Goals

 

And

 

  Objectives

 

 
 


 

What Do We Want to Become and How Do We Get There?

G

oals and Objectives describe what a community values about its past and present and its vision for the future.  They are also the basis for plans and strategies that determine how those values will be preserved or enhanced.  The statutory basis for planning in Kentucky, Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) Chapter 100.193 (1) provides the direction for how goals and objectives relate to the rest of the plan:

The planning commission of each planning unit shall prepare and adopt the statement of goals and objectives to act as a guide for the preparation of the remaining elements and the aids to implementing the plans.”

The goals and objectives presented in this Chapter were developed from threetwo primary sources.  The first source was the existing Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 1997.  These goal and objective statements were reviewed and have been either incorporated or updated.  This process provides an important element for comprehensive planning – continuity. 

In conjunction with the review of existing plan goals and objectives, a report titled “Woodford County Task Force: A Compilation of Issues, Goals and Objectives proved to be an important resource.  This report provides an inventory of vision statements, goals and objectives garnered from planning studies and community programs that have been undertaken in Woodford County during the past five years.  

The thirdsecond source for goals and objectivesthe statements that follow includes four primary community planning workshops that were conducted between November 2002 and March 2003, several working meetings of the Comp Plan Advisory Committee held in April and May 2003 and a community-wide workshop for review of draft statements that was conducted on May 29, 2003. 

The format of goal and objective statements is intended to accomplish the following:

·        Goals are the general statement of the community value or direction established for a particular plan topic;

·        Objectives are intended as measurable and specific statements about the methods, resources, or responsibilities for achieving a goal;

·        The format identifies the community workshop from which the goal or objective statement emerged and links the statement to other goals and objectives or elements of the Plan;

·        The “Implementation Guidance” section provides additional explanation or basis for the goal and objectives, and generally describes how the applicable elements of the Comprehensive Plan should be developed for implementation; and

·        The format also provides, where applicable, a clearly articulated connection to the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan updated in 1997.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


                                                                                   Participants at Workshop #1 

 

Regional Coordination

The first “element” or topic for goal and objective statements is Regional Coordination.  This element of the 2003 Comprehensive Plan Update is not one that is required by KRS Chapter 100; rather it is an “optional” element that Versailles, Midway and Woodford County have chosen to include. 

The first Plan Update Workshop focused on two elements, People, Jobs and Housing and Regional Coordination.  Workshop groups made a number of comments and suggestions to address a variety of regional issues.  These comments and suggestions were reviewed and four common themes emerged.  All of the Workshop comments and suggestions were documented and are contained in a newsletter formatted document titled Workshop Comments – Regional Coordination and People, Jobs & Housing.

The common “themes” represent one method to summarize a wide range of information, comments and suggestions that appear to address a common subject.  These “themes” suggest the basis for goals and objectives.

Theme—Begin with Our Most Common Resource

Regional planning and zoning based on the equine resource as a beginning (regional economy).

Regional planning committee to oversee equine resource areas, tourism, and monitoring residential zoning in rural/equine resource areas.

Theme—Sharing the Wealth

Revenue Sharing – regional sharing of the benefits of regional resources

Theme– Regional Transportation But Not at Expense of Local Character

Roads—Safety issue and recognize transportation plan but with character i.e., Paris Pike, Midway Road, Pisgah Pike.

Theme– Growth but not at the Expense of the Environmentat the Expense of the Environment….Not!

Recognize environmental issues—water quality and green space

 

Regional Coordination (RC) Goals and Objectives

Goal RC-1

To develop partnerships within the Bluegrass Region for the purpose of addressing land use, transportation, resource management and related issues and opportunities of mutual interest.

Objective RC-1.1

Woodford County will seek to establish a partnership with Anderson and Franklin Counties and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to identify and implement alternatives to: maintaining US 62 (Midway Road) under Federal administrative control; and, improving mobility between regional communities.

Objective RC-1.2

The VMW Planning Commission, in partnership with its legislative members (Versailles, Midway and Woodford County), will work with current regional planning organizations (such as Bluegrass Tomorrow, Bluegrass Area Development District, Kentucky League of Cities and the Kentucky Association of County Officials) as the primary agencies through which intergovernmental review of comprehensive plans and development proposals can be accomplished.  As part of this effort, Woodford will seek support of other regional partners to define thresholds for development proposals that would have regional impacts.

