New Sharon, Iowa Comprehensive Plan

The City of New Sharon is located in northern Mahaska County, Iowa, situated in the south-east corner of the state. New Sharon is 0.94 square miles in area and the population was 1,262 at the time of the 2020 U.S. Census.

New Sharon was formed in 1856. The first building was erected in 1856 by Edward Quaintance.

"The comprehensive plan, also known as a general plan, master plan or land use plan, is a document designed to guide the future actions of a city or county. The Iowa Supreme Court has stated that the legal purpose of the comprehensive plan is to “direct use and development of property by dividing it into districts according to present and potential uses.” The comprehensive plan also presents a vision for the future with long-range goals and objectives for all activities that affect the local government. This includes guidance on how to make decisions on public and private land development proposals, the expenditure of public funds, and issues of pressing concern (such as farmland preservation for counties or the rehabilitation of older neighborhoods in cities). Most plans are written to provide direction for ten to twenty years after their adoption. Plans should receive a considered review and possible update every five years." - Iowa State Extension

Last decade the State of Iowa adopted guidelines as part of the Iowa Smart Planning Act in 2010 that encourages local government to address the following elements when planning:

• Public Participation
• Issues and Opportunities
• Land Use
• Housing
• Public Infrastructure and Utilities
• Transportation
• Economic Development
• Agricultural and Natural Resources
• Community Facilities
• Community Character
• Hazards
• Intergovernmental Collaboration
• Implementation

This section will house information relating to public participation during the creation of the comprehensive plan including upcoming events, documentation of the public participation process, and a summary of the SWOT analyses and goals identified in the public comment received.

This section will identify characteristics and qualities that make New Sharon unique and that are important to New Sharon's heritage and quality of life.

This section will provide an inventory and guidance to assist the future development of educational facilities, cemeteries, health care facilities, childcare facilities, law enforcement and fire protection facilities, libraries, and other governmental facilities that are necessary or desirable to meet the projected needs of New Sharon. This section will also include information and goals to guide the future development of public utilities such as sanitary sewer service and stormwater management.

This section will provide guidance to further the vitality and character of established residential neighborhoods and new residential neighborhoods and plans to ensure an adequate housing supply that meets both the existing and forecasted housing demand. This will include a brief inventory and analysis of the local housing stock. The implementation portion of this section will identify programs that promote the development of new housing and maintenance or rehabilitation of existing housing and that provide a range of housing choices that meet the needs of the residents of New Sharon.

This section will identify current land uses within the municipality and guide future development and redevelopment within New Sharon. The land use section will include information on the amount, type, intensity, and density of existing land use, trends in land use, and plans for future land use throughout the municipality. This section will also include information on property that has the possibility for redevelopment, a map of existing and potential land use and land use conflicts, and information and maps relating to the current and future suitability of land uses such as soil types, floodplain areas, and City utilities.

This section will include goals and strategies to guide the future development of a safe, convenient, efficient, and economical transportation system. These plans will be coordinated with state and regional transportation plans and take into consideration the need for diverse modes of transportation, accessibility, and interconnectivity of the various modes of transportation.

This section will inventory recreational facilities and provide goals and strategies for addressing New Sharon's future needs for recreational space and activities.

This section will include goals and strategies to guide future economic development in New Sharon. These plans will be coordinated with state and regional economic development plans and take into consideration the need for various land uses in creating a robust economic condition for New Sharon.

This section will include objectives, policies, and programs addressing preservation and protection of agricultural and natural resources.

This section will address various potential hazards that have the greatest likelihood of impacting New Sharon or that pose a risk of catastrophic damage as such hazards relate to land use and development decisions, as well as the steps necessary to mitigate risk after considering the local hazard mitigation plan approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

This section will identify goals and strategies for joint planning and joint decision-making with other municipalities or governmental entities, including school districts and drainage districts, for siting and constructing public facilities and sharing public services. We may identify existing or potential conflicts between New Sharon and other local governments related to future development and may include recommendations for resolving such conflicts. This section will also identify opportunities to collaborate and partner with neighboring jurisdictions and other entities in the region for projects of mutual interest.