Adopted July 15, 2014

Comprehensive Plan 2014-2035

Whi

tesid

e C

ount

y, Ill

inoi

s

Prepared by Whiteside County with assistance from MSA Professional Services, Inc.

This page intentionally left blank

Acknowledgements

Comprehensive Plan Committee Al Thompson Village President of Deer Grove Betty Steinert Whiteside County Economic Development Don Temple Whiteside County Farm Bureau (President) Doug Buhler former Whiteside County ESDA Director Glen Kulhmier City of Rock Falls Council Harvey Zuidema Morrison City Council James Duffy Whiteside County Board Chairman Jerry Ratajczak Whiteside County Planning & Zoning Commission Joel Horn Whiteside County Administrator Kristine Hill Village President of Tampico Russell Renner Whiteside County Highway Engineer Seth Janssen Whiteside County Emergency Services Stu Richter Whiteside County Planning & Zoning Commission

Whiteside County Board James C. Duffy County Board Chair Glenn C. Truesdell County Board Vice-Chair Tony Arduini former County Board Chair

District 2Tony Arduini William MilbyJohn EspinozaEugene L. JacobyDonald F. BlairDouglas WetzellKaren NelsonGlenn C. TruesdellPaul Cunniff

District 1James C. DuffyJames Arduini William McGinn Kurt E. Glazier Sarah McNeillThomas L. AusmanRuth M. Stanley Robert J. VanDeVeldeRobert E. Bradley

District 3William Abbott Sue BrittGlenn A. FrankMartin KosterHoward ThompsonDaniel BitlerSteve P. WilkinsMark HamiltonDennis Cook

Planning & Design Assistance by:

MSA Professional Services. Inc.Jason Valerius, AICPStephen Tremlett, AICP, CNU-ABruce Woods, ASLASteve HaringJeremy Hall

Whiteside County residents, property owners and business owners attended meetings, reviewed draft materials and submitted comments that have improved this Plan.

This page intentionally left blank

Executive SummaryChapter 1: Introduction 1.1 2008 “Ike” Disaster 1.2 The Plan as a “Living Guide” 1.3 Planning Process & Area 1.4 Community Indicators Summary

Chapter 2: Public Input 2.1 Public Informational Meetings 2.2 Special Issues Workshops 2.3 Stakeholder Interviews 2.4 Citizen Survey

Chapter 3: Goals, Objectives & Strategies 3.1 Vision and Goals 3.2 Housing 3.3 Mobility & Transportation 3.4 Agriculture & Natural Resources 3.5 Community Facilities & Services 3.6 Community Character 3.7 Hazards 3.8 Collaborations & Partnerships

Chapter 4: Land Use Plan 4.1 Goals, Objectives & Strategies 4.2 Future Land Use Plan 4.3 Future Land Use Map 4.4 Future Land Use Categories

Chapter 5: Economic Development Plan 5.1 Goals, Objectives & Strategies 5.2 Development Tools 5.3 Market Conditions

Chapter 6: Implementation and Action Plan 6.1 Guiding Daily Decisions 6.2 Action Plan 6.3 Amending the Plan

Appendices: Appendix A - Community Indicators Report Appendix B - Survey Results Appendix C - Municipal Future Land Use Summaries Appendix D - Plan Area Maps

Table of Contents

This page intentionally left blank

Plan Resolution

This page intentionally left blank

Plan Amendment LogThe following lists the dates and page numbers of any amendments to this comprehensive plan since its original adoption.

Date Page # Description

x MSA Professional Services, Inc.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYES

...a unified region with active urban centers surrounded by working rural landscapesand pristine natural resources. Residents ofall ages enjoy a high quality of life,with ampleopportunitiesforhousing,employment,recreation,education,healthandcommunityservices.

Whiteside County is a desirable place to livebecause of its natural beauty, employment andeducational opportunities, and well-maintainedmulti-modaltransportationnetwork.

“WhitesideCountyis....

HousingH1: Plan for safe, attractive and affordable housing to meet existing needs and forecasted housing demands of all residents.

H2: Plan for housing types and densities that reinforce the predominately rural character of the County.

Mobility & TransportationT1: Provide a safe, efficient, multi-modal, and well-maintained transportation network for all residents, farmers, commercial and emergency vehicles.

Agriculture & Natural ResourcesR1: Preserve farmland and the rural landscape as a viable foundation for a strong agricultural economy.

R2: Protect sensitive environmental areas, wildlife habitats, rural vistas, and local cultural resources for current and future County residents.

T

H

R

Land UseL1: Balance the provision and infrastructure to support new development with the protection of agriculturally productive areas, natural resources, and open space throughout Whiteside County.

L

It is difficult to know what the future may bring for Whiteside County, or for any county. As residents and businesses come and go, and economic trends rise and fall, changes will oc-cur. The purpose of this plan is to establish a shared vision for Whiteside County to guide future actions and decisions. This guidance provides predictability and consistency over time, which encourages investment. We plan so that we can act and react in a changing world with a confident understanding of our common values and goals.

