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And Objectives |
What Do We Want to Become and How Do We Get There?
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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
“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
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
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
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,
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
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
Objective RC-4.1
Prepare
a feasibility study to determine the appropriateness, scope and need for a
surface and groundwater protection zone adjoining the . Study recommendations should have support of
the Planning Commission and
Objective RC-4.2
Evaluate
the potential for education and recreational use of the
Objective RC-4.3
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
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
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
Also, the County
based Cooperative Extension Service of the
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
Goal and Objective Set RC-4
The
area of
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)
People, Jobs & Housing (PJH) Goals and Objectives
Goal PJH-1
To
direct future population, employment and housing growth to the urban service
areas of
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
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
Objective PJH-2.4
Investigate
opportunities with
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
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
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
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
An objective measure is also needed to provide the
Planning Commission with the means to determine when and if
Goal and Objective
Set PJH-2
Many planning workshop participants spoke about a need to
create more jobs within
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
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
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
Objective
Mob-1.7
Implement
design recommendations for the Lexington Road Corridor, between
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
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
Objective Mob-4.1
Develop
an interlocal agreement between
Objective Mob-4.2
Prepare for the eventual inclusion of
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Objective WR-1.3
Maintain
a countywide list of all historic districts, sites and structures and encourage
owners to voluntarily preserve these resources of
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
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
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
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
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.
Objective WR-5.6
Environmental
characteristics of Woodford County that are an integral part of the community
‘landscape’ but which may harm or be harmed by incompatible uses and activities
should be protected through the land development review process. These include such characteristics as steep
slopes, escarpments, and areas prone to sinkhole activity.
Objective WR-5.7
In
cooperation with the Kentucky Division of Water, watershed management
organizations, and university based environmental programs, seek to establish a
clearinghouse for
Objective WR-5.8
Planning Commission staff
should annually collect and report
Woodford Resources (WR) - Implementation Guidance
Goal and
Objective Set WR-1
Since
the 1997 Plan Update, the Planning Commission has moved forward to develop
historic overlay districts that are now implemented within the City of
This
Goal and Objective WR 1.1 is intended to expand this initiative to other areas
within built
uses are separated (by dry laid stone fences, etc.). This combination of factors is the primary
reason why a special type of overlay district is necessary to protect these
resources.
Goal and
Objective Set WR-2
The Plan Update, and particularly the Woodford Resources element, should provide a basic list of resource protection issues and strategies for watersheds. However, additional research and analysis will be required to fully understand these issues and for implementation. This process could be initiated and funded through Objective 2.2 that seeks to establish a countywide storm water management program.
There are a number of local governments in NPDES
permits. Although storm water utilities
have traditionally been implemented to address the challenges presented by
urban development and urban storm water runoff, they also have the potential to
address the water quality problems associated with non-point sources of pollution
such as run-off from agricultural operations.
Identification, cataloguing and monitoring of existing sinkholes, as well as the karst geology and groundwater levels that are necessary prerequisites for the formation of sinkholes, may also benefit from the establishment of a storm water management and funding program. The Woodford Resources element of the Plan Update should include graphics and data that provide Planning Commission staff with a basic tool with which to evaluate development proposals for the need for additional geotechnical evaluation and mitigation measures that protect both the sinkhole and adjacent development.
Goal and
Objective Set WR-3
The area of
The
thrust of the Objectives is to create two key “tools” that provide the means to
preserve, on a permanent basis, the value and function of Rural
Service Area lands without
imposing an
unfair burden on those property owners.
The first Objective proposes an evaluation of the potential to set up a
local PACE (definition of PACE also includes Purchase of
Development Rights, or PDR, type conservation programs) program as a
supplement to the State PACE program that has been so successful. How this type of local program could be
funded would be one of the major elements of the evaluation, and might possibly
be linked to consideration of a storm water management and utility fee program. Attendees at Workshop #4 expressed interest
in participating in a workshop to learn more about PACE and its potential for
Goal and
Objective Set WR-4
The Woodford community will be challenged to protect the characteristics of the Rural Service Area if agricultural operations become less and less of a viable enterprise. Therefore, the Plan Update should address what short and long-term actions can be taken to ensure that agriculture remains a viable component of this Area.
