Winterset

Comprehensive Plan
Public Input Review
Meeting
April 26, 2022
Agenda

• Project Scope and Schedule Overview

• Public Input Summary
• Council Strategic Planning Workshop
• Stakeholder Interviews
• Rotary Club Presentation
• Box City Event
• Public Workshop
• Interactive Engagement Website
• Guiding Principles Discussion
• What’s Next
Project Scope +
Schedule
Project Scope + Schedule
Public Input
Summary
Stakeholder Interviews
Public Input
Summary
Stakeholders Interviewed
• Justin Gross, Winterset Schools
• Randy McDonald, Winterset Schools
• Kendra Alexander, Winterset Schools
• Jessica Gibbons, Winterset Schools
• Zach Sweeney, Winterset Schools
• Dan Nielsen, American State Bank
• Philip Macumber, Mayor
• Nicole Darling, Parks + Rec Board
• Scott Wesselman, Winterset Municipal Utilities
• Jerry Parkin, John Wayne Birthplace Society
• Amara Huffine, Chamber of Commerce
• Pam Deichmann, Friends of the Library
• Peter Corkrean, Developer
Public Input
Summary

Stakeholders Interviewed
• Key Theme Topic Areas
• Resident Retention + Attraction
• Housing + Rentals
• The Square
• Parks + Recreation
• Growth + Development
• Commercial / Industrial Growth
Public Input
Summary

Resident Retention + Attraction

• Competing with other Des Moines Metro cities
- Teacher retention is difficult with lack of affordable rentals, losing them to nearby
communities, such as Waukee.
- Need to find ways to make staying in Winterset as a teacher more feasible and affordable
- Many leave after 2-4 years (50% retention rate)
• Limited options for housing to bring new residents to town
Public Input
Summary

Housing + Rentals
• General desire to provide more diverse housing typologies
- Townhomes, entry-level homes, mid-level homes
• Very few quality rentals, especially that are affordable
- A need for low-income residents, seniors/empty nesters, and single, young professionals
• Low inventory of homes for purchase- there is a need to expand this typology
• Emphasis should be placed on design/character of the home as well to retain the
Winterset identity
• Some mentioned high residential tax rates
• Opportunities for housing incentives for developers
- Tax abatement or incentives
Public Input
Summary

The Square
• Iconic place in town and major drawing factor
• Potential to adopt a façade improvement program or design standards
- Preservation of the Square should be a top priority
• Water pressure for businesses around the Square is not great
- Sprinkler systems should be addressed/ improved for safety and use of 2nd story
• Consider a 1st floor occupancy requirement for all Square businesses
• Improve amenities around the Square / look for more opportunities for shared management
with county
- Trash cans, snow removal, wayfinding/branding, sidewalk conditions, beautification, etc.
Public Input
Summary

Parks + Recreation
• Very lucky to have such a great parks system already in place
• Would like to see more bike and ped trails
- Opportunities to connect to Cedar Lake and other Central Iowa trails
• There is a strong need for lights at the Martin Marietta and Giffin Fields
• An indoor facility would help provide more options for residents to be active
- Include programs for seniors (need a space for them to be able to go and walk)
- Would help provide indoor activities during the winter months
• Good relationship with the School District for programs and use of facilities
• Should explore options to provide restrooms at Martin Marietta fields
• Memory Lane could be revamped to expand park services
Public Input
Summary

Growth + Development
• Close proximity to Metro helps make Winterset stand-out for potential businesses
- Community size is right for new growth
- Need wayfinding to lead residents and tourists to the key features of Winterset
• Winterset has jobs but is limited on options and diversity
• Need to market and highlight the great amenities the City has to offer
- Small-town life, kayaking, aquatic center, etc.
• Pave gravel roads
• Will need to provide stronger broadband internet connections to support new growth and
current residents
Public Input
Summary

