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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S Introduction Community Vision i The Laramie Comprehensive Plan iii Chapter 1: Planning Challenges Purpose 1-1 Why Plan? 1-2 The Planning Process 1-4 Focus of the Plan 1-5 Key Issues 1-5 Key Issues 1-6 Community Character 1-6 City Center 1-7 Transportation 1-8 Affordable Housing 1-9 Growth Management 1-10 Economic Development 1-11 Infrastructure 1-12 Parks and Recreation 1-12 Natural Resource, Environmental and Wildlife Protection 1-12 Development Review Process 1-13 Chapter 2: Conditions and Outlook Introduction 2-1 Community Context 2-2 Location 2-2 Setting and Environment 2-3 Laramie River 2-3 National Forests 2-4 Casper Aquifer 2-4 ---PAGE BREAK--- L A R A M I E C O M P R E H E N S I V E P L A N Monolith Ranch 2-4 Habitat 2-5 Mineral Resources 2-5 Demographic Assessment 2-5 Historical Population 2-6 Projected Future Population 2-7 Conflicting Growth Trends 2-8 Projected Verses Targeted Future Population 2-9 Implications of Population Change 2-11 Age 2-11 Housing and Household Characteristics 2-12 Housing Occupancy, Tenure and Value 2-13 Affordability 2-15 Economic Assessment 2-17 Income and Poverty 2-17 Employment 2-18 Summary of Findings 2-19 Chapter 3: Community Character Introduction 3-1 Purpose 3-2 Community Character 3-2 Character Considerations 3-3 Issues and Opportunities 3-3 Environmental Consciousness, Protection and Sensitive Planning 3-4 Open Space Preservation 3-7 Compatible Patterns of Development 3-8 Downtown Success and Economic Sustainability 3-10 Enhanced Community Character and Appearance 3-12 Existing Land Use Inventory 3-15 Future Land Use Plan 3-15 Future Land Use Classification Specifications and Proposed Changes 3-16 Community Character Types 3-17 Natural Character 3-17 Agriculture Character 3-18 Character 3-18 Estate Character 3-18 Suburban Character 3-19 Suburban 3-19 Suburban Commercial 3-19 Auto-Urban Character 3-19 Auto-Urban Single Family 3-20 Auto-Urban Multi-Family 3-20 ---PAGE BREAK--- L A R A M I E C O M P R E H E N S I V E P L A N Auto-Urban Commercial 3-20 Industrial 3-20 Urban Character 3-20 Urban Residential 3-21 Urban Commercial 3-21 Urban University 3-21 Land Use and Community Character Goals and Action Statements 3-22 Land Use Policies Goals and Action Statements 3-22 Environmental Consciousness, Protection and Sensitive Planning Goals and Action Statements 3-24 Open Space Preservation Goals and Action Statements 3-25 Land Use Compatibility Goals and Action Statements 3-26 Downtown Success and Economic Sustainability Goals and Action Statements 3-27 Community and Special Area Character Enhancement Goals and Action Statements 3-29 Chapter 4: Parks & Recreation Introduction 4-1 General Park & Recreation Issues 4-2 Resource Conservation and Preservation 4-2 Balance, Convenient and Accessible Parks 4-3 Linking Parks, Schools and Neighborhoods 4-4 Coordination, Collaboration and Funding 4-5 Park Classification and Standards 4-5 Community Parks 4-5 Community Park Role 4-5 Community Park Standards 4-6 Community Park Locations 4-6 Neighborhood Parks 4-7 Neighborhood Park Role 4-7 Neighborhood Park Standards 4-7 Neighborhood Park Locations 4-8 Playlots 4-8 Playlot Role 4-8 Playlot Standards 4-8 Playlot Locations 4-9 Open Space 4-9 Miscellaneous Facilities 4-10 Facility Development Guidelines 4-11 Locations 4-12 Descriptions 4-12 Community Parks 4-12 Neighborhood Parks 4-15 ---PAGE BREAK--- L A R A M I E C O M P R E H E N S I V E P L A N Playlots 4-17 Athletic Fields 4-17 Greenbelts and Trails 4-17 Special Facilities 4-17 Joint Use of School Facilities 4-18 Needs Assessment 4-19 Resources vs. Needs 4-19 Qualitative Analysis and Commentary 4-20 Service Areas 4-21 Opportunities and Constraints 4-21 Opportunities 4-21 Constraints 4-22 Parks and Recreation System Goals and Action Statements 4-23 New Parks and Facilities Goals and Action Statements 4-23 New and Extended Trails Goals and Action Statements 4-24 Bicycle Lanes and Bikeways Goals and Action Statements 4-25 Open Space Goals and Action Statements 4-26 Chapter 5: Housing and Neighborhoods Introduction 5-1 Summary of Key Housing and Neighborhood Issues 5-2 Quality, Affordable Housing 5-2 Neighborhood Revitalization 5-2 Appearance 5-2 Efficient Growth 5-3 Building New Neighborhoods 5-3 Life Cycle Housing 5-3 