DeWitt, Iowa



DeWitt 2030:center83058000Envisioning OpportunityTable of ContentsIntroductionBackgroundPhysical SettingHistorical DevelopmentPlanning HistoryPublic ParticipationProcessResultsPrioritiesCommunity CharacterHousingAffordable HousingHousing MarketSenior HousingTransportationVehiclesRoad SystemParkingPedestriansBicyclesRailroadsAirportsTransitCommutingEconomic DevelopmentDowntownCrossroads Business ParkPrivate Businesses and OrganizationsEmploymentPublic Infrastructure and UtilitiesWater SystemSanitary SewerHazardsFloodsFlood Mitigation and Storm Water ManagementFlood ResponseFlood RecoveryAgricultural and Natural ResourcesAgricultural ResourcesNatural ResourcesCommunity FacilitiesFacilitiesParksAshindel ParkForest ParkLittle Trees ParkLincoln ParkPaarmann ParkPool ParkSoccer Field ComplexWestbrook Park DeWitt Dog ParkSchoolsImplementationGoals and ObjectivesIntergovernmental CollaborationLocalStateFederalPrivate EntitiesConclusionsAppendix A – Public Participation Complete ResultsFuture Land Use MapCity FacilitiesIntroductionThe City of DeWitt Comprehensive Plan intends to provide continuity and guidance for land use decisions, development, and improvement within the City of DeWitt. The City of DeWitt Comprehensive Plan is an official expression of the community’s desires and capabilities for future growth and development. The City of DeWitt’s zoning code, subdivision regulations, and building codes provide specific regulation and serve to implement the vision for the City of DeWitt that is set forth in this document. The current plan, DeWitt 2030, is a continuation of the longstanding planning tradition within the City of DeWitt. The effort to create a new plan was done in order to provide a more current and up to date account of the City of DeWitt’s conditions, goals, and priorities. This plan is intended to serve as a functional document through the year 2030. BackgroundPhysical SettingThe physical attributes of land, water bodies, and climate shape the character of urban places and define the nature, extent, and location of future growth and development. The City of DeWitt is located on a layer of what geologists call Niagara Limestone, or dolomite, formed about 390 million years ago during the Silurian period. At that time, Iowa and most of the present plains states were areas of tropical seas. Sedimentary materials were deposited, and the shallow seas regressed leaving this layer. The seas advanced and retreated several times, each time leaving a layer of sediment that was compressed into a rock formation. In the DeWitt area, all of the layers above the Niagara series have been eroded away, leaving limestone directly below the soil. This layer of rock is about 220 feet thick, with an older layer of Maquoketa Shale beneath. The importance of this limestone layer is that it is a major aquifer, or water-bearing rock layer, of the East Central Iowa area. Some communities in the area obtain their water supply from this rock stratum which dips to the southwest at about 7 degrees, then reappears at lesser depths in the southwest corner of Iowa. The same limestone aquifer is used as a water supply there at greater depths. Geologists have determined that water travels through the aquifer from eastern Iowa to southwest Iowa in about ten years. Therefore, the quality of used water returned to the aquifer in the eastern part of the state is especially significant, because it is used again by residents to the southwest. The City of DeWitt uses the Jordan Aquifer for its source of fresh water. The water for the City of DeWitt is pumped from depths of 1,200 to 1,400 feet to the surface. The Jordan Aquifer is expected to continue to meet the City of DeWitt’s water needs in the future. The DeWitt area was glaciated four times during the Pleistocene, most recently during the Wisconsin glacial period about 11,000 years ago. The glaciers left material composed of clay and loam and later fine windblown particles of clay called loess were deposited into the area. This material is known generally as glacial till, or specifically in this area, Iowa drift. This Iowa drift resulted in the extremely rich, deep and fertile soils found throughout the area and the relatively level landscape with few topographic constraints to development. The City of DeWitt is located within the drainage basin of the Wapsipinicon River, which empties into the Mississippi River. The City of DeWitt is on the interfluve of and is drained by two small creeks, Ames Creek and Silver Creek. Both Ames Creek and Silver Creeks flow into the Wapsipinicon two and one-half miles to the south. The elevation of the City of DeWitt varies from 670 to 750 feet above sea level, and the United States Geological Survey lists the official City elevation at 719 feet above sea level. In a climate classification scheme used by agronomists and geographers, the City of DeWitt’s climate is reflective of the “cornbelt” (or “Dfa”) climate with an average winter temperature of 24 degrees Fahrenheit and a summer average of 73 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual precipitation is 35 inches, and the area receives about 28 inches of snow during the winter months. This type of climate is well suited to corn and small grain operation, which also makes it ideal for raising and fattening livestock. Thus, the City of DeWitt’s climate is the central reason for its agricultural and agribusiness development. Historical DevelopmentThe City of DeWitt was founded in the early 1830’s and was originally known as Vandenburg. Later, the community was renamed DeWitt, after DeWitt Clinton, a popular governor of New York State during the 1820’s. Between 1841 and 1869, DeWitt served as the county seat for Clinton County. The county seat was then transferred to Clinton, a rapidly growing rail and industrial center at that time. The City of DeWitt has experienced steady growth at a fluctuating rate since 1900. This is largely due to agricultural expansion and development in the surrounding area and to its geographic situation. It is the second largest city in Clinton County, next in size to Clinton, which is located along the Mississippi River. Due to its central location within the county, DeWitt serves the western third of the county with goods and services and is an active agri-business center, as well as a small industry-oriented community. John Bloom, a famous artist, was born in DeWitt in 1906. John Bloom would become one of the great American artists of the Regionalist movement. His art depicted rural settings and agricultural life. Many of his works were inspired by his life experiences within DeWitt. Several of his works of art are exhibited throughout DeWitt in public places, offices, and churches. The idealized small-town life that is portrayed in his art is reflective of the character of the City of DeWitt itself. John Bloom remained a popular artist until his death in 2002.From 1970-1980, De Witt’s population increased by 24%. This period of high growth was followed by a period of negligible increase between 1980 and 1990, due in large part to the most severe agricultural recession affecting the State of Iowa in recent years. DeWitt was also affected by the closing of the Caterpillar plant in north Davenport. Housing development and subdivision activity all but stopped for the period of 1984-1990, with an average production of 12 new dwelling units per year. There was one five year period with less than 10 new dwelling units per year. Population data over time is summarized in the following figures. Population Data Over Time1950196019701980199020002010DeWitt2,6443,2243,6474,5124,5145,1455,322Clinton30,37933,58934,71932,82029,20127,77226,885Clinton County49,66455,06056,74857,12251,04050,14949,116285750DeWitt has a favorable location both statewide and nationwide. It is located centrally with reference to the three industrial and manufacturing centers of Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport-Quad Cities, the farthest of these being about 60 miles away. The community is also near major regional and national market places. Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Louis and Omaha are only a few hours away by auto and Kansas City is within a day’s drive. DeWitt is at the crossroads of two important national highways. The first is US Route 30 which runs from Portland, Oregon to Atlantic City, New Jersey. The second is US Route 61, which bisects the country in a north-south direction from Duluth, Minnesota to New Orleans, Louisiana. In addition to these major automobile and truck routes, the City of DeWitt is also located along an important railroad line. The Union Pacific Railroad is the largest railroad in the United States and is a major hauler of goods throughout the upper Midwest and connects DeWitt with the major rail center of Chicago and Omaha. The City of DeWitt’s location and transportation facilities have played a significant role in the community’s past development and will be increasingly important determinants in the City’s physical and economic growth in the future. Planning HistoryComprehensive planning has a long history in the City of DeWitt. The first comprehensive plan was adopted in 1964. In 1976, the City of DeWitt completed a major update of the previous comprehensive plan. This was followed by the DeWitt Comprehensive Community Builder Program of 1991. An additional comprehensive plan update was completed in 1996 as part of a city effort to update and enhance the municipal sewer system. The current plan is meant to continue the planning legacy of the City of DeWitt. A new comprehensive plan is necessary to ensure that there is a current document with updated information guiding development. The current plan attempts to build on the City of DeWitt’s history as a small Midwestern town with strong agricultural and industrial roots. Public ParticipationPublic participation is critically important for every comprehensive plan. Comprehensive plans provide the goals and methods for achieving objectives for the entire community. Since the entire community is affected by the policies in the comprehensive plan, no comprehensive plan is truly complete without some form of public participation in the planning process. ProcessThe City of DeWitt carried out a public participation process over the course of several weeks during the summer of 2014. The City of DeWitt advertised the process through a variety of methods, including but not limited to press releases, newspaper advertisements, mass emails, Facebook posts, and postings at City Hall. A variety of methods were used in an attempt to contact a diverse and large portion of residents and property owners. The first advertisements were published on May 30th, 2014. The public participation process was carried out in two major steps. First, residents were invited to submit their responses to a series of published questions. The responses could be emailed or mailed to City Hall. The due date for submissions was June 18th, 2014. Following the due date, the responses were examined, compiled, and combined, as necessary, by the City of DeWitt. The series of questions that the public responded to are shown below:What should be done to improve the City of DeWitt’s economy?How should