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Blair Comprehensive Plan 1981-1997ABSTRACT ~~ TITLE: City Comprehensive Plan: Blair, Nebraska AUTHOR: Kirkham, Michael & Associates, Inc. SUBJECT: Comprehensive Plan for Blair, Nebraska and its two mile planning and zoning jurisdiction area. DATE: December, 1981 LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY: Blair Planning Commission SOURCE OF COPIES: Blair City Hall P.O. Box 448 Blair, Nebraska 68008 State Department of Economic Development Box 94666 301 Centennial Mall, South Lincoln, Nebraska 68509 HUD PROJECT NUMBER: P1040 NUMBER OF PAGES: 254 ABSTRACT: This document is developed to help provide for the orderly development of Blair, Nebraska through the year 2000. This Pian consists of the Background Studies and Data Collection; Transitional Statements and Plans; Planning Elements; and an Implementive Section dealing with Public, Environmental Assess- ment, and Zoning Regulations and Subdivision Regulations. The preparation of this report was financially aided through a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Comprehensive Planning Assistance Program, authorized by~Section 701 of the Housing Act of 1954, as amended. Comprehensive Planning Grant Project No. Neb P-1040 PAGE CHAPTER FOUR: EXISTING LAND USE AND BUILDING CONDITIONS INTRODUCTION BUILDING CONDITIONS EXISTING LAND USE -CHAPTER FIVE: HOUSING PLAN INTRODUCTION ~~:EXISTING SUPPLY AND CONDITIONS PROJECTED HOUSING REQUIREMENTS -~' CONDITIONS AFFECTING TWE SUPPLY OF HOUSING HOUSING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ONE YEAR ACTION PROGRAM -- FIVE YEAR ACTION PROGRAM IMPLICATIONS CHAPTER SIX: LAND USE PLAN INTRODUCTION ~. LAND USE PATTERNS FUTURE DEVELOPMENT CONSIDERATIONS SPACE REQUIREMENTS EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES C I TI ZtN I NVOLVEMEN'I' LAND USE PLAN RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL PUBLIC AND SEMI-PUBLIC FLOOD-PRONE AREAS PERIPHERAL DEVELOPMENT IMPLICATIONS CHAPTER SEVEN: DEVELOPMENT GOALS -. INTRODUCTION GOAL ONE: GENERAL GOAL TWO: .ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOAL THREE: LAND USE GOAL FOUR: HOUSING GOAL FIVE: TRANSPORTATION GOAL: SIX: PUBLIC FACILITIES ANU SERVICES GOAL SEVEN: NATURAL RESOURCES GOAL EIGHT: IMPLEMENTATION IMPLICATIONS ,~~`~ ;, iv 4-I 4-I 4-3 5-I 5-I 5-5 5-7 5-8 5-10 5-II 5-II 6-I 6-I 6-2 6-2 ` 6-5 6-5 ~` 6-5 6-5 6-6 6-6 6-6 6-6 6-6 6-7 7-I 7-I 7-I 7-2 7-2 7-3 /-3 7-4 7-4 7-5 PAGE ~.~ CHAPTER. EIGHT: PLANNING STANDARDS ,:; ,.,..._,........ ~ .. ..:._ ~ INTRODUCTION 8-i PLANNING STANDARDS .. ~ ~ 8-I LAND USE ~ 8-) 8-I SCHOOL FACILITIES 8-2 HOSPITALS - ~ 8-3 FIRE PROTECT (ON . ••--• -• •--- • POLICE PROTECTION 8®3 . OUTDOOR RECREATION . ~. ~ 8-4 ' LIBRARIES 8-4 THOROUGHFARE DESIGN .. 8-5 PARKING 8-6 DOMESTIC WATER SUPPLY •' •-. ~~ .8-6 WASTEWATER NEEDS 8-6 ANNEXATION POLICIES 8®6 I MP L I CAT I ONS 8-6 CHAPTER NINE : TRANSPORTATION PLAN ... _-.........-..... INTRODUCTION ~®I EXISTING TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES ~ 9-I TRANSPORTATION PLAN ~ 9®3 I MP L I CAT I ONS .- 9-6 ~ .. . ~ ~ ~ 1 CHAPTER TEN: PUBLIC FACILITIES PLAN ~ ~ INTRODUCTION 10-I HEALTH FACILITIES 10- I PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES .: 10-3. LAW ENFORCEMENT - 10-3 FIRE PROTECTION ~ - 10-~ PUBLIC UTILIT-ES ~ _ 10-4 WATER IOa4 SEWERAGE 10=7 STORM SEWER ,. ... _ __.....~.:~..:._:-10-7 ~ RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE ~~ 10-9 '~~'~ . ~- ~~ ~~-' ~" EDUCATION ~..- 10-12 LIBRARY I0-I4 CONCLUSION ~ .. - ~ I0-I5 CHAPTER ELEVEN: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - ~~. ~ - I NTRODUCT I ON .: _ ~ ~ ... _ : I I - I ~ ~ COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ~~. _ II-I . . IMPLICATIONS ~ ; ~_ ; ~_. "~:. ~ I I -3 .~.,~,. ; i v PAGE CHAPTER TWELVE: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSJNG NEEDS SUMMARY INTRODUCTION 12-~ IDENTIFICATION OF NEEDS 12-I GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 12-2 IMPLICATIONS 12-3 CHAPTER THIRTEEN: NATIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES STATEMENT CHAPTER FOURTEEN: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STATEMENT INTRODUCTION 14-I ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 14-I UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS 14-3 ANALYSIS OF ALTERATIONS TO THE PROPOSED PLAN 14-3 _ RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOCAL SHORT TERM USES & LONG TERM PRODUCTIVITY 14-4 IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES 14-4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL 14-4 SUMMARY - I4-5 vi ZONING REGULATIONS PAGE ,. Preamble Z-I Art i c I e I : genera I Provisions ~"~~ ~"~~ ~ =. - Z-3 Article 2: Application of Regulations Z-5 Article 3: Construction and Definitions Z-6 Article 4: Establishment and Designations of Districts Z-16 Article 5: Agricultural Districts Z-29 Art i c I e 6 : Reserved ~ . .- - ._. . .- ..Z-34 Article 7: Residential Districts Z-35 Art i c l e 8: .._ Business and Commerc i a l D i str i cts .....:_....... ..._::... Z-.49 Article 9: Industrial and Manufacturing Districts Z-63 Article 10: Special, Modified, and Appended Districts Z-69 Article II: Supplementary District Regulations Z-78 Article 12: Non-Conforming Uses Z-93 Article 13: City Board of Zoning Adjustment Z-98 Article 14: Conditional Uses Permitted By Special Review Z-C~0 Article 15: Administrative Procedure and Enforcement Z-102 Article 16: Amendment Z-105 Article 17: Complaints, Penalties, Remedies Z-107 Article 18: Legal Status Provisions Z-1.08 SUB-DIVISION REGULATIONS Preamble S-I Article I: General Provisions S-3 Article 2: Application of Regulations S-4 Article 3: Construction and Definitions S-5 Article 4: Plat Review and Submittal Requirements S-15 Article 5: Subdivision Design Standards S-20 Article 6: Required Subdivision Improvements S-30 Article 7: Variances S-4.1 Article 8: Amendments S-4~~ Article 9: Repeals S-45 Article 10: Severability S-46 vii INTRODUCTION It is the objective of this plan to develop a systematic program by which the local elected officials, through the Blair Planning Commis- sion, can plan for the orderly growth of the community. This will be derived from determining and analyzing past development trends of the area, establishing a.plan to address existing deficiencies and provide for projected future needs of Blair. PLANNING PROCESS The actual development of the Comprehensive Plan will involve the Blair Planning Commission, local elected officials, City staff members, members of various state agencies and your consultant. Information will be researched and analyzed by your consultant then presented to the Commission for review, consideration and action. The City Council will then review the commissions actions and enact the final plan. Input from the above mentioned agencies and individuals is encouraged through- out the planning process. 'This plan is directed towards implementation of a series of proposals for the improvement and enhancement of Blair. The interval of time, or planning period associated with these proposals, covers a twenty year period from 1980 to 2000. PLANNING AREA This plan will be directed towards the area within Blair's City Limits and its Extraterritorial Zoning Jurisdiction Area. This is an area defined as extending two (2) miles in all directions beyond the City Limits. By incorporating this area into the study, the City of Blair may analyze the characteristics of potential future areas of the City. Any future city growth, or capital expenditures, can thus be reviewed in light of their effect upon the total community and potential future areas of the City. Exhibit 1.1 is the base map for the Blair planning area. This exhibit shows platted streets, railroads, City Limits, planning area boundaries, and other features of the community. Exhibit 1.2 is the base map for the area within Blair's City Limits. This map, along with the planning area base map, will be used in sub- sequent chapters of this study as a basis for presenting information on a variety of elements. PLANI`~IN~ AREA EXHIEIT 1 •~ ~~~~ MAP NORTH SCALE `>~ 0 1000 2(100 400U , ill ~~~sm=~.~~„ -~i-_ ' -• ~~ i ~ ~~ i i~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ T , --s ~ II --~-.. ~ - --- " --~-- ~-- `~ ~~ '---7 -~--'' I i `, ~ I ~ ~/ ~ ~ I / f^ ,( ~a I i ~~ , / I~`--~~ I ~'~~ V '~ 1 '~ ' /~ I I 1 _ 1 ~ ~' i - 11 ~ c.~ V r- `~ ~I 1 I 1 I ~ I I `~ ~~ ~ ~, ~ 1i ~\ i i L ' ~, ` ~~--- ~ ~ /, i° I !>> ~fu~ ~ i -- ~° ~ ~ KIRKHAM, ""~""~~' i / EN6INEEAB ~% ~ MICHAEL PtANNENS ~ AND ASSOCIATES tiM ptMlta'at20a of CG1~ mtq wW :lavaaLLll alieY ) :litalpla a lidYaftl +caYt :~iYY COi C..1. OapaCdWta / ' of IfnWlpy aop tlt'ban ~laprna ~li~ etw Cnasar amraw FJY~q Aarlacaru Ytoysrr. aut4nliiwl o{ r faaranu ]tll of chw Baaiaai dos o! 1f7~, aY araudMnS.l COMp¢1YOam1Ta fLY~Y~tey 6s Wt. 7to~w6 lRiYfY ]laeeawlY+a I~10a0 11/I2/!tl. ~2 ,, I-3 COMMUNITY aHIB~T 1.2 BAS MAP ~i'- __\a ~NORTN SCALE(-_~~ -------a BLAIR, NEBRASKA K~f1f~HAM, AEtM~iINEE~S MICHAEL. M,ANNER4 AND ASSOCIATES 'ce. pt+~eat4W aR anfa uaw :faasaRaJlr .xdt+a `11 A lOQ9.YAl 3CaA~ !~ :AA 0..1. DaMCVmC aR RvuslM aM aeMa h.slerw+ne u~drt W CoPgtw~ haeel~r flurllk Mriavxr tsoir~. an't»iLaad or. ~°- saaei•• fal oR eaa Qoaas~ Aae at lfs{, u ~ vat aera. trywa . e-tnaa w:LRa. PREVIOUS PLANNING ~i•he preparation of this study gives due consideration to the 1968 Blair Comprehensive Plan as well as other previous planning studies, reports and activities that have taken place in and around Blair. These past efforts shall be consulted during the preparation of this study. OTHER AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS There are a number of agencies of which the Blair Planning Commission has common interests. Keeping informed of these organizations and the related activities of common interest should be an item of ongoing interest. One of these organizations includes Metropolitan Area Planning Agency, an organization of governmental agencies joined together to work towards resolving common concerns and problems. Another organization in which the Blair Planning Commission has common interests is the Papio Natural Resources District. NRD's have broad powers that can help the Blair Planning Commission achieve some of the goals and objectives. Coordination with this governmental agency should be an important consideration of the Blair Planning Commission. In addition, there are a number of State Agencies who have interests which overlap those of the Blair Planning Commission. Those include the Department of Economic Development, State Office of Policy Research, Department of Roads, Nebraska Natural Resources Commission, Game and Parks Commission and others. .J HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT Future development patterns of Blair will be an extension of the historical foundation of the community.. In order to get a better understanding of the community's present conditions, the following discussion of historical development is outlined. The City, named after John t. Blair, was founded in 1869 as a railroad point of extension. That same year it became the county seat of Wash- ington County. It is the County's largest city with a 1980 census figure of 6,401. With agriculture as its base, Blair has steadily grown and continued to deve-op over the years. Manufacturing, industry, excellent transportation and Blair's proximity to the Omaha Metropolitan Area have also played important roles in the economic development of Blair. Significant historic sites provide tangible links to Blair's past. Due consideration is extended to the existence of these historic sites. Exhibit 1.3 illustrates the historic sites that are recognized as signifi- cant by The Nebraska State Historical Society. The identifying numbers attached to ea~•h site correspond to Table I.I. This table lists those sites (i-5) which are recognized by The Nebraska State Historical Society, and also o~t-her sates (6-12) which are under consideration for nomination by the Socie+y for Preservation of Historic Blair. In addition, there are a large number of residences also being considered for nomination. These residences will be included upon approval by residence ownership. I-4 ~. ocHlBrr 1.3 HIST®RIC SITES L-=ice eLaiR, NEBRASKA v P ~•~ ~. -, LEGEND: ® 1-5 Historic Sites ~ ~r- I-5 TABLE I.I HISTORY: Historic Sites Number Site Location Listed in National Register: I. Washington County Courthouse Colfax at 16th Street 2. Blair Congregational Church NW Cor. 16th and Colfax Soon i~ ~e Nominated to National Register: 3. Casteter House 1815 Grant Street 4. Christopher Columbus Crowell. Jr. House (1900) 2138 Washington 5, Trinity Seminary Building- ~~d Main Hang College Dana College Other Historic Considerations: 6. Ohanlon R Nelson Law Offiice 15th & Washington 7. Huber Building 15th & Washington 8. Hansen Insurance Building 16th $ Washington 9. Ben Franklin Store 17th & Washington 10. Odd Fellows Building 16th & Washington II. School Administration Office 15th & Lincoln 12. Quist Law Office 18th & Lincoln SOURCES: (I-5) Nebraska State Historical Society, and (6-12) Society for Preservation of Historic Blair .,; ;. J 3 I-6 INTRODUCTION It is the function of this Chapter to review the primary physical and environmental elements of Blair and the Planning Area. Consideration is directed towards those natural and man-made features that have an impact upon the overall development of the community. NATURAL FEATURES This study gives due consideration to the existing features, both out of respect to the natural resources and to the constraints and limitations these characteristics place upon future and potential developments. The major influences are discussed below. Topography The topography of Blair is rolling to steep, The City of Blair is located on a physiographic area known as the Missouri River Terrace which lies at an approximate elevation of 1,120 feet above mean sea level. This area is approximately fifty to one hundred feet above the Missouri River bottom lands. Exhibit 2.1 illustrates the topographic character of the Blair Planning Area. The topography and slope of an area are important considerations in the land use planning process which will follow in a subsequent chapter=of this study. Table 2.1 below shows land user suitability ratings for different slope categories. The three categories of slope assessed are 0 percent to 7 ~__ percent slope, 7 percent to 17 percent slope, and above 17 percent slope. IAIILE 1.1 faiYSlr„{l AIO ENYIRUW4.HiA{ gW1Af.TERIS11C5: Slopal LlBltaf Iona /nr Saleeted lend Usea ercenT Slo • lo. denel ty sal of le RBAH A1gb denal tY realdenfle US 5 pctiw recre• Ion eoon~l- ndu local roads pod ^uevaery r e _ ORN SPM.'E U pavlw, rlldllb rncrea on ha6ltel SES INIfnMd { • orlon uneorY row cronlrol ralin AQ11g117UM1, u5E5 brondoeet 1 lot fuaeery r I B-7 Sla a 51 51 SI 51 51 SI 1 SI 51 51 SI SI SI I 51 7-17~ SIO e N N N Se N N S 51 N SI N N Se N N IIa Slo • S• Se Se Se Se Se _ SI 51 51 b So Se Se Sp Retinga: Sm -Severe N - 1Fxlerele 51 - Sll~t Y - Yarleble Sg111CE: EnvlrmwmfH Resource Anelyalp Progrew, Nntrapnll ten Aree O'Immin9 Apmey. Seplenber. 1919. \._~ ~- I ' .~ b _ y' ? ~~ _ ` ~~ ~ ~~ DCFiIBIT 2w1 TOPOGRAPHY -^, r a o - ~ -- - 27 .. B _ ZS_,_. -.z ~ i• I ,: ~~. .. 8 a a,.. ~ ,~ o _ ,..'. ,~ 81 , ^ C q ~ N ~,~,,.I ~;~ o I - BLAIR NEBR KA ..u.., .- f~.. ~. FL ~ I, e3c f, nH. 35. o 36 ~ ~~~-~--~t. _31; ~`~ - __~r ~ ' ~ _Y ~' ` i~ ,~- t~ ~ l _°°°DDG :i, i f ~ ~ ~ ~ ° = ~ oi.~~ _ ~ 1. 1 n`r,. ~ ~ __-_ _ ~ -- - ~f .2 F ~ ~ ~ ~~~. ~ ~~ ~ '13~a . I , ,. _ - t 1 ~ .. M1 • ..~~, ,_. • `~ w 7 . ~ d ,! _ li \ `\~ )' sew 'G~ '' y - ,_, • -'._. ~ I ~,~ ~, g: ;.'' •4M c~ Ali ` .~ _~__ .> R° ~ C ~ yc, _ f r j / ~ \ 4 ~ ~ ~ +- . ~ - ~.I 'I I 4 1, ' ~ ~ \ ~~.~ ' it © \-•`_` s_ w ~ ~'~ \ j `.._ \__ C ~nw o ,P ~. :. _ ..~~ _ - ~ ~ .'1. ~ - ,a N ' 4 S.. ` { r a u erg _ ono . ' - ~ , • . I . _ ~ - , ~.. J~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ _ - '~_ ii ' - -; ~ I ~'~~~,` ~j ~i` ~ `~~, - ,~ - - , - - - - 1 ,~ ; ~ ->~ a ?~ - ~ s.~ .~. ~ a ,~.- p ~ - ~~ _ - ' ~~" ~ , , ;-~ ~ ~.~ ~~,. e : ~ ~ ~ '~' ~` '.~ry.' It , ~.. ,~ x - _ ~.. ~ ~,~ ~~. ~ q ~; I ~I I/F~~ ~ ~ ~_~ ~ ~ .~ 1 1 ~ ~ 'til. - - W ~x. ~ ~ IL X361 \ 1 C~-'1. `~ f l; ; ~~ `7 ^~ ~ ~`` I` ~I.,I IIl\ .\\ ~` ~\ I` ~4 - {t 4 C/.~. f~ _ ~ ,~; \~ 1 ~ \v j~1~~ Y~~ I\ ~F' `i~' (~ '\ i'i~~~l~ ~'~~ ° I^, ~ _ \ C ~ ~ \~I I~~ - ,~ A~,~,' I `~ tl `~`-; ; KIRKHAM, Er~~ ~~~ _ ~ I ~~ ~ I ,,~ ~' , ~ - r -- I l )/_~V `(' MICHAEL ~N~~s ~• ~ l~ "5 \``~l ` ~~11 ~ II \ f I tY ~~ IIi ~ ~ ~ a\ L. 'jT' fit` ~ ^ ~ - i, `..~ '~ ~''i1l -/ \„JV - ~ ~ t ~ ~~ AND ASSOCIATES ~' ~~ 1 ~ ~ A Y t I~ , I{ `4 ' I ~~ I ~ - ~ . \\\ ! ~ ~ _ `--~ ~'N",'" ~' ~.I F _-1 =,~ Y ~, ^y~ ~* Pt1.ua Ot entw aP vaw [lawalwl.LT +14M 1 ~ i ~ f ~ ~ `1 ~ i_ -- ill ~ ~ III I~ _ ~scla7lt w !~awnJ, :rwnx !eow :~ 7.i. owpsvrwan ~~~~~): -\ -~) ~~ - _ - A~~~,,~ ~~ ~,: -~ > ~'~',-~ -- h.+.r<~i..~ +al veum rr~iocq t ne •me.x m. ea.vrr. 1~~ ~ ~~~t ~,~ , ~ ~ ~~ 'f ~~ `- = '.~ -~-~ ~~~~ i ~.. e.eefw 701~L U~ eeow eetru. ,useurl:,a vT n ~. + - , ^~ t ~ ~.. I J, taq xtt of :f!{, u -~a/edrl. ~~ ~ ~' ~ '~ \ h ~ ~ .I ~ ,} lei iC ~ ~~V~ p'~~~_~~ -t- i (~ rf"~ I \I _i~\ ~ ~~~ ~\ ! ~ ~ I ~ ~ 1 ' .. I ~ l^Oq Ll~~to ewe. lselwse a~ewr 2-Z These slope categories are utilized in Metropolitan Area Planning Agency's (MAPA) Environmental Resource Analysis Program. This data is not meant to provide all the in formation necessary to make sound land ..~ use decisions, but rather it is meant for use. in conjunction with o her planning criteria. Soils The main patterns of soils or soil associations in the Blair Planning Area are shown in Exhibit 2.2. Each soil association is named for the major soil series in it, even though other series may also be present. The associations shown in the exhibit, and their characteristics are described below. I. Sharpsburg-Marshall Association are the silty to clayey soils of the level to rolling loess uplands. The main soils are the Sharps- burg of the nearly level uplands, the Sharpsburg and the Nora soils of the steep or eroded slopes of the uplands. These soils have developed in loess. Other soils included are the Croften on the steep, severely eroded points of slopes, the Judson on the-lower slopes, and the Lamoure and Colo along drainageways. 2. Monona-Crofton Association are the silty soils of°the rolling hills and bluffs west of the Missouri River bottom lands. ''The deep, medium-textured Monona and Crofton soils are~the most extensive and important ones in this association. Both of these soils have. developed in loess and are well drained and permeable. The Burchard and Steinauer soils are less extensive soils that have developed in glacial till. They are on the lower slopes that are rolling to steep. The Judson and Kennebec soils occur,on the slopes and along the upland drainage ways. 3. Luton-Volin Association are the clayey to silty soils of the high bottom lands of the Missouri River. The soils in this association are part of a band of alluvial .soils that extend along the eastern edge of Blair. They are about 10 to 30 feet above the frequently flooded, low bottom lands. Because of the nearly level slopes, all the soils in this association have slow surface drainage. Other soils in this association include Salix, Leshara and McPaul. 4. Albaton-Haynie Association are the clayey to sandy soils of the low bottom lands of the Missouri River. The soils are nearly level, except for those on the short slopes along old channels and drain- ageways and on a few ridges in the sandy areas. Other soils in this association include Onawa, Rauville, Sarpy and Carr. A more detailed classification of these soils listed may be found in the publication "Soil Survey", Washington County, Nebraska, published by the Soil Conservation Service. 2-3 SOIL ASSOCIATIC~IS: 1 • • •SHARpSBURG-MARSHALL Z"'MONONA- CROFTON 3'••LUTON-VOLIN • 4•••ALBATON-HAYNIE DCHIBIT 2'2 SOILS NORM SCALEO 1000 2000 4000 of nio nicnonc~vn nneo~wn. • lay+ol Jnos -"a Jur J.I. Jnpwcta.aaa of Knunlaq and Jr4aw an.alopnena •LMar e.