Urban and Rural Character 5-3 Related Studies and Regulations 5-4 Current Housing Outlook 5-5 Housing Costs 5-5 Affordability 5-6 Housing Conditions 5-10 Changing Demand for Housing 5-11 Recent Construction 5-12 Development Review, Permitting Process and Zoning Regulations 5-13 Future Housing Advocacy 5-14 Current Neighborhood Outlook 5-16 Physical Threats to Neighborhood Character 5-16 Appropriately Sized Residences 5-17 ---PAGE BREAK--- L A R A M I E C O M P R E H E N S I V E P L A N Creating a Sense of Security 5-17 Housing and Neighborhood Goals and Action Statements 5-18 Housing Goals and Action Statements 5-19 Neighborhood Goals and Action Statements 5-22 Chapter 6: Public Utilities The Growth Management Challenge 6-1 Utility System Facilities, Service Areas and Conditions 6-1 Water Supply, Treatment, Distribution and Storage 6-1 Water Treatment 6-2 Water Distribution and Storage 6-2 Sanitary Sewer System 6-4 Sewage Collection 6-4 Wastewater Treatment 6-5 Storm Drainage System 6-5 Solid Waste 6-6 Utility Systems Goals and Action Statements 6-7 Water Supply, Treatment, Distribution and Storage Goals And Action Statements 6-7 Sanitary Sewer System Goals and Action Statements 6-8 Solid Waste Goals and Action Statements 6-9 Stormwater Goals and Action Statements 6-9 Chapter 7: Urban Growth Expansion Versus Infill Development 7-1 Laramie 7-1 Albany County 7-2 Moving Toward a Growth Management Strategy 7-2 Developed Area 7-2 Urban Growth Areas 7-3 Development Limitation Areas 7-3 Rural Growth Areas 7-4 Periodic Expansion 7-4 Effect on Development Pattern 7-5 Growth Management Program 7-5 Developed Areas 7-5 Urban Growth Areas 7-6 Development Limitation Areas 7-6 Rural Growth Areas 7-8 Levels of Service 7-8 Urban Growth Goals and Action Statements 7-9 Redevelopment Goals and Action Statements 7-9 Urban Growth Areas Goals and Action Statements 7-9 Development Limitation Areas Goals and Action Statements 7-10 ---PAGE BREAK--- L A R A M I E C O M P R E H E N S I V E P L A N Rural Growth Areas Goals and Action Statements 7-11 Chapter 8: Transportation Introduction 8-1 Mobility Issues 8-2 Available City-wide Transportation Services 8-2 Pedestrian Mobility Improvements 8-6 Efficient Surface Transportation Mobility 8-8 Multi-Modal Systems 8-12 Air Travel 8-12 Rail Travel 8-14 Major Street Planning 8-14 Transportation Goals and Action Statements 8-15 Public Transportation Goals and Action Statements 8-15 Non-Motorized Transportation System Goals and Action Statements 8-16 Thoroughfare Improvement and Effective Capacity Management Goals and Action Statements 8-19 Multi-Modal System Goals and Action Statements 8-21 Major Street Planning Goals and Action Statements 8-21 Chapter 9: Economic Development Introduction 9-1 Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of the Community 9-2 Issues and Opportunities 9-5 Easing the Site and Community Selection Process 9-5 Infrastructure Condition and Capacity 9-7 Training and Workforce Development 9-8 Image and Community Character 9-10 Achieving Quality, Affordable Housing 9-11 Economic Goals and Action Statements 9-13 Economic Competitiveness Goals and Action Statements 9-13 Infrastructure Management and Readiness Goals and Action Statements 9-14 Training and Workforce Development Goals and Action Statements 9-15 Image and Community Character Goals and Action Statements 9-16 Quality, Affordable Housing Goals and Action Statements 9-18 ---PAGE BREAK--- L A R A M I E C O M P R E H E N S I V E P L A N Chapter 10: Public Safety Introduction 10-1 Overview of Emergency Preparedness 10-2 Crime Prevention and Response 10-2 Fire Hazards 10-4 Potential Flooding Hazards 10-5 Natural Hazards 10-5 Protection of the Casper Aquifer 10-6 Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Materials Storage and Handling 10-6 Contaminated Sites 10-7 Airport Safety 10-8 Social Services 10-8 Sewer, Water and our Land Fill 10-8 Deterioration of Housing Units 10-8 Pedestrian Crossings 10-9 Public Safety Goals and Action Statements 10-10 Crime Prevention and Response Goals and Action Statements 10-10 Fire Hazards Goals and Action Statements 10-11 Potential Flooding Hazards Goals and Action Statements 10-12 Natural Hazard Goals and Action Statements 10-12 Protection of the Casper Aquifer Goals and Action Statements 10-13 Hazardous Waste and Management Goals and Action Statements 