the City of DeWitt improve its culture, recreation, and the arts for its residents?What should be done to improve housing in the City of DeWitt?What should be done to improve transportation within the City of DeWitt?How should the City of DeWitt’s community and public facilities be improved or expanded?What should be done to make the City of DeWitt a better place to live? The second part of the public participation process was a public vote. This took place from noon to 7:00pm on June 30th, 2014. At this vote, the submitted public ideas were put on display by the City of DeWitt for the public to see. All people who attended were able to vote for the ideas that they thought best addressed each of the given questions. In this way, the public participated in idea generation and prioritization in the planning process. The results of the vote were shown to the DeWitt City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission during a joint meeting on July 14th, 2014. This meeting determined how the results should best be incorporated into the new comprehensive plan. ResultsPart OneThe first portion of the public participation process was very successful. Over 25 people submitted responses to the published questions. All responses received from the public were intelligent and insightful. The responses submitted by the public for each question are shown in the following table:Public ResponsesQuestionsResponsesWhat should be done to improve the City of DeWitt’s economy?Attract More/New Commercial OptionsAttract a New Hotel/MotelAttract a Nice Family RestaurantRevitalize DowntownAttract More JobsLower Business Interest Rates/TaxesCreate More Events to Attract OutsidersLower Property TaxesExpand Crossroads Business ParkConcentrate Retail Development in DowntownHow should the City of DeWitt improve its culture, recreation, and the arts for its residents?More Community EventsOrganize Literary FestivalsOrganize Music FestivalsOrganize Ethnic FestivalsOrganize Craft FestivalsOrganize Community Fun Runs Create Get Fit InitiativesAdvertise/Market Community EventsCreate More Park AmenitiesUpgrade/Fix Parks AmenitiesCreate CampgroundExpand Skeffington Memorial TrailCreate a Community GardenPromote a Farmer’s MarketPromote Central Performing Arts Center (CPAC)What should be done to improve housing in the City of DeWitt?More Senior Living OptionsMore Multifamily HousingRehabilitate Old/Bad HousingMore Affordable Housing Options/ProgramsMore Disability Accessible HousingRequire Universal Design PrinciplesUse TIF to Fund New Affordable HousingEncourage More Middle Income HousingMore Single Family HousingWhat should be done to improve transportation within the City of DeWitt?Increase River Bend Transit ServicesCreate Rail Road Quiet ZoneReevaluate Casey’s TurnNo Parking on 17th StreetImprove/Expand SidewalksCreate Bike Lanes on 6th and 11thLimit Curb Cuts on 11thCreate Better Senior Public TransportationCreate Public TransportationAttract a Taxi ServiceAttract a Car Share ServicePerform an ADA Assessment and PlanRepair Old and Broken StreetsConstruct Wider StreetsMore Downtown ParkingMore Bicycle ParkingPromote Bicycling and WalkingAllow Community Golf Cart UseHow should the City of DeWitt’s community and public facilities and infrastructure be improved or expanded?Improve Drainage/Sanitary SewerReplace Outdated Streets and CurbsCreate Additional Park BenchesUpdate/Expand Fitness CenterDevelop Free Public WifiUpdate/Expand Community CenterUpdate/Expand LibraryCreate Indoor PoolConduct ADA Transition PlanCreate More Green Space in ParksWhat should be done to make the City of DeWitt a better place to live?Reduce CrimeAllow Outdoor Seating and Eating for CommercialAttract More Business VarietyFoster Small/Family Oriented Community FeelingMore Handicap Accessible/ADA CompliantReduce Property TaxesBetter Senior LivingCreate More ParkingLess City SpendingHire Fewer Police OfficersCreate Children’s MuseumImproved Snow RemovalFoster Retail/Tourism Oriented CommunityPromote Historic PreservationCreate Bed and BreakfastsAttract a Wine BarAttract More Retail Shops/OptionsPromote/Teach the Arts in SchoolsCreate Community Art GroupsPart TwoThe second part of the public participation process consisted of a public vote on the submitted responses. This vote was a popular event, with 45 members of the DeWitt community coming to participate. This is a good turnout considering the severe storms that occurred on voting day. Voters were asked to prioritize the issues that were most important to them. Voters were given blue, yellow, and green stickers to place on their first, second, and third choices, respectively. Votes were cast for each of the six questions. Graphs demonstrating the results of the voting are located in Appendix A. PrioritiesPublic participation is valuable due to how it helps set priorities for the future. The results of the vote provide a diverse and detailed set of information. The results not only show which responses were most popular, but also which responses were ranked the highest. This is valuable for using the results to set priorities. The examination of results was overseen by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the DeWitt City Council. The results of the vote were presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the DeWitt City Council in a joint meeting on July 29th, 2014. Priorities were determined based on several factors, including the result of the vote and the success of past public policies. Weight SystemVoteWeightFirst Choice (Blue)3Second Choice (Yellow)2Third Choice (Green)1Voters expressed their priorities with three different types of votes. To try to take the voters’ preferences into account, the results of the vote were adjusted using a weight system. The number of first, second, and third votes for each item were multiplied by their assigned weights and then totaled. The adjusted totals for each question are shown in Appendix B. The weight adjusted results of the vote for each question were compared to see which activities ranked the highest overall. The results were ranked in order of the total weighted score. The number of overall votes is also shown as a reference. The results of the public participation process suggest that the following issues are considered the most important issues by the people of DeWitt. Public Input Summary: Top ResultsWeighted ScoreRank by WeightActivityNumber of VotesRank by Votes801Reevaluate Casey’s Intersection351782More Sr. Living Options282663Create More Retail Shops/options282564Rehab. Old/bad Housing264555Attract Nice Family Restaurant237516Attract More Jobs256516Promote CPAC more219508Update/Expand Library2010489Promote Middle Income Housing2644110Repair Old/Broken Streets2284110Concentrate Retail in DT20103812Expand Trail System18123613Reduce Property Taxes16133613Improve Drainage/Sewer System1613Community CharacterThe City of DeWitt has the character of a small, Midwestern hometown. The relatively small population gives the City of DeWitt the feel of a close and connected community. The historic root of the City of DeWitt is its agricultural industry. The City of DeWitt has developed at an excellent access point to road and rail transportation. This has contributed to increased access to surrounding areas and markets, allowing the City of DeWitt to thrive. As the City of DeWitt moves into the future, it should seek to preserve the small, connected, family oriented, and agricultural nature of the local community. There was notable public support for maintaining this character. The City of DeWitt should accomplish this by continuing to promote steady growth in the areas and industries that will be most suitable to promote this character. This will help ensure that the character of the community remains in its historic state, while still meeting the needs of the future. HousingHousing is important for every urban area. Adequate housing is needed to provide people with homes and allow for further population growth. A diversity of housing should be provided to account for the different housing needs of everyone within the community. This includes houses of varying prices, affordable apartments, and senior living centers. Housing is typically the largest expense in the average person’s budget. This makes affordable and adequate housing an important issue. New Housing Over TimeYearDwelling Units200332200441200532200613200715200892009420101520111120129201362014 14Affordable HousingAffordable housing is important because of the high proportion of people’s income which is credited to housing costs. Many low income people typically rent homes due to the high cost of buying a home. The City of DeWitt should work in coordination with local governments, non-profits, and for profit housing agencies to provide rental assistance and decreased housing costs to those in need. These efforts should include consideration of both owner-occupied and rental projects that would provide reasonable housing options to the working poor and other LMI residents.The Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority (EIRHA) has been very influential in providing assisted housing for the people of DeWitt. The Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority (EIRHA) was established in 1978 to meet the housing needs of low to moderate income families and the elderly. EIRHA provides a variety of services, including rental assistance public housing, money and debt management, pre-purchase counseling, and home improvement and rehabilitation counseling. The City of DeWitt should continue to work with EIRHA to provide affordable, high-quality housing for its low to moderate income and elderly residents. The housing programs implemented by the EIRHA have a major positive impact on the community by increasing homeownership, reducing debt and expenses for residents, improving quality of life, and decreasing homelessness. The City of DeWitt should continue its efforts to rehabilitate old, dilapidated, and inadequate housing, specifically for low to moderate income households. Over 36% of homes were constructed before 1960. This shows that there is a significant portion of housing that may need repair/maintenance. The issue of rehabilitating old housing was also raised as a major issue in the public participation process. The primary way to rehabilitate a substantial amount of old housing is through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. This program provides grants to revitalize areas that consist primarily of low to moderate income households. Housing should be improved to ensure that every residence can adequately serve its residents. Other grant and funding programs should be sought after in addition to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to ensure it is receiving as many funds as possible. There are several obstacles for receiving federal funds and grants to improve housing for low to moderate income households. Low to moderate income (LMI) households are identified as households with 80% or less of the median Clinton County salary. Many federal funding opportunities, such as the CDBG program, have a strong preference that over 51% of the neighborhood receiving the funds consists of low to moderate income individuals. However, the