~n Cdnpa+- awa~w rl.anaaa wLUOar rcwraw. aurtmnaaN ov Saeeloa 101 a[ toe teosaoV toe vt 1991. u arndad. 2~(~ Cow~e~tlrwl~ rLWDf dews. ttge/t 9iaoer 7Yteelt~ hWM 11/2]/W. These slope categories are utilized in Metropolitan Area Planning Agency's (MAPA) Environmental Resource Analysis Program. This data is not meant to provide all the in formation necessary to make sound land ~ use decisions, but rather it is meant for use. in conjunction with other planning criteria. Soils The main patterns of soils or soil associations in the Blair Planning Area are shown in Exhibit 2.2. Each soil association is named for the major soil series in it, even though other series may also be present. The associations shown in the exhibit, and their characteristics are described below. I. Sharpsburg-Marshall Association are the silty to clayey soils of the level to rolling loess uplands. The main soils are the Sharps- burg of the nearly level uplands, the Sharpsburg and the Nora soils of the steep or eroded slopes of the uplands. These soils have developed in loess. Other soils included `are the Croften on the steep, severely eroded points of slopes, the Judson on the lower slopes, and the Lamoure and Colo along drainageways. 2. Monona-Crofton Association are the silty soils of the rolling hills and bluffs west of the Missouri River bottom lands. The deep, medium-textured Monona and Crofton soils are the most extensive and important ones in this association. Both of these soils have developed in loess and are well drained and permeable. The Burchard and Steinauer.soils are less extensive soils that have developed in glacial till. They are on the lower slopes that are rolling to steep. The Judson and Kennebec soils occur on the slopes and along the upland drainage ways. 3. Luton-Volin Association are the clayey to silty soils of the high.. bottom lands of the Missouri River. The soils in this association are part of a band of alluvial soils that extend along the eastern edge of Blair-. They aee about 10 to 30 feet above the frequently flooded, low bottom lands. Because of the nearly level slopes, all the soils in this association have slow surface drainage. Other soils in this association include Salix, Leshara and McPaul. 4. Albaton-Haynie Association are the clayey to sandy soils of the low bottom lands of the Missouri River. The soils are nearly level, except for those on the short slopes along old channels and drain- ageways and on a few ridges in the sandy areas. Other soils in this association include Onawa, Rauville, Sarpy and Carr. A more detailed classification of in the publication "Soil Survey", published by the Soil Conservation these soils listed may be found Washington County, Nebraska,. Service. 2-3 SOIL ASSOCIATIGNS: 1 • • •SHARPSBURG-MARSHALL Z"'MONONA-CROFTON 3~••LUTON-VOLIN • 4•• •ALBATON-HAYNIE ocHlBrr 2.2 SOILS -, NORTH SCALED 1IX)0 2000 4000 n~ win ~ irne-~ w n ~~ w ~~ -- _ _ J~.._ -_= ~ ~ L1V {/VV AND ASSC7CIATES ~~ ~ TDq pr+~pwtf^_100 0[ tRia asp ws Cla-nalally udwd eJ~m~pw • !adsral :ca0a :~ -AS 1.3. Japastam~a a[ 3nYaj/Jp uW ULban ~wslopwnt •indas :.v Cavpe.r hsaas~w P1aM1Gp NaLe.anw PLORSa. •¢ctmr7.ia~d ay Ssasles 7p1 0[ W ea'sa+~av ase t[ 1991. u eroded. 2-(.~ CngsaMSrslss t1aNLM Olssa, )aeysea 9vbsr 7sYeaW t-30~0 11/21/0. The Environmental Resource Analysis Program by MAPA analyzed and rated each of"the soils predominate in the Blair Planning Area. Table 2.2 ~:- shows the urban and agricultural use rating of these soils and clas- sifies them as either Most Suitable, Marginally or Provisionally Suit- ' able, or Least Suitable. TABLE 2.2 PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS: Soil Suitability Soil Types Urban Use Agricultural Use Albaton C B,C Burchard B B Carr B A Haynie B A Judson A A Kennebec B A Leshara B,C A Luton C B,C McPaul B A Monona R Crofton A C Onawa C B Rauville C C Salix & Volin B A A C Sarpy B Steinauer B A - Most Suitable B - Marginally or Provisionally Suitable C - Least Suitable SOURCE: Environmental Resource Analysis Program, MAPA, September, 1979. Geologic Bedrock The subsurface formations of Blair are relevant to the natural resources capability of the area. The formations have influenced the present shape and future capabilities of the area. The soils and unconsolidated sediments, as just discussed and referred to collectively as mantlerock, cover the consolidated rocks throughout the area. Exhibit 2.3 shows the geology of the Blair Planning Area. The geology is predominately made up of sediments of the Pennsylvanian Period along with sandstone and shale formations of the Creataceous Period. The Pennsylvanian System underlies the majority of the Blair area. The bedrock thickness of the Pennsylvania System is also shown in the exhibit. 2-5 LEGEND: PENNSYLVANIAN SYSTEM 1~4 CRETACEOUS SYSTEM ExHlBrr 2.3 GEOLOGIC BEDROCK NORTH SCALE 0 1000 2000 4000 RLAIR NFRR,a.~ke wr .r r v v nl`IN /1~~7t,JlrIN1 C.~. '~ PcRRC+!]m 91 utt~ !9 w :Sawm.'ir111 a,fdad '~'tougM a TwL•rnA :nac :roe 'nn 7.1. aV•r'ar•nc ~[ llsucaM and Ut4n ?wolc~ec ~nM! eM Caayer+ hMSfc+ ~I~tyM N~LCanc~ ~cgra~. aocAOriaw! of •i tTMOU 11~%~~anee. hvf~ae were Mineral Resources The major mineral resources in the Blair area consists of limestone, sand and gravel. The limestone is exposed or is thinly mantled by unconsolidated deposits in the area. According to the Nebraska Geo- logical Survey, of 1978, there are 2 active limestone quarries in the Blair area. The largest of the two quarries is the 69 acres of mined limestone near Fort Calhoun, and the other quarry is the 22 acres of mined limestone near Desoto, Nebraska. Crushed limestone is used as aggregate in concrete and asphalt, as surfacing for roads, as riprap, and the manufacture of cement, agricultural lime, and mineral filler. Sized limestone blocks are used for retaining walls and walls of build- ings. Sand, gravel, and silt are abundant nature resources beneath the bottom land or terraces in the valleys along the Missouri River. The principal use of. sand and gravel is for aggregate in concrete for building or paving. No other minerals are located at or near the surface in the Blair area. Water Resources Groundwater and surface water are of available sources of water for subsurface bedrock formations and upon the land. These two sources other through different means. Groundwater essentially the two Blair. Groundwater surface water flows are interrelated and basic categories is obtained from exposed or, ponded recharge. each The Blair area is located within 2 groundwater areas of Nebraska. The first is the Missouri River Lowland Region inwhich saturated Pleistocene sands and gravels underlie the floodplain and terraces along the Missouri River. Large yields are obtained from wells in many parts of the area. The second area is that of the Northeast Nebraska Glacial Drift Region. Here deposist of glacial drift as much as 200 feet thick underlie most of the area. The principal valleys are underlain by Pleistocene deposits of clay, silt, sand and gravel. Although wells in buried channels or stream aluvioum are capable of producing sufficient water for the development of irrigation wells, most wells in the glacial drift are developed in perched aquifiers of small areal extent and yield. The Groundwater Atlas of Nebraska, published by the Conservation and Survey Division, University of Nebraska, indicates that there is 0-20 feet of groundwater storage in the Blair area. The groundwater which occurs at shallow depths is of good quality for almost all uses, but is moderately hard and averages between 201-500 milligrams per liter. The depth to static water levels in the. Blair area is approximately 100-200' feet. 2-7 Surface Water The principal waterway near Blair is the Missouri River and its tri- ~ butaries. Tributaries near Blair include Cauble Creek, which flows to the northeast and drains the northwest sector of the. community, South Creek which flows generally in a northeasterly direction and drains the south and east sectors of the community, and Fish Creek. Flood Plain Flooding presents a potential. development constraint to certain areas of Blair. Exhibit 2.4 shows the areas within the 100 year flood limits as determined by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments' Flood Insurance Administration. This area has a mathematical probability of flooding to .the limits indicated once in every 100 years. Although this designation is misleading in that several major floods could occur within the hypothetical 100 year period, this designation is the standard criterion used to designate areas subject to major flooding., Develop- ments within this area should be discouraged without providing special attention to this flooding potential. Such items would logically include raising the elevation of proposed developments to a point higher than the 100 year flooding elevation, flood-proofed basements, etc. In addition to potential inundation within any proposed development, due consideration must be given to the potential adverse effects such developments may cause upon adjacent, downstream developments. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Flood Insurance Administration, requires that any structures constructed within a designated flood prone area, must have flood insurance, if these deve- lopments are constructed with Federally insured loans. Since Federally insured loans are the primary source of building construction loans, due consideration should be given in the planning of facilities, to the necessary acquistion of flood insurance. Because of the combination of factors associated with flood prone areas; potential dangers with flooding, potential adverse affects to downstream developments, and required additional flood insurance, developments within flood prone areas are generally discouraged. Such actions are generally not environ- mentally sensitive or financially sound without special attention to flood protection. Climate The climate of Blair is generally classified as continental which has significant variations of temperature and percipitation. Average monthly temperature and precipitation data for Blair is given in Table 2.3. The annual mean temperature is 49,9 degrees F., and the average annual normal percipitation is 28.68 inches. Usually more than 70 percent of the annual precipitation falls during the growing season. Peak monthly, precipitation is reached about the middle of June. 2-8 MAN-MADE FEATURES In addition to the natural features just discussed many man-made features are factors that influence future developments. These considerations influencing community growth and development are the results of past improvement projects. Within the City, the existing street patterns and utility systems are influential in future development. Becrowtfl willebe enfluencedebylthe ment, expansion, extension and future g presence and location of these facilities. Existing land use patterns wilt also be a factor influencing the loca- tion, characteristics and sizesenceuofrexastingpfacilitiesch Majoreland proposals must respect the pr rominance upon future and use elements exhibiting a high level of p adjacent land use development include the Blair Municipa Blairp°rWaste- . 0 industrial land in proximity to the City, Dana College, water Treatment Facilities, and the surrounding agricultural lands. CONCH N The factors discussed hall continueedtopinfluenceoPuture developme~ts~ the City of Blair and wi Due respect to these features and their effects are an important part o this Comprehensive Plan. The information discussed rehensive'PlanaptChaptersbthatuwillsubilQzent elements of the total Comp Trans ortation Plan, this information include the Land Use Plan, P Facilities Plan and other elements of the Comprehensive Plan. 2-II I NTf;ODUCT f ON ~`~' This chapter provides an analysis and projection of population and economic factors within the Blair area. This data wilt be useful in determining the need for future community facilities and services. It will aid in~arriving at a series of goals and objectives which will be presented in a subsequent chapter of this study. This data will serve as the basis for most major planning decisions. Economy and population have a strong interrelationship and are major factors influencing growth of the community. Population growth is related to economic growth and opportunity in the area. The following will review the population and economic growth trends of Blair and Washington County. It will also provide projections of the past and recent trends. The projections presented in this Chapter will be subject to adjustment as additional detailed 1980 U.S. Bureau of Census data becomes available. This additional 1980 Census data is anticipated for release in the Spring-Surnrnc3r of 1961. The only 1980 Census data available at the time of this writing are total population and total housing units. This chapter utilizes the most recent data available. ECONOMY A review of the local economy is an important element of this Study. Economic factors provide indicators of the stability of the community. `" They wil- also become the basis for future projections. A healthy 1 economic base is a strong asset to a sound, total living environment. INCOME Income is one of the most visible indicators of economic activity. Blair had a•that ofdbothfWashyngto~mCounty9($8,808)fandrthehStatesof higher than Nebraska ($8,564). . Table 3.1 shows the 1970 income levels of families in Blair and Washington County. As indicated by the table, Blair has a slightly higher percent of the total in the higher income levels than Washington County. 3-I TABLE 3.1 ECONOMY: 1970 Family Income Levels Blair and Washington County Blair Washin gton County No. of Percent of No. of Percent of Income Level .Families Total- Families Total Less than $1,000 15 I.0 57 1,7 $1,000 to $1,999 42 2.9 129 3.8 $2,000 to $2,999 90 6.3 146 4,3 $3,000 to $3,999 73 5.l 225 6.6 $4,000 to $4,999 79 5.5 215 6.4 $5,000 to $5,999 65 4.5 229 6.8 $6,000 to $6,999 73 5.1 220 6.5 $7,000 to $7,999 103 ~. 7.2 221 6.5 $8,000 to $8,999 110 7.7 310 9.2 $9,000 to $9,999 92 6.4 264 7.8 $10,000 to $11,999 289 20.2 540 16.0 $12,000 to $14,999 192 13.4 440 13.0 $15,000 to $24,999 177 12.4 318 9.4 $25,000 to $49,999 29 2.0 67 2.0 $50,000 or more - - 4 0.1 Total 1,429 100.0 3,385 100.0 Income Less than Poverty Level 97 6.8 283 8.4 Median Income .$9,701 $8,808 Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census The table also shows the number of families with income less than the poverty level. In 1970, the poverty level for a family of 3 was an annual income of less than $2,905. The'City of Blair had a total of 6.8 percent less than this level and Washington County had a slightly higher figure of 8.4. percent. It shall be noted that the 1980 Census income data, when released, will show marked changes in income levels. The magnitude of such increases is reduced due to the increase in inflation. Thus, although there will be increases in income dollar amounts, the purchasing power will be less. 3-2 EMPLOYMENT . Table 3.'2 illustrates the employment bhe workaforcefor Botal pedrsonsh~ng° ton County. These figures represent t employed 16 years.or older for the years 1960 and 1970. ~ ~ ~ TABLE 3.2 ECONOMICS: Employment by Occupation Blair Washington County 1970 1960 1970 1960 No. ~ No. ~. No. ~ Occupation °' Total Employed, 16 1 790 I Yrs, or older , Professional, Techni- cal and Kindred 209 Workers Managers and Ad- 232 ministrators Sales Workers 116 Clerical & Kindred 197 Workers Craftsmen, Foremen & 235 Kindred Workers Operatives 292 Private Household ~ 39 Workers Service Workers, Except. - Private Household 268 Farmers & Farm Mana- 49 gets Farm Laborers & Farm 47 Foremen Labo rers, except Farm 72 Occupation Not Reported 34 Source: U.S Bureau of 1 the Census 0 2•,47) 100 4,534 100 5,245 100 11.7 386 15.6 315 6.9 559 10.7 13.0 222 9.0 348, 7.7 372 7.1 6.5 96 3.9 181, 4.0 190 3.6 11.0 379 15.3 414 9.1 690 13.2 13.1 293 11.9 430 9.5 656 12.5 16.3. 338 13.7 626 13.8 577 II.O 2.2 43 1.7 74 1.6 80 1.5 15.0 457 18.5 410 9.0 650 12.4 2.7 15 0.6 1,095 24.2 813 15.5 2.6 57 2.3 425 9.4 195 3.7 4.0 84 3.4 139 3.1 91 1.7 I,g 101 4.1 77 1.6 372 0 7.1 3-3 Several categories experienced change in composition. The City of Blair indicated similar changes to those of Washington .County with the exception of the Craftsman, Foreman and Kindred Workers category. The City showed a drop in this occupation category, while the County showed an increase in percent of the .total. Other categories experiencing a decrease were: Managers and Administrator; Sales Workers, Operatives, Private Household Workers; Farm and Farm Managers; Farm Laborers and Farm Foreman; and Laborers, except Farm. The categories showing an increase were: Professional, Technical and Kindred Workers; Clerical and Kindred Workers; and Service Workers. In 1960 Blair had the largest number of employed in the Operatives category, and in 1970 this shifted to the Service Workers category. The Farmers and Farm Managers category remained the largest occupation from 1960 to 1970 for Washington County, despite the substantial decrease in number. These trends are similar. to those of the region and the State for this period.' Of significance is the historical decline in farm employment for both Blair and Washington County. The primary reason for these declines has been improved farm technology allowing farm output increases with fewer farm workers. The agricultural employment losses are shown as gains in the other employment categories. Blair, with its diverse economic base, is able to absorb the agricultural employment into non- agricultural employment categories. RETAIL SALES Economic trends can also be analyzed through net taxable sales. Table 3.3 shows the sales made within Blair, and Washington County, irrespective of the destination of the goods, for the years 1970-1979. The table illustrates a steady growth trend for the cited years, and a high percentage of Washington County sales being made within Blair. Approximately 83 percent of the net taxable sales of Washington County in 19.79 were made in Blair. TABLE 3.3 ECONOMICS: Net Taxable Sales, 1970-1979 Calendar Yea r Blair Washington County 1970 $16,675,990 $20,308,457 1971 18,599,593 22,217,139 1972 20,048,971 24,206,609 1973 23,997,945 28,591,259 1974 25,459,488. 30,394,891 1975 27,242,734 32,735,118 1976 29,772,594 35,938,788 1977 31,880,884 38,326,561 1978 37,341,727 45,166,642 1979 41,274,188 49,772,642 Source: Nebraska Department of Revenue 3-4 ~~ PROJECTIONS Table 3.4 illustrates a summary of labor force, employment and income projections-for Washington County. This data was prepared by the Bureau of Business Research of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1978, based upon their population projections and growth rates. roeection projections were based upon a 1980 Washington County population p j the 1980 Census has, indicated a population of 15,515 of 15,681. However, for Washington County, a difference of 166 people. As a result, e projections may be slightly high, but are still useful for the purposes of this report. TABLE 3.4 ECONOMICS: Labor Force & Employment Washington County Projections Total Labor Force Participation Rate Female Labor Force Participation Rate Male Labor ForcQ Participation Rate Armed Forces Unemployment Total Civilian Employment By I ndustry Agricultural Nonagricultural By Occupation White Collar Blue Collar Farm Service 1970 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 5,371 7,149 7,776 6% "60 8,097 60.8 8,346 60.4 8,601 59.8 56.5 1,812 59.9% 2,646 . 2,966 3,148 2% 46 3,255 0 46 3,354 45.5 37.3 3,559 43.6 4,503 45.4 4,810 . 759 9 . 