Goal and
Objective Set WR-5
Objective
5.1 has already been partially accomplished through
recent actions of the Planning Commission to adopt subdivision regulations that
encourage the placement of street trees within new neighborhoods
within
Objective
5.2 is included to support the recently adopted
subdivision requirement for the provision of open space within all new
neighborhoods. The
remaining Objectives represent environmental characteristics that should be
addressed within the Land Development regulations and procedures in the same
manner as for trees and open space. The
Plan Update should provide some policy guidance in establishing criteria
for performance measures for site lighting, noise and odor, slopes and
sinkholes and other environmental features the community may
wish to protect.
The suggestion in Objective 5.4 that light pollution standards may vary between Urban and Rural Service Area (RSA) is important. The activities found in each of these areas are very different and some, particularly in the RSA, are more susceptible to light pollution. Therefore, RSA standards may be more stringent than for Urban Service Areas.
The
Bringing together, in one location, a number of data resources about the River is another means to increase awareness. This type of effort could lead to such programs as an annual River Heritage festival, a Clean Sweep program for River Stewards, and similar programs designed to increase awareness of River related issues as well as individual stewardship activities.
Finally, one way to keep the River on the forefront of community planning efforts would be for the Planning Commission to be briefed on an annual basis about the current status of River-related programs, water quality and quantity data, and other information that may help shape the direction for River corridor planning in the future.
The
Use of Woodford Lands/Community Facilities and Services
These elements are combined for presentation of Goals and Objectives because of they are so interrelated. The Urban Service Boundary areas, with the emphasis on ‘service’, strongly suggest that land use and community services support one another. In addition, the “Preserving Town and Country” addendum to the 1997 Plan Update recommends creation of neighborhoods and commerce centers whose ‘new urban’ pattern of uses represents a new way of thinking about how community facilities and services are delivered and organized.
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
The USB concept has worked well to preserve agricultural lands as well as a
compact urban form.
Theme—Focus on Availability of Services
There are areas within the current Versailles and
Midway USB’s that should be more fully evaluated in terms of adequate service
availability—particularly transportation.
Theme-Compact and Affordable
Lands within the USB’s should be more efficiently
utilized as one means to address housing affordability issues and develop walkable
mixed use neighborhoods.
Theme—Rural is Heritage
The
non-USB areas of Woodford County are more than just “rural” - they encompass
much of the community’s heritage.
Protecting these heritage areas should be the responsibility of the
entire community, not just the property owners.
Theme—Putting the Pieces
Together
The
potential integration of agri-tourism uses, horse farms, traditional
agriculture and small communities is a significant challenge for the community.
The Use of Woodford
Lands/Community Facilities and Services (LU/CFS) Goals and Objectives
Goal LU/CFS-1
Preserve the compact urban form
of
Objective LU/CFS-1.1
A determination of the size of an urban
service/growth area shall be based on: moderate population forecasts; an
average density for single family housing of 5.0 dwelling units per acre; and
average density of 15.0 dwelling units per acre for multifamily housing; and, a
market competition factor of 1.25.
Objective LU/CFS-1.2
Within urban
service/growth areas a service profile should be completed for all undeveloped
lands in order to establish conditions under which such lands can be developed
for urban uses. The service profile
should address sewer, water, solid waste, transportation, public recreation,
fire and police.
Objective LU/CFS-1.3
Establish a Capital
Improvement Program that is updated annually and addresses, at a minimum,
planned improvements/funding sources related to the services described in
Objective LU 1.2.
Objective LU/CFS-1.4
Consideration for
expansion to of designated urban service/growth areas should to
coincide with major updates to the Comprehensive Plan (5-Year Interval) or a
determination that insufficient lands remain within the urban service/growth
area to serve project growth through the next five year planning period.
Goal LU/CFS-2
To institute a context based land
use planning system in
Objective LU/CFS-2.1
Establish Land Use Districts that create guidelines for the creation, expansion, restoration
or redevelopment of:
§
Neighborhoods;
§
§
Rural Areas;
§
Small
Communities;
§
Workplace/Campus
Areas;
§
Town
Centers/Downtowns; and
§
Interchange
Commerce Areas.
Goal LU/CFS-3
Investigate
level of service standards that guide prioritization and phasing of investment
of public and private funds for improvements, expansions of service, and
rehabilitation of existing services.
Objective LU/CFS-3.1
Establish
level of service standards for the services listed below as an aide to planning
for the needs of future development.
§
Sanitary
Sewer
§
Potable Water
§
Park and
Recreation
§
Public
Schools
§
Police, Fire
and Emergency Services
§
Transportation
Objective LU/CFS-3.2
Undertake
the revision of existing development and building regulations to create a set of
coordinated “smart codes” that remove barriers to the reuse of older structures
for new and mixed uses.