distribution of low to moderate income households within the City of DeWitt is quite homogeneous. This means that there are no areas with noticeable concentrations of low to moderate income households. Not having a high concentration of low to moderate income households is beneficial for preventing the creation of slum areas within the City of DeWitt; however, this quality also makes it especially difficult to qualify for federal funds to help low to moderate income households located within the City limits. Tax incremental financing (TIF) plays an important role for funding low to moderate income housing projects. Since 2008 the City has worked with developers to promote single family market rate housing development. This has included entering into Residential TIF rebate agreements with developers. All of these agreements have a component required by the State that mandates that the City capture 39.3% of the “new incremental” tax revenue and use that revenue only for the benefit of LMI households. This looks to be a steady source of revenue that the City can use to leverage other State and Federal Funds (such as CDBG) to stabilize older housing stock owned by LMI households.The majority of housing units within the City of DeWitt are owner occupied. Approximately 71.1% of DeWitt residents are homeowners and 28.9% are renters. For homeowners, there do not appear to be any vacated homes within the City of DeWitt. This means that almost every owned home is occupied by a resident. The renter vacancy rate is approximately 7.4%. This means that about 7.4% of rental properties are not being rented by a resident at any given time. Residential development has had steady growth over time. New homes continue to be built within the City of DeWitt, primarily in the northwest portion of the City. The continued development seems to suggest that people want to locate in the City of DeWitt. There is also a low vacancy rate for homes, as well as rentals. Homes within the City of DeWitt vary widely in value. The median house value is approximately $135,900. The median monthly rent for a residence in the City of DeWitt is $442. These seem to be reasonably priced for the area. Public participation has suggested that increasing the amount of middle income housing available within DeWitt should be a priority, as well as providing additional housing options for LMI residents. In all cases the City should be a proponent Universal or accessible building standards, which refers to broad-spectrum ideas meant to produce buildings, products and environments that are inherently accessible to older people, people without disabilities, and people with disabilities. These standards provide housing that meets the needs of permanently or temporarily disabled individuals.Senior HousingHousing should be made available for all members of the community, regardless of income, disability, or age. There are many seniors who have different housing needs than the general population. Some seniors require assisted living or nursing homes in order for their needs to be met. There appears to be a shortage of senior living options within the City of DeWitt. More senior living options was identified as a top housing priority for most of the public participation voters. The need for additional housing options appears evident within the City of DeWitt. A study released in February of 2013 concluded that anywhere from 10-37 dwelling units of assisted senior living and 25-44 dwelling units of independent senior living are needed. The study suggested a Financial Feasibility Study to determine more details about the scope, price, and size of any future senior living project. Since the release of the study results, the City of DeWitt has been in contact with developers in an effort to attract more senior living options to the area. Thus far, no major new senior living development has been brought to the area. The City of DeWitt should continue to make efforts to create more senior living options by reaching out to developers. The Financial Feasibility Study should be considered in addition to incentives for senior housing developers. Additionally, existing or new housing can be made more senior compatible by implementing Universal Design Principles. These principles can help make a home accessible to seniors and anyone with a mobility disability. Furthermore, the senior living options developed within the City of DeWitt should vary in their services provided so that seniors of different ages and disabilities may find the right housing choice to suit their needs. In meeting Senior Housing needs the City should be a proponent of Universal Design.SubjectCity of DeWitt, Iowa???EstimateMargin of ErrorPercentPercent Margin of ErrorHOUSING OCCUPANCY???? Total housing units2,311+/-1332,311(X) Occupied housing units2,259+/-11797.7%+/-3.5 Vacant housing units52+/-822.3%+/-3.5 Homeowner vacancy rate0.0+/-1.4(X)(X) Rental vacancy rate7.4+/-11.4(X)(X)HOUSING TENURE???? Occupied housing units2,259+/-1172,259(X) Owner-occupied1,606+/-12171.1%+/-5.6 Renter-occupied653+/-14428.9%+/-5.6 Average household size of owner-occupied unit2.56+/-0.16(X)(X) Average household size of renter-occupied unit1.74+/-0.32(X)(X)VALUE???? Owner-occupied units1,606+/-1211,606(X) Less than $50,00028+/-301.7%+/-1.9 $50,000 to $99,999386+/-11224.0%+/-6.3 $100,000 to $149,999621+/-13138.7%+/-8.2 $150,000 to $199,999319+/-10719.9%+/-6.4 $200,000 to $299,999185+/-6411.5%+/-4.1 $300,000 to $499,99951+/-343.2%+/-2.1 $500,000 or more16(X)1.0%(X) Median (dollars)135,900+/-5,858(X)(X)GROSS RENT???? Occupied units paying rent640+/-142640(X) No rent paid13+/-19(X)(X) Less than $20098+/-7915.3%+/-11.8 $200 to $29923+/-303.6%+/-4.8 $300 to $499222+/-11834.7%+/-16.8 $500 to $749144+/-8322.5%+/-12.2 $750 to $999139+/-9821.7%+/-13.9 $1,000 or more14(X)2.2%(X) Median (dollars)442+/-142(X)(X)DATE CONSTRUCTED Total Housing Units2,311+/-1332,311(X)Built 1960 or later1,469(X)63.6%(X)Built 1959 or earlier842(X)36.4%(X)Source: American Community Survey, 2008-2012TransportationTransportation is one of the most important factors of urban development and growth. Historically, crossroads and passageways have been major sites for trade and economic activity. The City of DeWitt is located at the intersection of two major highways and is located on one of the best maintained railroads in the Midwest, the Union Pacific Rail Road. “Crossroads to Opportunity” is a very appropriate motto for the City of DeWitt. The development of a long term plan for future transportation is an important task for the City of DeWitt. As the City of DeWitt’s population and urban area continues to increase over time, the need for improved transportation will become even more important. The City of DeWitt will attempt to improve and diversify its transportation network in order to provide greater efficiency, create more transportation choices, and produce a cleaner environment. VehiclesPersonal vehicles are the most common form of transportation for City of DeWitt residents. The popularity of this form of transportation makes it especially important to plan for vehicular transportation. The major issues affecting vehicular use within the City of DeWitt are the road system and parking. Road SystemThe streets and highways of the City of DeWitt are important for moving people and goods. The development of urban infrastructure can be dramatically influenced by the layout of streets and highways. The primary arterial roads of the City of DeWitt are 11th Street and 6th Avenue. These roads function as the main streets into and out of town. These roads are characterized by their relatively high use by vehicles, access to many of the City of DeWitt’s amenities, and their access to US 61 and US 30. The City of DeWitt should use its regulatory powers to limit the access onto these major arterial roads and keep traffic moving efficiently. There are several collector streets within the City of DeWitt. Collector streets act as roads that carry residential traffic to the larger arterial roads and distribute traffic to residential areas and local streets. Two collectors are Industrial Street and Lake Street. Industrial Street is the primary road for providing access to Crossroads Business Park. This area is characterized by its industrial uses. There is a significant amount of truck traffic which accesses local industries along this road. Industrial Street dead ends at 6th Avenue, a primary arterial road. This characterizes Industrial Street as a collector for 6th Avenue. Lake Street is another collector. Lake Street has major industries located along its length. However, it become a gravel road as it crosses over 6th Avenue. Most of the traffic from Lake Street moves onto 6th Avenue or filters into smaller, local roads through its intersection with 9th Avenue. The City of DeWitt is bounded by US 30 to the south and US 61 to the west. These are limited access roads. These roads carry a relatively small amount of the City of DeWitt’s internal traffic trips. However, US 30 and US 61 carry many of the City of DeWitt’s outgoing, incoming, and through trips. Theses highways are very important for freight transportation in and out of the City by truck and have certainly had an effect on the City of DeWitt’s economic development. The remaining streets within the City of DeWitt are local streets. These streets provide transportation access to local residential areas. These streets are characterized by their low traffic volumes and low speeds. The system of roads within the City of DeWitt should be maintained in good condition. Vehicles are the most common form of transportation and will likely continue to be into the future. Good roads are essential for effective vehicular transportation. Furthermore, repairing old and deteriorating streets was the second most popular public response for how the City of DeWitt’s transportation can be improved. There are current policies in place to promote the continued repair of low quality streets. Currently, the City of DeWitt attempts to reconstruct three to four city blocks of streets every year. This practice should be continued and possibly expanded. When considering additional roads or developments, transportation studies or traffic counts should be considered. This can help ensure that new development is done in a responsible way that will not lead to excessive congestion or transportation risk. One section of the DeWitt road system which has generated some concern is what has become known as the “Casey’s Intersection”. This is the intersection of 11th Street/Maynard Way and the Casey’s General Store’s parking lot entrance and exit. The public input session has shown that this is considered among the most important issues for the residents of DeWitt, and thus deserves special mention. This intersection has several issues, which have been exacerbated over the last ten years by the increase in traffic caused by growth the area. The City has worked with the Iowa Department of Transportation and the engineering firm H.R. Green and had a safety study conducted on the intersection. In addition the City of DeWitt has reached out to Casey’s General Store to begin discussing possible changes that can be made to the intersection and parking