7505 74?9~ 76.5 76.7 76.3 10 10 10 10 101 10 250 10 272 283 292 301 5,260 6,889 7,494 7,804 044 8, 8 290 1,103 4,157 1'778 5, 6,383 6,693 6,933 7.179 1,812 2,709 3,035 3 3,212 437 2 3,345 509 2 3,486 2,584 1,703 2,170 2,35 995 , 990 , 982 975 1'733 1,094 I,III 1,165 1,208 1,245 Income# Total Personal Income 46,397 61,316 73,450 84,230 95,618 108,557 Per Capita Personal Income 3,485 3,910 4,317 4,805 5,336 5,933 Source: Bureau of Business Research, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, June 1978. Nebraska Economic Projections, #Income data are in 1967 dollars. All income data, excepting per capita, is in thousands. 3- 5 The economic trends and projections for Washington County-are indicative ,,~ ofi city trends. The preceeding table depicts a rapid growth rate of the labor force and employment for 1980, then a less substantial increase to the year 2000. However, preliminary 1980 labor force indications from the Nebraska Department of Labor speculate that the total labor force will not be as high in 1980 data as to that shown in the table. This-could be partially attributed to a higher 1980 population figure used in tabulating the table discussed earlier. Despite the continuing declines in the farm employment over the past years, there is little change projected in agricultural employment. Other occupations show steadily increasing employment totals. ~' 3-6 POPULATION Population analysis and projections are fundamentolulati.on pro~idelanning decisions. The composition and size of Blair°s p p basic yardstick for the esa~mitiorazes,fincomesPevelseeandc~eedstofteachh existing and anticipated f y age category. Recognizing the relationship of .population trends and projections to all aspects of the City's planning programs, this•section provides a discussion of the local and regional characteristicse-SexeDistributionsed in the following section include Historic Trends, Ag Natural Increase and Migration, Median Age, ,and Projections with a target year of 2000. Historic Trends The historical trends of Blair and the region provide valuable indicators for future development patterns. Taband3thelStaterofeNebraskapbetween growth for Blair, Washington County, 1960 and 1980. TABLE 3.5 Blair Washington County Blair, as of County POPULATION: Population Trends 1960 1970 4,931 6,106 12,103 13,310 40.8 45.8 State of Nebraska 1,411,330 1,485,333 Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census *Preliminary U.S. Census Results Percent Change Percent Change 1960-1970 1980# 1970-1980 23.7 6,401 4.8 10.0 15,515 16.6 5.0 41.3 -9.8 5.2 1,538,788 3.6 As indicated in Table 3.5, Blair, Washington County, and the State of Nebraska have atl shown population increase during the past two decades. Blair's growth rate of 4.8 percent during the 1970-1980 period was far less than the 23.7 percent increase of previous decade. Washington County, on the other hand, showed a more substantial increase during the 1970-1980 period than the previous decade. Consequently Blair, as a percent of Washington County, has decreased. 3-7 Natural Increase and Migration - -~ The 4.8 percent growth of population for Blair for the 1970-80 period is the result of both a natural increase and an in-migration. Natural increase is the number of births m~i,nus deaths. Net migration is the actual population increase minus the natural increase. Table 3.6 lists these totals far Blair and Washington County in the given period. TABLE 3.6 POPULATION: Natural Increase and Migration for Blair and Washington County, 1970-1980 1970-1980 Blair Washington County Population Change 295 2,205 Births 938 2,123 Deaths 794 1,385 Natural Increase' 144 738 Percent 2.3 5.6 Net Migration2 151 1,467 Percent 2.5 II.0 iNatura I i ncrease = I ive b i rths minus total dea-I-hs 2Net migration _ actual population increase minus natural increase Source: Nebraska Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. Blair and Washington County have both shown a positive natural increase and an in-migration. Blair has increased 2.4 percent and Washington County increased 5.6 percent through natural increase, while Blair increased 2.5 percent and Washington County increased II percent through migration. Washington County's in-migration figure is sub- stantially higher than that of Blair's. Avery high percentage of these people have located in the unincorporated areas of the county. This is a trend experienced by neighboring counties as well. Abe and Sex Distribution Table 3.7 shows the sex and age distribution of Blair in 1970. The table is broken down by sex and age group with numerical and percentile values shown for each of the groups. 3- 8 TABLE 3.7 ~~, POPULATION: Age-Sex Distribution of Blair, 1970 '~ Male Female Total No ~ No. ~ No. ~ . Under 5 207 Years 7.1 191 6.0 7 3 398 472 6.5 7.7 5-9 239 8.2 4 9 233 249 . 7.8 522 8.5 10-14 273 386 . 13.2 418 13.1 804 13.2 15-19 355 12.2 372 11.7 727 12.0 20-24 161 5.5 135 4'2 296 4.8 25-29 138 4.7 155 4'9 293 4.8 ` 30-34 132 4.5 .137 4'3 269 4,4 35-39 141 4.8 129 4.0 270 4.4 40-44 ' 137 4.7 162 5.1 299 4.9 45-49 146 5.0 136 4'3 282 4.6 50-54 118 4.0 126 4'0 244 4.0 55-59 123 4.2 135 4'2 258 4.2 60-64 98 3.4 132 4'I 230 3.8 65-69 82 2.8 145 4.5 227 3.7 70-74 182 6.2 333 10.4 515 8.4 75 and over 918 2 47.8 3,188 52.2 6,106 100.0 Total , l Source: U.S. Bureau of Census, 1970 Analysis of the different age groups can provide insight into identifying, fiuture needs. Key population age groups require special sorUila~sonndis facilities. The 5-19 age group, which is the school age p p significant in terms of school facilities; the demand for some types of recreation facilities is related to people in broad ranges; the numbers of people old enough to have drivers licenses are useful in transportation planning; the 25-44 age group is recognized as the high productivity group and has economic implications; and persons 65 and over have implications for retirement facilities, nursing homes and care facilities. As 1980 sex and age distribution data becomes available, it will become important to analyze the above mentioned special age groups in terms of total numbers and needs. Median Aqe Table.3.8 shows the median age for Blair, Washington County, and the State of Nebraska for the years 1960 and 1970. The population of Blair is youthful as depicted by the median age. Although, no data was available far Blair irr 1960, Washington County shows a `similar decreasing trend to that of the State. Blair's median age was 5.6 years younger than that of the County and 3.6 years younger than the State of Nebraska. The large number of college students attending Dana State College, in proportion to the total population, would partially account for Blair's low median age. 3-9 TABLE 3.8 _ POPULATION: Median Ages 1960 1970 Blair - 25.0 Washington County 31.1 30.6 State of Nebraska 30.2 28.6 Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census Education Educational attainment is another median whereby the total population may be analyzed. Table 3.9 shows the median school years completed for all residents in the City of Blair, for the years 1950, 1960 and 1970. The table indicates a steady rise over the 20 year period. The 1970 value for the State of Nebraska was 12.2 which is exactly that for Blair for the same time period. TABLE 3.'9 POPULATION: Median School Years Completed 1950 - 10.5 1960 - 11.5 1970 - 12.2 Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census The composition of Dana State College will have an effect as it has in the past upon the total community of Blair. The college has experienced a fluctuation in enrollment through the past decade. The enrollment figures, for this time period, as shown in Table 3.10. TABLE 3.10 POPULATION: Dana State College Enrollment 1970 - 810 1976 - 505 1971 - 715 1977 - 450 1972 - 613 1978 - 431 1973 - 535 1979 - 503 1974 - 536 1980 - 538 1975 - 532 Source: Dana State College, Registrar's Office Enrollment declined through 1978, but an increase began in 1979. The enrollment is expected to steadily increase into the 1980's. This trend, as experienced by Dana College, is seen in other institutions of higher learning throughout the State. ~ 3-10 Projections .~ The discussion of populations trends and analysis has provided specific ~ assumptions about the future projections of popuPation levees. Theulation following projections are based upon these assum Lions and ast pop trends. Table 3.11 shows projections, at 5 yare shownvaltheffirBtaaretUNLuBureau year 2000. Two sets of projections of Business Research medium range projections done in 1978; and the second are projections using the preliminary 1980'Census results and the same percentage increases as those of the Bureau of Business Research. The Bureau of Business Research utilizes the Cohort-Survival method to determine their projections. The method surveys the population through 5 year periods of time and adjusts resulting totals for birth, death and migration rates. TABLE 3.11 POPULATION: Projections for the City of Blair 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 Source Bureau of Busi- ness Research - 1978 7,910 8,882 9,137 9,343 9,561 y Blair Compre- hensive Plan - 1981 6,40 1' 7,150 7,350 7,500 7,650 -r # Preliminary 1980 Census The projections using the preliminary 1980 Census figure of 6,401, will become the basis for subsequent elements in this report. The3Bl0abr C99pO;e- hensive Plan - 1981 projections show 7,150 people by 1985, 7, Y 7,500 by 1995, and 7,650 by the year 2000. 3- I I INTRODUCTION ~`' This chapter discusses the results of afield survey taken by Kirkham,, Michael and Associates on February 14, 16, and 17, 1981 which determines ' the existing building conditions and the land use of Blair. The informa- tion discussed will be utilized as background data into the Housing Chapter and also the Land Use Chapter which are subsequent chapters ofi this Comprehensive Plan. BUILDING CONDITIONS The purpose of this part of the survey was to inventory and rate all building conditions into a specific category based upon its condition and to identify other existing characteristics of significance. All residential buildings were grouped into one of the following three categories: standard; sub-standard rehabilitable, or substandard dilapidated. The standards by which the buildings were reviewed are discussed in Table 4.1. TABLE 4.1 BUILDING CONDITIONS; REVIEW CRITERIA I. Sound: Dwelling units in this category are safe and sanitary units requiring only minor repair and normal maintenance. This category includes new and older units that are in good and/or excellent condition. 2. Substandard Rehabilitatable: This category includes dwelling units which need major structural e-epairs but which are economically feasible to repair. 3. Substandard Dilapidated: This category includes dwelling units which are beyond feasible economic repair. It is necessary to remove these structures from the housing inventory altogether. Table 4.2 contains an inventory of the Building Conditions Survey in tabular form. The table breaks down the quantities and condition of all single family units, multi-family units, and mobile homes. TABLE 4.2 Type Single Family Units Multi-Family Units BUILDING CONDITIONS; FIELD.SURVEY RESULTS Standard Rehabilitatable Dilapidated Total 1,773 62 9 1,844 4 0 5Z6 4 0 65 70 9 2,:485 572 Mobile Homes 61 1 Total 2,406 4- I JEU ~ ^\ ~ uF' I N~~S~ ~ -- - ~~~ ~~ 11~ L _~ ~~. ~ Z ~ a w ~, o C7 ~ J 1\ 1 ~~~®®~ ~CJ~ i~~~ ®~_ 1",~~.~ '~®~ ^ ~ . / ~' ~ ~ ~ \. ~._..l ""~. l ~ _. 11 i I ..~ ~ ~ ~ 7 ~~ O _~ Q O U Z ~ ~ m CL1 W T Z ~_ (YZ ~MM W W I I it ~ 11 ~- _-~__' ~ ~~ y~ y~ N //1 y~ti z ~ 4 I c i ~ ~ a a ~ W ~ ~ J M ~ F a o ^; QV!aa~~ ~ iq w~ +ib z i a ~a~~~ ~ W ~c~a ~~~~~ ~; ~ \ 'p ~ ~~ a~a.- •a ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ \~ \~~ Source: Kirkham, Michael Field Survey, February 14, 16, and 17, 1981 ,~ 1 The table indicates a total of 2,485 residential units. Of this total, 2,406 units were determined to be in standard condition, 70 units in rehabilitatable condition and 9 units in dilapidated condition. Single family units accounted for the largest portion of residential housing with 1,844 units out of the total 2,485 units. This type was accountable for the majority of the units which were less than standard in condition. There were 62 rehabilitatable units and 9 dilapidated units in the single family unit category. These below standard units were primarily concentrated in the older sections of the community. Of the total 576 multi-family units, only 4 units were determined to be rehabilitatabso dete~m~nedoonlyd4noutlofpthettotall65 mobeleahomeseto The survey be less than standard. The Building Conditions Survey also tabulated housing characteristics for the community of Blair other than those shown in the table. There were 40 occupied single family units for sale and only 2 vacant single family units for sale. The significance of the above discussed. buildi_,ng conditions illustrate that the vast majority of dwelling units within the City of Blair are in satisfactory condition. However, those isolated examples of sub- standard units should be upgraded to protect the safety of residents and financial investments to homeowners and adjacent home owners. If the substandard units are allowed to remain in their present condition, or deteriorate further, they will begin to influence adjacent properties and homes. Such a pattern could adversely affect land use patterns and transportation patterns within the City. t. Allowing such a pattern to continue will prove to be counts rproduc- tive to the individual- home owners and residents, detrimental to the immediate neighborhood, and potentially adverse to the total community. Information gathered regarding building conditions, as presented in this chapter, will be used as a basis for long range planning needs and programs to be presented in Chapter 5 - Housing Plan. EXISTING LAND USE This section provides an inventory and analysis of the existing land use patterns and characteristics in Blair and its two-mile planning area. The data discussed will serve as the framework for developing the long range land use plan. A subsequent chapter will provide projections and allocations for future land use patterns. 4-3 ~: M`Sg~~~~ 4 \ ~. ," ~~~ ~ :~: __ ~:, j ~ _ e. •.. ~`' P`~EP w W J i V ~ ~U Q ~.Q -Z z zcc~~°~ XQ oo~~~Q W.J m ~ N W m ~ °~ aWW~ K W Z Y~k~ m ~~~ 4 ~ /u//~ w VJ ~ yh yxa3 ~~ o.a O v w ~ ,~ ~:~.~ ~ ~~~~~ .... :~.:.: ..,..,- y Y~ J ~. / .f' 3, The land use data was collected and coded in accordance with the Standard Land Use Coding Manual, developed by the U.S. Department ~~.~ of Commerce (1965) and revised by the Nebraska State Office of ~ Planning and Programming. The classifications of the system are listed below along with their major elements. Residential: This category includes all land uses which are used for human habitation. The most common elements ,consist of single family, multi-family and mobile home. Commercial: This includes both central business district and non-central business district areas. Primary activities include. wholesale trade, retail trade and services. Industrial: This category includes both intensive and extensive area requirements. It includes manufacturing, agricultural industrial, warehousing and storage services, resource extraction, open storage and salvage, bulk petroleum and chemical storage, metal and mineral storage and feedlots and stockyards. Transportation: This includes railroad and vacant railroad right-of-way, public street and utility maintenance, trans- .- portation terminals and yards, airports, automobile parking areas, street and highway .right-of-way (both open and platted but unopen). Public and Semi-Public Services: Included in. this are recrea- _ tional, governmental, health, educational and quasi-public `"~ services. Agricultural and Vacant: This includes normal agricultural practices. including forestry and undeveloped lands. Exhibit 4.2 illustrates the land usehealandnuselpatterns forythemits i of Blair. Exhibit 4.3 illustrates t area outside the City Limits of Blair, but within the two mile planning limit. Tabular summaries of the land use categories, averages, and percentages are provided in Table 4.3. Within the Blair City Limits there are approximately 2,400 acres of land which 1,336.5 acres, or 55.7 percent, are developed into urban land uses~and 1,063.5 acres, or 44.3 percent, are undeveloped. Of the. developed area, residential land use occupies the largest percentage with 34.3 percent or 458.9 acres. Single family residential occupies 430.1 acres of the total, and multi-family residential occupies only 28.8 acres of development. Streets, Alleys, and Railroads re- present the second largest land usage with 410.6 acres or 30._7 percent of the total developed City. Public and Semi-Public is next with 310.9 acres or.23.3 percent of the total developed City. Industrial and Commercial land uses occupy the remaining acreage with 79.0 acres and 77.1 acres or 5.9 percent and 5.8 percent respectively. 4-5 ~."`'7 RESIDENTIAL--SINULE ~3 RESIDENTIAL-MULTI COMMERCIAL INI'~II.~TRIAI DCH1B1T 4'3 EX 1ST1NG LAND USE NOF;rH _ ~ .. / «ua '•cl of S~ mas ~ "'acu. .uu+on+w ,p ., \~ / / anQ AeC ~t :9l M. ae .road. ~` ~ ~ ` ~- i CaaOa+lre/1~ iLupiM .iaas. ho7 Wa :fu~wr TABLE 4.3 ~ EXISTING LAND USE: FIELD SURVEY RESULTS Area Percent of Percent of Within City Developed Total City (Acres) Cit-._- Category. Residential 458.9 34.3 2 32 19.1 17'9 Single Family 430.1 8 28 . 2.I 1.2 Multi-Family . 77.1 5.8 3.2 Commercial 79.0 5.9 3.3 Industrial Public and 310 9 23.3 13.0 Semi-Private . Streets, Alleys, 410.6 30.7 17.1 & Railroads Total Developed City 1,336.5 100.0 55.7 44.3 Vacant and A riculture 1063.5 100.0 Total City 2,400.0 ~ Source: Kirkham-Michael Field Survey, February 14, 16, and 17, 1981. Development is taking place in every direction around the periphery of the City. Residential subdivision development is primarily developing to the north and northwest portions of the City. Recent development of commercial activities are highway oriented in location. Industrial development has been primarily moving to the east, in the direction of the Missouri River. Agriculture is the predominate Land use outside of the City Limits, but within the two-mile planning area boundary. There is also a large amount of land that has been absorbed by low density scattered resi- dential development just off of the local highways. This trend is evident along Highways 30 and 133, and also Calhoun Boulevard. The existing land use distribution, as compiled by it-oetheelanduusey~ will be compared in a subsequent Land Use Chapter, data as presented and discussed in the 1968 Comprehensive Plan. 4- 7 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this chapter is to develop a plan fOdatathasybeenthe future housing needs of Blair. Background housing conditions survey, gathered from the most recent census, the building and information obtained through local officials. EXISTING SUPPLY AND CONDITIONS Table 5.1 provides a breakeowdnSo~Veye asadisc~ssedgintChaptere4.upThe the Building Conditions F units, multi- totals listed are representative of all single Lamlits of Blair. family units, and mobile homes within the City TABLE 5.1 Type Single Family Multi-Family Mobile Homes HOUSING: BLAIR HOUSING UNITS Number Percent of Total 1,844 576 65 2,485 74.2 23.2 2.6 100.0 Source: Building Conditions Field Survey, February 14, 16, and 17, 1981. Kirkham, Michael & Associates, 74.2 percent of the housing units in Blair As depicted by the table, 2.6 eecent are single family, 23.2 percent are multi-family and only P are mobile homes. Mobile homes aee wereabrokenndownfseparatelys~ but for the purpose of the survey, th y conditions as discussed in Chapter Table 5.2 is a review of the housing 4. The table-shows the du mobilenhomescinteachtof theath~eescondition family, multi family, an categories. Of significance to assist in the completiounitsasuitable Housing Assistance Plan (HAP) is the number of housing for rehabilitation. The existing housing stock appears to be in good physical condition as depicted by the table. ~tatab9etot7heumajority ofsthosenlessnthadn~ and 70 of these are rehab~lunits. standard are single family 5-I TABLE 5.2 HOUSING: HOUSING CONDITIONS Single ~ Of Multi- ~ Of Mobile ~ Of Total Family Total Family Total Homes Total Units Standard 1,773 96.1 572 99.3 61 93.8 2,406 Rehabili- tatabie 62 3.4 4 0.7 4 6.2 70 Dilapidated 9 0.