10-13 Contaminated Sites Goals and Action Statements 10-14 Social Services Goals and Action Statements 10-14 Pedestrian Crossing Goals and Action Statements 10-14 Chapter 11: Conservation (Reserved Chapter) Chapter 12: Implementation Introduction 12-1 Methods and Responsibility for Implementation 12-2 Plan Administration 12-4 Education and Training 12-4 Role Definition 12-4 City Council 12-5 Planning Commission 12-5 City Departments and Plan Administrator 12-5 Plan Amendments 12-6 Annual Progress Report 12-6 Bi-annual Amendment Process 12-6 ---PAGE BREAK--- L A R A M I E C O M P R E H E N S I V E P L A N 5 Year Update/Evaluation and Appraisal Report 12-7 Intergovernmental Coordination 12-8 Recommended Strategies for Intergovernmental Cooperation 12-9 Implementation Strategies 12-9 Unified Land Development Code 12-10 Zoning Ordinance 12-10 Subdivision Ordinance 12-12 Infrastructure Standards 12-13 Growth Management 12-14 City-County Planning Coordination 12-15 Capital Improvement and Public Facilities Plan 12-15 Parks, Recreation and Trails 12-16 Revitalization and Enhancement Plans 12-17 Architectural and Subdivision Design Guidelines 12-18 Affordable Housing and Housing Rehabilitation Programs 12-18 Economic Development 12-19 APPENDIX A LIST OF TABLES Table Name Page 2.1 Historical Population 2‐6 2.2 Median Age 2‐11 2.3 Persons Per Household 2‐12 2.4 Housing Changes 2‐13 2.5 Housing Affordability 2‐14 2.6 Laramie Housing Costs 2‐15 2.7 Comparative House Values and Rents 2‐16 2.8 Median Household Income 2‐17 2.9 Poverty Level 2‐17 2.10 Number of Establishments 2‐18 2.11 Employment by Industry 2‐18 3.1 Future Land Use Classifications 3‐16 4.1 Facility Development Guidelines (Part I) 4‐13 4.2 Facility Development Guidelines (Part II) 4‐14 4.3 Laramie Parks and Recreation Facilities 4‐15 4.4 Recommended Area Standards 4‐19 4.5 Existing Acreage vs. Future Demands in Laramie 4‐20 5.1 Annualized Percent Rent Increases in Albany County 5‐6 5.2 Changes in Median Income and Housing Costs 5‐7 5.3 Population in Living Units, Laramie 5‐11 ---PAGE BREAK--- L A R A M I E C O M P R E H E N S I V E P L A N 5.4 Changes in Households and Housing Units in Laramie 5‐11 5.5 Housing Units Authorized by Building Permits in Laramie 5‐12 5.6 Summary of Zoning Districts in Laramie 5‐13 8.1 Functional Classifications 8‐11 9.1 Laramie Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats 9‐3 12.1 Implementation Strategies 12‐17 LIST OF FIGURES Figure Name Page 2.1 Laramie Floodplains 2‐3 2.2 Minerals 2‐5 2.3 Decennial Population for Wyoming and the U.S 2‐6 2.4 Projected Population of Laramie 2‐7 2.5 Alternative Population Projection Scenarios 2‐8 2.6 Laramie and Albany County Housing Units 2‐9 2.7 Age Breakdown 2‐11 2.8 Household Size 2‐13 2.9 Owner Occupancy 2‐14 2.10 Median Housing Costs 2‐16 3.1 Development Clustering 3‐21 3.2 Transferable Development Rights 3‐24 3.3 Dynamic Bufferyard 3‐29 4.1 Typical Community Park Layout 4‐6 4.2 Typical Neighborhood Park Layout 4‐8 4.3 Trail Development to the East 4‐22 5.1 Average and Projected Sales Prices of Existing Homes 5‐5 5.2 Percentage of Income on Rental Housing in Laramie 5‐7 5.3 Albany County Vacancy Rates 5‐12 8.1 Public Assisted Transportation System Fixed Route 8‐4 8.2 UW Shuttle Routes 8‐6 8.3 Sidewalk Placement 8‐7 8.4 Alternative Cross‐Sections 8‐8 8.5 Bay Design Alternatives 8‐16 8.6 Viaduct Walkway 8‐17 9.1 Age Breakdown 9‐9 LIST OF MAPS 2.1 Monolith Ranch Chapter 2 3.1 Existing Land Use Chapter 3 3.2 Future Land Use Chapter 3 4.1 Existing Parks, Park Facilities & Schools Chapter 4 4.2 Park and School Service Areas Chapter 4 4.3 Bicycle and Proposed Park Facility Expansion Areas Chapter 4 4.4 Trails Master Plan Chapter 4 4.5 South and East Laramie Trails Master Plan Chapter 4 ---PAGE BREAK--- L A R A M I E C O M P R E H E N S I V E P L A N 6.1 Water Distribution Deficiencies Chapter 6 6.2 Wastewater Improvements Chapter 6 6.3 Drainage Study Areas Chapter 6 7.1 Developed Areas Chapter 7 7.2 Urban Growth Areas Chapter 7 7.3 Development Concerns Chapter 7 8.1 Major Street Plan Chapter 8 10.1 Current Emergency Services and Fire Response Chapter 10 10.2 Proposed Fire Station and Fire Response Area Chapter 10 10.3 Flood Plains Chapter 10 10.4 Casper Aquifer Protection Areas Chapter 10 10.5 Potential Environmental Hazards Chapter 10 10.6 Pedestrian Crossing Safety Chapter 10