Objective RC-1.3

The Planning Commission will appoint a committee, whose membership includes a broad range of community representatives as well as Commission members, to provide guidance on the implementation of Regional Coordination goals and objectives.

 

Goal RC-2

To foster and support regional coordination activities whose purposes include: developing viable agri-business models for 21st Century farmers; identifying agricultural resources and practices that are of common interest and benefit to the region; and, seeking innovative land use and conservation techniques that help to maintain a strong agri-business centered economy.

Objective RC-2.1

Continue efforts to streamline, reduce or supplement land use regulations as one means of supporting implementation of community approved agri-business and agri-tourism opportunities locally, and within the region, and with regional partners.

Objective RC-2.2

Implement the initiatives suggested by the Agri-Tourism Committee

 

Goal RC-3

To share responsibility with other local governments in the region for the identification of a regional “equine-shed” and development of a common set of economic, planning, marketing and management tools that can be implemented by local governments to support and enhance the equine industry as a regional resource.

 

Goal RC-4

To continue working with other Kentucky River Watershed communities and the State to improve and maintain the quality and quantity of water in the Watershed as a source for drinking water and place for appropriate recreational activities.

Objective RC-4.1

Prepare a feasibility study to determine the appropriateness, scope and need for a surface and groundwater protection zone adjoining the Kentucky River in Woodford County.  Study recommendations should have support of the Planning Commission and Woodford Fiscal Court before implementation begins.

Objective RC-4.2

Evaluate the potential for education and recreational use of the Kentucky River corridor and develop a plan that would utilize the resources within the corridor while protecting sensitive areas and species.

Objective RC-4.3

Woodford County should participate in efforts to maintain and increase the quality and quantity of water in the Kentucky River as a means to ensure future drinking water supplies and preserve existing natural habitat and native vegetation.

 

Regional Coordination (RC) - Implementation Guidance

Goal and Objective Set RC-1

Planning is an ongoing process and the goal and objectives above lay the institutional groundwork to continue working on issues of regional significance.  The establishment of a committee to oversee implementation would raise the importance of regional coordination within the committee structure of the Planning Commission.  Objective RC 1.3 anticipates a committee of 6-10 whose primary responsibility would be to advocate for implementation of the adopted RC goals and objectives.

Initial members of this Committee should include Woodford County citizens already serving in any form of “regional” role.  Also, this group should be the model for intra-County cooperation with a strong cross-pollination of existing regional planners along with those governmental agencies most likely to be affected by regional cooperation.

Finally, Objective RC-1.2 would bring formal recognition and support to an existing process that has received very limited use from local governments Woodford’s immediate region.  State legislation provides for Area Development Districts (Bluegrass ADD) to establish “regional planning councils” for the purpose of creating and coordinating regional plans.  There are several RPC’s that meet regularly to review and comment upon proposed plan updates and other region impacting activities.  However, it is rare that RPC’s provide an opportunity for members to review and comment on development proposals that may impact more than one jurisdiction. 

Goal and Objective Set RC-2

Given the emphasis on coordination for the equine/agri-tourism industry and environmental assets, Woodford’s ability to comment on development or capital improvement proposals that affect these regional resources will be very important in the future.  For example, a development proposal in the rural area of Fayette County that would effectively eliminate an important horse farm should be reviewed by the regional planning partnership – providing Woodford with the ability to review and comment on this proposal.

The Regional Coordination and Use of Woodford Lands components of the 2003 Plan Update should be developed to provide additional implementation guidance for these objectives.  For example, the Use of Woodford Lands should spell out in more detail the types of development or capital improvement proposals that Woodford should lobby the RPC to include in its policies related to regional review and comment responsibilities.

Significant efforts are now focused, in Kentucky and its regions, on identifying new agri-business opportunities and models for the 21st Century farm owner.  Tobacco Settlement Councils (TSC) are allocating resources to accomplish this needed task, but it is unclear whether such efforts are coordinated at a regional level.  It would seem the limited financial resources available to County based TSC’s could be pooled to address problems and opportunities common to farmers within specific regions. 

Also, the County based Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Kentucky may be a prime candidate to spearhead regional efforts to pool resources and provide the organizational structure needed to address agri-business opportunities on a long-term basis.  The Regional Coordination Element of the Plan should provide some guidance and suggestions to initiate discussions with the CES on this topic. 