lot design. Discussion and coordination between the City and Casey’s and implementation of the study recommendations should be continued in order to make changes that will promote safety for drivers in this area. ParkingParking is an important issue for vehicular transportation. The majority of a vehicle’s time is spent parked. Time spent searching for available parking can contribute to additional congestion, frustration for drivers, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. The City of DeWitt should consider reducing demand for additional parking by promoting alternative forms of transportation, and implementing shared parking practices, such as providing more public parking. Promoting alternative forms of transportation can reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Every person who decides to walk or bike to their destination removes a vehicle from the City of DeWitt road system. Fewer cars on the road leads to less congestion, improved travel time, greater efficiency, and fewer greenhouse gas emissions. The City of DeWitt should attempt to promote walking and cycling within the City in order to improve the transportation system. PedestriansPedestrian walkways are considered to be just as important as the roadway system. Pedestrian walkways are important for commuting as well as recreation. Promoting pedestrian travel may reduce the volume of cars on the road. This can result in reduced congestion, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and improved health and wellness for the community. The primary form of pedestrian infrastructure is the sidewalk. Sidewalks provide pedestrian access and connectivity to homes, schools, businesses, parks, and leisure facilities. Sidewalks are required for all developments within the City of DeWitt. This requirement should be continued into the future in order to create and promote pedestrian access to the entire City of DeWitt. Sidewalks in the As of the summer of 2014 new sidewalks in the City of DeWitt are required to be five feet wide. This requirement is intended to provide enough room for pedestrians to walk comfortably in both directions. Sidewalks are typically placed along the street adjacent to the lot. This is to provide pedestrians with access to the lot and any available street parking. Alternative sidewalk locations may be considered as long as the proposed sidewalk meets the necessary access and adds to the function of pedestrian movement. Pedestrian road crossings should be made as safe as possible. Safety can be promoted in many different ways. At light controlled crossings, pedestrian crossing signals should be installed. Signals with timers are best due to how they provide the most information on available crossing time to pedestrians. Additionally, pedestrian crossings should use sound, in addition to the traditional light signal, to indicate when to cross. This helps people with visual impairments cross roads more safely. Also, bumped surfaces on pedestrian curb ramps can help alert the visually impaired that the sidewalk is entering the street. Furthermore, different styles of crosswalk markings or pavement can help to alert drivers that they are approaching a pedestrian crossing. This makes the crossing safer by allowing drivers to exercise caution as they approach Parking should be set back an appropriate distance from pedestrian crossings in order to allow better vision of cars for pedestrians and pedestrians for cars. Recreational walking paths and trails are another critical part of pedestrian infrastructure. Recreational trails are important for promoting health and well-being of City of DeWitt residents. The major trail for recreational walking and biking is the Paul Skeffington Memorial Trail. This trail follows along the length of Silver Creek. Recreational trails should be wide enough to accommodate pedestrians and bicycles together. An appropriately wide recreation trail can help to prevent collisions between pedestrians and cyclists. Additional signage on the recreation paths may also help alert pedestrians to be aware of passing bicycles. The creation of additional recreational pedestrian and cyclist paths should be promoted. Restricting development within local flood plains can help preserve open space. This space may then be used for recreational purposes, including the development of additional pedestrian and cyclist trails. When possible, additional recreational paths should attempt to connect to existing recreational paths to create a continuous network that serves the entire City. BicyclesPlanning for alternative forms of transportation is crucially important for the development of the City of DeWitt’s transportation system. Promoting alternative forms of transportation is beneficial in many ways. Reducing the number of travelers using traditional vehicles reduces carbon emissions, reduces the need for parking, and creates a more diverse set of options for City of DeWitt residents. The City of DeWitt should consider developing bicycle lanes or sharrows in key locations. bicycle lanes or sharrows helps to keep cyclists safer as they travel throughout the City of DeWitt. Key locations for bicycle lanes or sharrrows may be identified by examining where current bicycle use is most frequent, such as on the streets directly around the entrances to recreational cycling paths or around schools. In this way, the roadway bicycle lanes or sharrows can connect to the recreational cycling trails that already exist. This would help City of DeWitt residents to easily ride their bicycles to and from recreation areas. Also, bicycle lanes or sharrows near school may help improve safety for students riding to and from school. Public racks for bicycle parking should be installed around the city. Currently, there is a lack of available bicycle parking in key locations. People need a place to park their bicycles in order for bicycles to become a viable transportation option within the City of DeWitt. The bicycle parking racks should be sheltered from the elements in order to protect bicycles from damage. This bicycle parking should be installed in areas of DeWitt that are frequently visited or have high volumes of traffic, such as downtown, schools, and major employment centers. By creating available and sheltered parking, bicycling becomes a much more feasible option for residents. Signage for bicycles should be increased around the City of DeWitt. Signs can help inform motorists to share the road with and watch for cyclists. This can help prevent accidents and improve safety for cyclists. This signage should be placed on roadways with bicycle lanes or sharrows and around access points to recreational cycling trails. RailroadsThe City of DeWitt is served by the Union-Pacific Rail Road. The tracks that run through the City of DeWitt are the main line. The condition of the rails are excellent and they carry some of the highest speed ratings in the country. Access to the railroad is a benefit for industries and has helped to attract industries to the City of DeWitt, even though actual railroad access is extremely limited. The City of DeWitt’s industrial area has developed along the length of the railroad. Continued industrial development should take place along the railroad so that industries may take advantage of the transportation opportunity that it provides. Although the railroad provides excellent economic opportunities for industry, there is no access to the rails for any use besides industrial. The railroad does not provide any transportation services to the residents of the City of DeWitt. Local residents cannot use the railroad for commuting or traveling. With several railroad crossings within the City of DeWitt, safety is an issue. The City of DeWitt should be sure to promote safety at crossings with an appropriate amount of signage and signals to warn and prepare drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians for the crossing. AirportsThe City of DeWitt has close access to several airports. The closest airport is the Clinton Municipal Airport. This airport is owned by the City of Clinton and available for public use. It is located approximately 12 miles, or a 15 minute drive, to the east from the City of DeWitt. The City of DeWitt has close access to the Davenport Municipal Airport. This airport is owned by the city of Davenport and is located approximately 17 miles, or a 19 minute drive, to the south of the City of DeWitt. The Quad-Cities International Airport provides regular regional and international flights. The Quad-Cities International Airport is located about 35 miles, or a 40 minute drive, south of the City of DeWitt. Such close proximity to airport services makes airport development within the City of DeWitt seem unnecessary. Residents have readily available access to a variety of nearby airport options. TransitThe City of DeWitt does not have any existing form of city transit. There does not appear to be a significant demand for transit within the community. In the past, the City of DeWitt had established a paratransit service for the City. However, the program was cancelled due to low participation and high costs. Currently, it does not seem that the costs of operating a public transit service, such as a city bus service, would be worth the benefits. However, the people who most frequently depend on transit for their transportation needs tend to be the poor, elderly, or disabled. Oftentimes, these individuals either cannot afford or cannot operate a vehicle. Because of this, it may become important to provide practical alternatives to the traditional vehicle for these City of DeWitt residents. As the City of DeWitt moves forward, transit services should be considered as demand for service increases. Such services may help to provide transportation to those within the community who do not have access to or are unable to operate a vehicle. The following table shows the number and percent of DeWitt households that do not own a vehicle. City of DeWitt, IowaVEHICLES AVAILABLEEstimateMargin of ErrorPercentPercent Margin of Error Occupied housing units2,259+/-1172,259(X) No vehicles available106+/-774.7%+/-3.4 1 or more vehicles available2,153(X)(X)(X)Source: American Community Survey, 2008-2012Currently, River Bend Transit, a not-for-profit organization, provides regional transit services to Cedar, Clinton, Muscatine, and Scott Counties. River Bend Transit can be characterized as a paratransit service. This means that it does not operate on a fixed, timed route like conventional transit. Instead, the transit is made available for any individual who calls for transit service in advance. Also, the vehicles of River Bend Transit are handicap accessible and have a lift for wheelchairs. River Bend Transit’s services are valuable due to how they provide necessary transportation services to the handicapped, elderly, and poor.There are also approximately 16 school bus routes for the Central Community School District. These bus routes provide transit service to students living within the Central Community School District, including the City of DeWitt. This service is necessary to help ensure that students who are unable to drive, bike, or walk to and from school are still able to attend and learn