Comprehensive Master Plan - City of Alvin

Land Usefacts & figurescommunity character. Residents have a strong sense of pride in theircommunity and enjoy it as a place to live and raise a family. ThisComprehensive Plan must, therefore, translate these intangible values intofuture development and growth strategies so that future decisions enhance,rather than deteriorate, these important community values.With an annual rate of growth just under one percent and an increase inpopulation of roughly 4,900 persons between 1980 and 2000, there has been amodest amount of new development within the community. Thedevelopment that has occurred has primarily been new residentialneighborhoods in the areas around the periphery of the community (alongMustang Road and to the southwest on either side of South Street) and newcommercial businesses along S.H. 6 and S.H. 35 Bypass. While these newdevelopments have contributed to the character of the community, thereremains concern on behalf of citizens as to the continuous aging of housingand neighborhoods, as well as to the integrity and physical appearance of thelong‐standing nonresidential uses throughout the community.The purpose of this plan is to establish a policy framework as to how thecommunity grows and the pattern, type, and appearance of newdevelopment. Affecting the City’s ability to realize their vision is the lack ofan implementation tool to manage development consistent with thecommunity’s vision and expectations. Without pro‐activeness on behalf of thecommunity to exact control over its own destiny, there is reason for concernof continued decline in the social and economic stability of the community.Haphazard development will negatively impact the character of thecommunity without a concerted effort to manage its placement relative toadjacent uses, as well as its appearance and design. The community must alsoreinvest in older neighborhoods, rehabilitate the housing stock, revitalizeDowntown and other business areas, protect natural resources and sensitivelands, provide development incentives and assistance for improvingbusinesses and properties, continue to upgrade and improve municipalinfrastructure, and further enhance community livability with additionalparks, trails, and open space amenities.Even with a proactive approach to land planning and development design,there remains a natural impact to Alvin’s small‐town character. Growth itself,while a positive indicator of economic stability, will shift the character of thecommunity. Acknowledging the benefits of growth and development andtheir importance to sustaining the local economy, this plan must seek tosustain the traits that contribute most significantly to the valuedPage 3-27April 1, 2005