Goal and Objective Set RC-3

There are many examples of organizations in the region that Woodford leaders and others could look to as good examples of regional partnering, including the Thoroughbred Club.   The Regional Coordination element of the Plan should provide some additional guidance about how regional partnering can be accomplished.  This guidance can focus on many aspects of partnering including a physical description of a regional “equine-shed”, and particularly how Woodford could initially approach Lexington Fayette to begin the process of determining mutual interests and establishing a framework for cooperation.

 

The discussion of Trends and Issues for Regional Coordination, as well as other Plan Elements, underscored the importance of the equine industry to Woodford County and the Bluegrass Region.  This “industry without a roof” creates several benefits including:  a means for preservation of the rural character of Woodford; jobs and revenue for local economies; the base it may provide for agricultural tourism opportunities; and support for regional cooperation to protect the quality of the region’s water resources.

Goal and Objective Set RC-4

The area of Woodford County immediately adjacent to the Kentucky River is both scenic and environmentally fragile.  The aim of this goal and supporting objectives is to delineate a specific area adjacent to the River as a resource protection zone.  The restrictions placed on the use of lands within this “zone”, and for waters flowing through the area, would be developed to enhance the quality and quantity of water entering the river, its wetlands and associated riparian drainage areas. 

Much of Woodford’s history stems from its physical proximity to the River.  A program designed to highlight this history and promote environmental education and recreational use could be a compatible and productive use of the zone.  This may be an aspect promoting alternative agri-business initiatives in Woodford that could easily enhance the overall effort.

The establishment of a Resource Protection Zone should be carefully considered.  One of the primary considerations that should be further addressed in the Plan Update is the recreational use of the Zone.  Recreational use of the River and its immediate environs is a sensitive issue, and provisions should be made to balance recreational use with other objectives designed to preserve habitat, vegetation and water quality.

The Comprehensive Plan should provide further refinement for this goal by addressing and defining the physical boundaries for the resource protection zone and a broad outline of a framework of policies or regulations needed to support the objectives of the zone.

 

 

People, Jobs and Housing

 

The future quality of life in Woodford County will be measured, in part, by: the economic well being of its residents; the availability of multiple types of housing affordable to all income levels of residents; neighborhoods and workplaces that afford a high degree of satisfaction; and economic development programs that build on the County’s assets as well as provide for more job diversity.

Several “themes” were identified from the comments and suggestions received during the Planning Workshop for this element.  Each of these “themes” is addressed by draft goals and objectives.

Theme—Grow Within

Improve/redevelopment of existing areas/infill urban service boundary

Priorities—high wage industry/diversified residential growth within existing urban service area

Theme– Diversify with Higher Paying Jobs

Attract professional jobs/Diversify employers/Encourage tourism

Bring higher wage/skill jobs-clean industry—tourism and education/develop agricultural-tourism

Provide the type and quality of infrastructure (community facilities and services) that serves to attract the types of technology-based jobs that the 21st Century Woodford Countian will demand.

Theme– Quality Housing for All

Concern about agricultural housing and availability of entry level and affordable housing

Planning needs to provide for appropriate housing/concentrate housing density within “city” limits and build within neighborhood design guidelines

Follow task force regulations for quality housing that meets all requirements (strong building codes)

Woodford County should utilize “smart codes” to foster the preservation of historic resources and neighborhoods, encourage the adaptive reuse of existing structures for residential, commercial or mixed use purposes, and create economically, culturally and socially mixed neighborhoods.

 

People, Jobs & Housing (PJH) Goals and Objectives

 

Goal PJH-1

To direct future population, employment and housing growth to the urban service areas of Versailles and Midway, as well as the Small Communities (Millville, Mortonsville and Nonesuch) of Woodford County.

Objective PJH-1.1

Planning Commission staff should monitor and report to determine that adequately served developable lands are available within urban service areas to meet market demand for residential and workplace uses.  The findings of this analysis should be reported to the Planning Commission, the Legislative Members, and the Community.

 

 

Objective PJH-1.2

Accommodate new job creation in the rural service area when it is necessary to support equine and agricultural tourism objectives, farmland and rural character preservation and other community planning objectives.

 

Goal PJH-2

To improve the resident employment base of Woodford County and attract workplace uses that can provide the types of jobs that will provide Woodford Countians with a viable alternative to out-migration for employment.

