Johnson County

Iowa is known as an agricultural state

Farm stats in Johnson County:
1000+ farms
300,000+ acres in farm
200+ acres average size
Average age of farmer is mid-50s
Preservation of Agricultural Heritage and
Economy is of utmost importance!

Source: US Dept. of Agriculture

NRCS Photo Gallery

Johnson County
Preservation of sensitive & natural areas is critical

Rapid Creek Watershed

Source: Kate Giannini, JCSWCS

Hora Woodland,

Strub Prairie Land

Source: JCHT website

Source: JCHT website

Johnson County
Johnson County is the 2nd Fastest Growing County in
Iowa!

Rural & Urban Challenges

~143,000 citizens
~18% population growth
~House & Land values increasing
compared to

10% National Population Growth

4% Iowa Population Growth
Source: US Dept. of Agriculture
NRCS Photo Gallery

Johnson County

So what do you get when

Agricultural Tradition
Sensitive Areas Preservation
+Development Pressure

Introduction
Manage
Development
and Growth

CONFLICT
Sensitive
Areas
Preservation

Preserve
Agricultural
Land

Comprehensive Plan
What does a Comp Plan do?
Balances competing interest (Ag, SA, Dev)
Documents the needs and desires of the
county residents
Promotes a predictable future
Provides a firm basis for:
Regulations, laws, and policies
Future Board decisions

Comprehensive Plan
Why is the Comp Plan
Important?
Required by State Code
Development Ordinance must be
based on the adopted Comp Plan

Guide development in
unincorporated Johnson County for
the next decade or more.
We will be updating our Zoning
Code and Development Ordinance
based on this plan!
Dont take this committee lightly.

Comprehensive Plan
First Comprehensive Plan for the County. More detail than Land Use Plans
1960: Adopted zoning regulations. Established Planning and Zoning
Commission and Board of Adjustment.
1979 North Corridor Development Plan

North Corridor Development Plan updated in 1996

1998 First County Land Use Plan

2008 Land Use Plan updated

2018 First County Comp Plan is adopted!!

Comprehensive Plan
Current Land Use Plan (2008)
Main Goals

Preserve the availability of agricultural land

Protect sensitive land and waters
Protect publics health, safety, and welfare
Encourage efficient development
Minimize conflicts between incompatible land uses

Comprehensive Plan
Comprehensive Plan (2018)
There will be the
Executive Summary
County Profile and
Goals and Vision statements
More precisely, the plan will address
Sustainable Development
Economic Development
Transportation and Infrastructure
Quality of Life, and
Land Use
Implementation Schedule to ensure that the plan is used

Comprehensive Plan

Questions?