without added difficulty. CommutingEmployee travel moving to and from a place of work is known as commuting. Commuting trips typically create the majority of transportation trips within urban areas. The most common forms of transportation used for commuting by City of DeWitt residents are summarized below. Source: American Community Survey, 2008-2012Commuters in the City of DeWitt are heavily reliant on motorized vehicles for their transportation, comprising 90% of commute trips. This is quite similar to the trend seen in most urban areas of the United States. The mean travel time to work for a City of DeWitt resident is approximately 22.8 minutes. Since driving across the City of DeWitt typically takes under 10 minutes, this seems to suggest that many residents commute to other areas for work, such as the Quad-Cities metropolitan region or the City of Clinton. No one reported cycling to work. The relatively small size of the City of DeWitt seems to create an environment that would allow for short walks or bicycle rides to and from work. However, if many residents are working outside the City of DeWitt, and many of those employed in the City of DeWitt are commuting from other communities, then cycling would be an unacceptable commuting option due to the much longer distance. There is a small portion of the workforce that walks to work each day. This shows that some residents are taking advantage of their close proximity to their places of work. Walking and cycling should be promoted as a form of commuting within the City of DeWitt because of how they promote health and wellness, make roads more efficient by reducing congestion, and help the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by having fewer vehicles on the road. There was also no one who reported taking transit to work. There is no public transit within the City of DeWitt, but River Bend Transit provides a paratransit service. Since no commuters used transit services, it seems that River Bend Transit does not usually provide transit service to employees going to or from work. This suggests that the primary travelers using River Bend Transit are people who do not work, such as retired or disabled individuals. Economic DevelopmentA strong economy is vital for a strong community. A strong economy can ensure that there are adequate jobs and financial security for the residents and property owners of a community. The City of DeWitt has been able to attract new commercial and industrial developments over time. The trend of new commercial and industrial developments within the City of DeWitt are summarized below:Commercial and Industrial Expansion Over TimeYearBuilding PermitsValue of Projects (in dollars, $)200371,651,000200491,560,000200551,967,000200672,726,0002007101,604,000200883,258,000200914,00020102363,000201144,704,00020122252,00020131300,0002014 105,741,000The City of DeWitt has a great economic location for several reasons. The City of DeWitt has excellent access to several forms of transportation. The Union-Pacific Railroad provides nationwide rail access for local industries. Furthermore, the City of DeWitt is located at the intersection of US 61 and US 30. These major highways provide shipping access across the country. DowntownA thriving downtown is important for the City of DeWitt’s economy. The downtown area is the primary place for residents to make purchases, go out to eat, or find entertainment. To help bring more people and customers to the downtown area, the downtown should be made into the most desirable area possible. There are several ways to accomplish this. The downtown should be made as aesthetically pleasing as possible. This will help make the downtown an area that people will want to visit. The downtown should be made as pedestrian friendly as possible. This allows people to walk around to many of the shops with relative ease. This makes the downtown more accessible for customers. Furthermore, retail development should be concentrated in the downtown area, when possible. This is because location is much more important for the success of retail businesses as opposed to service based businesses. Concentration of retail development in the downtown was identified as a major economic issue by the public participation process. The City of DeWitt should continue hosting its signature special events in the downtown area. These activities bring customers into the area. Incentives to locate new business in the downtown may also be considered. Having a diversity of businesses will attract more customers to the area. As of the spring of 2015 the DeWitt Downtown Improvement District Board of Directors intends to provide grants for a fa?ade improvement program. Grants will be available for qualified building projects in SSMID district in Downtown DeWitt.Crossroads Business ParkOne of the major site of employment and economic development in the City of DeWitt is the Crossroads Business Park. This industrially zoned area has a large part of the City of DeWitt’s employment. This area has a major beneficial impact on the community. Further economic development in and around the park should be encouraged. Currently, there are several lots available for development in the area. Private Businesses and OrganizationsCoordination with private businesses and organizations will play an important role in stimulating the local economy. It will be important for the City of DeWitt to work in close coordination with DeWitt Chamber and Development Co., or DCDC. DCDC is a volunteer driven organization of the City of DeWitt business community. This private, non-profit organization works to lead, inform, advocate and advance the business interests for businesses located within the City of DeWitt. The City of DeWitt should utilize the data provided by the DCDC to plan for economic development and develop business policies. Working in coordination with the DCDC will also ensure that policies have the approval of the business community. EmploymentAdequate employment is essential for the wellbeing of a community. Jobs provide residents with financial security and the ability to live comfortably. This is likely why the public identified job creation as a major issue. The City of DeWitt does, and should continue to, make efforts to maintain local employers and attract new employers to the area. The City of DeWitt contacts industries and businesses to encourage development. Businesses and industries with the greatest employment should be given high priority, due to their large contribution to the community. Some of the major employers for the City of DeWitt are summarized in the following table, provided by the DeWitt Chamber and Development Co.:EmploymentEmployerIndustry/ProductsCurrent EmploymentGuardian IndustriesFloat glass350Central Community School DistrictPre K - 12 education245Custom-PakBlow Molding190Genesis Medical Center - DeWittHealthcare185Car-FreshnerAir Fresheners125Ennis Business FormsBusiness, medical forms100Iowa Mutual Insurance CompanyInsurance90City of DeWittPublic Service50ITW - MagnafluxNon-destructive testing equipment, chemicals40ITW - Fluids North AmericaMachines lubricant, fluid products40An area’s laborshed is also related to employment within the region. A laborshed is the region around an area of employment where workers may plausibly be hired from. The primary factor in the area of a laborshed is the effectiveness of the local transportation. Efficient transportation allows workers to commute longer distances to work, thereby increasing the laborshed. A large laborshed is beneficial due to how it allows businesses to search larger areas for the most qualified candidates as well as how it expands the possible area of employment for people living in the region who are searching for employment. The following table, provided by the DeWitt Chamber and Development Co., illustrates the City of DeWitt’s laborshed:Source: DeWitt Chamber and Development Company, 2014.2943225000Public Infrastructure and UtilitiesWater SystemThe City of DeWitt has an excellent water system. The City of DeWitt draws water from the Jordan Aquifer to provide drinking water for its residents. The people of DeWitt use approximately 600,000 gallons of water per day. More water is typically used in the summer and less is used in the winter. The Jordan Aquifer is intended to remain the primary source of fresh water for servicing the City of DeWitt in the future. Many measures are taken to help preserve the fresh water quality provided to residents. Chlorine is added to the water in order to kill any existing bacteria and help eliminate odor. Chlorine levels are checked daily to ensure they are at the proper levels. Bacterial checks are conducted six times each month to ensure that the water is clean. A polyphosphate is also added in order to prevent contaminates from pipes from entering the water. There have been no significant problems with water quality in the past and no major concerns are expected in the foreseeable future. There are several aquifer wells owned by the City of DeWitt. All of the wells are artesian wells. The wells draw water at a rate between approximately 500 to 700 gallons per minute. Typically, not all wells operate at the same time. During periods of high water demand, additional wells are turned on to satisfy the additional demand. It seems as though the wells are capable of meeting future water demand. The water system can store a total of approximately 900,000 gallons of water. There are several facilities where water is stored. Water is then sent to locations throughout the city from these storage locations. Additional storage does not seem necessary in the near future. There are approximately 365 fire hydrants within the City of DeWitt. Ensuring their continued functionality is an important safety issue. The City of DeWitt flushes the system twice per year in order to clear the system and ensure that all hydrants are functional. There have been no problems with dysfunctional fire hydrants. Changes in population and development will have significant effects on the demand for water. Increases in water demand resulting from increased population, additional developments, and new industries may require additional wells and storage locations. Additionally, the water level of the Jordan Aquifer has been dropping over time. The water level should be monitored to ensure a continued supply of water. There is also a chance that federal regulations regarding water quality requirements for substances, such as radium, may change. Stricter standards may require investments in order to meet the new requirements. Sanitary SewerThe overall drainage pattern has presented a problem for providing sanitary sewers as the City has grown. The City of DeWitt is located on the fall line between two large drainage areas, Silver Creek and Ames Creek. The drainage flows to the treatment plant provide gravity service to the original developed city. However, as the City of DeWitt has grown a large part of the developing areas cannot be served by gravity flows because the treatment plant is located near the fall line between these two drainage areas. As a result, lift stations were constructed to service developing areas of the City of DeWitt.The east end of the City