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Comprehensive Plan

Print Version

For additional information about the comprehensive plan or how to obtain a complete copy of the plan please contact the Planning Services Division of the Development Services Department at: 618-457-3248; e-mail:

mpierceall@ci.carbondale.il.us; or fax: 618-457-3289.
 

The Carbondale Comprehensive Plan

The Carbondale Comprehensive Plan identifies the forces that have and will influence the City's land use pattern, social structure, and economy, and sets forth a planned response to the changes they likely will bring. The plan builds on the relevant policies of the 1979 Comprehensive Plan and updates the City's approach to planning by building upon the current strengths of the community and recognizing future trends. Some of the strengths which set Carbondale apart from other cities, and what this plan seeks to preserve and enhance, include community character, neighborhoods, natural features, and transportation networks.

Purpose

The purpose of the plan is to describe the vision of the officials and citizens of Carbondale for the future. The plan is a summation of the community plan-making process involving citizens and public officials, and describes the vision, goals, and objectives for Carbondale's future. The plan will guide the City in achieving its vision by directing the development activity within and beyond the City limits through a series of policies and programs. Specifically, it will do this by identifying the appropriate areas for growth and how these areas should develop over time. This plan acts as a policy tool aiding and directing decisions relating to land use, public investments and services, and fiscal priorities. Over the next twenty years, the Comprehensive Plan will continue to guide the implementation of the long range goals, objectives and policies through the codes and ordinances of the City.

Planning Context

Carbondale was founded and platted on November 27, 1852 by Daniel H. Brush. The original plat contained 56 acres, around what is now known as the "Town Square". Since then, Carbondale's population has grown steadily. In the late 40's to early 50's, Carbondale's population was approximately 11,000 persons. By 1980, the population had increased to 26,000, due in a large part to the growth of Southern Illinois University.

Carbondale controls the land use pattern, transportation systems and development of community facilities through such planning documents as the Comprehensive Plan, Downtown Development Plan, and Carbondale 2000 Report. The Comprehensive Plan, while not a legally binding set of rules and regulations, is adopted as the City's policy on planning and development issues. The City's zoning and subdivision ordinances are the rules and regulations which implement the Comprehensive Plan and must complement it. These ordinances are passed by the City and give specific rules or guidelines for how development occurs in the community. These policy planning documents show that Carbondale has a well established history of planning, and that those efforts included the entire community.

A Vision For Carbondale

The quality of life Carbondale provides its citizens is evident. The people of Carbondale appreciate its strengths, including its roles as a regional center, its community character, ecological resources, community services, opportunities for growth and most importantly the involvement of its citizenry in community life. This collective sense of Carbondale is its vision. Continuing to build upon these strengths is how the City will work to achieve its vision. The Comprehensive Plan acts as a "roadmap" to guide the community in achieving its vision.

Carbondale Residents were integral in creating the Comprehensive Plan. Six types of public input were used to prepare this plan: key person interviews; community survey; advisory community meetings; public forums and open houses; community wide public meetings and focus groups. Residents' thoughts about the community, where it is heading, and what makes living in Carbondale good were documented and made part of the plan. That process identified five key strengths of the community that became the central focus of the vision.

Community Character

There is no one characteristic which draws Residents to this community. Instead, it is a combination of things such as the scenic beauty surrounding the town, the services available within Carbondale, the friendliness of Residents, a sense of security, Southern Illinois University, the medical facilities, or the Recreational opportunities. These are the characteristics that should be retained, and protected from the pressures of development.

Infill Development

The concept of infill development encourages development in the interior portions of the City, where development already exists in addition to facilitating development in other parts of the City. Infill development is the opposite of urban sprawl. Urban sprawl spreads out across the landscape and consumes vast quantities of land. Instead of spreading development along the City's periphery, infill development focuses on keeping the City's overall development pattern compact using vacant and underutilized land within the interior of the City. Infill development can also lower the cost of development and the cost of providing infrastructure because it is already provided for in the town.

Infill does not limit the growth of a community. Instead, the plan focuses growth to those locations that are desirable, where it's in the public interest to grow and where future growth options can be exercised. This plan seeks to facilitate development throughout the City, while adding new development in harmony with existing neighborhoods. By promoting infill development, the plan does not compromise open space, agriculture, or environmental protection, instead, it strengthens the form of the community while attempting to decrease the cost of serving new and existing development.

