Home>Economic Development>Comprehensive Plan Update>Full Text of the Comprehensive Plan>Dev. Framework: Community Facilities Plan

JUNE 2005

5. COMMUNITY FACILITIES PLAN

Community facilities include those lands, buildings, services and systems that are provided on a public or semi-public basis in the interest of or benefit to the residents of the community. Their importance should not be under-estimated in that they are offered as a major contributor to the quality of life and safety within the urban environment.

In order to enhance the quality of life within North Liberty, it is fundamental that adequate community facilities are provided for its residents. Commonly provided facilities include parks, open space, administrative offices, police/fire protection, and public utilities.

Government buildings and facilities such as parks play a major role in providing the necessary community amenities and in projecting a positive image of the City. These facilities reflect North Liberty's concern and dedication in providing its residents with a quality living environment, where recreational opportunities are abundant and a high standard of living is projected.

Public utilities are also an important factor in regulating development of particular areas of the City. Requiring that utilities are present prior to subdivision approval can prevent "leap frog" or premature development.

5.1 Parks and Recreation
A comprehensive park plan that addresses location and programming of parklands does not currently exist. Through the fulfillment of a park plan, the park and recreation system can be utilized to promote a quality living environment. In development of a comprehensive park system, there are three types of parks the City must consider in the future:

1. Community Parks: These parks would provide facilities for more intensive recreational activities, such as tennis courts, ballfields, swimming pools, and ice skating rinks.

2. Neighborhood Parks: These parks could be much smaller in size than the community parks, and only provide limited recreational offerings for children such as practice fields, multi-purpose courts and playground equipment.

3. Passive-Preservation Parks: These parks are set in natural areas of the community where preservation of the natural environment is the primary emphasis. Hiking trails, wildlife sanctuaries and picnic facilities would be among the primary uses of such a park facility, which in turn would benefit the natural wildlife of the area and nature enthusiasts.

The existing park facilities, as well as future parkland acquisition and development, must be considered within this framework. This hierarchy of park types allows for the appropriate distribution of facilities throughout the City, as well as consideration for park access and location.

5.2 Public Utilities
As the City experiences new development and growth, a primary concern will be the extension of utilities and the demand such growth produces. The extension of such facilities should occur in a planned, logical order to ensure sewer and water extensions are made with a maximum amount of cost efficiency as compared to the number of buildings or lots served. Expansion of the systems should proceed out from the existing system where development is occurring adjacent to existing land uses.

Sprawling development occurs when cities construct utilities wherever developers choose to locate subdivisions. Areas of land are left vacant between existing land uses and new development. The extension of sewer and water systems through these vacant areas cannot be financially supported where no residence or land uses are present. This type of situation should be avoided in the future to the extent possible to minimize unnecessary City expenditures and prevent premature development. The City has begun to use special assessments or tap on fees in assigning costs for public improvements to benefiting parties.

Public Utilities: Sanitary Sewer
The City’s long-term sanitary sewer plans are shown on the Sanitary Sewer Master Plan Map.

As stated previously within this report, concern exists as to the potential for septic system failure within the residential development along the Iowa River. The significant amount of development within the river corridor that utilizes on-site septic systems greatly increases the threat of ground water contamination within the area. The City should take an active role in reviewing and inspecting all future residential development within this river corridor to ensure adequate on-site septic systems are being implemented and maintained. This regulation is in the best interest of North Liberty as it protects against massive septic system failure in the North Liberty area. Such a failure may result in the costly extension of utilities to service failed developments. Furthermore, the City should consider long range planning efforts which provide for the eventual expansion of utilities to the river corridor area through a logical staging of growth within the City and surrounding extra territorial jurisdiction area.

Public Utilities: Water System
The City’s long-term water system plans are shown on the Water Distribution System Master Plan Map.

The existing water system functions adequately at present, however, the rapid growth of the community will require careful planning to ensure future and current needs.

In addition, the City is eliminating the dead-end water mains that currently exist along the system by creating a complete loop system. This loop system would eliminate the problems that will occur with a main break that would shut down water supply to those persons down stream of the water flows.

Public Utilities: Storm Drainage
The City’s long-term storm drainage plans are shown on the Storm Water / Clean Water Master Plan Map. This plan not only addresses storm water retention practices for new developments, but also addresses utilizing natural drainageways and drainage issues related to existing development. Further, in the last five years, the City has been reviewing subdivisions for compliance with the area-wide drainage plan for storm water, erosion control and sump pump requirements.


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