of DeWitt has small areas that can be served by existing gravity line and lift stations. However, any major easterly expansion will require a large capacity lift station and main. The City of DeWitt has a fairly major constraint to future growth to the northeast as a major ridge runs across the northeastern area of the City. The current development capacity of the area served by existing sewer extensions is expected to be sufficient into the future.The current sewer system is capable of processing 2.74 million gallons of sewage per day. Sewage is treated to the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Current needs are being well met by the sanitary sewer system.Heavy rain events can occasionally exceed the processing capacity of the system. This is due to infiltration and inflow, which is the unintended addition of storm water to the sanitary sewer system due to aging infrastructure that cannot prevent the storm water from entering the system. This can cause sewage to back up from drains. This was identified as an issue of concern by the public input process. Many efforts have already been taken to solve this problem, including updating infrastructure and adding overflow alarms to drains. However, continued efforts will be necessary. Future rehabilitation projects will be required in the future to ensure that the sanitary sewer is functioning as efficiently as possible. These rehabilitation effort will include replacing and rebuilding existing aging sanitary sewers, the repair and replacement of manholes and the reduction of infiltration by illegally connected private sanitary sewer laterals and services.As the City of DeWitt grows the demand on the sanitary sewer system will increase. To meet the new demand, an expansion of the current wastewater facility or the development of a new facility may become necessary. Furthermore, requirements for water treatment may change in the future. If changes occur, additional investments may become necessary to ensure the requirements can be met. HazardsThere are many natural and man-made hazards which threaten the City of DeWitt. Most hazards are natural disasters. The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan of the City of DeWitt identifies floods, dam failures, tornadoes, thunderstorms, high winds, severe winter weather, man-made hazards, grass fires, and earthquakes as the most likely hazards to affect the City of DeWitt. Some of these hazards are more likely to occur than others, but all should be prepared for. The City of DeWitt follows the National Incident Management System (NIMS) developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This is a system that is designed to manage disaster response and recovery in the most effective way possible. In the event of a disaster, the City of DeWitt will follow the Incident Command System (ICS), which is recommended by FEMA. This is a flexible way to organize disaster management resources during a multi-jurisdictional effort. By using these methods, the City of DeWitt hopes to have a clear plan for how to address disasters as they arise within the community. FloodsFlood Mitigation and Storm Water ManagementThe City of DeWitt is located between two major drainage features, Silver Creek to the west which drains the western half of the city and Ames Creek to the northeast. There is a third tributary to Ames Creek in the southeast which drains the eastern half of the city but this is not a major drainage feature within the City of DeWitt. Floodplains are the areas around rivers, streams, and creeks that will become flooded as the result of large amounts of rainwater. Flooding poses a serious hazard to people and developments. New mapping of the Silver Creek and Ames Creek floodplains should be conducted. Accurate knowledge is crucial for proper flood mitigation, planning, and zoning. Development within the floodplains is strongly discouraged. Flooding can destroy properties and endanger people. Allowing development in floodplains is irresponsible due to how it knowingly allows developments to be built in harm’s way. Encroachment in and around the floodplain may also cause significant problems. Additional developments and paved areas around a drainage way, such as a creek, can cause significantly more storm water to be diverted into that drainage way. This may result in stronger flooding at higher elevations. Encroachment restricts the ability of the waterway to move runoff downstream and backs water upstream onto properties that may not have flooded had the development not occurred. Furthermore, allowing developments within the floodplain will lead to increased damages and costs associated with flooding. Zoning should be used to discourage and prohibit developments within the floodplain or encroaching around the floodplain. Storm water has posed a significant problem for the sanitary sewer system within the City of DeWitt. Large amounts of storm water are channeled into the sanitary sewers, which causes backups to occur. Reducing the volume of storm water is important to mitigate flooding, protect the functionality of the sanitary sewer, and reduce pollutants carried by runoff. In 2008/2009 the City did complete a large improvement project on the east side of DeWitt. A large detention area was built in northeast DeWitt adjacent to the Humeston Road north of 11th Street. Additionally, the City cleaned and reshaped the existing drainage ditch from north of 11th Street to East 3rd Avenue. That project has reduced street and private property flooding in that area.The City of DeWitt should pursue several options to manage storm water. Rain barrels are one simple way. Rain barrels are containers that are placed beneath the drainage pipe of a building’s gutters. This functions to collect rain water rather than having the water be drained onto the base or yard of a property. This reduces the storm water impact by reducing the volume of rainwater that is being carried as runoff or being diverted into the sanitary sewer. This rain water can then be used by the occupant for watering plants or other activities. Rain gardens are another way to manage storm water. Rain gardens are designed to help storm water percolate into the soil or be absorbed by plants, instead of being directed elsewhere as runoff. Rain gardens can be used as a form of landscaping in addition to a water management technique. Rain gardens should be used with areas that generate large volumes of runoff, such as parking lots and other largely paved areas. Permeable pavements should also be considered. Permeable pavements allow water to flow through the pavement’s surface and into the soil, preventing runoff. This can dramatically reduce the impact of paved areas such as roads and parking lots. However, permeable pavements may also be more costly and should likely be used in key locations. -4381502686050Source: FEMA, 201100Source: FEMA, 201145713672686050FEMA 100 Year Flood Map00FEMA 100 Year Flood MapAgricultural and Natural ResourcesAgricultural ResourcesThe area around the City of DeWitt is well suited for agricultural use. To determine which areas of the City of DeWitt are best suited for agricultural use, several methods may be used. A Corn Suitability Rating map may be created. This will identify which areas around the City of DeWitt are best suited for agricultural production. This will allow the City of DeWitt to zone certain areas as agricultural and limit urban development within those areas. Also, a map detailing areas that can be serviced by sanitary sewer, without requiring a lift station, can direct urban development. Urban development would occur in the areas that can be serviced most easily and agricultural development would occur in the more rural areas. Local agricultural production should be promoted through a regular farmer’s market. Promoting the local farmers market can help to raise awareness about agricultural issues within the community as well as to support local farmers. The City of DeWitt should make efforts to advertise local farmer’s markets and raise attendance at the events. Natural ResourcesSome of the most valuable natural resources to the City of DeWitt are the Silver Creek Parkway and the Jordan Aquifer. The Silver Creek Parkway consists of all the public open space surrounding Silver Creek. This area contains the Paul Skeffington Memorial Trail and Westbrook City Park. The Jordan Aquifer is the source of drinking water for the City of DeWitt. Ensuring water quality of the aquifer should be is very important. Most of the water in the Jordan Aquifer reached the aquifer by percolating through the soil. This process typically filters most pollutants from the water. However, there is a possibility that the water may contain traces of surface pollutants or pollutants within the ground. Water quality should continue to be tested to ensure high quality drinking water. Steps may be taken to help restore some of Iowa’s natural habitat. Incentives may be created to promote the planting of native prairie grasses in undeveloped areas. This can help bring back a missing natural habitat. Prairie grasses also do a great job at absorbing storm water and preventing runoff. The City of DeWitt’s parks should be cherished in order to preserve the open space and recreational opportunities that they provide to the entire community. Local parks are some of the only undeveloped areas within the City of munity FacilitiesFacilities189230087820500The City of DeWitt has many community facilities that provide a wide range of services to its local residents. One of the primary community facilities is City Hall. The City of DeWitt City Hall is located at 510 9th Street, DeWitt, Iowa 52742. City Hall is the location where many appointed and elected officials work. City Council meetings are also held in City Hall every fist and third Monday of each month. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. The City Hall is important for providing a workplace for city employees but also for creating a place where citizens may come and address their government. The current Police Department for the City of DeWitt is located at 606 9th Street, DeWitt, Iowa 52742. However, a new police station is being constructed from an existing building at 1505 6th Avenue. This new facility is expected to adequately meet the needs of the City of DeWitt’s Police Department for 30 to 40 years. The old Police Department building is expected to be sold by the City of DeWitt. It is important to ensure that the Police Department has an effective facility to ensure public safety and security for the entire community. The City of DeWitt Fire Station is located at 711 10th Street, DeWitt, Iowa. The City has recently acquired additional property adjacent to the current Fire Station to assure room for expansion in the future. In 2015 the City intends to add an aerial truck to the Fire Department fleet of emergency vehicles. The Fire Station serves as the operational facility for the DeWitt Volunteer Fire Department that services the City and local rural area with the community safe by providing firefighting and rescue services.The Frances Banta Waggoner Community Library is the public library for the City of DeWitt. It contains a wide variety of books, periodicals, and video materials. The public library serves an important service for the local community. Providing books, electronic technology, and information services are important for the process of education and learning in the community. Continued support for the library should be encouraged in order to support education and learning in the City of DeWitt. An effort to expand and update the library was recently undertaken. However, the process is only in the planning and consideration stage.Many of the City of DeWitt’s community facilities serve a recreation purpose. One such facility is the DeWitt Fitness Center. This facility provides a diverse selection of fitness opportunities and classes for the public. The Fitness Center has weights, cardio equipment, racquetball courts, a running track, and a swimming pool. Anyone is welcome to enter into membership contract. Members may come and use the equipment and sign up for fitness related classes that are offered. Part of the facility is rented to a physical therapy company by the City of DeWitt.The City of DeWitt Aquatics Center is a public pool that is open to the public during the summer months. The facility has a pool, water slide, and child’s play area. It continues to be a popular attraction for the city and region. The Aquatic Center is a family friendly area where local residents may go to have fun and cool off. The Aquatic Center also offers youth swimming lessons, adult classes, and adult lap swim.The City of DeWitt Community Center is another facility available to the public. Private events can be held at the Community Center. The Community Center can accommodate up to 150 people for private or public events. The facility may be rented by individuals or organizations that are hosting events.ParksThe City of DeWitt has many public parks that are open for the use of the public. The parks are located all around the City of DeWitt. City of DeWitt parks include Ashindel Park, Lincoln Park, Paarman Park, Forest Park, Little Trees Park, Westbrook Park, Pool Park and the DeWitt Dog Park. Each of these parks offers something unique to the area that it is in. Ashindel ParkAshindel Park is a 3.5 acre park located at 8th Avenue and 14th Street. The park was acquired and developed in 1988 with the assistance of Jan Shindel. The name of the park was derived from the names of Dr. Wallace Ash, founder of the Fitness Center, and the Dr. George Shindel family. The park includes natural areas with flowers and trees and a sitting area. There is a basketball court, volleyball area, and a walking & fitness trail. The park is also home to the DeWitt Fitness Center.Forest ParkForest Park is a 1.7 acre park located north on old Hwy 61. Land for the park was donated by the Wes Witte family. The park includes natural prairie and wildflower areas.Little Trees ParkLittle Trees Park is located at 8th Avenue and 1st Street. The Irwin family, specifically the late Judge Irwin, allowed the community to use this land as a park and baseball fields since at least the mid-1940s. Many area residents can recall playing American Legion baseball during that time on this site. Since then, the community has enjoyed many activities in the park including kite flying, flag football and soccer to name a few. During more than 60 years of use by the community and its residents this park has been and continues to be a cornerstone in the recreation and leisure activities of the community. During the summer of 2003 the community was able to raise the funds required to purchase this property. The park includes a ball diamond, playground equipment, a basketball court, restrooms and parking.Lincoln ParkThis park is located at 6th Avenue and 11th Street. This is the City’s premier park and is sometimes called Water Tower Park because it is situated under the city's water tower.?Amenities include a picnic shelter, many picnic tables, a gazebo, playground equipment, and public restrooms. The park is also home to the Hausbarn which is home to the DeWitt Chamber & Development Company. The Hausbarn includes the original roof structure of a 300-year old Hausbarn and a thatch roof. The DeWitt Community Center is also located in Lincoln Park. ?The park is named Lincoln Park in recognition of the old Lincoln Highway which runs right past the park (Old US 30 currently known as 11th Street). Lincoln Park has one park shelter with electricity. Paarmann ParkPaarmann Park is a one acre park located in the 100 block of East 4th Street. This is the City's newest park and was recently completed in the name of Lois M. Paarmann, because of her generosity. Through her estate, part of a larger bequest to the City of DeWitt, Ms. Paarmann left funds with which the Parks & Recreation Department was able to purchase the land and develop it into a new park and recreation area. This is the first such park in the Southeast quadrant of the city. The park includes a picnic shelter, picnic tables, playground equipment, and a basketball court.?There is one park shelter with electricity.Pool ParkPool Park is a 4.7 acre park located at 11th Avenue and 15th Street. This park is located directly north of the Aquatic Center and includes two ball fields and a walking path. Public restrooms are located outside the Aquatic Center.Soccer Field ComplexThis 6.3 acre complex is located in the north section of Westbrook Park. Ally Rittmer donated the land and development for this complex in 1999. DeWitt Parks & Recreation uses the fields for soccer twice per year hosting a fall league and spring league. There are three soccer fields and a concession stand.Westbrook ParkWestbrook Park is a 100 acre park located west of the city on 11th Street. This is DeWitt's largest park and includes five picnic shelters, four baseball/softball diamonds, two playground equipment areas, four horseshoe courts, grass volleyball courts, three sets of public restrooms, and a concession stand. The park also includes a natural timber area with foot trails, an off-road bike trail, and a 10' wide multipurpose trail that has been developed for walkers, joggers, and bicycles. The park was first acquired and developed in 1968. Westbrook Park has?four park shelters, one has electricity.DeWitt Dog ParkThe Dewitt Dog Park is located in Westbrook Park and opened its gates in 2012. The park is open year-round.?The park provides about two acres of fenced in land for dogs to run free. It consists of separate areas for both large and small dogs.??Both areas provide benches for sitting while dogs socialize and play.?SchoolsCertified Enrollment HistoryYearStudents1996-199715951997-199816391998-199916591999-200016692000-200116842001-200216612002-200316432003-200416182004-200515892005-200615802006-200715532007-200815572008-200915212009-201015372010-201115532011-201215242012-201314882013-20141478Schools are important for every community. Educating children provides a great social benefit to the entire community. Public Education provides an educated workforce and more intelligent future citizens. The City of DeWitt is located within the Central Community School District. The Central Community School District services an area of about 8,300 people within Clinton County. The area of the Central Community School District is approximately 179 square miles and includes Low Moor, Welton, Grand Mound, and DeWitt. The Central Community School District consists of Ekstrand Elementary (grades PS-3), Central Intermediate School (grades 4-6), Central Middle School (grades 7-8), and Central High School (grades 9-12). The table (left) and graph (below) show enrollment in the Central Community School District by year:210502520828000In 2011, there was a major expansion to the school property at 425 E 11th Street, DeWitt, IA 52742. This project made it possible for Central Intermediate, Middle, and High Schools to share a single location on the 11th Street property. Even with the additions, Ekstrand Elementary School remains at 1140 15th Street, DeWitt, IA 52742. The Central Performing Arts Center, or CPAC, is a performance venue built as a part of the 2011 Central Community building project. Many cultural and artistic events are held in the Central Performing Arts Center each year. The public input session for this plan identified the Central Performing Arts Center as a valuable cultural and artistic commodity within the DeWitt community that is worth promoting. Public input has also called for increased marketing of local community artistic and social events. Artistic and cultural events should be advertised so that the entire community may take part in the events. There are 16 school bus routes which help students travel to and from school. The Central Community School District is also one of the largest employers within the City of DeWitt, with approximately 245 employees. Efforts should be made to ensure that students are receiving a strong and diverse education. Athletics and the arts should not be neglected within the curriculums. St. Joseph Catholic School has been a private school within the City of DeWitt since 1863. Classes are offered from preschool through 8th grade. Having a private school within the City of DeWitt is beneficial; it provides more education choices for the community and allows parents and students to select the school which is best suited to them.ImplementationPlans are only constructive if they are implemented. In order for the community to make positive change, the policies and plans discussed in this plan will need to be carried into practice. A sincere effort is required to make a significant positive change within the community. Goals and ObjectivesThe goals and objectives set forth in this plan should be considered a guide to future growth and development, rather than a set of requirements. Not completing all or some of the goals and objectives should not necessarily be thought of as a failure on the part of the City of DeWitt’s elected or appointed officials. There are many obstacles and impediments that will hinder the completion of some or all of the goals and objectives listed.One of the greatest obstacles is the availability of funds. There will not always be enough funds in the budget in order to finance any or all of the goals and objectives outlined. Unexpected costs frequently arise and use important public funds. This can lead to less available money to complete the proposed objectives. Difficult choices will have to be made as to how funds should be best distributed among the many needs of the City of DeWitt. There is also a chance that there will be significant change from what is expected in the comprehensive plan. Dramatic changes to the City of DeWitt’s economy, infrastructure, and population may dramatically change the importance of certain issues and objectives over others. Such changes may also create new issues that require more immediate attention than those outlined within this plan or eliminate the need to address certain objectives altogether. The goals and objectives provided serve as an ideal plan for development. The City of DeWitt should keep the stated objectives in mind as it creates future policies and programs. It is expected that following the proposed objectives will make the City of DeWitt a better place to live and work. Tables