Friday, May 13

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Officials get aggressive in continuing economic momentum          Send a link to a friend

Land use and GIS to lay foundation for Logan County

[MAY 13, 2005]  Regional planning and a new comprehensive plan were the hot topics opening last evening's Logan County board of the whole.

Officials are riding the wave of momentum created when they luckily landed a Fortune 100 company this week. It wasn't by sheer luck by any stretch of the imagination that SYSCO chose Lincoln. There were many months of scrambling by lots of people and lots of hard work to get them here.

The experience heightened awareness for the need to get an updated comprehensive plan together. The old plan that was put together in 1978 is considered obsolete, and it's been decided that it is time to start from the beginning on a new comprehensive plan.

The county board's economic development chairman, Terry Werth, introduced Bill Glaze, chairman of the Logan County Regional Planning Commission, who explained the newest developments.

Glaze said that the planning commission has planned a community meeting for May 26 at 7 p.m. at Lincoln Christian College. Various speakers will explain the comprehensive plan, the comprehensive economic development strategy and the geographic information system. Dr. Keith Ray, LCC president, will explain why all of these are important to our communities.

We want people to know:

  • What the comprehensive plan is.
  • What the comprehensive economic development strategy is.
  • How the geographic information system works.

Glaze said that he hopes that the meeting will generate community interest and involvement. That's why we're having this meeting, he said.

A comprehensive plan is a land-use plan that includes zoning, financial facts and figures, and other important aspects about life in our communities and the county as a whole. It is used heavily in economic development.

An updated plan in place also serves in getting federal dollars to fund new projects.

Businesses, developers, anyone considering a move to Logan County would find information in the plan invaluable in making their decisions about whether our community is right for them. Before choosing to locate here they can get a better idea if their business will do well here.

Companies also want to know if their employees will find the type of schools, goods, health care and services, and generally the quality of life that they desire.

A comprehensive plan incorporates land use and zoning

Communities benefit in a number of ways from having land use and zoning plans in place. Determining what areas are suitable for commercial, industrial, business or residential, and setting aside greenways for parks all fit into the plan.

A plan focuses where to concentrate infrastructure dollars for streets and sewers.

And preplanned zoning makes good (happier) neighbors.

Geographic information system dovetails with comprehensive plan

While the date has been moved forward several times, Illinois has mandated that all counties come into GIS compliance. County engineer Tom Hickman has been overseeing the Logan County GIS project, which is well under way.

[GIS technology or providing data geographically is playing an increasingly critical role in all areas of government. "From road conditions to bike routes, crime reporting to environmental protection, spatially mapping data can provide enhanced services, link interrelated issues and create new efficiencies for government as well as industry. -- November 2002 Illinois state news release posted in LDN]

GIS is an expensive process, costing $350,000-$400,000, Glaze said. The county set up a revenue stream from certain fines and fees that are paying for it.

When they are completed, the combined GIS and the plan will work together to draw businesses.

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Developing the comprehensive plan and costs

Discussions in the past year have indicated that the sheer size and volume of information necessary to redo the comprehensive plan make it a daunting task. Officials from economic development, the county board and the planning commission have been looking for the most practical manner that will get the job done. They considered parting the work out to the communities for each to do their part while the county did its part, and then someone would bring it all together. This still looked cumbersome, as well as unreliable in timing and local capability.

While gathering advice about how other counties have gotten their plan done, the group that produced the McLean County plan offered to do the Logan County plan.

At last month's meeting the Logan County Regional Planning Commission recommended pursuing this course of action and has gathered more information.

McLean County regional planner Paul Russell brings expertise in getting the job done quickly and right. He has an experienced office staff that will assist in the development as well, Glaze said.

The cost for the new plan has been set at $55,000.

The planning commission has $2,500 that will be contributed if approved next month.

The county tentatively agreed on Thursday to commit $5,000. Those funds come from when the Lincoln/Logan County Enterprise Zone extended to the Formosa plant in Illiopolis. The plant offered to give Lincoln and Logan County $5,000 each every year to use toward regional planning expenses.

Glaze will be visiting Lincoln, Atlanta and Elkhart council and board meetings to explain the benefits that the plan will have for them and how they can assist in the process.

Russell suggested asking communities to help finance the project with funding proportional to population at $2 per person.

Funds will still be needed from individuals to meet the fee.

Possible change in planning commission size and composition

The final thing that Glaze said the planning commission is considering is a change in size and who sits on the commission.

  1. We need to get more participation from the community.
  2. We need to get other people involved.
  3. We need to do a better job making sure that the people that are involved have enough information to make good decisions.

Glaze said he feels as though more could get done with fewer people and that it would be better if it wasn't composed mostly of officials but rather of community people with specific interest. The important thing would be to make sure that they are well-informed in order to make good decisions, he said.

He expects to have more information after next month's meeting. Regular meetings are the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. in the downstairs courtroom at the Logan County Courthouse.

The commission is gathering information from citizens. They have prepared a survey with 20 questions for you to contribute your opinions.  The commission will use the information in their decision-making.

[Survey (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. )

This will not be the only opportunity for public input, Glaze said. There will be some public hearings once some of the planning is under way.

[Jan Youngquist]

Articles pertaining to geographic information system and comprehensive plan developments in Logan County:

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