Goal LU/CFS-4
Encourage the restoration,
preservation and economic health of the unique
Objective LU/CFS-4.1
Preserve the character of existing neighborhoods
by ensuring that new development and redevelopment will conform to the existing
context as determined by the scale and massing of existing buildings, the
placement of buildings on lots, architectural elements, types and placement of
streets, and the pattern and type of open space.
Objective LU/CFS-4.2
Encourage the
development of new, compact, mixed use and mixed housing type neighborhoods
Objective LU/CFS-4.3
New neighborhood
plans should be developed that incorporate a new or existing neighborhood
center that contains supporting commercial uses, higher density housing types,
civic and/or public uses and public or private recreation or open spaces – with
development of the center phased in proportion to residential uses.
Objective LU/CFS-4.4
Ensure that new
neighborhood development proposals include multiple housing types and address
community housing affordability goals and objectives.
Objective LU/CFS-4.5
Incorporate
site specific and site appropriate buffering techniques into the plans for new
neighborhoods that abut the Rural Service Area or other types of land use
districts.
Objective LU/CFS-4.6
The
community should identify blighted and deteriorating areas within the County
and develop the tools or programs necessary for the eventual elimination of the
blighting conditions.
Objective LU/CFS-4.7
Establish
residential density and design criteria, such as minimum and maximum density,
that promote the more efficient utilization of land within the urban service/growth
areas and compact neighborhoods.
Goal LU/CFS-5
Integrate
commercial and workplace uses within new neighborhoods and in appropriate
locations within the urban service/growth areas.
Objective LU/CFS-5.1
Support
the
Objective LU/CFS-5.2
Promote
the historic character of the
Objective LU/CFS-5.3
Limit
the designation of downtown land use districts to the downtown areas of
Objective LU/CFS-5.4
Promote the
development of multiple housing types within the
Objective LU/CFS-5.5
Develop an
integrated streetscape, business signage/wayfinding, parking and façade
improvement program for downtown
Goal LU/CFS-6
Recognize
the unique characteristics of the non-urban areas of Woodford County; the
contribution such areas represent to the cultural and historic heritage of the
community; the agricultural and equine factors that continue to fuel a substantial
portion of the Woodford economy; and the rich and varied set of natural and
scenic resources that are an inherent part of the these areas.
Objective LU/CFS-6.1
Limit the building footprint and scale of
commercial or workplace uses that are intended to locate in neighborhood
centers, providing close to home shopping and employment opportunities for
neighborhood residents.
Objective LU/CFS-6.2
Promote the type of
integrated, compact workplace and commercial development represented by the
Midway Station as a model for future mixed use commercial/workplace centers.
Objective LU/CFS-6.3
Maintain prime agricultural lands, including those
identified as lands of statewide importance, so as to protect the County’s
agricultural economic base and productivity potential.
Objective LU/CFS-6.4
Identify and develop preservation tools for
“heritage pathways” that incorporate scenic resources and, where possible,
environmentally constrained areas such as streams, floodplains, wetlands, steep
slopes and areas that are prone to sinkholes.
Objective LU/CFS-6.5
Prime and agricultural lands of statewide
importance should be protected from rural residential development through such
programs as PACE or by transfer of development rights techniques.
Objective LU/CFS-6.6
Conserve
the unique elements of the County’s agrarian character, such as horse farms and
prime agricultural lands, in order to promote tourism and its related economic
benefits.
Objective LU/CFS-6.7
New
development is responsible for the costs of improvements to public services and
facilities required to serve a specific proposed development.
Objective LU/CFS-6.8
Phase or deny development and development
approvals consistent with the availability of public facilities and services
and ensure there is a direct and proportional benefit between the improvements
required and the development proposal.
The Use of Woodford Lands/Community Facilities and Services - Implementation
Guidance
Goal and
Objective Set LU/CFS-1
This goal formally recognizes the urban service boundary
areas of
The profiles referenced in LU/CFS 1.2 are intended to
establish a tool for the Planning Commission to utilize when considering
discretionary requests for rezoning – specifically to determine the adequacy
and availability of public facilities and services. In other words, this Objective (and eventual
plan policies/regulations) provides the basis for the Commission to condition
discretionary approvals on the provision of adequate public facilities and
services. The planning tool that LU/CFS
1.2 provides is dependent, however, on the creation and active implementation
of a Capital Improvement Program.
