Johnson County Comprehensive

Plan Update
Jeffrey B. Ray, AICP
Clinton Sloss
Christopher Shires, AICP

Understanding the Comp Plan|

The Comprehensive Plan

Why is it important to adopt a Comprehensive Plan?

The Comprehensive Plan sets the stage for protecting and

enhancing the social, economic and environmental
development of the planning area.

The Comprehensive Plan

What is the planning process?

1. Delineate and define the problem or problems which

need to be solved and averted (or goals to be
achieved);
2. Devise alternative ways of solving the problem(s) and
averting anticipated problems (or achieving the goal[s]);
3. Evaluate the alternatives;
4. Select, proritize and implement the best alternative(s); and
5. Evaluate the outcome(s) and, if necessary, begin again
with step one

The Comprehensive Plan

Isnt the Comprehensive Plan just a general guide?
Just a guide? True, but it is a guide based on inventories and
research, intensive studies, analysis of findings, public hearings,
determining needs, making projections, and, finally, creating a
Comprehensive Plan based upon those findings, needs and
projections.

The Comprehensive Plan

Isnt Planning the same as Zoning?

Common misconceptions
Zoning is Planning
Planning is Zoning

Our Team
JEO Consulting Group, Inc.
Planners, engineers, architects, surveyors, and
economic development specialists serving the
Midwest for over 79 years

Our philosophy:
If you are not satisfied, neither are we

Confluence
Landscape architects and planners serving
public, educational, institutional, and private
sectors

Our mission:
Evolve our clients vision into unique
realization by exceeding expectations,
bringing together people and ideas to
create meaningful, memorable places.

Who We Are

Our Teams Goals for You

Engaging public participation process
Step-by-step implementation plan
Easy to use planning tools

Our Approach

Iowa Smart Planning: 13 Elements

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13.

Public Participation Element

Issues & Opportunities Element
Land Use Element
Housing Element
Public Infrastructure & Utilities Element
Transportation Element
Economic Development Element
Agricultural & Natural Resources Element
Community Facilities Element
Community Character Element
Hazards Element
Intergovernmental Collaboration Element
Implement Element

Project Schedule

Project Understanding

Key
Elements

Attract families

Housing

Innovative public
engagement

Promotion of
high quality
economic
development

Growth
management

Ease of
implementation

Demographic:
Population Change (1920-2015)

Demographic:
Population Change (2000-2015)

Demographic:
Household Income (2014)

Public Participation
Interactive public meetings
Engage citizens online to determine desired
quality of life opportunities
Planning and zoning driving tour
Project website

On-Line Communications
Project Website template
http://masterplan.thinkconfluence.com/

On-line public input

https://mysidewalk.com/organizations/293273/johnson-countycomprehensive-plan

Public Participation

HOW USING TODAYS TECHNOLOGY CAN

HELP GUIDE YOUR COMMUNITY

By utilizing technologies such as Turning

Technologies, visual simulations, and
mySidewalk project website, additional
input will be obtained making Johnson
Countys comprehensive plan successful
and implementable.

What type of housing most needed?

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D. Rental ApartmentsMixed Use
E. Acreage
Developments

Housing & Neighborhoods:

Housing Typologies

Cluster Development

Economic Development & Land Use

Analyze land use and the current comprehensive plan with the
transportation network
Review contributing environmental and cultural factors
Develop a future land use plan for the county with coordination of
city growth areas
Design specific subareas to create a Johnson County branding
Manage growth and protect land

What agri-tourism and local foods effort

should be promoted?

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Vineyards and Wineries

Fresh fruit and vegetable farms
Guided birdwatching
Real-life work
Farm-Chef festivals
Barn Dances
Corn Maze
Wild flower trails
All of the above
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Land Use Planning

Land Use Plan

Area Master Plan

Growth Management
Balancing act

Demand for new housing

Protection of prime farm production land
Natural resources and waterways
Efficient community growth
Availability of infrastructure extensions and services
Increased tax base

Growth Management- EXAMPLE

Transportation
Identify mobility needs
Include all modes:

Pedestrian
Bicycle
Transit
Streets

Integrated solutions
Implementation steps

Implementation- EXAMPLE #1

Implementation- EXAMPLE #2

Questions

&

Answers