Johnson County

Comprehensive Plan Update

Comprehensive Planning Committee:
ENVISION MEETING
Jeffrey B. Ray, AICP
Clinton Sloss
Christopher Shires, AICP
 Meeting Process
Review community input highlights
Prioritize broad-based input as goal statements
Identify resonating statements and ideas
Remove unworkable efforts
> No priority
> Not feasible
> Not applicable
 Envision Input Process
Public Input Sessions Interviews
Lone Tree (2/7) All five BOS Members
Kent Park (2/16) Farm Bureau President &
Solon (2/22) Executive Director
Stringtown (2/28) Iowa Area City Economic
Iowa City (3/6) Development
Johnson County Housing Trust
Focus Group Meetings Fund
Farm Bureau County Depts. -Public Works,
Amish Elders Public Health, Conservation
Sustainability
Parks and Recreation
Local Food Policy Council
Building & Development
Conservation & Environmental
Ag Tourism & Rural Business
 Interview Highlights
North Corridor Development Area
Conflicting ideas- currently target area for residential development, but
environmentally sensitive area
Agri-Tourism
Need to establish best practices and regulations to prevent unintended
consequences
40-Acre Farm Definition
Preserved farmland from residential sprawl
Negatively impacts small farm operations, local foods
Define by use instead of operation size
Potential for ag-exemption license for all farm operators
 Interview Highlights
Fringe Area Agreements
Need to re-evaluate/better define immediate growth areas and preserve
rural farmland
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO)
Many concerned of siting CAFOs in Johnson County
Few saw opposition as a loss of potential economic opportunities
Trails/Bicycle Facilities
Many interviewees identified trails as very important to the residents of
Johnson County- recreation & commuter
Desire for greater connectivity among existing trails and communities
 Focus Group Highlights
40-Acre Farm Definition
Stifling entrepreneurs of small farm operators
Define by use instead of operation size
Need separate policy to address anti-sprawl
Agri-Tourism Zone
Seen as potential tourism driver
No longer need Condition Use Permits
Creates stability, expectations
Challenge with Regulations
Many see Johnson County having too much regulation compared to
neighboring counties
Want to see County as advocate/partner, not adversary
Selective- Environmentally Sensitive Area regulation doesnt have
enough teeth
 Public Input Meeting Highlights

Land Use + Residential Infrastructure

Majority want to see
development directed
toward cities
NCDA- mixed
Adjacent to infrastructure
Concern for gravel road upkeep
Want to see more rural roads
upgraded- chip seal, paving
Trails/Bike Facilities
High priority
Safety Concerns- bicyclists
 Public Input Meeting Highlights

Land + Water Ag + Food Production

Conservation
Water quality concerns Small Farm Operations
Farmland Preservation
Protect ESA- wetlands,
prairie
Expand parks, camping
Greater access to water
Concern re: CAFOs
Ag exemption for all farms
High cost to enter
Incentives for organic practices
No Growth/Preservation
Limit NCDA
New Incentives/Assistance
Expand Grow Johnson
County
Need for Hub
 Public Input Meeting Highlights

Economic Sustainability
Opportunities Water & Air Quality
High speed internet Soil management
Plant more prairie
Local Food
Villages Plans
Agri-Tourism
Coordinate with comp plan
Bed & Breakfasts, farm
experience Small Farms/Local Food
Food Processing Conservation- ESAs, farmland
Need oversight when Energy Efficiency
siting rural business Renewables
Near infrastructure; minimize Better educate public
impact to neighbor
 Goal Setting Process
Concept goals developed from previous plan/studies
and feedback received during Envision phase of
project.
Use instant polling to gauge level of priority
Discuss and revise goals to reflect CPC feedback
Goal Format
Land Use - 6 goals
Local Economy - 6 goals
Infrastructure & Amenities - 3 goals
Sustainable Development - 3 goals
 LAND USE
Promote and protect agriculture as the primary
land use in rural Johnson County.

44%
39%

A. High priority
B. Regular priority
C. Low priority 11%
6%
D. No priority

y
y
rit

rit

rit
rit
io

io
io
rio
pr

pr

pr
rp
gh

No
w
la

Lo
Hi

gu
Re

Goal 1 of 18
 LAND USE
Support non-agricultural development in areas
deemed appropriate by Johnson County criteria.

39%
33%
A. High priority
B. Regular priority
C. Low priority 17%

D. No priority 11%

y
y
rit

rit

rit
rit
io

io
io
rio
pr

pr

pr
rp
gh

No
w
la

Lo
Hi

gu
Re

Goal 2 of 18
 LAND USE
Establish Overlay Zones to grant additional land use
flexibility under certain conditions. (e.g. Agri-tourism
Overlay, Cultural District Overlay, etc.)

47%
A. High priority
35%
B. Regular priority
C. Low priority
D. No priority 12%
6%

y
y
rit

rit

rit
rit
io

io
io
rio
pr

pr

pr
rp
gh

No
w
la

Lo
Hi

gu
Re

Goal 3 of 18
 LAND USE
Encourage all the majority of Johnson Countys
anticipated population growth towards areas with
accessible infrastructure (e.g. NCDA, villages,
cities and their fringes areas).
56%
A. High priority
B. Regular priority
C. Low priority 28%

D. No priority
11%
6%

y
y
rit

rit

rit
rit
io

io
io
rio
pr

pr

pr
rp
gh

No
w
la

Lo
Hi

gu
Re

Goal 4 of 18
 LAND USE
Coordinate land use planning with cities to
resolve/avoid conflicting development policies.

61%
A. High priority
B. Regular priority
C. Low priority
D. No priority 17%
11% 11%

y
y
rit

rit

rit
rit
io

io
io
rio
pr

pr

pr
rp
gh

No
w
la

Lo
Hi

gu
Re

Goal 5 of 18
 LAND USE
Support affordable housing initiatives and
organizations throughout Johnson County.

