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INDUSTRIAL ISSUES

Expanded Industrial/Employment Base

In 1991/1992 in the preparation of the Comprehensive Plan, community representatives and survey respondents stated the objective of achieving a community which provides both living and working opportunities for its residents. As such, expansion of the City's industrial activity, and subsequently its employment base, was identified as a major issue. The community representatives interviewed in 1996 generally agreed that recent efforts to promote such activity have been successful, while the community survey results cautiously point to the same opinion. The strong opinion that remains is that the City should be selective in its recruitment of new industrial development. Determining acceptable levels of selectivity, while promoting industrial expansion is a necessary element of the Comprehensive Plan.


Location

Currently there are 217.2 acres of vacant, zoned industrial land in different locations of the City. The majority of the zoned and vacant industrial land is found north of Penn Street. The general feeling is that this is sufficient for a City the size of North Liberty. As these areas fill, the City must plan for the effect of the new industrial development on the existing streets and neighborhoods of the City.

As the City's industrial land is developed, new industrial land locations should be established. Future industrial expansion areas will need to be addressed within the Development Framework of the Comprehensive Plan.

Similar to commercial development, the opportunity for industrial development within close proximity to the interstate interchange is a major issue. A transport facility is currently located in this area and with the development of the Saints Highway, there will likely be increasing demand for development of this area. The Development Framework of the Comprehensive Plan should assess the development potential in this area in relation to the issues of demand, utility extension and development quality.


Image and Quality

The image and quality of industrial development in North Liberty is an important issue. Recent industrial developments with improved performance standards have resulted in a more favorable view towards industrial development. The community survey shows that the respondents continue to be concerned with the effects of industrial development in the City. The City should continue its improved standards as well as consider the establishment of updated performance standards to better regulate the screening of parking and outdoor storage.


Pollution Potential

City representatives have expressed an adamant concern over the potential that new industrial development should pose pollution and/or environmental concerns. Consequently, major efforts should be made to avoid pollution potentials associated with industrial development.


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