master plan - City of Central

LOUISIANA SPEAKS REGIONAL PLAN CRITERIA
COMMUNITY PRINCIPLES
The City of Central has established the “Central Independent School District” to take control of community learning
facilities with the goal to be the No. 1 School District in the State of Louisiana.
2.7.4 Locate and Design Schools and Medical Facilities to create better neighborhoods and spur community development
Defi ned suitability criteria for appropriate land uses within defi ned radii of schools.
LSRP Vision Goal 3: Think Regionally
3.1.2 Integrate the vision
Conducted series of Community Visioning Workshops to receive citizen input.
3.2.4 Enhance Local Planning Capacity
Established Framework of Overlay Plan and Master Plan to be consistent with revised City of Central Zoning Codes and
Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan & Planning Toolkit.
These principles were adhered to in the land use planning and result in more compact growth patterns, a focus on infi ll around
existing development and where existing infrastructure exists, and where providing new infrastructure will be most cost effective.
Growth can provide both opportunities and challenges. All growth provides opportunities for short-term economic development
through new construction, job creation, and market growth. But, if the growth is chaotic, of poor quality, and unprincipled,
short-term prosperity quickly gives way to long-term problems. To bring enduring value to the community, growth through new
development must take into consideration the vision for the future expressed by existing residents and landowners.
As expressed in the 2007 by the American Institute of America (AIA) program Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT)
Community Charrettes, the community identifi ed several goals for the future direction of the city that were used to guide the
planning. These goals are listed below:
• Develop town, village, and neighborhood centers that include a mix of housing, shopping and employment uses.
• Provide education and healthcare facilities that serve all residents of the city.
• Develop a mulit-modal transportation system that is aesthetically pleasing and is designed to reduce energy consumption
through alternate forms of transportation.
• Ensure proper application of floodplain zoning, and the protection of natural drainage areas.
• Preserve open space and maintain the rural character of the city.
• Incorporate sustainable development practices in the development of all property in the city.
*It should be noted that these goals were also used in the suitability criteria to generate the Sector Mapping.
There is no doubt that growth at any level will have an effect on the character of the community. In order to manage growth
sustainably, the community agreed to use Smart Growth Principles as a means to evaluate new development.
SMART GROWTH PRINCIPLES
There is no doubt that growth at any level will have an effect on the character of the community. In order to manage growth sustainably, the community agreed to use Smart Growth Principles as a means to
evaluate new development. The Smart Growth Principles include:
1. Mix Land Uses - New, clustered development works best if it includes a mix of stores, jobs and homes.
2. Take Advantage of Existing Assets - Public investments should focus on getting the most out of what we’ve already built.
3. Create a Range of Housing Opportunities and Choices - Communities should offer a range of options: houses, condominiums, affordable homes for low income families, and “granny flats” for empty nesters.
4. Foster “Walkable” Neighborhoods - These places offer not just the opportunity to walk but something to walk to. A compact, neighborhood contributes to peoples’ sense of community because neighbors get to
know each other.
S M A R T G R O W T H
N E T W O R K
5. Promote Distinctive, Attractive Communities with a Strong Sense of Place, Including Use of Historic Buildings - In every community, there are things that make each place special. These should be protected and celebrated.
6. Preserve Open Space, Farmland, Natural Beauty, and Critical Environmental Areas - People want to stay connected to nature and are willing to take action to protect farms, waterways, ecosystems and wildlife.
7. Strengthen and Encourage Growth in Existing Communities - Before we plow up more forests and farms, we should look for opportunities to grow in already built-up areas.
8. Provide a Variety of Transportation Choices - People can’t get out of their cars unless we provide them with another way to get where they’re going. More communities need safe and reliable public transportation, sidewalks and bike paths.
9. Make Development Decisions Predictable, Fair, and Cost-Effective - Builders wishing to implement smart growth should face no more obstacles than those contributing to sprawl.
10. Encourage Citizen and Stakeholder Participation - Plans developed without strong citizen involvement don’t have staying power.
CITY OF
Central
a community that cares