Commercial/Industrial Growth
• Close proximity to Des Moines Metro helps
- Jordan Creek being a short drive away for the “Big City” amenities
• Desire for more restaurant options
- New business/restaurant start-up fund or incentive opportunity
- Should encourage location around the Square to capitalize on tourism
• There is not a huge tax base to support commercial / industrial growth in Winterset
• Need more event and meeting spaces for residents to come together
- Hard to get to know new residents with limited opportunities
Stakeholder Interviews
Public Input
Summary
Stakeholders Interviewed
• Justin Gross, Winterset Schools
• Natalie Montross, Winterset Schools
• John Pletchette, Retired Parks + Rec Director
• Nicole Darling, Winterset Parks Board
• Brittany Salton, Winterset Parks Board
• Steve Pearson, Madison County Conservation
• Philip Macumber, Mayor
• Joanna Gustafson, Winterset City Council
• Chris Fairholm, Winterset Council
• Trevor Bindel, Winterset Council
• Brian Leaders (Today), National Parks Service
• Brian Fairholm, Little League
• Soccer Club
• Dillon Roberts, Coach
• Casey Sheffield, Coach
• Neil Grant, Martin Marietta
• Peter Corkrean, Developer
• Middle School Student Group
• Junior High Student Group
• High School Student Group
Public Input
Summary

Parks Stakeholders Interviewed

• Key Theme Topic Areas
• Parks Today
• Sports Fields in Winterset
• Trails + Connections
• Future Facility Needs
Public Input
Summary

Parks Today
• Whistle Stop Park is the place to be for the youth of Winterset
• Would like to have restroom facilities there and improve the quality of the basketball
court
• City Park
• Beautifully maintained and we heard a lot of positive feedback relating to the park
• Areas to possibly improve were to add a dedicated trail, sidewalk maintenance and
update play equipment
• Opportunity to connect City Park, Middle River Park and Clark’s Tower
• RV Park is heavily used
• There is an opportunity to update and reconnect Memory Lane to trails/Giffin Fields
• Lack of park space on the northwest side of town
• The dog park gets a lot of use and is an amenity many are happy Winterset has
Public Input
Summary

Sports Fields in Winterset

• Tons of positive feedback on the regulation of teams in spaces for practice/playing time
• Consideration for growth and consolidation of fields for play vs practice fields
• Giffin Fields
• Has a lot of amenities and many are proud of these fields
• Need lights and more batting cages
• Parking is tight and many turn to parking on the highway or across the highway at
Bomgaars
• Martin Marietta
• Soccer fields are lacking lights
• Could expand the park space across the street to the City-owned parcels
• Desire for concession stand amenities
• Bringing people to Winterset for tournaments at these fields
Public Input
Summary

Trails and Connections

• There is desire to connect Pammel Park to town via trail
• Many interviewees mentioned the trail at Cedar Lake being an asset for Winterset to continue
to build upon
• Desire to connect to town and the rest of the parks system
• Connecting Memory Lane + Giffin Fields with an undercrossing for Highway 92
• Leveraging natural features to the pedestrian/bicyclist advantage
Public Input
Summary

Future Facility Needs

• Many mentioned a desire for an indoor facility
• Seniors are looking for places to go walk in the winter months, could be an additional
program space for Parks + Rec/travel teams, general activity spaces for the community to
utilize
• This is supported also by the Park Needs Assessment
• Strong desires for trails connecting parks to one another and the rest of the community
• Generally, lights are a top priority/desire from the interviewees for Giffin Fields and Soccer
Fields at Martin Marietta
Box City Event
Public Input
Summary

Box City
• Thursday, April
7th at the
Jackson Building
from 6-7:30 PM
Public Workshop
Public Input
Summary

Public
Workshop
• Thursday,
April 7th at
the Jackson
Building from
6-7:30 PM
Public Input
Summary
Public Input
Summary
Public Input
Summary
Public Input
Summary
Public Input
Summary
Public Input
Summary
Public Input
Summary
Public Input
Summary
Public Input
Summary
Public Input
Summary
Public Input
Summary

Public Workshop
• Broader range of
housing types
• Indoor rec spaces
• Large event spaces
(for weddings)
• More community
events
• Most participants
provided positive
feedback on the
preference scale
exercise
Public Input
Summary

Public Workshop
• Strong need for
additional single-
family homes in
Winterset
• Mixed views on the
need of multi-family
developments in
Winterset. Those that
were preferred were
more duplex,
quadplex and
rowhome
developments.
Public Input
Summary
Interactive Engagement
Website
Public Input
Summary

Interactive Engagement Website

• Launched at the end of March 2022
Public Input
Summary
Public Input
Summary

1. How long have you

lived in Winterset?
• Majority of participants have
lived in Winterset for 10+ years
Public Input
Summary

2. What are the three

most important
reasons you choose to
live in Winterset?
• Size of the community
• General quality of life
• Work
Public Input
Summary

3. Winterset needs
more of the following.
Select all that apply.

• More sidewalks and trails

• More parks and recreation
• More retail, shopping, and
entertainment
Public Input
Summary

4. How high would

you rate the quality of
life in Winterset?

