COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP MASTER PLAN

TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                                                                                                                                                              

Section 1     Introduction

                The Planning Process.......................................................................................................................................................... 1

                        About the Columbia Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan......................................... 1

                        The Columbia Township Planning Commission.................................................................................. 2

                        How to Use the Columbia Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan......................... 2

Section 2    Community  Description

                        Columbia Township Existing Land Use Plan........................................................................................... 5

                        Vegetation/Woodlands.............................................................................................................................................. 5

                        Topography/Physiography...................................................................................................................................... 5

                        Water Resources................................................................................................................................................................... 6

                        Soils   ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

                        Wildlife........................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

                        Transportation.......................................................................................................................................................................... 7

                        Climate............................................................................................................................................................................................. 7

                        Historical Sites......................................................................................................................................................................... 8

                        Social Features........................................................................................................................................................................ 8

                        Male and Female Distribution.............................................................................................................................. 10

                        Racial Distribution........................................................................................................................................................... 10

                        Household Distribution................................................................................................................................................. 11

                        Persons with Disabilities............................................................................................................................................ 12

                        Employment............................................................................................................................................................................. 13

                        Socio-Economic Characteristics....................................................................................................................... 15

Section 3    Community Facilities and Structures

                        Introduction............................................................................................................................................................................... 17

                        Organizational Structure............................................................................................................................................ 17

                        Standard Operation Procedures/Staff Description..................................................................... 17

                        Fire and Police Protection......................................................................................................................................... 18

                        Township Maintenance Staff.................................................................................................................................. 18

                        Township Operating Budget.................................................................................................................................. 18

                        Organizational Structure........................................................................................................................................... 19

                        Relationship with Other Agencies................................................................................................................. 19

                        Schools.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 20

                        Parks and Recreation.................................................................................................................................................... 20

                        Libraries....................................................................................................................................................................................... 21

                        Medical Services................................................................................................................................................................. 21

                        Utilities.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 21

Section 4    Existing Land Use

                        Introduction............................................................................................................................................................................. 23

                        Land Use Classifications.......................................................................................................................................... 23

                        Trends and Analysis....................................................................................................................................................... 25

Section 5      Community Input

                        Introduction............................................................................................................................................................................. 27

                        Columbia Township Community Survey Overview................................................................... 27

                                        Columbia Township Questionnaire Results........................................................................ 27

                                        Summary of Columbia Township Questionnaire Findings................................... 27

                        Community Visioning Session............................................................................................................................ 33

Section 6      Goals and Objectives

                        Vision Statement............................................................................................................................................................... 39

                        Goals and Objectives................................................................................................................................................... 39

Section 7       Future Land Use

                        Introduction............................................................................................................................................................................. 45

                        Past Land Use Trends – An Overview....................................................................................................... 45

                        Columbia Township’s Future Land Use Plan....................................................................................... 46

                        Agricultural Land Use................................................................................................................................................ 46

                        Residential Land Use.................................................................................................................................................... 47

                        Commercial/Retail Land Use........................................................................................................................... 52

                        Industrial land Use........................................................................................................................................................... 52

                        Agricultural, Open Space, Vacant Land Use...................................................................................... 52

                        Recreation and Conservation/Preserve Land Use.................................................................... 53

                        Future Land Use Distribution.............................................................................................................................. 53

Section 8      Implementation

                        Introduction............................................................................................................................................................................. 55

                        Partners in Implementation.................................................................................................................................... 55

                        Implementation Schedule........................................................................................................................................ 58

INTRODUCTION

The Planning Process

The purpose of a community plan is to provide guidance to public and private decision makers with regard to future changes in land use and the allocation of resources.  A Comprehensive Plan contains information about physical and social features, community facilities, existing land use and economic trends. 

The plan identifies key land use issues and then establishes goals and actions to address the issues. A future land use plan also becomes part of the recommendations section and guides local officials when making future zoning and land development decisions. 

About the Columbia Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan

This Plan was prepared in 2001 with the assistance of many individuals and groups throughout the Township. Columbia Planning Commission, Township Board members and Township Staff worked with Gove Associates, Inc. in defining the scope and developing the overall Plan. This Plan is not a zoning ordinance, mandating specific land use codes and other enforcement measures; instead, this Plan is a guide to share existing planning desires, pursue community-supported new land use practices and implement changes to future zoning code regulations.

An essential responsibility of Columbia Township is not only utilizing the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, but updating its goals and recommendations for future development and redevelopment.  Generally, a comprehensive plan should be updated every five years in a fast growing community and every 10 years for a slower growth community.

While using the Columbia Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the following points should be kept in mind;

The Columbia Township Planning Commission

The Columbia Township Planning Commission is the body responsible for developing and adopting the Columbia Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan.  While highly suggested, the Township Board is not required to adopt the plan.  Amendments to the adopted plan are also the responsibility of the Columbia Township Planning Commission.

How to Use the Columbia Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan

The Columbia Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan is broken into eight sections, which are influenced by two key themes: Existing Land Use and Future Land Use.  While both Existing and Future Land Use issues are noted throughout the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, a description of Columbia Township's Existing Land Use is prominently covered in Section 4.  Columbia Township's Future Land Use vision is covered in Section 7. 

This plan is to be used as a guide for community land use decisions by the Planning Commission, Township Board, Township Staff, business people, residents, nonprofit organizations and developers.  Columbia Township has developed a Vision for the Township's future, as well as specific Goals and Objectives to better define and reach the Vision (see Section 6).  An Implementation Schedule of detailed projects to undertake over the next 20 years is provided in Section 8 to further guide the Township's Vision to Reality.  It is up to each Columbia Township resident and any participant in Columbia Township's land use development, redevelopment and preservation, to constructively utilize this Plan and communicate its overriding intent of serving Columbia Township in maintaining and further advancing its quality, rural way of life.

COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION