Bi-State
staff have created a Consolidated Future Land Use Map for the Quad
Cities Metro Area. For the first time potential developers, municipal
and county staff can see future land use classifications and delineations
for the entire Quad Cities on one map. The map has been published
in a brochure format which also includes information pertaining
to land use planning, development
tools, coordination, and tenets for
sensible development practices. The project was funded by the Department
of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) - formerly DCCA. The
brochures have been distributed to local governments, chambers
and development groups and are also available in PDF format by
clicking the links below. Please contact the Data/Mapping/Graphic
Services Department for more information
on
the
project.
| Quad Cities Future Land Use |
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What is Land Use?
Land use defines where people live, work and play.
Land use patterns shape the nature of socioeconomic data by reflecting
urban and non-urban activity through population, employment, dwelling
units, school enrollment, etc. Some locations represent areas with
a greater density of urban activity such as residential, commercial,
industrial, institutional or recreational land uses, while some
locations represent less dense activity which may include agriculture
and open space.
Planning
In the Quad Cities urbanized area, individual communities
and counties guide their respective development. They do this by
using a general or comprehensive land use plan. These plans establish
land use policies and goals to control and direct future growth
and development. In the last five to ten years, the majority of
the communities in the Quad Cities urbanized area have updated,
revised or created their land use plans. Many communities seek to
balance development and redevelopment by promoting infill in older
areas of the community as well as supporting new development areas
to occur in and around corporate boundaries. Proposed development
areas may overlap between communities but for the majority of these
areas, plans are generally consistent. Both Rock Island and Scott
County comprehensive development plans encourage development to
locate in or near municipalities where infrastructure and services
are available. In unincorporated areas, development of productive
farmland and environmentally sensitive areas is discouraged. Counties
and adjacent communities communicate on development proposals that
overlap their planning areas; thus, taking a cooperative approach
to inter-jurisdictional land use considerations. This brochure makes
it possible to reference land use information in adjacent communities
within the Quad Cities.
Development Tools
Land uses are implemented and controlled by local
governments through their respective development codes/regulations,
including zoning, subdivision, floodplain and stormwater management,
and erosion control ordinances. Coupled with a comprehensive plan,
these tools help establish orderly land use patterns for residential
areas, business districts, transportation facilities, public facilities
and services. They also help to maximize efficient use of the land
and minimize conflicts between uses while protecting land values
and reducing public service costs. This brochure provides another
planning tool for local governments in the Quad Cities urbanized
area to aid in decision-making and investments.
Coordination
An advisory group made up of representatives from
each community in the planning area provided feedback in the development
of this brochure. The creation of this land use tool achieves one
of the goals of the Comprehensive
Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). This document is updated
annually by the Bi-State Regional Commission for the Economic Development
Administration. It outlines the need for individual jurisdictions
to periodically update their comprehensive plans, and identifies
the need to develop a future land use map of the area. Further,
consolidated future development information is used in the preparation
of the Quad City Area Long Range
Transportation Plan, which is updated every five years, to provide
insight into future transportation needs. Both of these documents
are created and coordinated with input from local governments, the
public and the business community in the urbanized area. Together,
they form a blueprint to guide long-term development goals.
Tenets
The principles below outline concepts for sensible
development practices.
- Designate a rational arrangement of land uses
that guide and facilitate the maintenance and growth of the
community in a manner that will promote community diversity
and vitality, provide all residents and property owners cost
effective and efficient municipal services and protect health,
safety, welfare and property values.
- Expand the tax base by promoting, enhancing and
fostering development of new commercial, institutional and manufacturing
business opportunities as well as retaining and expanding existing
establishments within the community.
- Provide for buffering between uses that are adjacent
but not necessarily compatible, including the utilization of
physical buffers, such as wooded areas, screen walls, stream
valleys, highways and major arterials, and significant topographical
variations to eliminate or minimize adverse effects.
- Consider infrastructure needs and available capacity
in the development and approval process including the cost of
installing and maintaining adequate streets, water mains, sanitary
sewers, storm water sewers, and other utilities and services.
- Maintain and enhance a balanced multi-modal public
transportation system that moves people and goods safely and
efficiently throughout the region while minimizing negative
impacts of the environment.
- Provide safe and convenient access to new developments
by requiring the proper location, design, and construction of
streets and sidewalks to avoid traffic congestion and increase
mobility.
- Consider aesthetics and landscaping in development
of all transportation facilities.
- Encourage development which is sensitive to the
natural character of the land and will seek to protect environmental
resources such as trees, water courses, drainageways, steep
slopes, wetlands, etc.
- Encourage the development and maintenance of adequate
parks and recreation facilities including trail systems to meet
current and future needs of all populations in the community.
- Encourage preservation and enhancement of historic
and cultural features including structures, monuments, archaeological
sites, parks, festivals, etc. as contributions to growth and
development.
- Discourage intensive development of the 1% occurrence
floodplain through zoning and enforcement of floodplain ordinances
to reduce economic loss due to flooding, to preserve the natural
storage capacity of the floodplain and to preserve the scenic
value of the Region’s rivers and their tributaries.
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qc-fut-lan-use-map.pdf