• Participants indicated there is a

high quality of life in Winterset
Public Input
Summary

5. Over time, you

expect the quality of
life in Winterset to:

• Most respondents believe

the quality of life in
Winterset will improve
over time
Public Input
Summary

6. Please indicate the

changes you think would
improve the quality of life
in Winterset (select up to 3).
Participants would like to
see more:
• Bike and pedestrian trails
• Community
events/things to do
• Outdoor recreation
opportunities
Public Input
Summary

7. What type of
housing is most
needed in Winterset

• Mid-level single-family homes

• Entry-level single-family homes
• Some support for multi-family
options (apartments,
townhomes, etc)
Public Input
Summary Variety of fill-in responses.
Majority indicate a desire for an
indoor facility

8. Winterset needs
more of the following
recreational amenities.
Select all that apply.
• Trails
• Indoor facility
Public Input
Summary

9. In the next 0-5 years,

Winterset will need
more of the following
transportation changes:
• Multi-use trails
• Sidewalks
• Stop lights
Public Input
Summary

10. What retail /

commercial options does
Winterset need most?
Public Input
Summary

11. Please rank the

following priorities by
how important they
should be to Winterset?

• Maintaining the high

quality of life
• Planning for all future
growth and development
• Providing housing and
neighborhoods
Public Input
Summary

12. Five years from

now, do you still plan
on living in Winterset?
• Majority of respondents
plan to live in Winterset
five years from now
Public Input
Summary

13. What is your favorite

thing about Winterset?
Public Input
Summary

Asked participants to vote for their

top 5 images in each category
Public Input Image Voting Results / Most preferred Low-Density Homes
Summary

Small Lot / 26 votes Medium Lot / 24 votes Medium Lot / 21 votes

Small Lot / 21 votes Rural Residential / 16 votes

Public Input Image Voting Results / Least preferred Low-Density Homes
Summary

Single-Family / 3 votes Small Lot / 9 votes Single-Family / 10 votes

Small Lot / 11 votes Rural Residential / 11 votes

Public Input Image Voting Results / Most preferred Multi-Family Homes
Summary

Medium-Density / 27 votes Medium-Density / 21 votes Medium-Density / 21 votes

Medium-Density / 19 votes Medium-Density / 16 votes

Public Input Image Voting Results / Least preferred Multi-Family Homes
Summary

High-Density / 2 votes High-Density / 2 votes High-Density / 2 votes

High-Density / 7 votes Medium-Density / 7 votes

Public Input Image Voting Results / Most preferred High-Density Homes
Summary

High-Density / 16 votes High-Density / 10 votes High-Density / 9 votes

Public Input Image Voting Results / Most preferred Downtown
Summary

Downtown Streets / 26 votes Downtown Streets / 26 votes Lighting / 23 votes

Café Seating / 18 votes Downtown Streets / 16 votes

Public Input Image Voting Results / Least preferred Downtown
Summary

Placemaking Element / 1 vote Downtown Street / 4 votes Mini Park / 6 votes

Mural / 7 votes Mural / 9 votes

Public Input Image Voting Results / Most preferred Streetscapes
Summary

Lighting / 29 votes Bioretention Streetscape / 19 votes Street Trees / 17 votes

Seating / 16 votes Street Trees / 15 votes

Public Input Image Voting Results / Least preferred Streetscapes
Summary

Chicane / 1 vote Curb Bump-outs / 4 votes Pedestrian-Friendly Crosswalk / 4 votes

