Home>Economic Development>Comprehensive Plan Update>Full Text of the Comprehensive Plan>Policy Plan: Community Facilities

JUNE 2005

4. COMMUNITY FACILITIES

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. Such facilities typically include public utilities, parks, open space, and administrative services. Their importance should not be under-estimated in that they are offered as a necessity for sustaining life within the urban environment and are, therefore, a major determinant of the quality and safety of urban living.

Maintaining quality community services and facilities while experiencing major population increases was an issue many residents addressed during the Town Meeting. Sustainable growth of these important facilities must be carefully planned and implemented during the life of this plan.

In addition, public utilities are an important factor in regulating development patterns within the City. To discourage sprawling or premature development, the City should continue to require that all public utilities be in place (i.e., sanitary sewer, water, storm sewer) prior to subdivision approvals.

The following goals and policies are to serve as guides for the planning, implementation, and maintenance of community facilities and services.

4.1 Community Facility Goals:

4.1.1 Ensure the provision and maintenance of facilities and services necessary to meet the needs and interests of the community.

4.1.2 Plan and provide public facilities and services in a coordinated and cost effective manner that is consistent with the nature of development and possible pending problems within the community.

4.1.3 Minimize costs and undue further investment for public facilities and services by encouraging full utilization of existing and available service system elements.

4.1.4 Ensure the provision of public utilities that safeguard the natural environment.

4.1.5 Ensure adequate distribution and provide for safe, easy access to all facilities and services within the community.

4.1.6 Coordinate facilities and services on a joint use basis between governmental units.

4.1.7 Plan and design public systems, such as storm drainage, water supply and sanitary sewer along with their private extensions, as well as parks, community centers and the like, in a comprehensive manner, to utilize existing natural environmental conditions to the fullest extent so as to minimize the cost of developing public systems.

4.1.8 Minimize the impact of non-local facilities that cross or are located in the community or extra territorial jurisdictional area.

4.2 Community Facilities Policies: Public Utilities

4.2.1 Demand for urban services should be anticipated, and to the extent possible, controlled, to facilitate the orderly and fiscally responsible extension of service systems.

4.2.2 Easements for utility systems shall be required and located according to uniform standards, providing access for maintenance and repair and minimizing disruption of other activities or area.

4.2.3 All public, as well as private sewer and water utility systems shall be constantly monitored and maintained to assure a safe and high quality standard of service on an ongoing basis.

4.2.4 Underground installation of all new utility services shall be required and when economically feasible, the conversion of existing overhead systems to underground systems shall be encouraged and promoted.

4.2.5 Coordination among all utility improvement programs shall be required.

4.2.6 All treatment of sewage shall comply with state standards with regards to quality of discharge.

4.2.7 Cooperation and coordination between governmental units should be promoted and encouraged in the provision of public utilities and services.

4.2.8 Runoff should be managed to protect the ground water recharge areas.

4.2.9 Soil types associated with drainageways shall be protected and preserved in order to channel flowage, and control erosion.

4.2.10 Natural drainage shall be preserved to the extent possible in order to minimize storm sewer costs.

4.2.11 The City’s Comprehensive Storm Drainage Plan shall be implemented. This plan utilizes detention pond areas, natural drainageways, and preserves natural drainage to the extent possible in order to minimize storm sewer costs. Overland storm drainage shall be emphasized where practicable.

4.2.12 A Capital Improvement Plan for all public utilities shall be prepared and annually updated.

4.2.13 Any non-local utility lines and essential service facilities to be located in the community or jurisdictional area shall be routed in such a fashion as to minimize impact upon existing as well as future development.

4.3 Community Facilities Policies: Governmental Buildings, Facilities and Services

4.3.1 Cooperation and coordination between governmental units shall be promoted and encouraged in the provision of public facilities and services.

4.3.2 The full utilization of investments in public facilities and services shall be achieved prior to making new public investments.

4.3.3 Public facilities and services shall be located and centralized so as to offer ease of access and minimal response time.

4.3.4 Public facilities shall be designed to enhance community identity and recognition and located so that they serve as a community and neighborhood focus..

4.3.5 All public facilities shall be developed, improved and maintained according to the highest adopted standards of design and performance to serve as examples for private development.

4.3.6 Design and maintain all public buildings to be resistant to crimes against person and property while maximizing ease of use by the public.

4.3.7 Public facilities shall be adequately screened, landscaped, and buffered to minimize their impact on surrounding uses and enhance the community and area in which they are located.

4.3.8 Public structures and civic facilities shall be considered to accommodate changing community needs and demands.

4.3.9 Cooperation and coordination with the Iowa City and Clear Creek-Amana School Districts shall be promoted and encouraged to ensure continued quality service and distribution of facilities which address physical barriers within the community.

4.3.10 Coordination with the local School Boards regarding anticipated growth and expansion plans for future School facilities shall be promoted and encouraged.

4.4 Community Facilities Policies: Park and Open Space Recreation

4.4.1 Adequate neighborhood and community recreational facilities shall be provided and maintained for the enjoyment and use of North Liberty residents.

4.4.2 Within each recreation system classification, capital improvements to individual facilities (i.e., neighborhood parks) should be gauged on the basis of relative need for developed park facilities.

4.4.3 Recreation open space improvements shall be planned and updated annually in accordance with capital improvement planning and location.

4.4.4 The establishment of a Comprehensive Park System Plan shall be considered to facilitate park management and coordinate future park development.

4.4.5 All parks should be designed and maintained with proper lighting, landscaping, shelter design, etc., to ensure a high degree of personal and property safety and convenience.

4.4.6 Continual citizen participation shall be encouraged in the planning, development and operation of recreational open space.

4.4.7 The provision of an appropriate balance between active, passive and cultural recreational areas and activities, which offer a year round program of activities tailored to the needs of the total population throughout the community, should be maintained and further encouraged.

4.4.8 Usable open space suitable for recreational activities or connected to existing or proposed City or regional facilities should be provided by all types of residential developments.

4.4.9 Surveys or studies may be undertaken on a periodic basis to analyze the effectiveness and comprehensiveness of the community recreation program.

4.4.10 A trail system shall be created which provides for separation of motorized and non-motorized recreational activities.

4.4.11 Parks and open space shall be developed and improved to take advantage of natural community features.

4.4.12 Where necessary, park and open space areas shall be screened, fenced, or buffered for the safety and protection of the user.

4.4.13 Neighborhood and community scale recreational facilities shall be located to provide safe and easy access to users.

4.4.14 Adequate parking shall be provided to serve major park and recreation facilities.

4.4.15 Maintain cooperative agreements with the School District for provisions of recreational open space areas and services.

4.4.16 Park and open space facilities are to be planned and developed in coordination with similar services of the surrounding region and the Johnson County area as a whole.

Tools to Administer Community Facilities Goals and Policies

• Comprehensive Plan
• Zoning Code
• Subdivision Ordinance
• Fringe-area Agreement with Johnson County
• North Liberty Municipal Design Standards
• Master Transportation Plan
• Master Park System Plan
• Master Trail System Plan
• Master Water Distribution Plan
• Master Sanitary Sewer Plan
• Comprehensive Storm Drainage Plan

 

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