Objective PJH-2.1

Encourage the Woodford County Economic Development Authority to conduct an analysis of the types of jobs that Woodford Countians are seeking and compare with the current employment base for the County.    Utilize the information to develop a profile of the types of workplace opportunities that would be most advantageous for Woodford Countians seeking employment.

Objective PJH-2.2

Provide continued support to the Midway College/City of Midway/Midway Station “partnership” effort to develop additional resident job opportunities within the Midway Urban Service Area conducive to the character of the area.

Objective PJH-2.3

Develop a public-private partnership that would create a new knowledge and information or health services based workplace center within the City of Versailles.

Objective PJH-2.4

Investigate opportunities with Midway College to create degree programs that would support the growth of the equine and agricultural tourism industries.

 

Goal PJH-3

To support the ability of the private market to deliver a range of housing types affordable to all income levels and household types existing or projected for Woodford County.

Objective PJH-3.1

Modify regulations to include incentives (such as reduced sewer tap fees) for multiple housing types and mixed uses within development proposals.

Objective PJH-3.2

Increase the County’s supply of affordable housing, particularly in close proximity to the Versailles and Midway town centers. 

 

Goal PJH-4

To promote the growth of the tourist industry in Woodford County as another means of broadening the county’s economic base and to provide a linkage between the various segments of the community that offer goods and services to visitors.

Objective PJH-4.1

Develop a coordinated plan to promote tourism that supports and is supported by all the tourism and business groups that market and promote tourism activities.

Objective PJH-4.2

To support and encourage the preservation of historic sites, archaeological sites, unique scenic areas, and horse farms that serve as “drawing cards” for the traveling public.

Objective PJH-4.3

Support the development of Woodford County’s telecommunications infrastructure in order to create the communication networks that industry’s sought by Woodford County will need.

 

People, Jobs & Housing (PJH) - Implementation Guidance

Goal and Objective Set PJH-1

The urban service areas are the principal means for directing future growth in Woodford County.  The Planning Commission should monitor the pace and characteristics of development occurring in the USA’s more closely than once every five years.  Although the Planning Commission staff maintains comprehensive data about available platted lots and vacant land, a monitoring report should be prepared  and reviewed to determine if and when adjustments to the USA boundaries or policies may be necessary. 

An objective measure is also needed to provide the Planning Commission with the means to determine when and if USA boundary adjustments are warranted. 

Goal and Objective Set  PJH-2

Many planning workshop participants spoke about a need to create more jobs within Woodford County so that residents would have greater opportunities to live near their place of employment.  People who live and work in the same census area are referred to as “resident employment”.   The People, Jobs and Housing element of the Plan Update should categorize existing or recommended programs that would be beneficial to accomplishing this Goal and supporting Objectives.

 

Goal and Objective Set  PJH-3

These objectives describe potential changes to development regulations – an aid to implementing the Comprehensive Plan.  Additional information to direct these changes should be provided in the appropriate sections of the 2003 Plan Update.

Specifically, the Land Use component of the Plan should describe what development thresholds would work best to determine when multiple housing types should be provided and what mixture of units is appropriate.  In addition, alternative incentive “packages” should be discussed as a basis for determining what type of change to the land development regulations would work best to suite the community’s needs and planning objectives.

Goal and Objective Set PJH-4

These objectives could address traditional as well as new forms of tourism, such as agricultural and eco-tourism.   These objectives should be updated when the work efforts of the Agricultural Tourism committee has completed its recommendations.  The PJH section of the Plan will need to define, for example, what “tools” will be most advantageous.

 

Mobility

Several “themes” were identified from the comments and suggestions received during the Planning Workshop for this element.  Each of these “themes” is addressed by draft goals and objectives.

Theme—Focus on Improving Existing System of Roads

Existing roads should be brought up-to-standard and priorities established for when and how major thoroughfaresroads are expanded or created to handle regional traffic.

Theme – Roadway Design is Important

Road design standards should be adapted to the environmental character of the area – and functional classification should be a secondary consideration – except where a conflict would compromise safety.

Theme – Funding Road Improvements

Development should pay its’ own way.…public should pay for preservation tools, i.e., scenic viewshed easements, preservation of historic districts, etc.