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 9 Total 1,844 100.0 576 100.0 65 100.0 2,485 Source: Building Conditions Field Survey, Kirkham, Michael ~ Associates, February 14, 16, and 17, 1981. Elderly housing provisions within the City of Blair are in standard. condition. Out of the total 576 multi-family units, 279 units are provided fior the elderly. This total is contained in the following: 136-Crowell Memorial Home, 75 at the Blair Parkview Manor and 68 at Good Shepherd Home. At present there are 8 vacancies in these elderly unit facilities. ~. The existing condition of the housing stock for Blair should be analyzed in great detail as soon as the 1980 Census Reports become available. At present only preliminary unofficial housing unit counts for cities and counties are available. Table 5.3 below shows the preliminary housing unit count and persons per household for the City of Blair, Washington County, and the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area. TABLE 5.3 HOUSINGc Preliminary 1980 Census Housing Counts Total Units Persons Per Household ' Blair 2,439 2.5 Washington County 5 691 2,5 Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area 165 919 2,7 Source: Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA). 5-2 The total number of housing units for the City of Blair shown in the table is less than the totaluddeteri.tnshabl bee noteddthatCthe'datasin Survey conducted for this st y the table is still in preliminary form aad determined by thelSuorvey, The 2,285 total of Blair housing units, will be used in subsequent sec~henj980 censushresultsoadretmadenfinal. housing needs until such tim It is necessary to analyze additional housing characteristics of Blair and the region in order to project housing requirements. Table 5.4 provides a comparison of selected 1970 housing characteristics for the State of Nebraska, Washington County, and Blair. The table provides a relative comparison between the various cited categories. TABLE 5.4 HOUSING: 1970 Selected Statistics Population Year Round Housing Units Tota I Occupied Housing Units Total Percent of Total Median No. of Persons Median Value (Owner- Occupied Median Rent (Renter- Occupied vacant Housing Units Vacancy Rate Nebraska 1,483,493 511,891 47,721 92.0 ~2.5 $ 12,400 $ /7 4,379 1,984 4,099 1,882 , 93.2 94.9 . 3.0 2.8 $13,200 $20,000 $ 59 $ 105 38,170 280 102 8.0~. 6.4~ 5.0~ Source: United States Bureau of the Census, 1970. to the table, Blair had a higher percent of occupied housing According than both Washington County and ereo cupiedfunitsahigherTthanltheoState Blair has a median value for own is also much higher. This. or County average. Rent for occupied housing ercent vacancy rate. high demand for housing is also shown in the 5.0 p Washington ~~, . n+., B l a i r 13,310 6,106 5-3 Table 5.5 illustrates more detailed information regarding housing within fihe City of t3lair in 19,/0. (here were 1,984 total housing units in 1970 in comparison to the 2,4t~5 tabulated in the 1980 Building Conditions Survey and 2,439 tabulated by 1980 Preliminary Census Keport. Of the 1,984 total housing units, 1,409, or 71 percent, were single units, 517, or 26.1 percent, were multi-unit, and 58, or 2.9 percent, were mobile homes. These percentages are close to those discussed in Table 5.1~ for 1980. The percentage of single family units has increased slightly during 1970-1980. TABLE 5.5 HOUSING:. 1970 Blair Housing Characteristics Total Housing Units 1,984 Owner Occupied 1,208 Renter Occupied 674 Vacant: For Rent 50 Vacant: For .Sale 14 Vacant: Other 38 Total Population 6,106 Population in Housing Units 5,280 Population Per Occupied Unit 2.8 Single Unit Structures 1,409 Two or More Unit Structures 517 Mobile Homes 58 Source: United States Bureau of the Census, 1970. Table 5.6 lists the building permits for Blair by type. Totals are given for new single family homes, new apartment buildings and reno- vations for the years 1976-1980. Analyzing this data helps to estab- Iish a trend which will aid in determining future projections. A general decline in new construction of single family units has occurred since 1976. Of significance. is that only 6 new homes were added to-the housing stock in 1980. Renovations, as well, showed a considerable decline in the number of permits in 1980. 5-4 TABLE 5.6 HOUSING: Blair Building Permits Single Family New Apartment New Homes Buildin s Renovations Year 77 0 44 1976 53 I 92 1977 39 I 44 197a 35 I 56 1979 6 0 II 1980 Source: Building Permits, Blair City Clerk PROJECTED HOUSING REQUIREMENTS_ The housing market analysis for Blair, which attempts to project demand for housing, is illustrated in Table 5.7. The table esearstto meetathent of housing that should be produced during the next I0 y need. Three factors primaro~lYosd~ions'of househ Ids replacement onfits: change in the number and c p existing units; and change in vacancy rate. ThiearapeeiodnanYBllairs the process of estimating these factors for the 10-y I The change in households is derived from population change and pro- jections discussed earlier in•this Study. The 1980 data is derived from Preliminary U.S. Census Bureau data and the Housing Field Survey. This data, along with other recent housing trends and conditions, serves as the basis for the projections depicted. An average unit size of 2.5 is divided into the projected population figures to calculate the number of occupied units. This figure is projected to be fairly stable. The difference between the total occspnedauvacancydrate oft5lpercent is the number of vacancies. So by u g throughout the period, we then calculate the total number of units. The 5 percent figure is adequate to provide for reasonable mobility in the housing market. The change in units is simply then the difference between the 5 year periods. By dividing these figures by 5, the annual change in units could be determined. 5-5 TABLE 5.7 HOUSING: Housing Market Analysis for Blair Component 1980 1985 1990 POPULATION, GLAIR Component of Housing Unit Change j Population 6,4011 7,150 7,350 Average Unit Size 2.5 2.5 2.5 Occupied Units 2 2,36 1 2,860 2,940 Total Units 2,4853 3,011 3,095 i Change in Units (5 Year Period) 526 84 Replacement of Existing Units Lost through Removal, Deterioration, Fire, i Etc. 30 31 HOUSING UNITS Change in Vacancy Rate Total Units 2,485 3,011 3,095 Occupied 2,361 2,860 2,940 Vacant (no.) 124 _151 155 Vacant (~) 5~ 5~ 5~ Change in Vacant Units 'i (5 Year Period) 27 4 I TOTAL HOUSING MARKET (5 Year Period) Change in Households 526 84 Replacements 30 31 Vacancy Change to 7~ 27 4 TOTAL 583 119 Average Annual No. of Units 116 24 11980 Preliminary Census Report 3Based on 1970 Vacancy Rate ~ Housing Field Survey 5-6 The replacement of existing units is the other factor in the components of change. In any given time period existing housing units are removed from the housing supply. Some units are destroyed by natural causes or by disasters such as fire. Public actions such as hig way construction, for example, can lead to removals. In additibh to removals there are conversions, both into and out of the housing supply. Noosing units can be converused'atfigurer~ofsl~ that wouldtbellostreachr5oyeare space. This study interval. The summation of these three estimates gives an estimated demand or' need for each 5 year period as shown in the exhibit. By dividing each total by 5, the average annual number of units needed is then determined and also shown. The total need is further analyzed in Tabfe 5.8 to determine what kind of units should be built in terms of type. The table illustrates the provision of 70~ single family units and 30~ multi-family. TABLE 5.8 HOUSING: Units by Type 1985 1990 Total Units 526 84 Single Family Units 408 59 ~ (70~ of total) _ Multi-Family Units 118 25 (30/ of total) CONDITIONS AFFECTING THE SUPPLY OF HOUSING This section will review the opportunities and constraints for housing development in the community. ~ . Availability of mortgage financing is an important consideration of housing opportunities. Although the existing high interest rates limit the housing activity within Blair, private financial bank and Saving'.& Loan sources are available. Federal assistance, for construction of new housing units, is also available via a number of Federal programs. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Farmers Home Administration (FNMA) are primary sources. The Farmers Home Administration and Veterans Administration also have home ownership loans available. 5-7 Consideration to the impacts and problems of additional housing. _ programs is a necessary element of a housing program. These include physical considerations (construction of new housing units, rehabilitation of existing units, utilities extensions, roadway construction, etc.), financial considerations (both for private owners, funding institutions, City of Blair -- utilities extension cost which would bear upon the total community, etc.), and psychologi- cal factors for persons being relocated.. All housing programs must give consideration to equal housing opportunity._ Allocations, both housing units and other considerations. impacting housing improvements (extension of City utilities, streets, other public services, etc.), must be done on an unbiased basis so as not to impact. the allocation of future housing units. HOUSING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES This section contains one and five year housing goals as derived from information presented in preceeding elements of this chapter. Specific actions that could be taken to meet these goals are also recommended. Specific proposals for development of a housing plan and program contain the following: Continuation of the established Housing Organizations: The existence of the Blair Housing Authority provides an organizational base which provides ! day-to-day administration in the satisfying of Blair's housing needs. Funding assistance requests are logically administered through this organization. Development of additional public facilities, including elderly, low-rent, and other units will logically be accomplished through these sources, Development of Additional Units: Inadequacies pointed out in Tables 5.7 and 5.8 indicate the need for additional housing units within Blair. Working towards satisfying these housing shortages will be an important element of the housing plan. These needs can be met both through development or public housing facilities and private development. Coordination with Land Use Plan: As new housing units are developed with the community, their location should be.coordinated with the Land Use Plan. In-filling of vacant lots should be encouraged. This will maximize utilization of existing water, wastewater and other utility services available within the developed community. Encourage Adequate Maintenance: Ail property owners should be encour- aged to protect their individual investments through sound maintenance programs. Furthermore, public and semi-public facilities should get a good example by enacting a sound maintenance and upkeep program of 5-8 all their facilities. Those deteriorated dwellings noted earlier, in Chapter 4 - Building Conditions Review,. should be restored. These can ~ serve as positive examples of adequate restoration of existing facilities. This type of project is much less expensive than newfa~ilitles'on' yet both will yield adequate, safe and sanitary housing Continuation of the Program of Code Compliance: This will guard against deterioration of existing housing units. It will enforce codes addressing the electrical, structural and plumbing elements of struc- tures. This is also a sound method of reducing fire dangers associated with inadequate wiring. Development of a Housinq Data_Bank: Such a program will be directed toward an on-going listing of dwelling units within the City. It would list the number of housing units, their type (single family, multiple units, etc.), condition, etc. This will be useful in on-going and future housing programs. It would also be an aid to. persons seeking housing facilities within the City. Non discrimination of Housinq Opportunities: This program will work towards a fair and equitable distribution of future housing opportuni- ties, and related facilities (utility expansions, access roadways, administrative proceedings, etc.). Activities should be accomplished to insure equal and non-discriminatory opportunities in housing. _ Conservation/Preservation of Existing Housinq Suck: Such a program would be directed towards preserving existing housing stocks within the community. Consideration to funding incentives increased code compliance; I and other activities will all assist in the conservation of existing, housing stocks. Evaluation of Communit Pro ress Towards Achievin Housing Goals: A . regular and periodic program; including review of goals attainments, housing programs are all activities that relate to housing programs; should be implemented. Items such as new construction start-ups, loans, grants, utility °tap-ons and other programmatic activities will service the beginning point of information for such evaluations.. Preservation of Historic Buildings and Sites: A listing of buildings, local historical significance, were noted in Chapter I. Any housing programs to be located in or near these facilities, should make all reasonable efforts to aaoiditdesris anplmporta~t paettofithe~BlairPCom- servation of historic f _ prehensive Plan. Equal Opportunity for Housinq: Development of new housing opportunities, and conservation/rehabilitation of existing facilities, must be done on a non-discriminatory basis. Equal opportunity to insure equitable pro- vision of future housing opportunities in the City of Blair is an im- portant element of the Housing Pian. 5-9 Citizen Involvement In Planning Activities: Opportunities for involve- ment by the general public has always been an element in the development ~~. of the Blair Comprehensive Plan. In addition to satisfying open meeting laws of the State ublic announcements are rovided in t - he local news p P paper inviting and encouraging public attendance and participation. Copies of all Interim Reports are provided to members of the Planning Commission, City Council, Mayor and staff members. Copies of these reports are avail- able in the office of the City Administrator for review by the general public. Coordination With Private Home Developers: Efforts should be extended to coordinate the activities of private land developers and home builders with the City's development plans. Specific activities within this ob- jective would include early reviews of proposed plats to coordinate utilities extensions and expansions, roadway alignments and placements, provision of public facilities, and conformance with zoning and subdivision requirements and the City's Comprehensive Plan. ONE YEAR ACTION PROGRAM To help implement the Housing Plan, preceeding, the following One Year Action Program is presented to establish specific items for accomplishment. Adoption of New Comprehensive Plan: After completion of the City's new Comprehensive Plan, presently being prepared, the document should be presented for public hearings and formal adoption by .the City. This action will provide an up-to-date and current program for development of many activities, including housing, for the City. ~ - Adoption of Revised Zoning and Subdivision Regulations: At the completion of the present updating of the City Comprehensive Plan, zoning and subdivision regulations will be reviewed for their concurrence with the new Comprehensive Plan, consistency with current needs and administrative procedure. After formal reviews, these two should be adopted and utilized in the development of new housing opportunities in Blair. Formulation of a Housing Data Bank: An organizational base, consisting of City personnel, lending institutions, realtors and others interested in housing within the City would be an appropriate group to accomplish this task. Such an organization would utilize the information contained earlier in this chapter, listing housing stocks within the community. With the addition of new units, or removal of existing units, a current tabulation of housing opportunities would be available. Information on changes in housing availability could be coordinated through sub- mission of building permits, utilities connections or disconnections, and reports of persons active in this field. Review of Housing Needs: At this point, the performance through the preceeding one year should be reviewed as to implementation of the preceeding One Year Plan. Objectives should be reviewed as to their level of attainment, activities that were useful in achieving these objectives,-etc. 5-10 FIVE YEAR ACTION PROGRAM In order to allow for an ongoing, meaningful development of housing opportunities within Blair, the following objectives are provided or the subsequent five year period. Develo ments of. Additional Units: Based upon the information contained in Table 5.7 of this Report, and a review of the completion of the One Year Action Program, the quantity of additional units projected for the study should be implemented. Table 5.7 projects a need for an additional 583 units by the year 1985. Implementation of this obulation will allow for satisfying the housing needs projected for the pop at that point in time. Ongoing Activities: Ongoing activities to insure equal opportunity in housing, maintenance of existing facilities, coordination with the land use plan and land development reguactivit' ofdtheoFPveaYear Action other objectives, should be an ongoing Y Plan. Review of Housing Objectives: Review of the Five Year Housing Objec- tives should be accomplished to verify the level of implementation of the housing goals, implementation of housing units required, and other activities contained in the Housing Plan. IMPLICATIONS _ Provision of safe and adequate housing facilities is the responsibility of all residents of the community. Enactment of the above. discussed ~ activities, by both private owners and public agencies will .help achieve the housing goals of the Blair Comprehensive Plan. The need for additional housing units, as discussed above, will be a „ factor in the development of future emsaandrothera relatedtpublicrfacilities. land use plans, transportation syst ~~ 5-II INTRODUCTION ~~ This chapter is one of the most important elements of the Comprehensive Plan as it provides a stable source of direction for the wise utilization of land resources. The Land Use Plan will indicate the future location and extent of individual use categories and their inter-relationships. These graphic and written data are based upon projected land use needs and various development considerations for the City of Blair through the year 2000. Development considerations include existing land use factors, environmental constraints, physical features, population and economic projections, and community policies. This land use plan serves as a vital instrument for guiding growth and providing a healthful and aesthetically pleasing community environment for the City of Blair. LAND USE PATTERNS Table 6.1 compares the existing land use, as discussed in Chapter 4 - Existing Land Use, with that of the land use as discussed in the 1968 Blair Comprehensive Plan. As indicated in the table, total area within the City Limits has in- creased from 1,356 acres in 1968 to 2,400 acres in 1980. This is the primary result of annexations of new residential subdivisions to the north, highway development along 133 to the south, and the -- parcel of land between Blair and the Missouri River. All land use categories made marked increases of acreages, as noted in the table. Residential growth, as a percent of the total, stayed consistent over the years. However, 179 acres were added to the total residential land usage. Residential usage by type of unit also stayed consistent. Commercial land use showed an increase from 21.7 acres to 77.1 acres, an increase of 55.4 acres. This growth has taken place primarily along U.S. Highway 133 at the southern edge of the City, and also along U.S. Highway 30 on the eastern edge of the City. The recently constructed shopping center accounted for a portion of the commercial activity development that has occurred. Industrial land use acreage has also shown an increase from 16 acres to 79 acres, an increase of 63 acres. This is attributed to the addition of the industrial activity to the east of City, along U.S. Highway 30. Public and Semi-Public has shown the largest increase of acreage, as it has grown from 52.8 acres to 310.9 acres. The majority of those acres can be attributed to the addition of the High School, the Cemetery, and the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant on the eastern edge of the community. ~, 6-I TABLE 6.1 LAND USE: Blair Land Use Comparison - 1968 to 1980 19681 19802 Land Use Category Acres Percent Acres Residential 280.2 32.6 458.9 Single Family 270.4 31.4 430.1 Multi-Family 8.5 I.0 28.8 Commercial 21.7 2.5 77.1 Industrial Public & Semi-Public Streets, Alleys & Railroads 52.8 318.0 6.1 37.0 Percent 310.9 410.6 34.3 32.2 2.1 5.8 5.9 23.3 30.7 Total Developed Land 860.5 100.0 1,336.5 100.0 Vacant & Agriculture 495.5 _1,063.5 TOTALS 1,356.0 2,400.0 Source: 21968 Comprehensive Plan 1980 Land Use Field Survey, Kirkham, Michael & Associates. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT CONSIDERATIONS Future land use needs for the City of Blair are based upon a number of major considerations. These include projected space requirements, historic preservation, equal opportunity and citizen involvement. The major considerations are discussed in the following paragraphs. Space Requirements, to accommodate the future needs of the Blair population, have been developed through the utilization of planning standards. The table depicts standards for the major land use categories including residential, commercial and industrial. These measures are based upon the City of Blair growing at the anticipated rate consistent with current space needs and modified by anticipated impacts of projected development in and around the City. Allowances for streets and off-street parking space needs have been added to each category standard. The residential standard has also been adjusted for the inclusion of public lands. i6.0 {.9 79.0 6-2 TABLE 6.2 ,\r . LAND USE: P lann i ng Standards 1 Residential 7.5 Acres/100 Persons Commercial 1.2 Acres/100 Persons Industrial 1.3 Acres/100 Persons Table 6.3 shows the projected land needs through the planning period for residential, commercial, and industrial land use categories. These three constitute the major land use categories. TABLE 6.3 LAND USE: Projected Total Land Needs (Acres) 1985 19901995 2000 Residential 536 551 563 574 Commercial 86 88 90 92 ~~ Industrial 93 96 98 100 TOTAL 622 735 751 766 Determinations have been made as to the future demand of additional lands both in and around Blair by comparing the projected land needs in Table 6.3 to the existing land use patterns from Table 6.1. The projected additional land demand in acres for residential, commercial, and industrial categories is shown in Table 6.4. TABLE 6.4 LAND USE: Projected Additional Land Demand (Acres) 1985 1990 1995 2000 Residential 77 15 12 II Commercial 9 3 2 2 Industrial 14 3 2 2 I TOTAL 100 21 16 15 6~3 Equal opportunity for all residents in the City of Blair is an impor- tant element of the Blair Comprehensive Plan. Adequacy of freedom ~, of choice and the location,, type, character, etc. in land use activities will insure continuation of the present quality of life in Blair: Such ! opportunities are tempered by,respecting natural resources, existing developments, adjacent land use activities and legal restrictions. Within these limitations, equal opportunities for land use activities should be accomplished on a non-discriminatory basis. Citizen involvement has been an important element in the development of the Blair Comprehensive Land Use Plan. This planning study has .made available opportunities for citizen input and review. Such opportunities will continue through succeeding time by public announcements of Planning „ Commission and City Council meetings: The general public has been invited and encouraged to attend all meetings dealing with the Blair Comprehensive Plan. _ LAND USE PLAN Exhibit 6.1 shows the Land Use Plan for the City of Blair. The areas shown for each land use category are sufficient to support the anticipated land needs of the projected population of 7,650 in the year 2000 and also allow for flexibility and options in the development process. The Land Use Plan is based upon the previously presented statistics and field data. Development of the land use categories, as proposed in Exhibit 6.1, is discussed in the following paragraphs. ~~ Residential land use patterns are extensions outward from the existing 1 residential areas. Major expansion for residential areas are projected to the northwest of Blair. The proposed area is well suited for such. development. Utilities are already laid out in a portion of this area. In-filling of areas on the south edge of the City and also vacant. lots within the City are recommended. , As Blair's population grows through the planning period, a major emphasis will be directed to satisfying the need for additional res i- dential lands. Directing these growth patterns,,through use of the Land Use Plan, will allow for orderly growth and expansion of the City; minimize developmental costs of roads, utility systems and public services; and maintain the existing "quality of life" available in Blair. ~__ 6-5 Future peripheral expansion of residential activities should be coordi- nated with the provision of adequate community services, utilities, and transportation facilities. The proposed residential expansion areas are located in ..drainage areas presently served by the sanitary sewer system or proposed to be serviced in future plans, as discussed in Chapter 6. Commercial land use activities are proposed for 3 areas within the Blair area.. The Central Business District shall continue to serve as the major commercial area of activity. .Another commercial area will be along U.S. Highway 30 where a great deal of commercial highway orientated activity is located. In order to avoid traffic congestion and conflicts, it is recommended that access be provided from .a service street and not directly from the highway. The third commercial area would be a neighborhood con- venience center for the proposed residential area. Access would be from 28th Avenue and not the highway. Proper attention to traffic circulation, parking and aesthetics are important to insure safe, pleasant and well-planned commercial areas. Industrial areas are proposed principally adjacent to existing industrial development to the east of Blair. This is an appropriate location for industrial development due to the existing industries,, the availability of utilities, good rail, barge, and roadway access. Public and Semi-Public land uses includes parks, and recreation, ceme- teries, public buildings, schools, churches and similar uses. Proposals for these lands will be discussed in a subsequent public facilities j chapter of this Comprehensive Plan. .Areas for these proposed uses, to meet future population demands, are presently shown in the exhibit as residential land use. Major existing public facilities, however, are shown in the exhibit in order to indicate relationships to other land uses. Additional considerations associated with the Land Use Plan for Blair will be important to future growth trends within the City. These include respecting flood prone areas and controlled growth of the community at the periphery. These specific items are discussed in the following paragraphs: Flood prone areas have been determined for the City of Blair and have been shown in previous exhibits. Extra consideration must be extended to accommodate these flooding potentials. These would include raising of the ground level above the floodplain limit, special building considerations and details, and other special provisions. Lands can be developed within designated flood. prone areas successfully with due consideration to special design criterion and construction techniques. Peripheral development should be controlled around Blair. Development beyond the immediate City limits contributes to "Sprawl" and "Leap- frogging" developments. Such a pattern is not consistent with sound land use practices. This technique can cause unnecessary, and expen- sive extention of utilities and public services. Contigous develop- ments are reflective of sound city land use patterns and growth techniques. 6-6 IMPLICATIONS ~: The land use patterns indicated in Exhibit 6.1 are provided to eriod accommodate future land use requirements through the planning p ' to the year 2000, for the City of Blair. The proposed land use patterns are based upon a number of factors, including: existing land use patterns, projected land use needs, natural resources limitations and utility system capabilities. The Land Use Plan should be~consulted as proposals are brought forth for consideration by the City of Blair for development of lands in and around the City. Referencing to the Land Use Plan will provide a stable, constant source for the evaluation of proposals and their impact upon the total community of Blair. The Land Use Plan-will be utilized throughout the development of sub- sequent chapters dealing with the Public Facilities Plan, transportation, and the Zoning/Subdivision Regulations. 6-7 INTRODUCTION This Chapter consists of community goals and objectives for the social, economic, and physical development of Blair. The goals and objectives listed will provide the guidelines for development of subsequent amendments to the Blair Comprehensive Plan. The formulation of goals and objectives.to guide community development was aided partially by input from preliminary results of the Blair Community Attitude Survey. The University of Nebrasks at Omaha°s Center for Applied Urban Research and the Blair Chamber of Commerce conducted a survey for January, 1981 to determine the attitudes of residents about community issues. Input on future growth and direction in Blair was also obtained from City officials and staff. The following goals are broad statements, dealing with all aspects of community development, which are indicative of the community's aims or ideals of achievement. Goals are generally broad in order to allow flexibility as attitudes and values change. The objectives are designed to help achieve the goals, They are subparts of the goals and are more specific statements. The aspects of community development, addressed below, include economic ~~ development, land use, housing, transportation, and public facilities ~ and services. GOAL ONE: GENERAL GOAL Strive toward improving the total living environment for all residents of Blair. Maintain and improve those elements necessary to provide desirable conditions in which to live, work and pursue leisure time activities while respecting the individual rights of Blair citizens. GOAL TWO: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Encourage a stable economic base and an increase in employment opportunities within the community in order to provide a sound, total living environment. Obiective One: Strive to develop a diverse employment base within the community. Objective Two: Continue to support the growth and expansion of existing industries. 7-I GOAL THREE: LAND USE Establish a balanced system of land use practices subject to limitations of the natural environment that Helps meet the social, transportation, economic and safety needs of all residents. Objective One: Develop and adhere to a Land Use Plan of 1-he Blair Planning Area that embodies tree above mentioned elements. 0~ ective Two: Provide ample space for industrial development with convenient .access-to major transportation sources. Objective Three: Encourage commercial development in compact, homogeneous development patterns, consistent with existing commercial areas. Objective Four: Allow for• an expanded industrial base within Blair. Objective Five:' Encourage future growth tf~at will attempt to maximize utilization of existing utility systems. Objective Six: Evaluate the impact of~each new development on the natural and man-made environment. Objective Seven: Update land use regulations to "reflect modern practices. Review any zoning changes with respect to the affect on adjacent lahd uses and long term development as indicated in the land use plan. Objective Eight: Recognize the agricultural interest of the surrounding area, and strive to protect it. GOAL FOUR: HOUSING Strive to provide the opportunities, on the part of all residents of the City, to have access to a safe and sanitary housing. Objective One: Provide adequate housing for all citizens. Place special emphasis on providing additional housing to meet the demands of the senior citizens, college students, and the handicapped. Ob,iective Two: Implement specific plans to insure that all future dwellings meet minimum housing standards, and work toward the elimination of the existence of substandard or unsafe housing. Objective Three: Respect the integrity of existing and future neighborhood areas by excluding commercial, industrial and other land use practices which are not compatible with housing. 7- 2 Obiective Four: Encourage tas aemeansmoftmaximizingntheabenefitss within the developed area , from existing utilities. GOAL FIVE: TRANSPORTATION Develop a balanced transportation system to insure the opportunity for mobility of all Blair residents. Ob'ective One: Recog~i~e nhsystemsrelationship between land use patterns and transp Objective Two: Work to tll fi~~aeStgosfioknmProveethewconven~ence'and are unsafe or are in nee safety of the persons using the facilities. Objective Three: Recognize accessedetcr)a balanced transportation system (roadway system, Objective Four: Whenever possible, Cation plans with the Omaha-Council Agency. integrate all long°range transpor- Bluffs Metropolitan Area Planning GOAL SIX: PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES Develop a comprehensive, thorough, and systematic organization of public facilities and humantseran~eothermneedshofetheacommunityealth, safety, recreational, util y, Objective One: Develop an educational system that helps to meet the varied needs at all ages. Locate schooQSU~ationhdestribufiions sand proper relation to present and future p p on sites of adequate space for expansion. Objective Two: Encourage the multiple use of community facilities where practicable and applicable. Objective Three: Strive to provide adequate hospital, clinic and ambulance facilities for required medical services. ~. Objective Four: Provide adequate police and of ram to keeplthefpersonnel residents. ncourage an ongoing trains g p 9 of these agencies refreshed on proper techniques and informed on new improved procedures.. Objective Five: Encourage development of adequate recreational facilities within the community. 7-3 Ub~jective Six: Provide adequate water, sewer, solid waste collection and other services to all residents within the corporate limits and as many persons beyond these limits as is economically feasible in the best interest of Blair. Recognize the potential effect between the direction of community growth patterns and extensions of basic utility services. GOAL SEVEN: NATURAL RESOURCES Encourage public awareness of the necessity to develop a balanced prog~am of protection, preservation and wise development of the area s natural resources. Subgoal One: Encourage sound land use practices that recognize the capabilities and limitation of the existing resources. Subgoal Two: Encourage sound and adequate restoration of remaining resources in those development projects involving the removal of natural resources. Subgoal Three: Encourage resource utilizations that will be beneficial to the local tax base. t GOAL EIGHT: IMPLEMENTATION Develop an ongoing technique for realizing the above stated goals and objectives as a means of improving the opportunities and life- styles of Blair. Objective One: Formally adopt the Comprehensive Plan Update, and maintain ongoing efforts to keep it current. Objective Two: Insure that planning commission members and elected officials are aware of the Comprehensive Plan, the planning process and utilize the opportunities available through it to bring about a better living environment. Objective Three: Encourage public participating in the planning process, and the implementive techniques necessary to bring about improvements. 7-4 Objective Four: Cooperatea~etcomtatibPebwithathoseloftBlanrities whose interests and goals P '~ ~ Obiective Five: Encourage the use of the capital improvements planning process as a means of scheduling and implementation of needed improvements. IMPLICATIONS The above goals and subgoals are designed to provide a generalized sense of direction for the City of Blair. These statements address the major areas of concern for the City of Blair. These statements address the major areas of concern for the City, and upon which its Comprehensive Plan will be based. i 7-5 INTRODUCTION ,~, The function of this chapter is to develop a series of guidelines to assist the City in future developments, capital expenditure scheduling and long range planning of public facilities. These planning standards should be viewed as an implementation of the Planning Goals, discussed in Chapter Seven. They will also be used .in subsequent chapters to assist. in the long range planning for various facilities and programs within the City of Blair. PLANNING STANDARDS The following sections deal with land use standards (residential, commer- cial and industrial development), schools, parks, public buildings (li- braries, hospitals, fire protection, etc.), thoroughfares, utilities, and annexation policies. The general discussion on each topic will be provided, followed by numerical recommendations for various categories of the topic. Land Use standards are shown in Table 8.1. These standards are for the major land use categories as discussed in Chapter Six. These are guides for residential, commercial and industrial land use. The numbers are based upon the City of Blair developing at a rate consistent with current space needs, with adjustments for anticipated impacts from projected development in and around the City. Allowance for streets and off-street parking space needs has been added to each category standard. The resi- dential standard has also been adjusted for the inclusion of public lands. TABLE 8.1 PLANNING STANDARDS: Land Use Residential 7.5 acres/100 persons Commercial 1.2 acres/100 persons Industrial 1.3 acres/100 persons School Facilities include elementary, middle school, junior and senior high facilities. The local schools are administered by the Blair School District. Academic facilities planning standards for these schools are shown in Table 8.2. 8-I TABLE 8.2 PI.AWflf16 STAtOAR05; Schools Elementer~ Niddla-Jr. HIOh Sr. HiOh SiZS Of School Minir.w--2$Q pupils Miniwrr--800 pupils Mini~iw- 1000 pupils AveraQr-800 pupils Awrags--1200 pupils Avarags--If300 pupils Max1~1200 pupils Maximuw- 1600 pupils ubximum--2600 pupils Slzo of Typical Gass 30 - 3Z pupils JO - 32 pupils. 50 - SS pupils Population Servod Mlnl~w.