outlining the proposed goals and objectives follow:AreaGoalHousingTo provide diverse, affordable, and high quality housing options to all residents of DeWitt.TransportationProvide a transportation system with a variety of mode choices that is efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly.Economic DevelopmentTo create a business friendly environment that will lead to economic success, increased employment, and responsible growth.Public Infrastructure and UtilitiesTo provide the people of DeWitt with the best possible water and sanitary service to meet their needs.HazardsTo keep the people of DeWitt safe by providing the best possible mitigation of, response to, and recovery from catastrophic events.Agricultural and Natural ResourcesTo protect and support the City of DeWitt’s valuable natural resources and agricultural viability in an environmentally responsible munity FacilitiesTo provide the best possible facilities and services to improve the safety, health, education, and welfare of the people of DeWitt.ObjectivesAreaShort Term (by 2020)Medium Term (by 2025)Long Term (by 2030)HousingContact developers about senior housing needs. Rehabilitate dilapidated housing for LMI households.Increase chances of homeownership for LMI individuals. Increase the diversity of housing options available.TransportationConduct annual road rehabilitation projects.Expand and maintain sidewalk network.Increases safe routes for biking and walking within DeWittEvaluate need for public transit.Economic DevelopmentIncrease employment opportunities.Expand industrial park and find other areas for industrial developmentAttract new major industries.Make the downtown retail oriented.Public Infrastructure and UtilitiesReduce I&I into sanitary sewer system Continue to replace aging water and sewer mainsEvaluate need for new wells and/or water munity FacilitiesConstruct new police station. Expand the Library.Increase school enrollment. Rehabilitate the Fitness Center. Increase park recreation options.Acquire land to expand Silver Creek Parkway.Intergovernmental CollaborationCollaboration with other entities is critical for the successful implementation of this plan. Collaboration between governments as well as with private entities will be a major factor in how the plan is implemented. The City of DeWitt will struggle to implement all of the objectives and attain its goals without seeking additional help or funds. The efforts set forth in this plan require effort from several different government and private entities. LocalThe City of DeWitt government will have to cooperate with the Clinton County government as the City of DeWitt continues to expand and grow. Annexations will likely be required to expand the City of DeWitt. Collaboration with Clinton County can help make the annexation process as simple as possible. One of the most helpful intergovernmental organizations in the DeWitt area is the East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA). This organization coordinates projects and policies between the areas within Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, and Jackson Counties. ECIA focuses on addressing issue related to community development, economic development, housing assistance, employment and training, and transportation and planning. Working with the ECIA may help the City of DeWitt address the issues that many other local communities are struggling with as well. StateThe state of Iowa has outlined many practices for developing the best possible comprehensive plan. This plan was created with special attention to smart planning principles and local comprehensive planning and development guidelines, outlined in Iowa State Code Chapter 18B. In this way, the new plan has been developed in collaboration with state planning guidelines. FederalThere are many federal government guidelines, policies, and funding opportunities that should be followed and pursued. Accordance with federal guidelines can help to provide the best possible policies for the implantation of this plan. Federal funds will be a significant help in achieving the financial means to carry out many of this plans goals and objectives. Private EntitiesCollaboration will be required with local private agencies. One of the major private organizations related to urban planning within the City of DeWitt is the DeWitt Chamber and Development Co., or DCDC. This organization is dedicated to advancing the interests of local businesses, industries, and the City of DeWitt community. Coordination with this agency can help ensure that local policies are working in the interests of the local economy. ConclusionsThis plan proposes policies based on current conditions and expectations for the City of DeWitt’s future growth and development. As conditions change over time, the plan will need to be updated and altered. Statistics and figured should be updated as regularly as they become available in order to keep the information of the plan current. The purpose of this plan is to lay the foundation for the City of DeWitt to become the best possible place to live and work. Proper implementation of the plan will lead to successful and responsible growth that will adequately meet future needs. With this plan as a guide, it seems certain that the City of DeWitt will continue to be a crossroads to opportunity. APPENDIX AVoter Choices KeyQuestionChoicesWhat should be done to improve the City of DeWitt’s economy?Attract More/New Commercial OptionsAttract a New Hotel/MotelAttract a Nice Family RestaurantRevitalize DowntownAttract More JobsLower Business Interest Rates/TaxesCreate More Events to Attract OutsidersLower Property TaxesExpand Crossroads Business ParkConcentrate Retail Development in DowntownVoter Choices KeyQuestionChoicesHow should the City of DeWitt improve its culture, recreation, and the arts for its residents?More Community EventsOrganize Literary FestivalsOrganize Music FestivalsOrganize Ethnic FestivalsOrganize Craft FestivalsOrganize Community Fun Runs Create Get Fit InitiativesAdvertise/Market Community EventsCreate More Park AmenitiesUpgrade/Fix Parks AmenitiesCreate CampgroundExpand Paul Skeffington Memorial TrailCreate a Community GardenPromote a Farmer’s MarketPromote Central Performing Arts Center (CPAC)Voter Choices KeyQuestionChoicesWhat should be done to improve housing in the City of DeWitt?More Senior Living OptionsMore MultifamilyRehabilitate Old/Bad HousingMore Affordable Housing Options/ProgramsMore Disability Accessible HousingRequire Universal Design PrinciplesUse TIF to Fund New Affordable HousingEncourage More Middle Income HousingMore Single Family HousingVoter Choices KeyQuestionChoicesWhat should be done to improve transportation within the City of DeWitt?Increase River Bend Transit ServicesCreate Rail Road Quiet ZoneReevaluate Casey’s TurnNo Parking on 17th StreetImprove/Expand SidewalksCreate Bike Lanes on 6th and 11thLimit Curb Cuts on 11thCreate Better Senior Public TransportationCreate Public TransportationAttract a Taxi ServiceAttract a Car Share ServicePerform an ADA Assessment and PlanRepair Old and Broken StreetsConstruct Wider StreetsMore Downtown ParkingMore Bicycle ParkingPromote Bicycling and WalkingAllow Community Golf Cart UseVoter Choices KeyQuestionChoicesHow should the City of DeWitt’s community and public facilities and infrastructure be improved or expanded?Improve Drainage/Sanitary SewerReplace Outdated Streets and CurbsCreate Additional Park BenchesUpdate/Expand Fitness CenterDevelop Free Public WifiUpdate/Expand Community CenterUpdate/Expand LibraryCreate Indoor PoolConduct ADA Transition PlanCreate More Green Space in ParksVoter Choices KeyQuestionChoicesWhat should be done to make the City of DeWitt a better place to live?Reduce CrimeAllow Outdoor Seating and Eating for CommercialAttract More Business VarietyFoster Small/Family Oriented Community FeelingMore Handicap Accessible/ADA CompliantReduce Property TaxesBetter Senior LivingCreate More ParkingLess City SpendingHire Fewer Police OfficersCreate Children’s MuseumImproved Snow RemovalFoster Retail/Tourism Oriented CommunityPromote Historic PreservationCreate Bed and BreakfastsAttract a Wine BarAttract More Retail Shops/OptionsPromote/Teach the Arts in SchoolsCreate Community Art GroupsAPPENDIX BVoter Choices KeyQuestionChoicesWhat should be done to improve the City of DeWitt’s economy?Attract More/New Commercial OptionsAttract a New Hotel/MotelAttract a Nice Family RestaurantRevitalize DowntownAttract More JobsLower Business Interest Rates/TaxesCreate More Events to Attract OutsidersLower Property TaxesExpand Crossroads Business ParkConcentrate Retail Development in DowntownVoter Choices KeyQuestionChoicesHow should the City of DeWitt improve its culture, recreation, and the arts for its residents?More Community EventsOrganize Literary FestivalsOrganize Music FestivalsOrganize Ethnic FestivalsOrganize Craft FestivalsOrganize Community Fun Runs Create Get Fit InitiativesAdvertise/Market Community EventsCreate More Park AmenitiesUpgrade/Fix Parks AmenitiesCreate CampgroundExpand Paul Skeffington Memorial TrailCreate a Community GardenPromote a Farmer’s MarketPromote Central Performing Arts Center (CPAC)Voter Choices KeyQuestionChoicesWhat should be done to improve housing in the City of DeWitt?More Senior Living OptionsMore MultifamilyRehabilitate Old/Bad HousingMore Affordable Housing Options/ProgramsMore Disability Accessible HousingRequire Universal Design PrinciplesUse TIF to Fund New Affordable HousingEncourage More Middle Income HousingMore Single Family HousingVoter Choices KeyQuestionChoicesWhat should be done to improve transportation within the City of DeWitt?Increase River Bend Transit ServicesCreate Rail Road Quiet ZoneReevaluate Casey’s TurnNo Parking on 17th StreetImprove/Expand SidewalksCreate Bike Lanes on 6th and 11thLimit Curb Cuts on 11thCreate Better Senior Public TransportationCreate Public TransportationAttract a Taxi ServiceAttract a Car Share ServicePerform an ADA Assessment and PlanRepair Old and Broken StreetsConstruct Wider StreetsMore Downtown ParkingMore Bicycle ParkingPromote Bicycling and WalkingAllow Community Golf Cart UseVoter Choices KeyQuestionChoicesHow should the City of DeWitt’s community and public facilities and infrastructure be improved or expanded?Improve Drainage/Sanitary SewerReplace Outdated Streets and CurbsCreate Additional Park BenchesUpdate/Expand Fitness CenterDevelop Free Public WifiUpdate/Expand Community CenterUpdate/Expand LibraryCreate Indoor PoolConduct ADA Transition PlanCreate More Green Space in ParksVoter Choices KeyQuestionChoicesWhat should be done to make the City of DeWitt a better place to live?Reduce CrimeAllow Outdoor Seating and Eating for CommercialAttract More Business VarietyFoster Small/Family Oriented Community FeelingMore Handicap Accessible/ADA CompliantReduce Property TaxesBetter Senior LivingCreate More ParkingLess City SpendingHire Fewer Police OfficersCreate Children’s MuseumImproved Snow RemovalFoster Retail/Tourism Oriented CommunityPromote Historic PreservationCreate Bed and BreakfastsAttract a Wine BarAttract More Retail Shops/OptionsPromote/Teach the Arts in SchoolsCreate Community Art Groups ................
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