 

Theme – Reclassify US 62-Midway Road (Versailles to Midway_

Need to remove truck traffic from the road due to capacity and safety issues and current Federal designation is barrier to accomplishing that objective.  Alternative truck routes should be considered in conjunction with administrative reclassification.

Theme – More Local Involvement in Transportation System Decisions

Regional coordination involving Woodford officials, and additional cooperation from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet needed in order to fine tune transportation decisions to local conditions.

 

Mobility (Mob) Goals and Objectives

Goal Mob-1

To provide the citizens of Woodford County with a well-planned and coordinated system of major thoroughfares and neighborhood streets that is safe, cost effective, context sensitive, and serves to maintain a compact and connected community form.

Objective Mob-1.1

Protect investments in the Major Thoroughfare System by managing property access within guidelines established by the Planning Commission.

Objective Mob-1.2

Continue to give priority to the expenditure of county funds to upgrade, by 2008, existing rural county roads and bridges that have been identified as substandard.

Objective Mob-1.3

Implement improvements to existing major thoroughfares that optimize the flow of traffic, improve pedestrian safety, and reduce vehicular accidents.

Objective Mob-1.4

Utilize roadway design standards to determine right-of-way dedication requirements applicable for each future development proposal. 

Objective Mob-1.5

Neighborhood streets should be designed to connect to the Major Thoroughfare System in such as way as to minimize adverse level of service impacts, and provide multiple routes to trip destinations.

Objective Mob-1.6

Context sensitive design standards should be developed to guide the future design and construction of improvements to Midway Road between US 60 and the City of Midway, segments of US 60 that are designated as scenic corridors, and other designated scenic corridors within Woodford County.

 

Objective Mob-1.7

Implement design recommendations for the Lexington Road Corridor, between Main Street and the intersection with U.S. 60, that are included in the Addendum to the 1997 Comprehensive Plan Update.

Objective Mob-1.8

Utilize traffic calming techniques for Neighborhood Streets in order to produce safer and more livable streets for motorist, pedestrians and neighborhood residents.

Objective Mob-1.9

Discourage development that would significantly impact designated scenic corridors.

 

Goal Mob-2

To define and maintain an adequate level of service on City and County roads and ensure an appropriate level of participation from new development for improvements to roads required to maintain an adequate level of service.

Objective Mob-2.1

Ensure that the traffic demands of future subdivision and zoning proposals can be phased or accommodated through specific improvements that serve to maintain an acceptable level of service for the affected thoroughfare facilities.

Objective Mob-2.2

Utilize traffic impact analyses to project, describe and suggest methods of off-setting the traffic impacts of future development.

 

Goal Mob-3

To coordinate the Major Thoroughfare Plan with other modes of travel, including transit, rail, airport, pedestrian and bicycle, to comprehensively address mobility issues and needs within Woodford County.

 

Objective Mob-3.1

All new arterials and collectors (City and County) should include provisions for pedestrian and bicycle travel facilities to be constructed concurrent with the roadway.

Objective Mob-3.2

Bicycle and pedestrian improvements should be prioritized to focus on connections between neighborhoods and schools, and between neighborhoods and the town centers of Versailles and Midway (i.e., rails-to-trails).

 

 

Objective Mob-3.3

Enhance opportunities for transit use by working with major employers and retail centers to provide park and ride facilities or to participate in ride-sharing programs designed to reduce the number of single-occupant vehicle trips.

 

Goal Mob-4

Facilitate coordination and communication between Federal, State, City and Woodford County officials to ensure that transportation planning and improvement decisions are consistent with the adopted Comprehensive Plan.

Objective Mob-4.1

Develop an interlocal agreement between Woodford County, its Cities, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Federal Highway Administration     that establishes a formal method for review and discussion of transportation decisions that would   affect Woodford County and the implementation of the Plan.

Objective Mob-4.2

Prepare for the eventual inclusion of Woodford County in the Lexington Urbanized Area/Metropolitan Planning Organization. 

 

Mobility (Mob) - Implementation Guidance

Goal and Objective Set Mob-1

There was a clear consensus expressed during the Workshop on this subject to focus financial and other resources on maintaining the existing system of roads before spending dollars on new roads.  This goal responds to that consensus, building upon the recently adopted subdivision regulations that establish design standards for roadways.