-1300 parsons Miniennw--10,000 parsons Mfnimuw--14,000 persons Avoraga-5000 p®rsons Avoraga--16,000 parsons Average-21,000 persons Mgxiwuw-7000 persons Maxiwr--20,000 persons Neximum--3,000 porsops Arse Required Mlniw~~-•7 - 8 aarss Mln(ewiw--18-20 aeros Minimise- 52- YI acres Average-~12- U acr®s Average--20..26 acres Average--40-a1 acres Moxioerr~-16-1® stns Wxincer~50-52 acres Mexiiwia--A8-50 acres Aeeeseory Fscilitles Playground caapUtely Playfield rnepletely PlaYfield coeplotely equipped for a r[de range equipped 'or a ride range equipped for a ride range of aetlvitles. PfaYgrou+ld Of gave aetivittes. Of gaeie aetivitles. area should De w.pletely screened free street. Radiw of Area Serval ~ eilea--4eslrabla } elle~-eeximerc Oeslgn Features SrJwsoi stx>uld be accrs- slble oy footpath from dwelling units without crossing any streets. It strwt must be crossed it sfwuld De a minor street. General Locetfon Nsar enter of rosidentlal area, near Or adjacent to other Co®rnity facilities. ACCpaer'y Parking One Space per Claaa plot 3 spaces. Souris: Urban Planning and Design CN feria.. } miles--desirable 3/e miles--waximum School should be dray from major arterial streets; pedestrian walkways tree other areas should be provided Near cancentratlon of dwlling units. or near center of resl- dentlal aree. One span per classrcaw plus 6 specs. 3/a miles--AasiraDl• 1 •ile--n~exieua~ School should bs Iota fed adjacent to a park area. School Sfxwld be aw- yuareiy screened tram noise Or objectional uses. Should be centrally lo- cated for easy access. Pro.i*ity to other connwnity tacilitias Is advantageous. One space per classroae plus 16 spaces. Hospitals are an important public building, serving the citizens of Blair and those from the surrounding area. Hospital standards, as utilized by the U.5. Department of Wealth, list 4.5 beds/1,000 persons within the hospital service area for primary care. These primary services consist of the basic hospital needs, as opposed to secondary and cursiary service which consist of more sophisticated service needs requiring- specialized care and facilities. General trends within the health care field show increased out-patient servicing and shorter duration of hospital stays. These trends will, if continuing, tend to increase the efficiency of existing facilities. 8-2 ~ Fire Protection is one of the important public services provided by any community. Table 8.3 below provides planning standards for fire protection in various districts within the City. Although these stan- dards are directed toward larger communities, the service radius, in miles from fire stations, will serve as a reasonable guide for an assess- ment of facilities within Blair. TABLE 8.3 PLANNING STANDARDS: Fire Protection District and Re uired Fire Flow Service Radius in Miles Engine Ladder Com an Com an High-Value District (commercial, industrial, institutional) Where required flow is 9000 gpm or more 3/4 I Where required fire flow is 4500 to 8999 gpm I I I/4 Where required fire flow is less than 4500 gpm I I/2 2 Residential District Where required fire flow is more than 2000 gpm or where there are buildings in the district three or more stories in height, including tenement houses, apartments or hotels I I/2 ? ~ Same as above, but where the life hazard is above normal I I I/4 For buildings having an average separation of less than 100 feet (and a fire flow requirement of 2000 gpm or less) 2 3 For buildings having an average separation of 100 feet or more (and a fire flow requirement of 2000 gpm or less) I 4 Source: Principals and Practices of Urban Planning. Police Protection is an additional important service for any community. Services within this category are the most important of any public service. Public buildings housing police services should include office space, courtroom space, jail spaces (male and female facilities separated), storage space, and subordinate spaces including internal circulation, mechanical spaces and off street parking spaces. A staff of 1.5-1.9 .persons/1,000 population, is a midwestern average, as reported by the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement. 8_3 Outdoor Recreation Facilities are administered by local, regional, and state agencies. Locally, recreation facilities in Blair are con- trolled by~the Blair City Council, with the guidance and assistance of the Blair Park Board and Blair Planning Commission. Planning stan- dards for recreation facilities in Blair are shown in Table 8.4 below. TABLE 8.4 PLANNING STANDARDS: Outdoor Recreation Facilities City-Wide Land Needs 20 Acres/1000 Persons Swimming Pools 750 Square Feet/1000 Persons Playgrounds I Acre/600 Persons Softball I Field/2500 Persons Baseball I Field/2500 Persons Tennis (Doubles Court) I Court/2000 Persons Source: "National Park, Recreation and Open Space Standards", National Recreation and Park Association; and "State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan", Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Libraries are'one of the important public buildings within any community. Within Blair, city library facilities are administered by the City Council, with the assistance of-the City Library Board. Table 8.5 below presents planning standards for library facilities. These include both space for the library collection plus additional space requirements for reader space, staff work area and other supportive facilities. TABLE 8.5 PLANNING STANDARDS: Library Facilities Shelvino Spacel Estimated Total Size of Book Linear Amount of Reader Staff Additional Floor Population Collection Feet of 2 Space Space Work Soace Needed Space Served Volumes Shelvino Sa. Ft. Sa. Ft. Sq. Ft. Sa. Ft.3 5G. Ft. 5,000-9,999 15,000, plus 1,875 Add 2 per capita I ft. of for pop. over .shelving 5,000 for every 8 vols. over 15,000 1,500. Add Min 700 for 500 Add f sq. ft. 23 scats. 150 sq. for every Add 4 seats ft. for 10 vols. per 1,000 each full- over over 5,000 time staff 15,000 'pop. served, member over at 30 sq. 3 ft. per reader space 8- 4 1,000 3,500 or 0.7 sq. ft. per capita whichever is greate I - Libraries in systems need only to provide shelving for basic collection plus number of books on loan from resource__center `,~ at any one time. . i 2 - A standard library shelf equals 3 linear feet. 3 - Space for circulation desk, heating and cooling equipment, multi- purpose room, stairways, suppliers, toilets, etc., as required by community needs and the program of library services. Sources: Urban Planning and Design Criteria. Thoroughfare Design Standards, for all city streets, will provide for the safe, well designed and adequate transportation system within the City. fable '8.6 below lists the design criterion for the various street categories within the community. . TABLE 8.6 PLANNING STANDARDS: Roadways Roadway Classification Otte r A rte r i a l Co I I ector Loca I Design Speed 30 25 25 Maximum Curve (Deg.3 15 20 30# Maximum Grade (~) 8 10 10 • Minimum Number of Lanes 2 2 _ 2 Lane Width II II II Shoulder Width 8 6 6 Median Width As Required None None Control of Access None None None Laterial Obstacle Clearance 2 2 2 Local street radi can be reduced to (00 feet if compatible with ove rall development. • Source: Board of Public Roads Classifications and Standards. 8-5 Parking is an integral part of the transportation system of Blair. The amount of off-street parking space is established to be 3-5 parking spaces per 1000 square feet of gross leasable area, each space 9'x20'. It is further detailed that area 'requirements for each parking vehicle, including aisles and approaches, would average 300-350 square feet. Domestic Water Services is an important utility provided by the City. Water from the City system is used for residential, commercial and industrial uses. Domestic and commercial uses can be satisfied by providing 100 gallons/persons/day. Industrial needs are very flexible and depend to a great extent on the industrial services and needs. These are calculated on an individual basis. Wastewater Needs of the City are met through the City Sanitary Sewer System. Adequacy of treatment and disposal of such wastewaters is strictly controlled by State and Federal criterion. A planning standard for wastewater flows is 80-100 gallons/persons/day. Annexation Policies should be directed toward adding contigous fringe territory which will not be a detriment to the City. Emphasis should be given to conforming to standards of land development and adequacy of municipal services. Before the Blair City Council can give approval, they must receive a petition for annexation. from the owners of the property . IMPLICATIONS The above discussed planning standards will be useful in two primary areas. The first will be seen in subsequent chapters to compare the planning standards to existing facilities and future needs. With these, comparisons of projected needs will be made to planning standards, and determinations may be made as to the adequacy of existing facilities. Should inadequacies appear, improvements to the system would be proposed and included into capital improvements budgets. The second use of the above discussed planning standards is for long range planning, beyond the completion of this study. In future years, these planning standards will still be applicable as new needs present themselves and must be evaluated. Reference to planning standards in this chapter will provide a stable and reliable source to assess future needs. 8- 6 INTRODUCTION ~~ The transportation system of Blair is an important element of the Comprehensive Plan. ~It is the total circulatory system of the community bringing people into the City and providing a means by which they can move freely from one activity to another. A safe and efficient system of streets is necessary for a smooth functioning community. This chapter reviews the existing facilities and develops a plan for orderly development within the framework of the transportation goals set forth in Chapter Seven. EXISTING TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES Transportation facilities within Blair include municipal streets,a~aate highway system, railroad, barge and air service. The following p graphs will review these linkages of the transportation system as they relate to the development and mobility of the community. Highways which serve the community are U.S. 30, U.S.'73 and State Highways 133, 91 and 31. Highway 30 serves as the principal east-west route serving as an access to Interstate 29. U.S. Highways 73 and 133 provide access. to the Omaha Metropolitan area. Table 9.1 provides a summary of the existing street surfacing within Blair. Blair has a total of 44.27 miles of roadway surfacing with approximately 85 percent of the roads classified as hard surfaced. 1 TABLE 9.1 TRANSPORTATION PLAN: Existing Roadway Surfacing (Center Line Miles) Portland Gravel Ash alt Cement Brick Total Streets State Highway 6.52 5.65 20.94 3.31 36.56 4.01 3.70 7.71 6.52 9.66 24.64 3.31, 44.27 Source: Nebraska Department of Raads, 1979. The system provides service to the private motor vehicle, as well as, commercial freight carriers and highway bus services. The automobile is presently the most important mode of transportation. 9-I ~- ,'' . I O i I Q I I U I ^`J~P ~ ~ ,''I III `~ ~ ~ M,S~~o6 ` I g N ,~ v '~, ~~ _.-_ Z ~ --- - a a o ~ ~ ,~ ~ I p w rx~ o a~ v~ ~~ - - ~~ U ~jj q ~ O cv -J z~ ~ _ ~ r- ~, ~ ~i ~' I~ m ~ . ,~ Air facilities are available at the Blair Airport located 3 miles ~. northwest of the City. The facility consists of a 2,600 foot lighted hard-surfaced runway and a 2,000 foot turf runway. The nearest scheduled ' passenger, air express and freight service is at Eppley Airfield in Omaha. A study completed in late 1974 by Leo A. Daly (Architects, Engineer and Planners) entitled Airport Master Plan, states that the Blair Air- port does not meet Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Ad- ministration Airport Design Standards. The three most prohibitive development deficiencies were: I) Natural and man-made obstructives in the runway clear zones, 2) Lack of adequate area for expansion and development, and 3) Joint usage of the land within the airport boundaries (municipal golf course and turf runways). The Transportation Plan .section of this Chapter discusses proposed recommendations for an airport facility. Blair is served by a main line of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. There has been some discussion about abandoning the Chicago and North- western Line between Omaha and Blair; however, there are no plans for abandoning the east-west line through Blair. Blair has good access to the rail network. At present time there are no public operated dock .facilities in Blair. There are, however, three privately owned docks. Public dock facilities are located in Omaha and Nebraska City. Kirkham-Michael has recently completed a study for the Blair Dock Board, entitled Missouri River ~, Dock Feasibility Study., which looked .at the feasibility of a public river ~ barge dock complex at Blair. It determined that Blair has several attributes which make it desirable as a location fora barge facility. Blair is located on the navigable channel of the Missouri ,River and has excellent access to both railroad and highway networks. The navigable channel at Blair appears to have sufficient.,depth at the river bank _ to accommodate loaded barges without great difficulty. TRANSPORTATION PLAN The Transportation Plan for the City of Blair includes three primary elements; ()continued improvement and maintenance upon the City streets and highways, 2) continued efforts to..improve the Blair Airport, and 3) continued efforts to establish a public dock facility. Exhibit 9.1 illustrates the street classification of each street within Blair. Each street is classified according to the Functional Classifi- cation System, developed by the Nebraska Department of Roads. This standard system includes: I) Interstate,. 2) Expressway, 3) Major Ar- terial; 4) Other Arterial, 5) Collector and 6) Local Streets. The categories used to identify Blair's street system include major arterial, other arterial, collector, and local street. This exhibit has been coordinated with the future land use plan and the street improvements discussed in the following sections. 9- 3 /.,' ~, ---.. -•~_- ,• • Iii. _ -- -- --' .. . . '' •".' i='ce` ~ ~ ~~ ;, ~ i li~ ~~. ~ ~~. - ~' ~I', ~ ~ :~, ~ ~ ,, ~,% ~ ,;~ / ~ '~~ ' ~ / ~ I ~ ? ,,~~ ;~ ~,, ~. .~ . , ~ i; 1`~ ty J ~ '. ii , 1- ::-rt ' `i r ,~r.~-- ~~~'--~ ,;sue =~ "~'~ `' -~~o•-~~,~ _ ~ a ~aa.ur.wacr~rrr~_ '_ ,.__ ~c 125; 24 ~--_- ~ - `~~-`=r--- - j y ~~',~=~~ t '~., i it r-; _~ . ~ , ~ A . t I ~ ~ ~~ ~ `~ ~ ~ ~ I, 4/ / ~ i --~---- Y/" J ~~ ~ A I' ~ .l~ -~---r .~' \\ ` ~j ~~ it ~`'~ - \ ~'~ ~ ~~- ~- ~ ,i `~ ~ FM ,~ •~~ ~'_~ p ,~ / ~'~ ~ ~~/ - - ~ ~ ~I /, 4 ~ r ~~/ ~,: ~ ~: ~~ ~ ~ y/ 1-25 1 & 6 Year Street . / ''-. Plan ,` ~ a-E County and •1 ~ _ \~ ~/ State 6 Year Plan KIRKHAM, „~;,~, ~ ~. MICHAI~L ~h~~af '~ - - - -~- --=- EXHISIT 9.2 TRANSPORTATION PLAN AND ASSOCIATES IMPROVEMENTS 'eiw Perfeeeflor of [NL e.p wr tlrsrelelll •Ided Y~sooeh a fwd+al ~eerR :sae ekR 0..1. CrPw[bemre OR koVw6q~P ud Ueear ?w+slOPlw.s~ 'lMe1 trn~ Cn.~e+^• Msrlte P1~M1tM NollueeY tes~tt~. uNOrUM s{ fevcler 701 et tss Reaslaq AN o° Uff• a receded. r~'j~'H Cer/reM••ol~r PLWM Otas. Peelers ei """°'""" """'°' GLAIR, NEBRASKA \ ` ~~ ~ 1~I \ ,, \\\ ~%' \\ -' Exhibit 9.2 shows the transportation elements proposal for --~ improvements through the One and Six Year Street Program, the Washington County One and Six Year Roadway Plan, and the Nebraska 6-Year Highway Program. These street and highway improvements are i labeled on the exhibit by .either a number or letter. These labels correspond to the listings of projects discussed in Tables 9.2 and 9.3. Table 9.2 lists the elements by number of the proposed One and Six Year Street Improvement Plans. Table 9.3 lists the elements by letter of the Washington County One and Six Year Plans and the Nebraska 6 Year Highway Program that are within the Blair Planning Area. TABLE 9.2 TRANSPORTATION PLAN: One and Six Year Street Improvement Plans Project Number Year Description of Project I 1981 College Drive (Widening, Curb & Gutter, Asphalt) 2 1981 Collector Street (highway 73 north to Adams and east to 18th Avenue, Grading and Granular Surfacing) 3 1981 Adams Street, 16th St. to College View Drive; College View Drive, Adams St. to 18th Ave.; James Drive, College View Drive to_Ryan Drive; 17th Ave., James Drive to Ryan Drive; 18th Ave:, Adams St. to Ryan Drive; Ryan Drive, James Drive to 18th Ave. (Seal Coat) 4 1981 Adams Street, Ilth to 12th St. (Asphalt Overlay) 5 1981 Adams Street, 15th to 16th St. (Asphalt Overlay) 6 1981 Storm Sewer (15th & Jackson St.) 7 1981 Jackson Street, 13th to 14th St. (Asphalt Overlay) 8 1981 Park Street, IZth to 14th St. (Asphalt Overlay) 9 1981 Park Street, 17th to 19th St. (Asphalt Overlay) 10 1981 Intersection - Park Street & 20th (Asphalt Overlay) II 1981 16th Street, Nebraska St. to Park 5t. -(Reconstruct grade, Concrete Paving, Asphalt Overlay) IZ 1981 Washington Street (13th to 19th - Asphalt Over-ay) 13 1981 20th Street, Washington St. to Front St. (Asphalt Overlay) 14 1981 Colfax Street, 20th to 21st (Asphalt Overlay) 15 1981 Iowa Street extension to old Highway 30. 16 1981 South Street, 19th to 20th (Asphalt Overlay) 17 1981 17th Street, South St. to Butler St. (Asphalt Overlay) 18 1981 IOth Street and South Creek Structure . 1981 Layaway for matching funds. 1981 Misc. Street Repair. 19 1982 16th St. and South Creek (Structure removal & replacement) 1982 Layaway for matching funds. 1982 Misc. Asphalt Overlay Projects. 20 1983-1986 Highway 91 to Black Elk-Neihardt Park. 21 1983-1986 Highway 73 Bypass. 22 1983-1986 Extension of 13th St. north to State Street. 23 1983-1986 Collector Belt No. I (Highway 73 to First St.) 24 1983-1986 Collector Belt No. 3 (Highway 73 to Highway 30-133) 25 1983-1986 Collector Belt No. 2 (25th Street to Highway 30-133) Source: Blair City Street Superintendent. 9- 5 TABLE 9.3 TRANSPORTATION PLAN: Washington County and Nebraska State Highway 6-Year Plans in Blair. Planning Area Project Estimated Letter Year Description Cost Washington County 186: A 1982-1986 2 miles asphaltic $ 171,200 surfacing B 1982-1986 Grading, drainage $ 256,800 structures and asphal- tic concrete surfacing Nebraska ~-Year Highway Prog ram: C 1981 1.2 miles of surfaced. $ 134,000 shoulder D 1982-1986 Grading, structures $ 591,000 on N-91 E 1982-1986 Viaduct $3,.103,000 F 1982-1986 Urban $4,038,000 The second-primary element of this Transportation Plan is a major effort to develop an airport facility that meets Federal Aviation Administration airport design standards, The City should review the .Airport Master Plan, as discussed earlier in ,this Chapter, and make a decision to either: I) Alleviate the prohibitive development deficiencies at the existing facility, or 2) Select an alternate site and build a new facility. This would allow for a higher level of air service to the community of Blair, safer facilities and increased opportunities for development of related facilities in the community. The third element of this Transportation Plan is to recommend that the City of Blair and the Blair Dock Board continue to work towards analyzing the development of a dock facility.., As discussed in the Kirkham-Michae l Dock Feasibility Study, .the dock facility is feasible from an engineering and planning viewpoint. The Dock Study. investigates the feasibility of a river terminal to be owned and operated by the City of Blair. It looks at probable locations for such a facility, at the types and extents of the improvements required, at the costs associated with such a facility, and at the facility's economic viability in general terms. 