Why a Comprehensive Plan?

This planning document is a “living” guide for growth and change in Whiteside County. The plan represents the County’s best effort to address current issues and anticipate future needs; however, it can and should be amended from time to time if conditions warrant re-consideration of policies in this plan. If deci-sions are being made that are not consistent with this plan, then the plan has lost its rele-vance and should be amended. The process of amending the comprehensive plan should not be onerous, but it should trigger a brief pause to consider again the long term vision for the County. This plan’s value is dependent upon frequent use and occasional updates.

Plan Maintenance

Funding for this Plan comes from the US De-partment of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This grant funding was allocated to the State of Illinois by Presidential Declaration in response to the flooding in 2008 – known as the “Ike” disaster. “Ike disaster” funds were provided to communities to recover from the 2008 floods, as well as plan for and reduce the damage from future floods.

How was the Plan funded?

xiWhiteside County, Illinois

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Community Facilities & ServicesFS1: Ensure utility infrastructure protects public health, as well as the County’s natural resources and rural character.

FS2: Maintain high-quality infrastructure, as well as county facilities and services to meet the needs of residents.

FS3: Provide adequate access to quality educational and recreational facilities for all County residents.

Community CharacterCC1: New development in the County will respect and enhance the area’s rural character.

CC2: Sites that are important to the history and culture of the county will be valued and protected.

HazardsHZ1: Whiteside County will mitigate the risk of impacts before a disaster.

HZ2: Residents and assets will be protected during a disaster.

HZ3: Whiteside County will successfully recover from disasters.

Collaboration & PartnershipsCP1: Maintain mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions and other governmental agencies.

FS

CC

HZ

CP

Economic ProsperityE1: County government will be active participant in economic development efforts in Whiteside County.

E2: The county will have a respected workforce with skills aligned with the needs of employees.

E3: Maintain a predominately agricultural economy within rural portions of the County.

E4: Maintain and improve transportation facilities to increase accessibility and movement of goods and people through out the County.

E5: Diversify the local economy and enhance quality of life through recreation tourism development.

E

County Board sets priorities, controls budgets and tax rates, and often has the final say on key aspects of public and private development projects. The value and legitimacy of this plan is directly related to the degree to which County Board members are aware of the plan and expect County Board actions to be consistent with this plan. Each board member should have a copy of this plan and should be familiar with the major goals and objectives described herein. The County Board should expect and require that staff recommendations and actions both reference and remain consistent with this plan.

County Planning & Zoning Commission members must each have a copy of this plan and must be familiar with its content, especially Chapter 4: Land Use. It is generally the responsibility of the Planning & Zoning Commission to determine whether proposed projects are consistent with this plan, and to make decisions and recommendations that are consistent with this plan. In cases where actions that are inconsistent with this plan are deemed to be in the best interest of the County, the Planning & Zoning Commission should initiate efforts to amend the plan to better reflect County interests. This will help to reinforce the legitimacy of the plan as an important tool in County functions.

County Staff have a significant influence on the selection and completion of all kinds of capital and operational projects. It is imperative that individuals in key roles know about, support, and actively work to implement the various strategies and actions in this plan. The County Administrator and department heads should consult and reference the comprehensive plan during goal-setting and budgeting processes, during planning for major public projects, and in the review of private development projects.

These key staff members are expected to know and track the various goals, objectives, strategies and actions laid out in this plan, and to reference that content as appropriate in communications with residents and elected and appointed officials. The purpose of this extra effort is to strengthen staff recommendations and reinforce the plan as a relevant tool integral to County functions.

County GovernmentRoles & Responsibilities

xii MSA Professional Services, Inc.

ES

The Future Land Use Map (shown on the right) identifies categories of similar use, character and density. These categories are described on Page x., including explanation of the County’s intent, and development strategies for each.

This map and the corresponding text are to be consulted whenever development is proposed, especially when a zoning change or land division is requested. Zoning changes and development shall be consistent with the use category shown on the map and the corresponding text.

Where uses in this map differ from the current use, it is not the general intent of the County to compel a change in zoning or a change in use. The County’s use of this map will be only reactive, guiding response to proposals submitted by property owners.

Future Land Use Map Usage

It is expected that most of Whiteside County’s growth will occur in and near our cities and villages. These municipalities have jurisdiction over land divisions that occur within 1.5 miles of their borders. Occasionally, development is proposed in these areas without annexation to the municipality, leading to possible disagreement between the municipality and the County regarding land use policies and public infrastructure requirements.

With this plan, the County has taken a position of deference to municipal interests in these extraterritorial areas. The future land use map assigns most of the developable land within the extraterritorial areas as “Rural Transition”, and the policies encourage rural uses for now, until more urban development is market feasible. The intent is not to discourage development, but instead to collaborate with the municipalities to facilitate compact development patterns that allow for the efficient supply of public services and infrastructure.