The “existing system” includes both state, county and city roads that are not classified under the category of “Neighborhood Streets” per the subdivision regulations.  Much of this system is depicted on maps contained in the Transportation Plan prepared by Wilbur Smith Associates.  However, additional work will be necessary in the Mobility Element of the Plan Update to classify all thoroughfares.

 Additional work will also be needed to inventory and classify all “country” type roads within the rural parts of the county.  During this process existing speed limits on these roads can be evaluated by the County Engineer and adjustments made where needed.

Although the subdivision regulations provide an upgraded set of design standards, a key element remains for future consideration.  This element involves property access management standards.  For example, such standards might address driveway spacing or joint access requirements for Lexington Road. The Mobility element of the Comprehensive Plan should address and provide guiding principles for access management within Woodford County that can serve as a basis for future regulations for state and county roads.  How property access to thoroughfares and neighborhood

Context sensitive design is another way of stating that roadways should be designed to complement the area or environment through which they are routed.  The newly constructed Paris Pike project is a leading example of successful context sensitive design that utilizes medians, gently curving deflections, landscape and hardscape treatments and other techniques to create a safer and more functional transportation corridor that complements the scenic and cultural lands through which it passes.

Goal and Objective Set Mob-2

Level of service standards are one of the most commonly used methods for defining the “adequacy” of a roadway to perform its function.  When a facility approaches or begins to exceed a specific standard, this usually triggers a process leading to the adequate level of service.  Without such standards, it is difficult to determine when development will adversely impact a facility and what improvements the developer may be responsible to implement.  It is important to note that the term ‘improvement’ can have several meanings, including adding lanes to an existing facility,

These objectives can be implemented through policies and programs that should be included in the Mobility Element of the Plan Update.  It is certainly possible to identify some potential projects as part of the Plan Update that will begin implementation of Objective 4.2.  Also, the Lexington Road redesign/redevelopment proposal includes bicycle and pedestrian facility recommendations that could be an early contributor to making neighborhood connections with the Versailles Town Center.  A similar project may also be possible to link the Midway Commerce Park with Midway College and Town Center.

 

Goal and Objective Set Mob-3

These objectives are intended to focus on the fact that a significant number of Woodford residents work in places outside of Woodford County.  Ride-share facilities and programs are a fairly inexpensive method of promoting a form of transit – albeit one that may not be bus oriented.  It should be possible through cooperative efforts with neighboring counties as well as major employers to investigate pilot projects to determine if such programs could be successful.  The Mobility Element of the Plan Update should identify some pilot programs that could be fundable through federal or state grants.

Goal and Objective Set Mob-4

The continuing debate over the administrative status of US 62 (Midway Road) as well as past debate of the proposed Bluegrass Parkway Extension is evidently fresh on the minds of workshop participants.  Having a voice in transportation decisions that may be made at state or federal levels is clearly something that should be addressed in the Plan Update.  Objective 42.1 does this by establishing the intent to pursue an inter local agreement that would set up some type of formal method of communication about such decisions.  Although this is clearly “new territory” for state and federal agencies, the objective provides a starting point for discussion.

It may eventually be determined that the “voice” that Woodford is seeking in Objective 42.1 is provided through a Metropolitan PlanningTransportation Organization (MPO).  As Woodford approaches the lower limit for classification as part of the Lexington Urbanized Area it should begin to take steps that would help the transition.  For example, requesting the U.S. Census Bureau to report (in the next Census) population and employment data by traffic analysis zones would help the MPO with the addition of Woodford into the regional transportation planning process. This regional forum could provide the opportunity to voice concerns and opinions about transportation improvements designed to facilitate regional mobility.

 

Woodford Resources: Land, Water and Air

Several “themes” were identified from the comments and suggestions received during the Planning Workshop for this element.  Each of these “themes” is addressed by draft goals and objectives.

Theme—Protect the Resources that Count – Agriculture and Equine

Promote alternative agricultural uses as one means of protecting these resources, but also develop other direct means such as locally funded purchase of development rights or purchase of agricultural conservation easement programs.  The historic and scenic characteristics of the County that support agri-tourism and equine industry development should also be included in protection programs.

Theme – Woodford’s Responsibility to the Kentucky River

Woodford Count y should be more involved in activities to enhance water quality and conservation of river resources.  Water testing activities and preservation of the palisades along the river are two of those activities.

