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Home My WebLink About06-14-2006 South Bend’s 20 Year Plan Under Public Review MACK �. MEDIA RELEASE Wednesday,June 14,2006 10:30 AM Contact: Marco Mariam, Division of Community Development, 235-9475 Pam Meyer, Director, Division of Community Development, 235-5845 South Bend's 20 Year Plan Under Public Review Mayor Stephen J. Luecke joined with members of the South Bend Common Council, Civic Alliance, and South Bend residents to kick off the discussion of the final draft of City Plan, the new 20-year comprehensive plan for South Bend. The final version of the Plan is expected to be completed for approval by the Area Plan Commission in early August, and for adoption by the Council in September. Mayor Luecke urged all members of the community to review the Plan and submit their comments on the draft during the public comment period, from June 5 through July 7. The Mayor also encouraged residents to attend public meetings during the last two weeks of June, where City Plan's priorities for the first five years will be discussed. The kickoff took place on the site of the future Scouting Development and Resource Center of the LaSalle Council of Boy Scouts of America, located adjacent to Fredrickson Park. Noted Mayor Luecke, "This area is an excellent example of what careful, long-term planning can accomplish. The Boy Scout Resource Center, the transformation of Fred Park from a dump site, the Innovation Park @ ND, and new mixed residential and urban retail development adjacent to Notre Dame, are all part of the community's vision that City Plan will help us to accomplish." Mayor Luecke highlighted several specific goals listed in the Plan, including a targeted population growth of 15,000 over 20 years, and an increase in new housing units, from 100 units annually to 300 per year. The Plan also lists targeted employment areas where the City plans to solicit and establish new jobs, and provides a Future Land Use Map to project where growth is most needed and best accommodated. In addition, City Plan establishes new procedures to better measure progress toward these goals, and accountability to ensure achievement of them. It also sets up a public process for regular updates, to ensure the plan is relevant to the economic environment and reflects the vision of the community. "The City Plan process has involved a network of residents, organizations, and institutions who have developed a shared vision and civic agenda for South Bend for the next twenty years. We are excited about the future this Plan represents, and ask the community to review the draft before it is sent to the Area Plan Commission and Common Council for approval and adoption," stated Civic Alliance spokesperson Wayne Curry. Council President Timothy Rouse noted that"the Council has been following the planning process closely, and we are pleased with the extent of the community's participation. We especially appreciate the work of the Civic Alliance, City Community Development team, stakeholders and the entire community for the time spent developing this plan over the past 2 '/2 years." The Plan is structured around key focus areas, including Economic Development, Arts and Culture, Community Building,Education, Environmental Management, Housing, Land Use and Growth, Public Facilities, Transportation, and Urban Design. Priority policies for the first five year Implementation Action Plan (IAP) are grouped under eight strategies that will outline and direct the manner in which growth and development in these focus areas will be accomplished. "As a roadmap for growth and development, City Plan will provide a reference for decision makers, and enhance communication between government entities, businesses, and neighborhoods," stated Mayor Luecke. There are three ways to review and comment on City Plan: • Hard copies are available for review at the South Bend branches of the St.Joseph County Public Library. • On-line at www.SouthBendCityPlan.or�. • Six public meetings: - Tues, June 20, 6-8 p.m............Pettey Primary Center Cafeteria, 740 N. Eddy -Wed, June 21, 6-8 p.m............Jackson Intermediate Center, 5001 S. Miami - Thurs, June 22, 6-8 p.m..........Harrison Primary Center Cafeteria, 3302 W. Western - Tues, June 27, 6-8 p.m............Pinhook Pavilion, 2801 Riverside Dr. - Thurs, June 29, 7-9 a.m. .........Century Center, 120 S. St. Joseph - Thurs, June 29, 6-8 p.m..........Century Center, 120 S. St. Joseph Comments can be submitted on-line, by email to:jkain@SouthBendln.gov, or by regular mail to: Division of Community Development, attn: City Plan Comments, 224 W. Jefferson Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601. - 30 - ' II GOALS ARTS AND CULTURE Establish a dynamic arts and cultural environment that is integrated into the social and economic fabric of the city, promotes broad awareness, and sustains the downtown as a regional arts destination. COMMUNITY BUILDING Attain a vibrant, inclusive community that achieves ethnic and racial harmony, provides equal access to economic and social opportunities, and encourages civic engagement. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Promote a healthy and diversified economy that fosters a competitive business environment and offers opportunities for employment, and entrepreneurship. EDUCATION Enhance South Bend as a center of life-long educational opportunities that support people of all ages to successfully compete in a global economy. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Promote sustainable environmental management that enhances the quality of air, water, and land resources, and preserves the St. Joseph River as an irreplaceable resource. HOUSING Achieve a thriving South Bend housing market that offers appealing neighborhoods with diverse housing choices. LAND USE AND GROWTH Encourage sustainable growth that preserves and enhances the character of South Bend and ensures compatibility of land uses in the community. PUBLIC FACILITIES Provide efficient and progressive public facilities and services that accommodate future growth and meet the community's changing needs. TRANSPORTATION Provide a balanced transportation system that is integrated locally and regionally, supports alternative modes of transportation, and is pedestrian friendly. URBAN DESIGN Promote an attractive and aesthetically pleasing public realm that preserves and enhances the city's history and built environment. • ®.rJ�W_► v 5-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION ACTION PLAN (IAP) City Plan priority policies for the first five years are grouped under one of eight strategies. The complete IAP is in City Plan's Implementation Chapter. Strategy 1 EXPAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES Strategy 2 PROMOTE CITY ASSETS Strategy 3 ENHANCE CITY SERVICES Strategy 4 SUPPORT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Strategy 5 INCREASE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Strategy 6 ENSURE QUALITY DESIGN AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT Strategy 7 RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS Strategy 8 CONDUCT RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, AND PLANNING