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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.
[to top of second column in this article]
 |
 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.
- We need to get more participation
from the community.
- We need to get other people
involved.
- 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:
Another related article:
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