Education and Communication

Education not only includes the traditional education provided by schools, but also the knowledge of what the community offers in terms of services, organizations, and programs. Awareness concerning available resources and how they can be utilized comes from communication between the local Governments and the organizations which offer the programs and services.

The programs and services that organizations provide are among Carbondale's strengths. The plan advises the continuation of these programs and services as well as the development of some new activities to continue to meet the needs of citizens. The plan also recognizes that more needs to be done to increase awareness among the citizens as to the services that are offered.

Ecology

Carbondale has a number of delicate areas that need special attention - lakes and streams, wetlands, hills and valleys, nature preserves, woodlands and floodplains. These areas contribute to the character of Carbondale and should be maintained and protected from the impacts of development.

The principles of this plan illustrate the complex relationship between development and the environment. The plan recognizes that development is likely to occur in some delicate areas. Development that does occur in delicate areas should be carefully considered to understand the full impact it will have on the natural environment and the community. The plan supports development, but encourages the incorporation of the natural features into development to minimize any damage.

Regional Orientation

Carbondale serves as a regional center for much of Southern Illinois. The services and amenities within Carbondale serve not only those Residents who live there, but also people who live in other towns. The three major factors in the City's regional role are SIU, University Mall and surrounding retail, and the medical facilities. Because of its regional orientation, Carbondale has been able to attract diverse commercial ventures which offer a range of services and satisfy many needs.

This orientation as a regional center is a strength for Carbondale and its future. The plan embraces and furthers the idea of a regional orientation and presents the framework to provide different services for Carbondale and the rest of Southern Illinois. The plan examines attracting new development which is compatible with the three major regional orientations to support the economy and keep it strong.

Goals And Objectives

The goals and objectives are the most fundamental elements of any Comprehensive Plan. They answer the questions of how and why the City should develop and provide the framework to direct that development through recommendations made by the staff and various development boards and policy decisions made by the City Council. They are the most useful tool in directing future policy decisions on more precise elements of the plan.

Growth Management

To control the type and location of development beyond the City's limits.

• Consider the cost and benefits of projects prior to annexation and extension of City infrastructure and services.
• Control development through strict enforcement of zoning and subdivision regulations in Carbondale's planning jurisdiction. To support and build on the residential character of the community while promoting Carbondale as a regional center.
• Maintain a balance between residential and economic land uses that allows for expansion of the City's tax base, but does not affect residential areas with excessive traffic, noise, or other adverse impacts.
• Focus residential development in developed neighborhoods and retail opportunities in commercial areas that serve the neighborhoods and community as a whole.To coordinate planning with local, county, regional and state officials to control development beyond the City's jurisdiction.
• Continue to work with the County and other local municipalities to achieve desired development in areas beyond the City's jurisdiction.

 

Housing

To protect and maintain single family neighborhoods as low density residential areas.

• Maintain the residential character of the community's neighborhoods.To encourage the development of all types and prices of Housing in Carbondale.
• Provide diverse Housing options within the City.
• Encourage multi-family residential dwelling units to be located where community services and facilities are adequate.To promote opportunities for residential rehabilitation and redevelopment in residential areas to provide Housing for low and moderate income families.
• Enhance and maintain the appearance of neighborhoods which will foster the residential character of the community.
• Increase home ownership in Carbondale.

 

Transportation

To promote efficient circulation and accessibility within and beyond the City of Carbondale.

• Increase the number of through routes within and beyond the City.
• Decrease the amount of industrial traffic on the main roads of the City.
• Improve the flow of traffic throughout the community. To use alternative transportation modes, including bicycles, public transportation, and paratransit (car pools, vans, group trips) to reduce traffic volumes.
• Establish a network of pedestrian, bicycle and greenway systems which connect the community, activity centers and Recreational opportunities.
• Continue to build upon the success of the Saluki Express.
• Encourage the establishment of a bikeway/Recreational path around Carbondale. To enhance the appearance of major streets and gateways into the community.
• Enhance the visual appearance of Main Street (Illinois Route 13) and Illinois Avenue (U.S. Route 51)
• Enhance the visual appearance of major thoroughfares into the community.

