Emmett/Gem County Community Review Report Summary

and access to hospitals. On the other hand, hotel and motel accommodations, and
educational, job training, and cultural opportunities were found to be lacking. Water quality
ranked in the middle.
Transportation issues commanded considerable attention. The infrastructure team
concluded that safe connections to SH-16 appear to be badly needed and are of substantial
concern. Access to I-84 and the condition of downtown streets were prominently
mentioned. Traffic accessibility concerns were raised regarding downtown and at Gem
Island Sports Complex. We understand that some community organizations have already
taken steps to secure funding to address some of these issues.
Interestingly, commuters and non-commuters who responded to the survey rated the
condition of roads and streets, traffic conditions, and downtown parking about the same.
(On average, 25% of the survey respondents commuted, although the number increased to
37% of respondents when it was assumed that residents under 19 and over 59 did not
commute to work outside of Gem County.)
The infrastructure team suggested that the airport and surrounding area provided the best
location in which to develop a regional industrial park. Railroad and bicycle/pedestrian
facilities, public transportation, water facilities, telecommunications, and the wastewater
treatment plant were examined. The team noted that the wastewater plant was superb with
plenty of capacity for expansion, although many of the sewer pipes need to be repaired.
With regard to telecommunications, the team learned that Emmett is very fortunate in the
area of connectivity. Although cable modems are now the most commonly used method of
broadband Internet access, this service in not currently available in Emmett.
The land use planning section covered downtown revitalization, planning & zoning, code
enforcement, residential/industrial/agricultural/commercial/retail interfaces and their
relationship to the comprehensive plan, and coordination and communication. Team
members observed numerous opportunities to link the downtown business area, schools, the
river, parks, and other assets with bicycle and pedestrian improvements and provided some
specific examples. The team observed residential areas near industrial structures and how
this impacts quality of life issues in the community. They also noted discrepancies between
the comprehensive plan, zoning/subdivision ordinances, and how this seems to conflict with
what’s actually being built on the ground.
Land use planning team members observed that communication and commitment among
government and various groups are essential in any strategic approach to planning,
community design, and economic development. Team members also noted that some
entities involved in the community review exhibited varying degrees of commitment,
investment, communication, and willingness to collaborate.
In civic life and community involvement, the team asked questions of youth and seniors to
try to drill down into areas such as volunteerism and commitment to service. Many people
in the community are waiting to be personally recruited to serve. Reflections on arts and
culture also feature prominently in the report and provide numerous improvement
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