Theme – Land and Water Conservation

Non-point source pollution of Woodford streams and groundwater resources is recognized as a key issue.  Sources of pollution that should be researched and evaluated include: septic tank systems; agricultural runoff, etc.  Woodford should adapt its economic development efforts to environmentally friendly activities.

 

Woodford Resources (WR) Goals and Objectives

Goal WR-1

To preserve Woodford County’s cultural and scenic heritage for generations to come.

 

Objective WR-1.1

Develop and implement historic, cultural and scenic overlay districts  to recognize and preserve important community assets such as the Pisgah Pike National Register District, the Old Frankfort Pike Scenic Byway districts, and other Woodford historic or scenic treasures.

Objective WR-1.2

Implement the US 60 and Midway Viewshed Protection Overlay Districts and study the possibility of additional overlay districts.

Objective WR-1.3

Maintain a countywide list of all historic districts, sites and structures and encourage owners to voluntarily preserve these resources of Woodford County.

Objective WR-1.4

Encourage the cooperation between local interest groups, public and private, as a means of supporting the recognition, restoration, and tourism potential of old and historic buildings, sites and districts within Woodford County.

 

Goal WR-2

To engage in a comprehensive watershed management program to meet EPA requirements for storm water management.

Objective WR-2.1

Identify resource protection issues, preservation strategies and funding priorities for each watershed within the County.

Objective WR-2.2

Investigate a City/County storm water and sanitary sewer management program funded through a storm water and sanitary sewer utility fee assessed to all existing and future land uses.

Objective WR-2.3

Catalogue all areas within Woodford County with identified sinkholes and establish development setbacks and water quality best management practices to ensure that groundwater resources are not adversely impacted by storm water runoff and development.

Objective WR-2.4

As part of the Countywide storm water management program, create and fund a program to assist rural land -owners with water quality monitoring programs for on-site streams and implementation of point source pollution best management practices.

 

Objective WR-2.5

Encourage public education and eco-tourism programs, conservation efforts by private organizations, and public policy that will promote the protection of unique natural areas.

 

Goal WR-3

Maintain Woodford’s Rural Service Area (Rural Lands) including prime agricultural lands, environmentally sensitive areas and rural character for the benefit of future generations.

Objective WR-3.1

Determine support for a countywide Purchase of Agricultural Easement (PACE) program.

Objective WR-3.2

Create a Transfer/Purchase of Development Rights program that will permit the transfer of such rights to identified Small Communities from the surrounding portion of the Rural Service Area.

 

Goal WR-4

Support Woodford farm owners and operators with their efforts to: continue viable agricultural and/or equine operations; and, to incorporate agri-tourism and alternative agricultural products when and where feasible.

Objective WR-4.1

Encourage Woodford farm owners to utilize the existing PACE program, and other conservation/agricultural easement programs, as one means of creating capital funding to diversify agriculturally related operations.

Objective WR-4.2

Assist in the implementation of the adopted recommendations of the Agriculture and Tourism Committee.

 

Objective WR-4.3

Support continued agricultural operations in Woodford County through plan policies that minimize impacts to agriculturally used lands from incompatible land uses and create public-private partnerships to address water quality issues that affect production.

Objective WR-4.4

Define and incorporate specific compatibility techniques in the land development regulations in order to minimize adverse impacts of incompatible land uses.

 

Goal WR-5

Increase awareness and active stewardship of the Woodford lands and waters comprising the Kentucky River corridor.

Objective WR-5.1

Develop street tree planting and tree removal requirements and programs for the Urban Service Areas of Versailles and Midway, building upon the example established by the Midway Tree Ordinance.

Objective WR-5.2

Implement an open space standard for all new neighborhoods requiring the provision of open space within the neighborhood for the use and enjoyment of the residents.

Objective WR-5.3

Develop guidelines and incentives for the preservation of wildlife habitat and native vegetation, particularly those habitats that support threatened and endangered species.

Objective WR-5.4

Establish light pollution standards specific to the Urban and Rural Service Areas and provide a catalogue of best management practices as a means of educating land owners and developers about site planning and design strategies that aid in reducing light pollution.

Objective WR-5.5

The potential adverse impacts of noise and odor between urban uses, as well as between Urban and Rural Service Area uses, should be evaluated and guidelines/management practices established to determine how such impacts can be avoided or mitigated.