 

Downtown

To emphasize public and private improvements that help establish Downtown as a focal point for all Carbondale's citizens.

• Continue to encourage the development of outdoor public assembly space, pedestrian areas, architecture preservation, street signs, landscaping and other amenities.
• Improve the assessed value of the Downtown by supporting private reinvestment and decreasing vacancy rates in core buildings.To maintain the character of the Downtown while continuing to serve a variety of local markets.
• Continue to reinvest in existing Businesses and developments in the Downtown area.
• Encourage the development of smaller Businesses in the Downtown rather than large scale redevelopment, which might require demolition of entire blocks that contain significant buildings.

 

Economic Development

To continue the growth of regional and local oriented uses that provides a broad base of employment opportunities.

• Continue to work with SIU, the Carbondale Business Development Corporation, Carbondale Main Street, Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Tourism Bureau to market Carbondale's economic development potential.
• Establish new industries and Businesses within the industrial parks.
• Recruit new Businesses, industrial and manufacturing developments to the community while maintaining existing Businesses and industry.
• Support transportation access to Carbondale by modes other than automobile.To continue to build on the partnership with Southern Illinois University by expanding cooperative City-University efforts.
• Maintain the City-University partnership by increasing cooperative efforts.
• Work with the Small Business Development Center to continue to encourage the development of small Businesses within Carbondale to broaden the economic base.

 

Natural Features/Open Space

To protect natural features (woodlands, flood plains, wetlands, etc.) and open space as the City continues to develop and expand.

• Create buffer zones and greenways within and surrounding the community.
• Protect floodways of major streams from urban encroachment and preserve them as natural corridors.To create more open space throughout the community.
• Preserve natural views and features within the municipal boundaries as the City continues to grow.To protect air and water quality and land, ground and water resources from future development which could diminish, degrade, and have adverse impacts on these natural resources.
• Encourage development patterns that incorporate natural features and preserve open space in undeveloped areas in and outside the City.

 

Community Services

To promote on-going communication and coordination with other Governmental bodies, public agencies, and other service providers so as to support the needs of Carbondale's Residents.

• Increase awareness and communication of services that are available to the citizens of Carbondale.
• Continue efforts to encourage opportunities for citizen involvement in the decision making process.To maintain the level of quality services in the City as it grows.
• Locate services and facilities so they are convenient for City Residents.
• Continue to maintain the quality of existing services and programs while new services and programs are added.To provide infrastructure in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
• Plan for the extension of infrastructure into unincorporated areas of the community with the intent of annexing the areas in the future.
• Provide water service to all Carbondale Residents at a uniform quality and cost.

 

Infill Development

To promote a compact, contiguous urban development pattern.

• Encourage the development of Carbondale to remain compact through the use of zoning controls and capital expenditures.
• To support compatible development on vacant, redeveloped or under-utilized parcels throughout the community.
• Encourage residential development within existing subdivisions.
• Support rezoning applications for residential development intensities that reflect the character of an area and/or its ability to meet the needs of Residents.

 

Land Use Plan And Development Policies

The land use plan map identifies future land uses, and indicates the appropriate locations for future developments. Overall, it shows that the current pattern of land uses will not change greatly in the coming years. This is to be expected in an established City like Carbondale, which sees limited amounts of new development annually. While the map reflects a level of land uses contrary to that notion of slow and steady growth, this land use planning approach has been taken here for two reasons:

• a surplus of land identified for each land use category allows for the development market to choose from a variety of locations, and
• a narrow focus of development parcels likely would create many development requests on properties with no land use designation - making this plan an ineffective growth management tool.To discourage sprawled development, other policies in this plan outline the appropriate conditions and timing under which various portions of the planning area should be considered for development.