Objective LU/CFS 1.5 reflects the current unstated policy of the Planning Commission but adds a new qualifier. The urban service/growth areas are now based on a very specific ‘formula’ that utilizes undeveloped land and population forecasts as criteria. Given this fact, the expansion of the one of the areas should not be considered until some threshold has been reached that demonstrates, to the Commission’s satisfaction, that population factors or availability of land requires a review of the situation.
Goal and
Objective Set LU/CFS-2
The goal and objective set would establish the framework
for a context, or ‘form’ based method of planning within
At the most basic level, this change would mean that a
single-use future land use map would be replaced by a form district map
describing the boundaries of a specific set of land use districts. These districts are described in the
Objectives and include
In a context based land use planning system, the existing or desired ‘context’ is described and actions/policies identified to preserve or improve the elements of that context. These ‘elements” may include placement of buildings on lots, street connectivity, mix of uses, and other design elements – most of which were addressed in the New Urban Code guidelines for the development of new neighborhoods.
If this goal and objective package is adopted, the plan
elements will be crafted to provide the actions/policies necessary to improve
or preserve each type of land use district, and a definition of where these
districts are within the County.
One important note about the districts, the
Workplace/Campus district is aimed at the industrial parks and major
industrial/employment uses in Woodford, as well as Midway Station and
Goal and
Objective Set LU/CFS-3
Level of service standards are an important element underpinning an urban service/growth area concept as well as a Capital Improvement Program. This goal and objectives provide the basic definitions and criteria to begin the process of establishing standards. The LU/CFS plan element would provide the actions/policies/standards that would be necessary to carry out these objectives.
This Goal is also important if the Planning Commission and legislative bodies desire to ‘level the playing field’ for infill development within the existing urban areas. Existing developed neighborhoods aren’t always the most visible to those making infrastructure investment decisions, but possibly should be since the cost of upgrading existing services is typically much less than new facilities. Infill in existing neighborhoods may actually provide a significant economic advantage to the community in terms of the return on investment. Town Centers are another type of area that should be considered for prioritization of scarce financial resources.
Goal and
Objective Set LU/CFS-4
This goal and objectives should be very familiar to Woodford residents involved in the process of creating the New Urban Code. Many of the basic concepts and principles for building new urban neighborhoods have been included here.
Objective LU/CFS 4.6 was brought forward from the existing 1997 Comprehensive Plan Update as it addresses a very important aspect of a community development program – the elimination of blighted and deteriorating areas.
It will also be important when crafting the planning
criteria for context based land use districts to develop ‘buffering’ or
‘transitional’ techniques for the edges between different types of
districts. This is particularly
important where districts within the urban service/growth areas of
Goal and
Objective Set LU/CFS-5
The
This is why they should be recognized as separate land use
districts, with a cohesive set of planning and design guidelines to guide
future development and investment in these areas. In fact, to preserve the special character of
these areas, the
Goal and
Objective Set LU/CFS-6
The first Objective under this Goal establishes an important element for building mixed use neighborhoods – ensuring that commercial uses are of the type and scale that are compatible with the neighborhood. Typically, commercial uses that have footprints of 20,000 square feet or less are assumed to be neighborhood serving, provide for alternative uses, and produce a building (and associated parking) that can be accommodated within the restricted area of a neighborhood center. The 20,000 square foot area is at the high end of what most major pharmacy companies (Walgreen’s for example) desire in a location and it is also at the bottom end of the space that some urban food merchants desire in a location.
This goal and objective package represents many of the policy positions the Planning Commission and legislative bodies have taken recently in regard to development within what is now referred to as the ‘rural area’. This includes the limitation of rural residential to non-prime agricultural lands, as well as proposals for development and TDR programs for Small Communities.
Objective 6.4 suggests that additional study be given to
defining “Heritage Path ways” within the Rural Service Area. These pathways would incorporate important
scenic vistas/historic areas such as Old Frankfort Pike and Pisgah Pike and
connecting with other resources such as the
Objectives 6.7 and 6.8 establish the basic framework for how to answer the questions what does the developer pay for and how much. Objective 6.7 states that new development pays for the cost of improvements required to serve the development. Finally, Objective 6.8 indicates what actions can be taken to ensure that adequate and affordable public services are available, including the ability to require development phasing or to deny a proposal until such time as the services are available. This Objective also provides two of the primary ‘tests” for adequate public services requirements, that the required improvements are directly and proportionally related to the needs of the development.