Plaza Space / 7 votes Planters / 9 votes

Public Input Image Voting Results / Most preferred Parks + Rec
Summary

Indoor Rec Facility / 37 votes Rural Trail / 37 votes Rural Trail / 23 votes

Community Park / 21 votes Interactive Park / 19 votes

Public Input Image Voting Results / Least preferred Parks + Rec
Summary

Basketball Court / 5 vote Net Climbing / 5 votes Large Open Space / 7 votes

Playground / 7 votes Sand Volleyball / 13 votes

Public Input
Summary
Public Input Downtown Events
Summary $10,000 / 32 votes

Park Improvements
Priority Ranking $25,000 / 25 votes

Street Improvements
$50,000 / 22 votes

Housing Rehabilitation
$20,000 / 17 votes Trail Expansion
$40,000 / 24 votes

Infrastructure Improvements
$65,000 / 5 votes

Broadband Expansion
$35,000 / 17 votes
Public Input
Summary
Public Input
Summary

Mapping Activity

• 55 total mapping comments

Public Input
Summary

Love this!
• Trail from the City of Winterset
connecting to Cedar Lake

• Community Garden to expand the

Library’s fruit trees
Public Input
Summary

Less of this
• Make the vacant building across
from Hy-Vee a 3-4 building strip
mall

• “There are many playgrounds

already throughout town”
• Disliked by 9
Public Input
Summary

Bike + Ped Idea

• Make Cedar Lake Trail bicycle-
accessible

• Provide a separated bike lane to

protect bicyclists from car traffic

• Regional trail connections for

surrounding rural towns

• Connect to Great Western Trails

System by buying the rail right-of-
way

• Connect a trail to Pammel Park

Public Input
Summary

Sidewalk + Trail Idea

• Add a walking trail around Giffin
Fields and some picnic areas

• Connect City Park to the athletic

fields with a trail
Public Input
Summary

Parks + Rec Idea

• Indoor Rec Facility
• Large bike park and expand skate
park
• Update Memory Lane Park
• Add a playground at the Aquatic
Center
• Need park space for families that
live on northwest side of town
• Add a pedestrian trail at City Park
instead of using the road
Public Input
Summary

Idea!
Cedar Lake
• Pave Lakeview Lane up to
Cumming Road to draw more
people to the sites here (golf, lake,
trail)
• Add campsites on southside of
Lakeside Lane and around lake
• Connect a trail from town to the
lake

Giffin Fields
• Add pedestrian bridge and a
parking lot to alleviate parking off
Hwy 92
Public Input
Summary

Idea! Cont’d
• Indoor rec facility is needed
• Remove vacant building and
parking lot across from Hy-Vee
• Renovate Memory Lane Park to
have a splash pad
• Plant fruit trees and ask master
gardeners to maintain*
• Pave N 16th Avenue and all other
gravel roads in town
• Need better broadband
connection in town
• Public restroom at Whistle Stop
Park
 Guiding
Principles
Guiding Principles

Guiding Principles / Possible Formats and Options

• Welcoming Community
• Resiliency
• Mobility & Connectivity
• Neighborhood Development
• Quality of Life
• Parks & Recreation
• Economic Development & Growth
Guiding Principles

Guiding Principles / Possible Formats and Options

Economic Development Quality of Life

Welcoming Community
+ Growth

Resiliency Mobility + Connectivity

Neighborhood Parks + Recreation

Development
Guiding Principles
Guiding Principles / Possible Formats and Options
Welcoming Community
Winterset is a welcoming
community with a
hometown feel
Mobility + Connectivity
Winterset takes advantage
of its existing connectivity
while building new routes
to accommodate multi-modal
connectivity
Economic Development
+ Growth
Winterset strives to attract
quality growth and
development within its
commercial and industrial
sectors
Parks + Recreation
Winterset is a leader in parks
and recreation planning
and provides a system that
serves all ages and abilities
Quality of Life Resiliency
Winterset continues to make Winterset is committed to a
quality of life future that is both sustainable
improvements for residents and resilient through
and visitors through its investments in infrastructure,
investments and amenities thoughtful land use planning,
and fiscally responsible growth
Neighborhood
Development
Winterset has neighborhoods
that make everyone
feel at home
Guiding Principles

Guiding Principles / Possible Vision Statement

Vision statements identify the overriding

aspirations of the community in a way that
distinguishes it from any other community.
It is the overall aspiration for the City. Vision
statements should be: Winterset is a welcoming and
resilient community that values
• Written in present tense – you never stop its history and small-town charm
striving toward your vision and is dedicated to providing an
outstanding quality of life for its
residents and support for its
• Goals & strategies get completed – vision
local businesses
statements are constant

• Specific in ways it distinguishes the City

• Use as a criteria for decision-making and

goals framework
What’s Next
...
What’s Next

Next Steps…
• Draft Plan
• Next meeting will include a portion of draft chapters for the plan
• Date and time is TBD