 

Agriculture

• In order to preserve the rural character in unincorporated areas, non-farm uses outside the City should not be platted for less than 20 acres per lot in the Agricultural district. By requiring 20 acre parcels, urban type development is discouraged. Large tracts of land provide protection of farmland, wooded areas, and rural character by preventing the scattering of non-farm uses every few hundred feet. The zoning ordinance allows five acre lots. Though this may seem rural in character, it is not an agricultural use and five acre lots do not preserve farmland, trees or other scenic views that are associated with a rural setting.
• This plan recognizes that some agriculture areas outside the City limits will see pressure for development. However, subdivisions should not be allowed in agricultural areas without a clear indication of how that development furthers the goals and objectives of this plan. This policy is aimed at keeping agriculture areas rural in character and preserving these areas for farm use. This is accomplished by discouraging development in these areas until clearly appropriate.
• Development of land within the City that is currently designated as agriculture may be developed in a manner that is compatible within its surroundings. This policy encourages development in incorporated areas of the City, and protects outlying farmland and other natural features. It also encourages compact development of the City.

 

Greenways/Open Space

• Development should not be allowed in areas designated as Recreation or open space/greenways on the land use map without the submittal of complete site development plans and plans for mitigating impacts of the particular development. These plans should be considered as part of the review process of the Planning Commission and City Council.
• Wetlands should be protected from development to preserve their important environmental functions. However, some less intense uses are compatible with greenways and open space and promote the goals and objectives of this plan. Agriculture and Recreational activities are two of the uses which should be allowed when compatible with wetland and resource protection areas.
• Lands within the 100-year floodplain, as shown on Flood Insurance Rate Maps, should be protected from development to avoid damage to private and public property and to protect the health, safety and welfare of the community.
• Natural areas in Carbondale function as buffers between incompatible land uses, add to the appearance of the community, and should not be destroyed. In order to protect these areas, no more than 30 percent reduction of existing wooded lots or clear cutting of trees should be allowed. The amount that is cut down, should be replanted elsewhere on the site or on adjoining property equivalent to the area cleared for development.Recreation
• Work with surrounding local Governments, Jackson County, and the State to plan and develop both active and passive Recreational facilities that would link Carbondale's Recreation system with surrounding cities (ex. Murphysboro, Herrin, Marion) and destinations (ex. Giant City State Park, Crab Orchard Lake.)
• Using an inventory of the location of current parks, projections should be made on the location of future parks. A plan should be developed which creates a pocket park in each existing and future neighborhood. The plan will ensure that all areas have some type of green space/Recreational space, whether passive or active.
• Where possible, any new Recreational facilities should be located near developed areas, especially residential neighborhoods, and should be linked with the bike system.
• As new developments are proposed, there will be the potential to link that development with the greenway system. Dedications of land and/or easements for trails, paths and greenways within future development areas should be pursued to continue to provide and add to the network of public access and Recreation.
• Private Recreational clubs and facilities can provide open space, establish buffers between residential and agricultural areas, and contribute to the desired development and open space pattern of the City. These objectives should be considered in reviewing proposals for any of these uses.
• Update and implement the current Bikeway Plan to include a Recreational path system that connects parks, open space and institutional uses throughout Carbondale.

 

Residential

• Carbondale's overall physical character is of a single family residential community. This character contributes to a sense of community in Carbondale's neighborhoods. To continue this feeling of community in other parts of the City, future residential development should be of a scale that reflects the residential character of the City. In some cases, as identified on the land use plan, moderate density Housing and mobile home subdivisions can be part of this character, if designed and sited within the development principles outlined in this plan.
• New subdivisions should be designed to blend with the natural contours of the land to improve appearance and minimize the disturbance to the site.
• In some areas of the community, a conflict exists between high density residential areas and the adjacent low density residential areas. These conflicts are felt most directly when multiple-family uses begin to encroach in single family areas. Single family areas were not designed to handle the traffic and parking impacts of apartments or converted single family dwellings. Similarly, the greater intensity of people generates a greater demand for open spaces which in a mostly developed area cannot be met. As a result, the perceived quality of neighborhoods diminishes, as does the confidence and likelihood for investment. Therefore the policies of this plan designate separate single family areas that do not include high density uses. Where single and multiple family areas abut, they should be separated by appropriate buffering techniques (such as landscaped areas, open spaces, or creative design of residential lots.
• There are a lot of older homes in Carbondale that add historic value and are in need of a repair. The restoration of these homes can add new life to the Housing stock and enhance neighborhoods. The City should encourage the restoration of older homes, or demolition and rebuilding of non-historic existing structures to maintain the quality of the adjacent lots. This restoration and maintenance could be encouraged through the creation of a Housing Development Corporation.
• Wetlands, wooded lands and streams serve important functions, but can be impacted by runoff from intensely developed areas. To protect these areas, runoff and erosion control plans should continue to be required for all proposed subdivisions, and should be prepared by licensed engineers.
• Neighborhood street patterns should provide through access to promote efficient circulation and provide integrated neighborhoods and pedestrian-friendly environments.
• Mobile homes Historically have been a source of affordable Housing in Carbondale, and are located throughout the community. However, because the location of many mobile homes are not planned, they have an adverse impact on adjacent properties. Over the life of this plan, trailers located in back yards and unplanned mobile home parks should be phased out. In the future, areas for mobile homes should be limited to Mobile Home Subdivisions. These subdivisions should develop as neighborhoods, and became integrated with the rest of the City.