Collaboration with Municipalities

Plat Review Areas

This Plan does recognize that incorporated municipalities have the statutory right to approve or deny land divisions within 1.5 miles of their corporate boundaries. These areas are noted on the Future Land Use Map, though only in an advisory capacity. Municipal boundaries change from time to time, and this affects the extent of the plat review area. Petitioners seeking a zoning change or plat approval within municipal plat review areas are advised that their development proposal may need approval by the County and the municipality.

xiiiWhiteside County, Illinois

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

It will from time to time be appropriate to consider amendments to the Future Land Use Map. See Chapter 6 for a description of the procedural steps for amending any aspect of this plan. The following criteria should be considered before amending the map.

Agricultural Quality - The land does not have a history of productive farming activities, does not contain prime soils, or is not viable for long-term agricultural use. The land is too small to be economically used for agricultural purposes, or is inaccessible to the machinery needed to produce and harvest products.

Land Use Compatibility - The proposed development, or map amendment, will not have a substantial adverse effect upon adjacent property or the character of the area, with a particular emphasis on existing residential neighborhoods. A petitioner may indicate approaches that will minimize incompatibilities between uses.

Natural Resources - The land does not include important natural features such as wetlands, floodplains, steep slopes, scenic vistas or significant woodlands, which will be adversely affected by the proposed development. The proposed building envelope is not located within the setback of Shoreland and Floodplain zones (raised above regional flood line). The proposed development will not result in undue water, air, light, or noise pollution. Petitioner may indicate approaches that will preserve or enhance the most important and sensitive natural features of the proposed site.

Emergency Vehicle Access - The lay of the land will allow for construction of appropriate roads and/or driveways that are suitable for travel or access by emergency vehicles.

Public Need - There is a clear public need for the proposed change or unanticipated circumstances have resulted in a need for the change. The proposed development is likely to have a positive economic, fiscal or social impact on the County. The County may require that the property owner, or their agent, fund the preparation of a fiscal impact analysis by an independent professional.

Adherence to Other Portions of this Plan - The proposed development is consistent with the general vision for the County, and the other goals, objectives,and policies of this Plan.

Amending the Future Land Use Map

xiv MSA Professional Services, Inc.

ES

The map includes a Natural Protection Areas (NRPs) overlay that identifies areas that may have additional County, State or Federal restrictions due to existing natural features in those locations. Mapped NRP areas include all land that meets one or more of the following conditions:

• Water bodies and wetlands designated by Illinois DNR, or

• 100-Year Floodplains based on FEMA maps, or

• Lands within steep slopes greater than 20%.

These NRP areas are either unsafe for development (due to flood potential) or would be damaged by development (due to soil erosion or ecosystem degradation). Areas included in NRP should be considered prime candidates for land conservation programs.

The purpose of the NRP information is to alert all parties to the possible presence of these natural features. Landowners may be able to demonstrate with more detailed site analysis and mapping that development is feasible on a site covered by the NRP overlay in this plan. Also, areas not covered by the NRP may be shown to have some of these natural features and accompanying restrictions.

Natural Protection Overlay

The future land use categories (listed on the right) identify areas of similar use, character and density. These classifications are not zoning districts - they do not legally set performance criteria for land uses (i.e. setbacks, height restrictions, density, etc.); however, they do identify those Whiteside County Zoning Ordinance districts that currently “fit” within each future land use category. The strategies listed with each category are provided to help landowners and County officials make design decisions during the development process consistent with the intent of the land use category. These strategies may be used to help determine whether to approve a rezoning, which zoning district to apply, and what conditions to set, if any. Some categories also feature design recommendations.

Future Land Use Categories Rural Lands (RL) The Rural Lands category is intended to preserve land and rural character in areas deemed unlikely or infeasible for urban development prior to 2035. Preferred uses in these areas include open space, farming, farmsteads, agricultural businesses, forestry, quarries, and limited rural residential on well and septic.

Rural Transition (RT) The Rural Transition category identifies certain lands in proximity to developed areas, to be preserved in mainly agricultural and open space uses until such time as more intensive development is appropriate.

Rural Residential (RR) The Rural Residential category identifies areas suitable for future non-farm residential development. Rural Residential areas include lands that are delineated as existing residential properties or vacant platted areas. In addition, some undeveloped land has been designated for RR development where subdivision expansion is likely to occur.

Rural Hamlet (RH)The Rural Hamlet category identifies clusters of non-agricultural development centered near an unincorporated village, town hall or rural school. They are generally located at a rural crossroads, typically including at least one County/State highway. It can provide a range of commercial, institutional, recreational and residential uses that do not require extensive public services.

Rural Commercial and Industrial (RCI)The Rural Commercial and Industrial category identifies areas already recognized as suitable for industrial or commercial uses due to their location and transportation access.

Parks and Recreation (PR) Parks and Recreation areas are intended for active and passive recreation uses or preservation of natural areas. Lands designated at PR are State or Federal lands.