Public input sought to help determine community needs and direction for growth
by Joe Moses
Waukon City Manager Grayson Rowlet and Senior Regional Planner Michelle Barness of Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) recently met with The Standard relating to the City of Waukon’s Comprehensive Plan update. Through public engagement opportunities including meetings and surveys seeking input, this planning process will allow Waukon residents to help determine needs and direction for growth relating to housing, economic development, infrastructure and facilities, agricultural and natural resources, recreation and land use, among other aspects impacting the daily lives of community residents.
Rowlet advised that UERPC has been contracted to perform the comprehensive planning process to be updated in 2026 into early 2027 with a similar process having been completed over a decade ago in 2015, also by UERPC at that time. Rowlet shared that this plan update, a process completed approximately every 10-15 years, will assist in developing the vision necessary to determine Waukon’s needs in the coming 10-20 years.
Rowlet noted that the term “comprehensive” is used to describe this process which goes far beyond the city’s plans, but rather includes aspects relating to housing, health care, childcare, transportation, among other services and quality of life matters important to the public in Waukon and surrounding areas. He noted that the scale of the comprehensive planning process, impacting much more than just the city, will assist in identifying goals and will connect a variety of stakeholders necessary to reach those goals in the coming years.
From a commercial development perspective, Rowlet advised that this planning process will be beneficial in continuing growth in both the Rossville Road corridor and the 8th Avenue SW corridor. Relating to these commercial corridors, Rowlet made note of new locations for Peoples State Bank and Pladsen Chevrolet with opportunities available for other businesses near these locations or elsewhere within these commercial corridors.
Rowlet also made note of housing related projects including the duplex project through developer Ben Garrett of Tailwind Capital Partners and the market-rate apartment complexes made possible through developer Dexter Quandahl of Q4 Apartments, LLC. In addition to housing growth, Rowlet said that the establishment of an industrial park area would be beneficial relating to job creation and economic growth in Waukon.
The Waukon Comprehensive Plan will be developed through six phases that include public input, research, planning, public review, and final adoption. Those six phases are further described as follows:
• Community Engagement: Steering Committee input, a community survey, and a public visioning session help identify Waukon’s strengths, values, needs, and hopes for the future.
• Research & Data Collection: Community data is gathered and reviewed, a community profile is prepared, and focus groups are held on key plan topics.
• Land Use Planning: Land use, development patterns, infrastructure, transportation, and environmental features are reviewed to help guide future growth and development.
• Goals & Strategies: Public input, data, and stakeholder feedback are used to draft goals, strategies, and an implementation plan.
• Draft Plan Review: A draft Comprehensive Plan is prepared and shared for public review, with opportunities for residents to provide comments.
• Review & Adoption: The Planning and Zoning Commission reviews the plan and makes a recommendation, and the City Council considers adoption.
PUBLIC INPUT
Barness and Rowlet discussed the Comprehensive Plan related Public Visioning Meeting (see accompanying graphic) scheduled for Wednesday, July 8 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Senior Room within the Waukon Wellness Center.
Barness advised that this public meeting is open to all residents in addition to the public with ties to or interest in Waukon from outside the community. Barness described this initial public meeting as a fun engagement event that will assist in identifying wants and needs relating to Waukon.
Barness noted that the public is also encouraged to complete the community survey online during the month of July at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QF8BTJT, or by utilizing the QR Code that appears at the bottom left in the graphic accompanying this article. A paper copy of the survey may also be picked up and returned at the Waukon City Hall office, Robey Memorial Library or the Waukon Wellness Center.
Barness discussed the next steps in this process to take place yet this year and into early 2017. She said focus groups and other goal setting activities will be announced as they are finalized. Additional information about the City of Waukon Comprehensive Plan can be found by attending the July 8 Public Visioning Meeting or by utilizing the QR Code that appears at the bottom right in the graphic accompanying this article.