 

Institutional

• A need for a new high school has been identified in Carbondale. The school district has formed a committee that is studying the possible location of that school. The concept advanced in this plan recommends consolidating at the east campus, and locating a large Recreational area next to the site.
• Public facilities, to the extent possible, should be located within commercial centers and in close proximity to each other to create "public square" type atmospheres. This encourages active public participation by the citizens, helps integrate land uses, creates pedestrian oriented communities, and reduces auto traffic.
• Institutional, park and Recreational facilities should be linked to one another and to residential neighborhoods, shopping areas, and employment centers with a comprehensive system of streets, sidewalks, and paths. This will encourage a more pedestrian friendly community, allow pedestrians to move about the community safely and efficiently, and provide an alternative to automobiles.
• Some neighborhoods contain higher living densities than others. In these neighborhoods, there is little green space or Recreational area. The City should encourage the development of parks, open spaces and Recreational facilities in each neighborhood. These areas would provide some relief from the impacts associated with higher densities.
• There has been on-going consideration in the City to address the need for an outdoor community pool, and locations for the science center and teen center. Those processes are expected to continue, and their implementation will be dependent on funding and finding appropriate sites for each facility.Commercial and Office
• Development of commercial and office uses should have limited impacts on natural areas. Carbondale has many environmental areas, such as wetlands, that are located in the interior of the community. Intense development such as strip malls can cause adverse impacts on the environment.
• In some areas of the community, commercial and office uses are adjacent to residential areas. These areas include the office uses along Illinois Route 13 at the west end of the City and the local commercial uses along Illinois Route 13 and throughout the community. In order to separate residential and non-residential uses, and minimize the visual impacts, a landscaped buffer should continue to be required between commercial sites and adjacent residential uses. These buffering efforts are best implemented through the development approval process, at which time there is an opportunity to include landscape screening as part of a development.
• The Downtown Steering Committee should continue to review those projects proposed for the Downtown to ensure their conformity with the official Downtown plan, and compatibility with surrounding residential neighborhoods and historic structures.
• The City should continue to encourage new development to provide landscaping including trees, sidewalks; adequate storm drainage; minimal impermeable lot coverage; and pleasing or innovative architecture.
• The City should encourage the fullest possible utilization of existing buildings in the Downtown, including mixed uses.
• The City should encourage small commercial nodes, which contain such services as laundry facilities and convenience stores, at the edge of neighborhoods along the collector or arterial roads, such as the Giant City Road and Park Street intersection.
• The City, Downtown Business people and property owners should continue to implement the Downtown Plan.

 

Industrial

• The Bi-Centennial Industrial Park in the northern part the of the City should continue to be the focus of industrial development.
• The land designated for industrial uses should be protected from the encroachment of other land uses. The industrial parks are the main areas where industry has developed. It is important to protect these areas as economic resources for Carbondale's future.
• The City should continue to encourage new industrial development to provide landscaping, including trees, sidewalks; and adequate storm drainage.
• Because of the intensive nature of some industrial uses, a landscaped separation should be required between industrial sites and adjacent residential development. This separation would be a planted berm that is approximately six to eight feet high and twenty-five feet wide.