9- 6 INTRODUCTION ~'~ This Chapter is a review of the existing public facilities in Blair ~ with respect to their adequacy to meet the needs of the community throughout the planning period. These facilities are important com- ponents of the City and add inmeasurably to the quality of life for residents. Some services are necessities, while others are highly, desirable for cultural and educational enrichment. Public facilities reviewed in this Chapter include health facilities, public safety facilities, public utilities, recreation and open space, education, library and City administrative offices. These facilities are shown in Exhibit 10.1. HEALTH FACILITIES Health care services are available to the needs of the public through services offered at the hospital, nursing home, clinic and private offices within the community. Primary hospital care is available at the Blair Hospital. This 46-bed facility offers general medical and surgical care. Specialized services are made available on a referral basis to facilities in Omaha. The average occupancy rate is 37, or 80.1 of the available=beds being occupied. Of this total percentage, 59.2 are adult and Medicare and 14.8°b are newborns. ~ Nursing home facilities are available at the Good Shepard Home, adjacent ~ to the hospital. This facility has 68 units and is presently occupied to full capacity. The other existing health services available to the public include the County Mental Health Department and a County Health Officer. The., Washington County Sheriff serves as the Health Officer,. Consideration should be given, through the planning period, to develop- ment of a County Health Department, which would include the City of Blair. Services that such a department would offer would include home health service (both medical and nonmedically related services), health education programs and environmental health control programs (insect control, water quality control, etc.). Additional consideration should be given to wn expansion of nursing home facilities. With the Good Shepard Home presently at capacity, a need for more nursing facilities appears to be in order: The Blair Hospital, with an 80~ occupancy rate, should monitor their growth needs in the near future. Should the occupancy rate increase through the next few years, a review of expansion needs should be undertaken. 10-I N`'SQ~~ 1 _^_J ti\ 5 y~ ~~ _~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~ :::~:.::_::: I 11 ~ _~ _:: ~ 1 ~~ ~ ~ / P`~~,P ~_ ~; ~ ~ C O L tp n ~ O -L c - U O L L L 10 ~ N U N 3 . 0.. c0 Tto ~ L= N ~c _~ (~ -~ -I^ N L L L f ' ~ 33 U ,- W o] 3 ---~U~ J Q LL ~J~ZOa.o-~v?f- I U `~ ~i `L - L L a ~ L c0 U U ~II N +- ~ ~ Q. m._ - ~ i d L L U O ~ Y S ~ L U +- +- ~+- W O U O ~ ~ N ~ L-I-- (0 C ~(0 E m X17 L L B c~ - R7 - N •- - to ~o - O CO ~ CD U= W~ W W I ~~ ~ ¢mU 0 W W U 5--~ I i ~ ~ I „~N ~ I ~WZ W Yy~kV I, ~~~ Q ~ ~~~ I ~- O ~~~~~ l__.._ ro ne ~,~a~ ' :a ~ ~~~~ ~ PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES Law Enforcement in Blair is primarily provided by II full-time police ~ officers and 5 part-time officers. Administrative offices are located within the recently constructed City/County Law Enforcement Detention Facility located east of the County Courthouse. This facility, built in 1978, is shared by the City Police and the Washington County Sheriff. Staff requirements for the Blair Police Department through the planning period range from 10-13 members. The range of staff members required is based upon the midwestern average of 1.5 - 1.9 full-time staff members per 1,000 persons. This information is contained in Chapter 8, Planning Standards, and recommended by the Nebraska Commis= lion on Law Enforcement. It should be noted, however, that these figures are only a guide and due consideration should be extended to additional staff members as needs dictate. Fire Protection for the City of Blair is provided by a 60-member volunteer fire department. The existing fire station, as attached to the City Hall, houses the fire trucks and equipment. The fire station houses an inventory of 3 pumpers, 3 tankers, I tank unit, one equipment truck, and I rescue unit. The fire station contains approximately 6,000 square feet of space with five bays and two vehicles deep. All the major equipment is classified by the fire department as~being. in good condition. According to the fire department, their plans are to obtain a city and a rural pumper by 1983. As shown In Exhibit 10.1, the existing fire station is centrally located -~ in relation to the coverage area: It is adjacent to the Central Business District, in which, generally: I) the majority of 'the bui-Iding fires occur, 2) congestion is greater, 3) values higher, and 4) buildings lack those structural features essential.to restrict the spread of'the fire. Grant Street provides an access to the industrial area east~of the community. It is also within two miles of the majority of the residen- tial districts and IZ miles from Dana College. The C&NW railroad tracks provide a man-made barrier and could possibly delay response time considerably in the event of afire on the north side of the east-west railroad line. There has been talk of building a satellite fire station on the north side. of these tracks. However, the Nebraska 6-Year Highway Plan indicates that a v.iaduct~is to be built over these tracks on 19th Street. .This structure would alleviate the need for the City to build another fire station. The City should actively work to support the construction of the viaduct. Water supply is another important factor in. evaluating fire protection. This will be analyzed in the subsequent Water Facilities section of this chapter. In addition to protecting the health and safety~of the-community, adequate fire protection plays an important role in the economy of the community by maintaining the cost of fire insurance at a reasonable level. 10-3 This is of particular significance to business and industry where the quality of fire protection has a direct effect on insurance premiums. High rates may prevent a new industry or business from locating into the community or cause an existing industry or business to relocate. PUBLIC UTILITIES Water for the City of Blair is supplied by shallow wells. However, concurrent this study, a new water treatment plant and river intake structure is being constructed. This facility is located near .the Missouri River adjacent to the new sewage treatment plant. The intake station will draw raw water from the Missouri River and pump it to the 4.2 million gallons per day (MGD) water treatment plant. A 16 inch force main pumps water from the water treatment plant to •1-he distribution system. The Missouri River water quality, from a than the available ground water supply. 260 parts per million (ppm) of hardness, sulfate, and trace minerals. Because of Missouri River. water and because of the new sewgge treatment plant, substantial tenance costs. can be expected. chemical standpoint, is better This water has approximately and is low in iron, manganese, the lower hardness levels of location of this plant near the savings in operating and main- Recently, an additional 500,000 gallons of elevated storage has been added to the distribution system. This elevated storage is located on the high ground west of Dana College.- The City has another 700,000 gallons of storage available in two other elevated ground storage reservoirs, located on 16th Street, approximately 1,000 feet south of Wilbur Street. Table 10.1 provides quantative projections for the future domestic and commercial water planning standards set forth in Chapter Eight. A figure of 100 gallons/person/day is multiplied by the projected population totals throughout the planning period at 5-year intervals. These values will satisfy future water needs. for domestic and commer- cial use only. Water quantities for industrial needs vary greatly depending upon the specific industrial requirements and should there- fore be calculated separately and added to the projected domestic and commercial water needs. TABLE 10.1 PUBLIC FACILITIES: Projected Domestic and Commercial Water Demands ..(Gallons per day) 1985 1990 1995 2000 658,200 674,500 691,700 708,900 I 0-4 - --._ -_ . '° ~ - ~~., /' ~ ~I•, ~~ i j ,• j; ~ ~~~ . / i, ~S ~ _ / .~'.'• ice'. ~.~ is i ,H! ~ lii r / r--- - ~~ I . ` i - ~' ~ ~ F T" ~~~,~~,,,,,J _ _ / t ~_ ~...~+.F ~•r~^~~_~ e~~ ~~ of ^~:a _ - ~ y ~ ~1YaE~€--' G~ i I J; ~~~ , ~~: ~"` ; ~~ _ s`~ ~~ \\• ~~` ,, '~ ~ - 1 \ ~ '~•\ ~ try a"/ fi':.~ii"itf':y.: i.._ ,~ '"""',;(: ~aP.;G+Mt.'?t ~ _ { f ~ r 7 ~.~_ f ~ ," .ems ~ . .,.~•s ~--. - ~ , ue. ~ .. t , x ' ~~ fi ! ~ ~~ T I ~+ , ~ ~ ,I r ~.E i v1~r -1~/'--- II~n. ~ ~ . ~ ~/ ~~ ~I ~! ~ ~ i I~. ~ ; I ~ / , i , ' ~ ' ~. n fi ~ ~. ' .. ~: ~ 1 ~ f~l ~ ~ _ ^ " ~ _ \ r r ~ \\ I- ~.~ ~ . . O" ..~~ ~~-~ ~~ D(FiI81T 10.2 WATER SYSTEM ~~ • ` i ~' SERVICE AREAS I(IRKHAM ~RCNrt[trs ~ ENGINEERS ~. ~ ._, ~'' ~ ~ o era--.,~'=°`-= .- [_-'" ~~~I MICHAEL MNN[R9 AN® ASSOCIATES ~ va~en.~a~~~o.u= S~- \-•n•~ w lt ®Il11RT IvEDf'lYk7I~t1 _ ne ~sa sa `wilay •" aeOSr ~rvwloaa vaisr err CamTa~' t~+ P1q ti~UCaaw -xe7sv, aasimcLad K • .Gtoa lUl Of tLw IAPnuW AN1 0[ Ui{. {r 1~o flaYlaq UtsmS. Ita'JM~ The 4.2 MGD pumpage total as discussed for the new plant far ~ exceeds the 708,900 ga-lons per day as projected in the table. Thus, the City's domestic and commercial water needs should be i satisfied through the planning period. Exhibit 10.2 illustrates the existing and proposed service areas for the City's water system. The area depicted for proposed water service is based upon the Future Land Use Plan, and population and economic projections. In order to maintain an orderly expansion and extension program, future extension proposals should be considered in accord with the future extension areas shown. Sewerage service is provided by an activated sludge secondary treatment facility built in 1976. This facility, as shown in Exhibit 10.1, .is located adjacent the soon to be completed water treatment facility. The treatment plant has a daily capacity of 1.5 million gallons. Table 10.2 provides projections of the anticipated wastewater flows throughout the planning period. These quantities are based upon planning standards as presented in Chapter 8 and upon population pro- jections discussed in Chapter 6. The planning standard for wastewater flows is 80-100 gallons/person/day. This-study utilizes the 100 gallon figure when calculating the projected flows in the table. TABLE 10.2 PUBLIC FACILITIES: Projected Wastewater Flows (Gallons per day) 1985 1990 1995 2000 658,200 674,500 691,700 708,900 Exhibit 10.3 depicts the existing and proposed service areas fo`r the Blair Wastewater Treatment System. The existing area shown is based upon the present service area, while the future service areas are based upon population and economic projections, topographic considera- tions, and the future Land Use Plan. Any extensions to the existing sanitary sewer system should consider these future service areas. Such a policy allows for orderly and controlled growth within the City. Storm_Sewer facilities are not ceve.loped in a comprehensive systern at this time. As part of this Comprehensive Plan, a study was made to determine preliminary locations of storm sewer mains for existing develop- ment areas as well as for recommended areas of future development. A review of the existing drainage from the City of Blair indicates that the majority of runoff from Blair goes into three streams. Couble Creek and its tributaries receive most of the drainage from 10-7 •~ 4 M1°jgO~R~ P`~f,P vI .5 L f ^O J.. v J 03 NNE Ct' m /~ ~ R R 11V''J1' ~y yy Q ~a~~' Q~~ Sd~i" M O x~a ~.,E~~ ~~ M ` o~y~~ ~n ar .. $~~° Rs .. .. . .~'«a~ I~ ~~i~ ~~ 1 the Western and Northern portions of the City, while South Creek u picks up most of the runoff from the Southern and Eastern portions, An unnamed stream located on the Eastern edge of Blair also receives some runoff. Currently, the runoff from the City is carried by the streets. In this study, storm sewer mains were located through- out the City to provide a comprehensive storm sewer system that would carry a design runoff from the City, thus reducing the frequency or the need for some streets and open drainage ways-to carry runoff. The locations of the proposed storm sewer mains are shown in Exhibit 10.4. As shown in Exhibit 10.4, Storm Sewer Main Nos. I, 2; 3 and 4, which would drain the northern portion of Blair and a portion of the downtown area, empties into Couble Creek and its trob~ion~of•thehese mains would drain a portion of downtown, the southern p City, and the eastern portion of the City. Storm Sewer Main Nos. 6 and 7, which would drain the eastern edge of Blair, empties into the unnamed stream on the eastern edge. the storm In addition to the construction of the storm sewer mains, and, sewer system would include the construction of laterals, inlets, manholes. At this time, adequate information is not available to de- termine preliminary locations of these structures. If a storm sewer system was constructed 'someaareast foBlairraredexperien- tain advantages. For example, currently cing street flooding and other localized flooding. This results in damage to streets, homes and other facilities. With the construction of a storm sewer system, many of these flooding problems could be alleviated or the frequency at which they occur could be greatly reduced. ~. This could reduce the amount of money which the City and proper y owners must spend to restore or maintain their facilities. y duain times of Aiso, with the construction of a storm sewer s stem, 9 emergencies better transportation routes may be available for equip- ment and men to respond~to the emergency. Further,, in areas where runoff may be trapped or impounded, a stossiblWea safetydor'healthehazard. areas eliminating an unsightly area or p Y RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE Recreation and open space are vital elements of the Blair environment. Coordination of future plans for recreational facilitieanadndrVhe total community growth patterns will enhance total community 9 experiences for ali its residents. Table 10.3 provides an inventory of the existing and of°f acedlitiesea- tional facilities within the community. The listing in this table correspond with Exhibit 10.5 to illustrate the location of existing and proposed facilities within Blair. 10- 9 TABLE 10.3 PUBLIC FACILITIES: Outdoor Recreation Existing: I. Black Elk Park Picnicking Hiking Arboretum 2. Dana College Baseball field Softball field 3. West Elementary School Playground area 4. Pony Park Softba I 5. Park Playground area 6. North Elementary School Playground area 7. High School Football field and stadium 8. Centra I Schoo I Playground area 9. Municipal Rose Garden and Information Center 10. South Elementary School. Playground area ~ II. Blair City Park- ~ Swimming Pool (7,000 sg. ft.) Picnicking - Playground area I2. Softball Field 13. Blair Golf Course* (65 acres) Proposed• A-E. Minor Neighborhood Parks F, Major Neighborhood Park G-I. Minor Neighborhood Parks J. Major Neighborhood Park K-M. Minor Neighborhood Parks *Private course, open to the public. 10- 10 \~ ~I \~ I `~~. ` i \\ `` -~ I i .%/ I I'/ 1 --- ~ 0. i l \ ~ _.._ J~. s ~a ~ ;, e~~ ' ( /,~ ~ ~ ` \ / ~1 ~ ~ __. /~_ ~~. \~ ~I*~ j uF' p~55o ~~ :~ r r ~` ~`~ I fri C K 'VtJ, LL+ yyyyqqJ ~~ ' i FYZ W 'u6~Y ~~ ~ CJ ~;}}~~~' ~ ~ Qwcn ,i ryry'~` ~rL.~ ~~~~~ Y ~ ~. I ~y U ~ gp~ 9 I ~ .~..~ ~c~~t ~~~~~ r ~ ~ o~~~~ \ ~V a 3 ~ .~r~ ~~~~~ ~~ ~~ a~~ ~~ i ~ ,i ._._..__ The most recent Nebraska State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) tabulated that the City has 199 acres of recreational lands. The golf course to the north of Blair is not included in this total. The City maintains a swimming pool (7,000 square feet) at City Park, 6 playgrounds, '7 ballfields, and 7 tennis courts. Table 10:4 shows the projected City wide land needs.in acres through- out the planning period. These projections are based upon 20 acres per I, 000 persons. TABLE 10.4 PUBLIC FACILITIES: Projected Recreation Needs (Acres) 1985 1990 1995 2000 City Wide Land Needs 132 135 138 142 Although the recreation needs are satisfied in terms of total acres, there will still be a need for additional facilities. Many existing residential areas are not within close proximity to any facility. Also, the future areas of residential development, as proposed in the Land Use Pian (Chapter 6), will also need park areas. Exhibit 10.5 illustrates both existing and proposed outdoor recreational ~ facilities for the City of Blair. Service areas are indicated for neighborhood, facilities. Major neighborhood facilities serve Z mile radius while minor neighborhood facilities serve a w mile radius. These proposed neighborhood facilities should be designed to include activities for all ages and capabilities. Facilities should include playground equipment, open. play areas, picnicking facilities and passive recreation. Throughout the planning period, due consideration need be extended to a continued upgrading of existing recreational facilities within the City of Blair. This would be directed towards the City parks, as well as the recreational playground and playfield facilities contained within the Blair Public School System. EDUCATION The City of Blair is served by the Blair Public Schools. Facilities within Blair include 3 elementary schools, I middle school and I high school. These educational facilities within Blair are shown in Exhibit 10.1. 10--12 .~ , ~ School enrollment trends are shown in Table 10.5. The table indicates a period of increasing growth throughout the 70's, and a decline in the 1980-81 school year. TABLE 10.5 PUBLIC FACILITIES: School Enrollments School Year Total 1971-72 1,768 1972-73 1,825 1973-74 1,829 1974-75 1,849 1975-76 1,854 1976-77 1,921 1977-78 1,926 1978-79 1,929 1979-80 1,933 1980-81 1,908 Source: Blair Public Schools, Superintendent of Schools Blair School officials expect a 1981-82 enrollment of less than 1,900 students. A leveling of,f or period of stabilization is then anticipated. The three elementary schools, North, South and West, occupy sites of 2.48, 2.64, and 1.86 acres respectively. The structures are in good condition and well located for access. The sites are limited for any future expansion due to the proximity of established residential developments. Although these facilities are of varying ages and character, with proper maintenance and improvements, their continued use can be reasonably expected. Proper attention to adequate maintehance, increased efficiency for heating and other considerations will maxi- mize the service life of thsese facilities. Special attention should be directed towards reducing any pedestrian-vehicle conflict areas, and an updating of playground and playfield activities. The Central School site consists of 2.48 acres of land and the building needs considerable improvement. Architects Plus, an architectural firm, has recently completed a study titled Analysis of Central School. The study discussed 3 options: I) Stay at present site, 2) Renovate.:ex.i:s-• Ling structure, and 3) Select and build at anew site. The Blair School Board is analyzing these options and the cost estimates at this time. ~ 10-13 The Blair High School was built in 1969 as a recommendation of the ~. 1968 Blair Comprehensive Plan. The high school, as shown in Exhibit 10.1, is located on a site with adequate land that .includes new athle- tic fields as well as the structure itself. The facility is structurally sound and should continue to serve `the Blair community. LIBRARY With an increase in Blair's population, and higher educational goals and attainment, .the Blair Public .Library is a important community facility. The library building, located in the southeast corner of the 17th and Lincoln Street intersection, was built in 1976. It is in excellent condition and contains 6,400 square feet of space. The library facility contains 18,959 volumes. It participates in an inter-library loan program with Dana College. Table 10,6 provides guidelines for projected library needs throughout the planning period. These needs are based upon projected population and library design standards, as presented in Chapters 3 and 8 respectively. The number of volumes is determined by establishing a base of 15,000 volumes plus 2 per capita for population over 5,000. Total floor space is 3,500 square feet or 0.7 square feet per capita whichever is greater. TABLE 10.6 PUBLIC FACILITIES: Projected Library. Needs 1985 1990 1995 2000 Volumes 18,164 18,490 18,834 19,178 Square Feet 4,607 4,722 4,842 4,962 The existing supply of volumes satisfies the standards as shown till the year 1995. However, it is~recommended that the library maintain an ongoing program of yearly additions to its book collec- tion. This will insure an adequate supply of volumes for the Blair population by the year 2000. The existing 6,400 square feet of space exceeds the amount required for the planning period. The library facility should continue a high level of service to the Community of Blair. f 10- 14 CONCLUSION The preceding discussions have reviewed the existing conditions, and ' future proposals for public facilities through the planning period. These proposals should be Implemented through the course of the planning period to provide for an orderly sequence of providing future services and faci I hies. Likewise, as proposals are brought before the City for Implementation by the City or other organizations, the preceding chapters should be consulted. The factors to be considered will be scheduling of services, overlap between public 'and private interests, areas proposed for future development, etc. The provision of public faci- lities and services is one of the more important functions of local units of government. These needs can be served in the most equitable and economical method of providing for controlled,~orderly provision of the services. 10°15 ~. INTRODUCTION \` , It is the purpose of this chapter to bring together the various elements of the pre ofiBgafr~pNebraskap aThisrchapter~br~ngsetogether plan for the future development goals planning standards and plans for larn-esentedhousing, public facilities, and transportation as previously p COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Exhibit II.I depicts tSefLoandublecPfacilitytimproveme~tsaarendPscussed Blair. Recommendation P in a subsequent section of this chapter. The Land Use Plan, as shown in Exhibit Il.l, will provide direction through the ensuing years to accommodate the anticipated population and economic growth of the City. Major residential expansion is pro- posed for areas in the northwest and southwest sections of the community. These future peripheraorle-x1p'hesresidentialademandsth Commerciallnareas ar.e vacant lots, will supp an infilling of existing commercial areas and limited outgrowth. A smal neighborhood commercial area is proposed in rowttPirOS°proposedhinstheesi- dential area of the community. Industrial g eastern extremity of they:community adjacent to existing industry and near excellent transportation access. Transportation patterns shown in the exhibit will accommodate present and future needs in an orderly manner. Specific imp recedintschatter.the ` Transportation Plan are shown and discussed in the p 9 P Major facility improve~esesimrrovementspincludemtheapre~iou~lysmentloned preceding chapters. T P transportation system improvements and the following: 1. AirRort Improvement ._ Thent~defic~enciescat the existingrfacilityte the prohibitive developme or select an alternate site and construct a new facility. This will prove to be an::asset for commercial and industrial development within the area. 2, Neighborhood Parks. Development of twelve neighborhood parks within existing and proposed residential areas will provide a variety of recreation opportunitiesuaifteOOfel°.feain ggas~'and serve as a means of enhancing the q Y 3, Com rehensive Storm Sewer Facilities.. The City should review the benefits of establishing a comprehensive storm sewer system. i 1, 1 ~`~E~ , MISb~UR7 I _V / - / ~ f=- C.1 Q ~ ~ Q .. ... .. z~~,~ ~ a o Z/ _ ~ ~ GrJ / // w0~~°v Q ~ O v .°.i W y,~' n ,~i ~ i~" g aC '4 diii~ .- W yi~~/ i F" _ ~ ~~~ ~ ~.. ~~::~::- ::::2..... ~ g 2.'i::2C.2221::22l:: 'i'S :7:22 '~ ~~~. ~: ~~~;~ ....:2~,.2 - - ., . `:~:' ..i _: .. ;;:::: ~: :.~ I ,~ .. t27 4<2 .~•' i'::C:. 72'2 \.:; cL ..a.. :ti a... ~..rt. .' ~'~~' ... 2•~,•~n. ii 11111lf1lf!!•7^„~ 27.227: ••7^ 72 7 ~~ 2.7::2 ~'il:: ~2f --....~ 2~=': .:i:t \~ .i• ~.i~: ':i:: a 2.2 ::J:: tT ::I ~ X22 ,.; ~ ~ ~I / .. I ` i i i I I \\. ~. I ~ ~ ' 4. Middle School. The City of Blair and School Board should determine as to either renovate and upgrade the existing building or select and build at a new location. 5. Blair Dock Facility. The City of Blair and Blair Dock Board should continue in their efforts to construct a public dock facility on the Missouri' River. This will allow for increased opportunities for development in the community. It is proposed that future expansion of the community be in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Blair. This plan has been developed through time, and is based on the best judgement available to guide future growth in an orderly manner.. Deviations from-the plan, based upon extenuating circumstances and information not available at the time of this Plan's publication, should be reviewed, and considered, by the City for development proposals on an individual basis. Otherwise, future development proposals brought to the City should be in accord with the City Comprehensive Plan. IMPLICATIONS This Chapter constitutes a combination of several preceding chapters which bear upon the future development of the City of Blair. The total of these chapters, embodied in Chapter II, provide for a Comprehensive and orderly program for development with the City,. Future development proposals should be in harmony with the Comprehensive Plan for the City. Subsequent chapters will provide information, procedures, and techni- ,~ ques to implement the City's Comprehensive Plan. II-3 INTRODUCTION ose of this chapter is to briefly describe the development The pure relative to housing, public and revitalization needs of the City that have facilities and economic COdentified andediscussed.thThese are theUabans revitalization needs are ~ uglify for potential Housing and within the community which may q Development (HUD) Grants. oats and objectives for meeting the community development needs The g oats and objectives are are also stated withsnrevitalizateon needse areas. related to the City IDENTIFICATION OF NEEDS This section attempts to briefly identify the major development and For the most part, these needs have revitalization needs of the City: been identified in previous chapters of this Comprehensive Plan. The needs are as follows: ® Rehabilitatable housing units and substandard neighborhood areas as Conditions Survey discussed in Chapter determined by the Building Four - Housing. The Survey indicated that there were 70 residentia units in the rehabilitatable condunits arecshowndinaExhibitu4tlron repairs. The locations of these page 4-2 of this Plan. Preservation of historic buildings and sites which provide tangible I ast. Exhibit 1.3 on page I-5 of this Plan illus- links to Blair's p traces the historic sites that are rTabge'ledl on page'il6altsts the Nebraska State Historical Society. those recognized sites as well as other sfoeSPreservateonnofrHi~toric sideration for nomination by the. Society Blair. In addition to those citedomtnateons aTheseeresidences well deuces also being considered for be included upon approval by residence ownership. We I fare Low income households as iofnthesedresidencessaregs~atteredythroughed Department. The majority The largest concentrations not out the older portions of the City. in the County Welfare Department rWCMadsor ccurred at the Good Shepard Home, the Crowell Home and Parkvie a Comprehensive storm sewer system to eliminate possible safety and in relation to flooding poten- health hazards within the community tials. Locations of the proposed storm sewer mains are shown in Exhibit 10.4 on page 10-8 of this Plan and discussed on page 10-9. home facilities to supplement ® Additional elderly housing and nursing the existing facilities presently at capacity. 12-I GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The following goals and objectives listed are indicative of the community's overall aims or ideals of achievement as discussed in Chapter Seven of this Plan. The goals are broad statements relative to: I) housing, 2) public facilities, and 3) economic conditions. E conom i c D eve I opment Goa I Encourage a stable economic base and an increase in employment opportunities within the community in order to provide a sound, total living environment. Objective: Strive to develop a diverse employment base within the community. Objective: Continue to support the growth and expansion of existing industries. Housing Goal Strive to provide the opportunities, on the part of all residents of .the City, to have access to a safe and sanitary housing. Objective: Provide adequate housing for all citizens. P-lace special emphasis on providing additional housing to meet the demands of the senior citizens, college students, and the handicapped. ~\ Objective; Implement specific plans to insure that all future dwellings meet minimum housing standards, and work toward the elimination of the existence of substandard or unsafe housing. Objective: Respect, the integrity of existing and future neighborhood areas by excluding commercial, industrial and other land use practices which are not compatible with housing. Objective: Encourage the development of existing vacant lots within the developed areas, as a means of maximizing the benefits from existing utilities. Public Facilities Goal Develop a comprehensive, thorough, and systematic organization of public facilities and human services to meet the educational, health, safety, recreational, utility, and other. needs of the community. Objective: Develop an educational system that helps to meet the varied needs a1= aII ages. Locate schools and other institutions in proper relation to present and future population distributions, and on sites of adequate space for expansion. Objective: Encourage the multiple use of community facilities where practicable and applicable. 12-2 Obje~; Strive to provide adequate hospital, clinic and ambulance facilities for required medical services. ~ Objective: Provide adequate police and fire protection forersonnell dents. Encourage an ongoing training program to keep the p of these agencies refreshed on proper techniques and informed on new improved procedures. Obje_®: Encourage development of adequate recreational facilities within the community. Objective: Provide adequate water, sewer, solid waste collection and other services to all residents within the corporatefeasibleain the many persons beyond these limits as is eote°tialleffect between the best interest of Blair. Recognize the p direction of community growth patterns and extensions of basic utility services. IMPLICATIONS The community development and revitalization needs discussed address the major needs for the City of Blair relative to potential Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding. Federally financed programs, awarded through HUD, are Foreanea dateron proposedafede~allymflnanced development activities. P programs, the local' office of Housing and Urban Development should be contacted periodically. 12-3 \ ~ Title IV of the recently enacted Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 contains major revisions to the Section 701 Planning Assistance Program, for which this Comprehensive Plan is funded. The revised 701 program is designed to be responsive to the planning challenges of the 1980s. It links planning to strategic actions and activities, ensuring that quality plans are not only developed but are also implemented. The 701 amendments estab-ish clearly stated National Policy Objectives and provide that HUD and other Federal agencie?heanewgActtalsosestablishesaas and strategies in their decision-making. direct link between recipient performance and achievement and 701 funding. The National Policy Objectives which are the primary program focus for the revised 701 program are as follows: I. The conservation and improvement, of existing communities, particularly the improvement of those communities which are characterized by fiscal, economic or social distress. 2. An increase in housing and employment opportunities and ce°sons~ particularly for lower income, minority persons, women, p with special needs such as the elderly or handicapped, and a reduc° tion in the cost of housing. 3, The promotion of orderly and efficient growth and development of communities, regions, and States, taking into consideration the necessity of conserving energy. As noted in previous chapters of this Plan, this Blair Comprehensive Plan has addressed and achieved these national objectives. The goals. and objectives established by the community, and discussed in Chapter Eight of the Plan include aims similar to those of the national objectives. The recommendations discussed in the Land Use, Housing, Public Facilities and Transportation flans were designed to meet the goals established. ,~ ~) 13-I INTRODUCTION The United States Department of Housing and U969n(DEPA)otoerequlrelaner- preted the National Environmental Policy environmental assessment statement of any Federally assisted compre- hensive planning program. Blair's proposed Comprehensive Plan, there- fore, must be assessed in ,accordance with the guidelines of the Presi- dent's Council on Environmental Quality and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The environmental assessment statement seeks to review the anticipated impact on the plan's policies, assuming they are adopted and imple- mented. It is not the intent of the assessment to evalestedindi~heually each of the various proposed projects and policies Bugg plan - only to assess the general impact of the Plan. The purpose of the assessment is to analyze both beneficial and adverse environmental. impacts, review means of controlling adverse environmental :...impacts, evaluate the possible alternatives, and state any irreversible and irretrievable commitment of resources. Because the Blair Compre- hensive Plan was prepared with these environmental considerations in .mind, it is generally believed that the Plan represents the most desirable means of protecting and enhancing the environment, while providing for anticipated economic and population growth. The Plan. contains a chapter on Physical and Environmental Characteristics which is then used to help avoid unnecessary and unexpected ecological degradation resulting from the. proposals contained in the remainder of the Plan. In addition, the Plan's policies call for I) encouraging public awareness of the necessity to develop a balanced program of protection, preservation and wise development of the area's natural resources; 2) coordination among public facilities and services;. 3) directing growth in an orderly fashion within existing developed areas; and 4) discouraging development which would result in inappropriate demands for public services or which would be unsuitable with regard to environmental influences. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT It is anticipated that Blair will experience population and economic growth during the planning period. An inevitable result of larger population and economic activities is an increase in population amounts and natural resource depletion. The Plan helps to accommodate this growth in an orderly fashion, thus, actually decreasing the environ- mental harm which would occur otherwise. Trade-offs are associated with any growth situation. Therefore, a Plan which manages growth will also contain trade-offs and negative impacts. However, compared to a similar situation with no control or management, the Blair Plan's negative impacts are negligible since the Plan was prepared so as to avoid adverse effects. 14-I UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS Implementation of the Plan,oned abovet IThehfirsteunavoidableladversese environmental effects mend effect is the limitation eration ofdsomeucommunitypchara~teristicsThe second relates to the alt Third is the commitment of nat~sal resources necessary for carrying out the Plan's physical improvemen Analysis of Alterations to the Pro osed Com rehensive Plan The Blair Comprehensive Plan is based on an asalyas~ andec~rrent de~elop- population studies, existing land use pattern P desires ment activities, natural features and resources; and community and attitudes. Thus, it is believed that toementn IAlthoughlvariationso9ncthegPlan's- for the City s future Bevel p programs and policies could be found, it is doubtful that these variay social) , tions could be of a great magnitude and still be politically, economically, and ecologically acceptable. Minor variations could be considered, but they would probably result in insignificant changes in the Plan's environmental impact. There are, however, four possible major alternatives to the plan which should be discussed. The first alternative is to have no plan at all~ovidingea~meansmbyewhich hensive Plan is designed to serve as a guide, p the past development trenestablishedetocaddbesseexisting de~iciencies~ ~ and a management program and provide for projectedtfneeds anddproblemstandemeet future oneslwiths to ignore past and presen great anxieties and little hope. A second alternative is to adopt the Pthatwzoning,as~bd•i•vgsion,~aPde- mentation programs. It is imperative other land use controls. be utilized in close conjunction with all other- Plan elements in order for the Comprehensive Plan to function in the proper capacity for which it was intended. Withoufragmentedtideasfande implementation programs, the Plan would be simply policies, with no mechanism to enforce them. The third alternative woutdtbe tHowevera itrgsrquestionablelwhether act and adopt a Plan for the Ci y Plan emanating from a higher level of government could as effectively measure the City's present problems and meet its future needs as a Plan implemented at the local level. lacing strict limitations on growth, appears to The fourth alternative, p be impractical due to the efleastdenvironmentalwdegradationhoits poss alternative would cause th Bible benefits might beeS~tonabledibyaanoegrowthclandauseepolicycis effects. It is also qu ~ ~ constitutional. 14-3 Nebraska environmental controls are a function of several state depart- ments and commissions. They include: \ ~ -Department of Environmental Control (air, water, solid waste, and feedlots). -Department of Health (public water supplies). -Natural Resources Commission (soil erosion, flood :control, water supply, fish and wildlife habitat, and forestry and range manage- ment). -Games and Parks Commission (parks, recreation, fish and game management, and sand and gravel operations). -Department of Agriculture (dairies and restaurants). -Public Power Review Board (power plant siting). Regional entities with an interest in environmental quality include: -Papio Natural Resources District (flood control, soil conser- vation, water supply, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation and parks, and forestry and range management). -Metropo-itan Area Planning Agency. The County-and local governmental entities also have the responsibility and opportunity to establish policies and take actions to achieve a quality environment in addition to complying with standards established at the Federal and State level. Entities with environmental control responsibility found at the County and City levels include: ~ i -Board of Commissioners -City Council -Planning Commissions -County Extension Service -Noxious Weed Control Department -Housing, building, fire prevention, plumbing, electrical and other codes are also important components of the local environ- mental controls. SUMMARY The Blair Comprehensive Plan is intended to provide the best environment practical for social and economical development, while at the same time conserving natural resources, preserving agricultural and open space lands, and guiding growth away from ecologically sensitive areas. Implementation of these goals are possible through the proposed zoning and subdivision ordinances, and other land use regulations which provide development standards for orderly growth, incompatible land use mixing, and numerous other standards designed to provide and protect a quality environment. ~ j 14-5