Anyone interested in helping shape current strategies for protecting the
Loess Hills is invited to a 10 am meeting preceding the EX-Com meeting
in Ames this weekend.
See Jane's directions to the Iowa State U site.
Jim
Jim Redmond
Professor of English
Briar Cliff University
712-279-5544
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-----Original Message-----
From: Iowa Discussion, Alerts and Announcements
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jane Clark
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 2:31 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Polk County land use meetings FYI
POLK COUNTY PUBLIC INPUT MEETINGS:
Northeast Polk County Beltway
Polk County Comprehensive Land-Use Plan
The Northeast Polk County Beltway proposal is speeding through planning
process with minimal citizen input. Polk County gave a contract to
Snyder &
Associates (from Ankeny) for a feasibility study.
Polk County also gave a contract to CR Planning (from Minneapolis) to
create
a new Comprehensive Land-Use Plan. These two studies could be later
combined
to create the NE Beltway and thousands of acres of development along
with
it. Citizens must participate during this process to emphasize smart
growth
and the value of prime farmland.
Public input meetings are happening soon. Please plan on attending the
Elkhart meeting about the NE Beltway and a meeting in February about the
Comprehensive Plan. All of the February meetings will have the same
content.
NE Beltway:
Elkhart Community Center, 204 W. Main Street, Thursday, January 27, 5-7
pm
>This meeting will include maps of the NE Beltway with alternative
routes
and documentation produced in the course of the study.
Polk Couty Comprehensive Land-use Plan:
Jester Park Lodge, 11407 NW Jester Park Dr. Polk City, Wednesday Feb.
2.,
7:00 pm
North Polk High School, Alleman, Thursday Feb. 3, 7:00 pm
Polk County Public Works, 5885 NE 14th Street, Wednesday Feb. 9, 7:00
SE Polk Junior High School, 801 NE University Ave., 7:00
>These meetings will be to discuss the process of creating the new Polk
County Comprehensive Land-Use Plan. Citizens can sign up for various
committees at these meetings. There will be committees to represent
various
regions of the County, and committees for housing and economic
development.
These committees are a great opportunity- sign up!
1000 Friends of Iowa is recommending several changes to Polk County
regarding the public participation process. A lot of activity has been
happening surrounding the Northeast Polk County Beltway study; however,
crucial information and decision-making has been shared amongst a small
group of hand-picked people. Although we are opposed to this project, we
must currently focus on changing the planning process and circulation of
information.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Communicate with Polk County by email, phone, or at these meetings with
the
following recommendations:
. Early and continuous public involvement
. A list of opportunities and expected timelines that the public can be
involved in transportation and land-use planning of NE Polk County
. Any maps that have been created since September of 2003 detailing
alternatives being studied or land-use within the corridor
. Interested citizens should receive notices of meetings of the Project
Management Team and the Northeast Beltway Coalition. (these meetings DO
occur, they just don't involve the public)
. Meeting minutes of the Project Management Team and the Northeast
Beltway
Coalition should be available to interested citizens
Polk County: Email [log in to unmask] or call 286-3120
Stephanie Weisenbach
1000 Friends of Iowa
3524 Sixth Avenue, Des Moines
288-5364
www.kfoi.org
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