 

Subarea Plans

The purpose of a subarea plan is to perform a detailed analysis of areas that present particular planning challenges or opportunities. A key component of the subarea plans is achieving the desired overall organization of land uses and amenities. The data collection, analysis and recommendations proposed for each of the areas are focused towards the specific needs of those areas. In some cases, land use and zoning recommendations or development policies are the primary element. In other cases, site design or physical improvements may be more desirable. The overarching goal of the subarea plans is to establish a clear direction for these areas.

The subareas considered in this plan are: 1) the Crab Orchard Estates Subarea, 2) Walnut/Lewis/Grand/Giant City Superblock Subarea, 3) West Central Subarea, and 4) Bicycle and Pedestrian Path Program.

 

Thoroughfare Master Plan

The Thoroughfare Master Plan for Carbondale builds from the existing street and highway facilities. It identifies problem areas and future needs, and recommends improvements to the street system to address them. These recommendations are intended to improve traffic flow and safety, reduce energy consumption and travel time, enhance accessibility, and facilitate economic growth.

The Thoroughfare Master Plan was developed to support the goals, objectives, policies, and programs of the Comprehensive Plan. This plan includes the following elements: description of existing thoroughfare facilities, discussion of functional classification of roads, discussion of proposed thoroughfare facilities and how they address goals and objectives, and a schedule plan for construction of specified projects.

The process for planning transportation systems seeks to furnish unbiased information about the effects that the proposed transportation project would have on the community. Usually, cost is a major factor and the process will include an estimate of the construction costs. Other factors include energy conservation, traffic congestion, environmental impacts, safety, security, efficiency, productivity, and community preservation. The transportation planning process outlined in this plan is intended to give the appropriate information to those who will be responsible for deciding if the transportation projects discussed in this plan should go forward.

 

Implementation

The greatest challenge to implementing a Comprehensive Plan is a change in the conditions that existed when the plan was prepared. However, one of the few certainties in developing and using a Comprehensive Plan is that new situations will arise that were not anticipated when the plan was adopted. These may be due to shifts in economic markets, changes in desired community services, or new opportunities that arise. Whatever the reason, the Comprehensive Plan must remain a useful tool in helping the community work toward the goals and objectives it outlines.

Some of the situations which arise will take place in the form of new development. Though some of this development will be directed by the land use plan, a great deal more land has been designated than can be developed given current and anticipated growth. A staging plan has been developed to facilitate options for efficient and orderly development and land use control by the City.

The recommendations in the Comprehensive Plan which include detailed and specific actions may need more consideration and research and adjustments to existing activities. While some can be implemented immediately, others need to be subjected to further scrutiny by public officials and Residents. The plan identifies a time frame for further consideration and possible implementation which will help the City budget resources and dates as to when each project should be implemented.

 

Policy And Project Implementation

The recommendations in the Comprehensive Plan include detailed and specific actions, directives that need more consideration and research, and adjustments to existing activities. This means that some recommendations can be implemented immediately, while others need to be subjected to further scrutiny by public officials and Residents. Some recommendations are focused around a one-time action, while others represent ongoing efforts. The policies and projects noted in the text of this plan are summarized here, and assigned a time frame for further consideration and possible implementation.

 

Policy Recommendations: 1997-2002

• Create zoning enforcement staff position
• Revise zoning and planning agreement with Murphysboro
• Decrease LUI in the R-3 zoning district
• Increase parcel size in General Agriculture (AG) zoning district
• Prepare a manual of property maintenance guidelines
• Update sign regulations pertaining to Illinois Route 13 for conformity and unity of signs
• Designate major gateways into the community
• Revise existing Bikeway/Pedestrian program
• Create a Community Housing Corporation (CHC)
• Update Downtown Plan
• Initiate land transfers on Chautauqua Road and Mill Street extension with SIU

 

Project Recommendations: 1997 - 2002

• Construct teen center
• Build or relocate fire station on west side
• Improve Grand Avenue from Lewis Lane to Giant City Road
• Mill Street Underpass
• Modify street and traffic signals for Oakland and Mill Street Intersections
• Widen and realign Route 51 from Mill St. to Old U.S. Route 51
• Extend Sycamore Street from University Ave. to Illinois Ave.
• Illinois Route 13/U.S. Route 51 - encourage cross easements
• New East-West Street North of University Place an extension of Lewis Lane to Giant City Road
• Extend McKinney Avenue from Lowe's entrance to new east/west street north of University Place
• Improve Giant City Road from terminus north of Illinois Route 13 to proposed Bypass