44%

A. High priority 33%

B. Regular priority
22%
C. Low priority
D. No priority

0%

y
y
rit

rit

rit
rit
io

io
io
rio
pr

pr

pr
rp
gh

No
w
la

Lo
Hi

gu
Re

Goal 6 of 18
 LOCAL ECONOMY
Expand the definition of agriculture to include
varying agricultural uses as well as the size of an
operation.

72%
A. High priority
B. Regular priority
C. Low priority
D. No priority 22%

6%
0%

y
y
rit

rit

rit
rit
io

io
io
rio
pr

pr

pr
rp
gh

No
w
la

Lo
Hi

gu
Re

Goal 7 of 18
 LOCAL ECONOMY
Johnson County administration will be an
advocate on behalf of and a resource for local
economic development.

47%
A. High priority
35%
B. Regular priority
C. Low priority
D. No priority 12%
6%

y
y
rit

rit

rit
rit
io

io
io
rio
pr

pr

pr
rp
gh

No
w
la

Lo
Hi

gu
Re

Goal 8 of 18
 LOCAL ECONOMY
Identify potential economic development
opportunities within unincorporated areas of
Johnson County.

39% 39%

A. High priority
B. Regular priority
C. Low priority 17%
D. No priority
6%

y
y
rit

rit

rit
rit
io

io
io
rio
pr

pr

pr
rp
gh

No
w
la

Lo
Hi

gu
Re

Goal 9 of 18
 LOCAL ECONOMY
Encourage infill of existing commercially and
industrially zoned ground in unincorporated
areas of Johnson County.

33% 33%
A. High priority
B. Regular priority 22%

C. Low priority
11%
D. No priority

y
y
rit

rit

rit
rit
io

io
io
rio
pr

pr

pr
rp
gh

No
w
la

Lo
Hi

gu
Re

Goal 10 of 18
 LOCAL ECONOMY
Promote the development and expansion of existing
businesses that enhance the local economy and provide
a diverse and rewarding quality of life, including
protection of the natural environment.

59%

A. High priority
B. Regular priority 35%
C. Low priority
D. No priority
6%
0%

y
y
rit

rit

rit
rit
io

io
io
rio
pr

pr

pr
rp
gh

No
w
la

Lo
Hi

gu
Re

Goal 11 of 18
 LOCAL ECONOMY
Support farmers who wish to maintain and
expand agricultural activities in accordance with
County and State regulations.

56%
A. High priority
B. Regular priority
C. Low priority 22%
D. No priority 17%

6%

y
y
rit

rit

rit
rit
io

io
io
rio
pr

pr

pr
rp
gh

No
w
la

Lo
Hi

gu
Re

Goal 12 of 18
 INFRSTRUCTURE & AMENITIES
Establish a long-term transportation
improvement plan to create better connectivity
between subdivisions, open space and other
traffic generators county-wide.
47%
41%
A. High priority
B. Regular priority
C. Low priority
D. No priority 12%

0%

y
y
rit

rit

rit
rit
io

io
io
rio
pr

pr

pr
rp
gh

No
w
la

Lo
Hi

gu
Re

Goal 13 of 18
 INFRSTRUCTURE & AMENITIES
Support alternatives modes of transportation
across all areas of Johnson county. (i.e. trails for
commuting, existing transit services, light rail,
BRT, etc.)
50%

A. High priority
33%
B. Regular priority
C. Low priority
D. No priority 11%
6%

y
y
rit

rit

rit
rit
io

io
io
rio
pr

pr

pr
rp
gh

No
w
la

Lo
Hi

gu
Re

Goal 14 of 18
 INFRSTRUCTURE & AMENITIES
Support a well connected recreational parks and
trails system throughout Johnson County.

56%
A. High priority
B. Regular priority 33%
C. Low priority
D. No priority
6% 6%

y
y
rit

rit

rit
rit
io

io
io
rio
pr

pr

pr
rp
gh

No
w
la

Lo
Hi

gu
Re

Goal 15 of 18
 SUSTAINBLE DEVELOPMENT
Continue to enact administrative policies to reduce the
carbon footprint of Johnson County facilities and
operational practices (i.e. renewable energy use,
recycling programs).

61%
A. High priority
B. Regular priority
C. Low priority
22%
D. No priority 17%

0%

y
y
rit

rit

rit
rit
io

io
io
rio
pr

pr

pr
rp
gh

No
w
la

Lo
Hi

gu
Re

Goal 16 of 18
 SUSTAINBLE DEVELOPMENT
Encourage and incentivize green building and
sustainable development practices for existing and
future residential, commercial and industrial
development projects.

61%
A. High priority
B. Regular priority
C. Low priority
22%
D. No priority
11%
6%

y
y
rit

rit

rit
rit
io

io
io
rio
pr

pr

pr
rp
gh

No
w
la

Lo
Hi

gu
Re

Goal 17 of 18
 SUSTAINBLE DEVELOPMENT
Continue to protect and improve the condition of
Johnson Countys natural resources- land, water
and air.

76%

A. High priority
B. Regular priority
C. Low priority
24%
D. No priority

0% 0%

y
y
rit

rit

rit
rit
io

io
io
rio
pr

pr

pr
rp
gh

No
w
la

Lo
Hi

gu
Re

Goal 18 of 18
 Land Use
New development should be permitted based
upon________?

56%
A. Location (Growth Areas)
B. Site Criteria
28%
C. Both
D. No growth 11%
6%

th
)

th
ia
as

ow
Bo
e

ite
Ar

gr
Cr
th

No
te
w

Si
ro
(G
n
tio
ca
Lo

Revised Goal
4 of 18
Questions

& Answers