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Home My WebLink About2000-05-22-Work Session MinutesMINUTES OF THE MAY 22,2000 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING. AGENDA ITEM #1:CALL TO ORDER:The Special Waukee City Council Meeting was called to order on Monday,May 22,2000 at 7:06P.M.by Mayor Donald L.Bailey,JI. AGENDA ITEM #2:ROLL CALL:Roll was taken and the following Council members were present: Johnson,Berger,Watts,Gruber,and Peard (7:30 P.M.).Absent:None.Also present from the Comprehensive Plan Committee:Bill Mneller,Mel Willits,Steve Schmiedt,Joe Schmidt,Rene Herr, Linda Foltz,Jerry Crow,Larry Lyon,Tom Tovrea,Russ Weisley,Ron Marr,Jim Phillips,Lloyd Royer, Eric Korpanty,and Jerry Steel. Staff:Mark Arentsen,John Gibson,Linda Mack,Chad Weaver,Joshua Smith,and Beth Richardson. AGENDA ITEM #3:INTRODUCTION OF COMMUNITY VISIONING WORKSHOP CONCEPT: Marty Schnkert gave a brief explanation of the workshop,this month focusing on Tactical Planning. AGENDA ITEM #4:WORKING GROUP SESSIONS:The Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee broke into five (5)groups,in these groups the committee discussed methods of accomplishing the goals established from last months meeting.The working groups worked from the following information compiled at the April Comprehensive meeting: 1.QUALITY OF LIFE:Overall Vision -Nested communities that form around a center and are connected by bikeways/greenways that link activity centers, ASSETS •The triangle as a potential hub -a starting point for development •Centennial Park as a showcase facility •Indigo Ridge:an 11 acre park •Other parks:Hawthorne,Windfield Ridge,Southfork •A superb bicycle trail in the Raccoon River Valley Trail •A clean slate for community planning •Quality softball and soccer programs ] LIABILITIES •Lack of city land ownership to control growth •No identified special areas or environmental resources •No established guidelines for developers •Barriers like Highway 6 •Buffers on major roads may not fit a greenbelt concept •A gap between Park Board and the plat review process OPPORTUNITIES •An open campus •Re-establishment of the Little League and team sports •Green space in common areas •Zoning conductive to nested communities:mixed uses,incorporating neighborhood convenience commercial into residential areas •An urban renewal district in the Triangle •Aquatic center development •Use plans for parks GOALSIVISIONS •Reduce the dividing effects of barriers through projects such as a US 6 pedestrianlbicycle bridge •Designate a park at the end of 4'"Street I 1 •Create a master plan for community parks,identifying the number of large parks needed to serve the probable urban growth area (Meredith to 1-80) •Develop a large community center,including meeting space and recreational facilities •Create a bicycle and pedestrian-friendly community •Complete a large sports complex -in the short term,acquire land for baseball and soccer •Maintain a small town feeling •Create interconnections between components of the community 2.COMMUNITY GROWTH: ASSETS •Small town atmosphere •Growth •Location on the edge of the Des Moines metro area •City economic development staff •Schools •Annexation possibilities •Interest in planning and managing growth LIABILITIES •Lack of a central community hub •Lack of a vision for growth •Lack of public communications •Funds to provide community services •Lack of county support OPPORTUNITIES •The opportunity to plan growth •Housing diversity ~price ranges and types GROWTH GOALSNISIONS -most goals are short-term or in planning stages •Create a balanced community that goes beyond a "bedroom town" •Maintain small town atmosphere and character •Establish a larger property tax •Create a city center •Develop and implement a unified plan for parks and bicycle paths •Annex to Interstate 80 and the AIice's Road interchange •Cooperate with the county and other communities Model for development:Pella 3.ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: ASSETS •A clean slate to plan a community •Location near the Des Moines metro area •Adjacency ofl-80 •TIF availability •Quality of community services •Schools •Housing diversity •City-owned utilities •Wide choices of churches/religious activities •Location in direction of urban growth 2 •Nearby entertainment options •Railroad access ILIABILITIES •Scarce resources to fund improvements:growing pains •Lack of family and youth entertainment •Labor pool shortage •Tax structure outside of TIP areas •Lack of rental housing •Lack of local health care facilities •Lack of resources for large projects •No synagogue •Cost of water utilities -a short-term problem •Lack of green space -a short-term problem OPPORTUNITIES •Availability of funds from the Vision Iowa program •Future Alice's Road interchange •The opportunity to make good growth decisious GOALSNISIONS •Plan and develop to include mixed uses It Create a community marked by attractive design,within the limits of practicality •Develop a technology infrastructure to attract technology businesses •Create an array of community amenities,including a soccer complex,ice arena, sports complex,bike paths •Implement design standards that establish a timeless quality •Develop a substantial shopping center 1 4.TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNITY SERVICES: ASSETS •Access to 1-35 and 1-80 •The new US 6 corridor •University Avenue •Other elements of the county road system •Railroad Services •The Raccoon River Valley Trail •Waste treatment plant with expansion capacity •A stable water source •12 inch mains to accommodate future growth •Gas utilities •Public safety building •SchoollYMCA •Community center LIABILITIES •Inability to go south ofI-80 •Lack of east-west roads •No general aviation service •Disruptions created by future interstate construction •Deterioration of existing streets •Lack of sidewalks I 3 •Low water pressure in some places •Inability to sewer all existing incorporated areas •Existing storm sewer system •High water rates •Possibility that new city hall is already too small •Inadequate library •Public Works facilities GOALSIVISIONS •Plan interchange to direct and accommodate growth •Accommodate general aviation/small plane services •Propose a Westside bypass •Annex areas south of 1-80 •Complete the Alice's Road interchange •Widen University Avenue to Alice's Road •Pave Warrior Lane •Establish new routing for R-22 •Utilize a bike trail system for transportation •Develop two additional water towers (or other required storage facilities) •Develop a waste water facility at a new location as appropriate for new development •Complete a new library •Complete cable services throughout the City •Coordinate community services with the rest of the area -consider shared or consolidated services where appropriate •Cross-train staff for versatility •Develop Commuter Railroad Service 5.COMMUNITY CHARACTERIDESIGN: ASSETS •Triangle and gazebo •High school and public safety buildings •Future potentials for Alice's Road corridor •Good building stock •Extensive open space •Community support for good plauning LIABILITIES •Lack of funds for short-term items •No place for town center to expand •Lack of clear connection from existing town center to a future city center •Lack of distinctive building character downtown •Bedroom community that lacks other services and non-residential development OPPORTUNITIES •Alice's Road corridor to 1-80 •Open space corridors to tie residential and commercial/activity centers together •Possibility of an "arts district"in the old town center •Opportunity to start from scratch in the town center •Central park and school complex 4 GOALSNISIONS •Extend the Triangle into a city center with a park type setting and bike trail links to the rest of the city •Establish an entrance theme to Waukee,initially from the east.South and west entrances should follow. •Expand bike trails in and through town •Develop a unified signage theme •Develop a distinctive lighting scheme consistent throughout town e Consider possibility of a large scale,unique attraction •Maintain small town quality •Develop an aquatic center I AGENDA ITEM #5:WORKING GROUP REPORTS:Each of the working groups gave the Comprehensive Steering Committee a brief report of the discussion that took place in the work sessions. The items in rough draft form on the report will be used in future meetings to help with processing of a final draft for the Comprehensive Plan. Motion by Councilman Gruber,second by Councihnan Watts to "Set the next Comprehensive Steering Committee meeting date for Monday July 31,2000".Mayor Bailey asked for a roll call vote.Ayes: Gruber,Watts,Berger,Johnson,and Peard.Nays:None.Motion carried 5-0. AGENDA ITEM #6:ADJOURNMENT:Motion by Councihnan Berger,second by Councilman Watts to adjourn the meeting at 9:35P.M.Meeting adjourned. ~~ 1 Donald L Bailey,Jr.,Mayor Attest: ~lY\~F>- Mark J.Arentsen'1Jr Administrator I 5