 

Policy Recommendations: 2003 - 2007

• Secure jurisdiction development agreements with surrounding communities
• Establish system of truck routes to minimize traffic impact on neighborhoods
• Develop an additional industrial park
• Develop landscape, signage, and planting plans for identified major gateways
• Create open space/pocket park in West Central Subarea

 

Project Recommendations: 2003 - 2007

• Bury public utilities underground in the Downtown
• Construct Public Safety Building
• Develop sports complex in Superblock Subarea
• Build new high school
• Acquire Water District lines within City limits
• Extend Willow Street from Oakland Avenue to Wall Street
• Extend Oak Street from Wall Street to Lewis Lane
• Extend College Street from Freeman St. to College St.
• Reduce curb cuts on Illinois Route 13/U.S. Route 51
• Improve landscape on Illinois Route 13/U.S. Route 51
• Mill Street Extension to Chautauqua
• Extend Gordon Lane from terminus to Murphysboro Rd.
• Crab Orchard Estates Access Road from Los Angeles Road to Reed Station Road
• North Carbondale Parkway (Planning and Design Studies)
• Superblock Access Road from East Walnut to the extension of College Street

 

Project Recommendations: 2008-2018

• Construct Four-lane connection to St. Louis
• Construct North Carbondale Parkway
• Extend Lewis Lane from Oak St. extension to new street north of University Place
• Widen Giant City Road from Walnut St. to Pleasant Hill Rd.
• Extend Sunset Drive from Glenview Dr. to Country Club Rd.
• Widen Pleasant Hill Road from Wall St. to Giant City Rd.
• Widen, resurface and add curb and gutter to New Era Road from Illinois Route 13 to Glenn Rd.
• Widen lanes and shoulders of Airport Road from New Era Road to U.S. Route 51
• Widen Country Club Road from Chautauqua St. to Illinois Route 13
• Illinois Route 13/U.S. Route 51 - improve intersections

 

Next Steps

This plan will be implemented by undertaking the programs and projects it recommends. Those activities will take place as opportunities arise. To help along the process of plan implementation, a series of first priorities are described below. These steps are intended to focus the City's planning effort and help it to work toward the goals of the plan.

1. Initiate Inter-jurisdictional Discussions: The City should continue discussions on a regular basis with other Governmental jurisdictions and service providers in and surrounding the planning area. The City should build on existing relationships and create new ones to share long range goals, needs and actions regarding common planning issues.
2. Implement Program and Policy Recommendations: The Planning Commission should take appropriate action and make recommendations to implement specific recommendations, policies or projects contained in the plan.
3. Integrate Plan with Budgeting and Capital Improvements Program: The City annually considers how it will spend money for on-going services and capital improvements. The various programmatic and physical improvements noted in this plan should be an integral part of those efforts. That would allow the programs and projects recommended in this plan (as well as the plan's goals and objectives) to be part of the regular prioritization of projects.
4. Update the Zoning Ordinance: The zoning ordinance should be updated to reflect the policies set forth in this plan. This plan includes a number of those changes on topics including land use type and intensity.
5. Expand Zoning into New Jurisdiction: As the City annexes land, it should expand its zoning jurisdiction appropriately. On a systematic basis, the Planning Commission should consider the appropriateness of zoning designations for the land newly added to the City's one and a half mile jurisdiction. This is necessary since the zoning boundary may expand as the City annexes new lands.
6. Annual Plan Review: The City should review the goals, objectives, recommendations, and land use map on an annual basis. Such review should take place at the end of the fiscal year. A public hearing should be scheduled to gain public comment. Such a review considers whether goals and objectives are still appropriate, what programs or projects should be emphasized in the coming year, what changes need to be made to the land use map to keep it current, and what external changes require a change in implementation actions. This review should be a joint City Council and Planning Commission effort, and incorporate some level of public input.