Comprehensive Plan - Carbondale, IL

Adopted June 22, 2010area (see Map 2.3, Growth Trends). Therefore, the greater Carbondale area has apopulation that is actually much larger than the 26,367 persons estimated in 2007by the U.S. Census Bureau. Based on City estimates, the population within the Cityand its planning area is approximately 33,197 persons.The principles of Smart Growth (see Insert Two) advocate a more compact patternof development. This is based on the notions of maximizing the efficiencies of theinfrastructure systems (e.g. water, wastewater, storm sewers, and transportation)and the provision of services (notably police and fire protection). Other principlesof Smart Growth include: retaining and growing employment within the City toproduce tax revenue; shortening commuting distances and promoting alternativemodes of transportation; protecting natural resources and preserving ruralagricultural land; reinforcing the value and integrity, while promoting reinvestmentin well-established neighborhoods; and, generally, forging a more sustainable andfiscally responsible growth pattern.State law gives the City the authority to manage the type, pattern, and characterof development within the City limits and its extraterritorial jurisdiction. Withinthis area, the City may exercise its zoning regulations and subdivision Ordinance.The City’s zoning ordinance includes Forestry (F) and General Agriculture (AG)districts for the purpose of conserving natural resources and agricultural lands anduses. While much of the extraterritorial area is zoned AG (see Map 2.4, CurrentZoning), there has been an increase in the amount of request for low-densityresidential zoning, particularly in the less constrained areas to the southwest.These outlying subdivisions are not contiguous to the City limits and other existingdevelopment, nor are they within the City’s water and wastewater service areas.In coordination with the Jackson County Health Department, the City allowssubdivision development in the extraterritorial jurisdiction to include up to four,one-acre lots with any additional lots being a minimum of two and one-half acreseach. However, developments may have lots below one acre in size when theyprovide their own community wastewater system. The City should re-evaluate thispolicy to curb sporadic development in areas outside of the preferred growth areas.Comprehensive PlanStrategy 1: Provide additional attention and resources to promote infilldevelopment and redevelopment and to reinvest in the establishedneighborhoods.RationaleA tenet of growing smart is maximizing the efficiency of the development pattern.This means contiguous development and land use patterns that capitalize on theavailability of existing infrastructure. There are several sizeable undeveloped andunderdeveloped parcels that provide opportunity for infill development wherestreets and utilities may be readily extended. There are also many individual lotsthat may be developed, particularly in northeast Carbondale. In addition, there areseveral areas that warrant consideration of redevelopment during the horizon ofthis Plan.A second tenet is improving the integrity and desirability of existing neighborhoods.Specific strategies and implementation measures are outlined in Chapter 4, Housingand Neighborhoods. As related to land use, there are also initiatives pertainingto the compatibility of adjacent and nearby uses, preservation of neighborhoodcharacter, and convenient access to goods and services.2.15Land Use Character and Community Growth