GOALS & OBJECTIVES

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AGRICULTURE

Goal:

Preserve the most productive farmland, as a source for viable agricultural activities that enhance the county’s economy and provide rural character.

Objectives:

1. Use LESA (productivity portion) to determine the most productive land.

2. Maintain and protect the most productive agricultural lands where appropriate, by discouraging non-agricultural growth in these areas.

3. Encourage best management practices to reduce potential negative impacts to natural resources.

4. Support enactment of state and county programs that provide incentives and support land owners who choose farming as a way of life.

5. Recognize the cultural, social, recreational, conservation, economic, environmental and aesthetic benefits provided by agricultural use.

6. Where and when appropriate, encourage development practices, such as conservation design, cluster development, etc. that promote agricultural preservation.

COMMUNICATIONS

Goal:

A public, County Board and media that are clearly and routinely informed on the mission, purpose, activities and recommendations of the McHenry County Regional Planning Commission.

Objectives:

1. Provide consistent and accurate information on a regular and timely basis.

2. Promote broad awareness of, and participation in the planning process to facilitate buy-in and support for the resultant plan.

3. Be proactive (versus reactive) in communicating with the press.

4. Communicate to a broad countywide audience, including the County Board, other elected and appointed officials, representative interest groups, the media and members of the general public.

5. Communicate through a variety of traditional and innovative media approaches.

COMMUNITY CHARACTER

Goals:

Housing

Promote and encourage “opportunities” ( Zoning, Subdivision, Redevelopment, etc.) for diversified, affordable, and attainable housing that meets the needs of all of the citizens. If you work here, you should be able to live here.

Quality of Life

Promote development, redevelopment, infill development, conservation, environmental protection, and public improvements that support the highest quality of life in existing and future communities. The owner of property today must be a responsible steward of the land for future generations.

Neighborhood Form

Promote and encourage the appropriate use of design principles as an alternative to conventional suburban sprawl. The essence of neighborhood cohesiveness should be emphasized and encouraged.

Schools

Promote growth that supports overall long-term financial health, and best utilization of existing and future facilities for all school districts. Improved educational opportunities should be a result of future growth.

Historic / Cultural Heritage

Promote the conservation and protection of historically significant structures and sites in both the urban and rural setting. If we don’t know where we came from, we cannot expect to know where we are going.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

General Goals:

1. Support the work of the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation, including the attraction of new businesses and the retention of existing businesses, to help broaden the county’s economic base.

2. Support the work of the McHenry County Convention & Visitors Bureau to help broaden and promote tourism throughout the county.

3. Provide adequate transportation facilities and supporting infrastructure in order to retain and attract new businesses to help broaden the county’s economic base.

4. Encourage the expansion of institutions of higher learning to enhance workforce skills to help broaden the county’s economic base.

5. Work with municipalities to develop and/or re-vitalize commercial retail centers to help broaden the county’s economic base.

Specific Goals:

1. Identify the county in terms of meaningful business zones and recognize key characteristics of each zone.

2. Recognize ag-tourism and alternate agriculture as viable economic tools.

3. Protect productive and valuable aggregate resources ensuring their availability for future generations.

4. Work to locate technology-based companies in McHenry County.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Goal:

Development in McHenry County shall be served with adequate infrastructure, including wastewater treatment, potable water, stormwater control and management systems, roads, waste management and other utilities.

Objectives:

1. Promote and ensure that sufficient roadway systems exist to serve the needs within the County.

2. Promote and encourage the development of multi-modal systems of transportation for travel within the County, as well as to encourage and foster the expansion and integration of existing transportation systems for travel to points outside of the County.

3. Promote and encourage the development of appropriate and adequate facilities (trails, bike paths, etc.) for the use of pedestrian and non-motor traffic for safety, convenience and for recreational purposes, and to provide to the extent possible for the interconnection of such systems.

4. Encourage and ensure that future development in the County concentrates growth in and around existing infrastructure, and maximize, expand upon and improve those existing facilities.

5. Promote and provide for adequate access to current technological and communications services for all County citizens.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINANTION

Goals:

1. Encourage and promote individual community identities.

2. Promote coordinated plans between neighboring municipalities, townships and the County.

3. Encourage municipalities to enter into boundary agreements.

4. Encourage the stewardship of the land – lead by example.

OPEN SPACE, ENVIRONMENTAL
AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Goal:

Wise land use decisions that recognize the qualities of natural resources and the environment, that protect environmentally sensitive areas, and provide aesthetically pleasing places.

Objectives:

1. Promote the retention and management of open space for recreation, wildlife habitat, and conservation.

2. Promote the designation and management of environmental corridors to:

a. link open space areas, particularly waterways within the County,

b. permit wildlife movement between areas,

c. encourage the preservation of environmentally sensitive corridors, and

d. connect existing trails and public open space.

3. Promote land use practices that minimize soil erosion.

4. Promote regional bikeway-trail systems that enhance recreational opportunities while providing greenways between communities and important open space resources.

5. Promote land uses that:

a. maintain the integrity of local and regional natural systems,

b. preserve natural features,

c. minimize the impact on land, water, energy, and other natural resources.

d. minimize air, noise, and light pollution.

WATER RESOURCES

Goal:

Wise land use and development decisions that preserve and enhance existing surface and groundwater resources.

Objectives:

1. Preserve and replenish the quality and quantity of existing groundwater resources.

2. Preserve the capacity of groundwater systems to supply projected drinking and irrigation water needs and to provide adequate flows to sustain healthy aquatic ecosystems

3. Promote land use and development and placement practices that conserve and replenish water resources

4. Preserve and enhance the chemical, physical, biological and hydrologic integrity of streams, lakes and wetlands. More specifically, preserve and enhance streams and rivers to achieve a minimum Class B rating for aquatic integrity as reported by the Illinois EPA.

5. Protect and enhance the capacity of streams and lakes to meet recreational demands for fishing, swimming, and boating.

6. Prevent increases in flooding and flood damages and associated channel erosion related to increased stormwater runoff.

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