend

Planning Area

City of Burlington

City of West Burlington

Proposed Roads

Drainageway Buffer

Transportation

Surface Water

Feet

2,200

4,400

Parks, Recreation & Open Space

Public & Institutional

Industiral

Business Park

Downtown Mixed Use

Neighborhood Mixed Use

Commercial

Higher Density Residential

Low Density Residential

Rural Lands

Future Land Use

0

Sources: - Base data provided by Des Moines Co. - 2010 NAIP Ortho provided by USDA

Drafted - LSR, Date - 10-08-12, File - p:/12954001

C-16

ch ran OSBORN ST


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