Assembled by OpenPublica from the documents it serves for this government. Each section below is a separate publication by the government, and its page numbers are that section's own. We have pinned 1 slot here, so an element absent from this file may simply not have been reviewed yet.
The Lincoln-Lancaster County 2050 Comprehensive Plan is a roadmap to “plan forward”, not only in time, but in concept, to envision a community that is Livable, Equitable, Thriving, Resilient, and Innovative.
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CITY OF LINCOLN NEBRASKA LANCASTER COUNTY
Adopted November 12, 2021
The Lincoln-Lancaster County 2050 Comprehensive Plan embodies Lincoln and Lancaster County’s shared vision for the future, out to the year 2050. The theme of the Comprehensive Plan is “Plan Forward,” because it will envision a future that not only looks forward in time, but also forward in concept with new and innovative ideas to support our growing community. The development of the Comprehensive Plan included extensive public input with contributions from all facets of the community – from local leaders and topic area experts, to regular citizens who have shared interest in building a strong vision for Lincoln and Lancaster County.
The Planning Department wishes to thank the following:
Land Acknowledgement ............................................................................................1.2 Growth Framework .....................................................................................................1.5 Fundamentals of Growth in Lancaster County .....................................................1.5 The Rural Environment.........................................................................................1.6 The Community in 2050........................................................................................1.6 Figure Gf.a: Population Density.........................................................................1.8 Benefits of Well-Planned Growth .......................................................................1.9 Land Use Plan .......................................................................................................1.10 Figure GF.b: 2050 Future Land Use Plan.........................................................1.11 Figure GF.b: 2050 Future Land Use Plan .........................................................1.12 Future Growth Tier Map.......................................................................................1.14 Tier I ......................................................................................................................1.15 Figure GF.c: 2050 Priority Growth Area...........................................................1.15 Tier II .....................................................................................................................1.17 Tier III ....................................................................................................................1.18 Concurrency .........................................................................................................1.18 Annexation ...........................................................................................................1.19 Community Background ..........................................................................................1.21 History....................................................................................................................1.21 The Region ............................................................................................................1.21 The People.............................................................................................................1.21 Public Engagement Process ...................................................................................1.23 Acknowledgements ..............................................................................................1.23 Public Engagement Process Summary ...............................................................1.23 Community Committee .......................................................................................1.24 Equity Subcommittee...........................................................................................1.24 Staff Committee ...................................................................................................1.24
PlanForward 2050 was developed by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Planning Department. Should you require a reasonable accommodation in order to fully participate or information in an alternative format, please contact us at 402-441-7491.
For more information, contact:
Lincoln/Lancaster County Planning Dept. 555 S. 10th Street, Suite 213 Lincoln, NE 68508
G1: Safe, Affordable, and Accessible Housing......................................................................2.4 Figure G1.a: Cost Burdened Households in Lincoln ..................................................2.4 Policies Related to this Goal........................................................................................2.5 Community Indicators Related to this Goal ..............................................................2.5 G2: Complete Neighborhoods......................................................................................................2.6 Policies Related to this Goal........................................................................................2.6 Community Indicators Related to this Goal ..............................................................2.7 G3: High-Quality Workforce.........................................................................................................2.8 Figure G3.a: Poverty Status for Age 25 and Over, Lancaster County ........................2.8 Figure G3.b: Median Earnings in the Past 12 Months, Lancaster County ................2.9 Figure G3.c: Race and Educational Attainment, Lancaster County ..........................2.9 Figure G3.d: Labor Force Participation, Lancaster County........................................2.10 Policies Related to this Goal........................................................................................2.11 Community Indicators Related to this Goal ..............................................................2.11 G4: Economic Opportunity ...........................................................................................................2.12 Policies Related to this Goal........................................................................................2.12 Community Indicators Related to this Goal ..............................................................2.13 G5: Equity and Inclusion..............................................................................................................2.14 Figure G5.a: Lincoln "Redline" Map, 1933 .................................................................2.16 Table G5.a: Median Family Income, Lancaster County...............................................2.17 Figure G5.b: Median Household Income, Lancaster County......................................2.17 Table G5.b: Poverty Status in Past 12 Months, Lancaster County ............................2.18 Table G5.c: Housing Tenure, Lancaster County .........................................................2.18 Figure G5.c: Life Expectancy .......................................................................................2.20 Policies Related to this Goal........................................................................................2.21 Community Indicators Related to this Goal ..............................................................2.21 G6: Healthy, Active, and Connected People..............................................................................2.22 Figure G6.a: Parks and Recreational Facilities............................................................2.23 Vulnerability and service area data source: Parks and Recreation Department ....................................................................................................................2.23 Policies Related to this Goal........................................................................................2.24 Community Indicators Related to this Goal ..............................................................2.24 G7: Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability...................................................................2.25 Figure G7.a: LES Portfolio CO2 Rate...........................................................................2.25 Policies Related to this Goal........................................................................................2.26 Community Indicators Related to this Goal ..............................................................2.27 G8: Community Resiliency ...........................................................................................................2.28 Figure G8.a: Lincoln's Future Climate Change............................................................2.28 Policies Related to this Goal........................................................................................2.29 Community Indicators Related to this Goal ..............................................................2.29 G9: Civic Participation ..................................................................................................................2.30 Policies Related to this Goal........................................................................................2.31 Community Indicators Related to this Goal ..............................................................2.31 G10: Effective Government...........................................................................................................2.32 Policies Related to this Goal........................................................................................2.32 Community Indicators Related to this Goal ..............................................................2.33
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G11: Rural Environment ........................................................................................2.34 Policies Related to this Goal ...........................................................................2.34 Community Indicators Related to this Goal....................................................2.35
G12: History and Culture .....................................................................................2.36 Figure G12.a: ..................................................................................................2.36 Actual and Projected Population for Major Racial/Ethnic Groups, Lancaster County .............................................................................................................2.36 Policies Related to this Goal ...........................................................................2.37 Community Indicators Related to this Goal....................................................2.37
G13: Community Appearance..............................................................................2.38 Policies Related to this Goal ...........................................................................2.38 Community Indicators Related to this Goal....................................................2.38
G14: Technology...................................................................................................2.39 Table G14.a: Internet Access, Lancaster County .............................................2.39 Policies Related to this Goal ...........................................................................2.41 Community Indicators Related to this Goal....................................................2.41
G15: Transportation..............................................................................................2.42 Policies Related to this Goal ...........................................................................2.43 Community Indicators Related to this Goal....................................................2.43
E1: Complete Neighborhoods and Housing .......................................................3.3 Figure E1.a: Strategies for Design, Sustainability and Complete Neighborhoods in Developing Areas ..............................................................................................3.6 Figure E1.a: Strategies for Design, Sustainability and Complete Neighborhoods in Developing Areas ..............................................................................................3.7 Figure E1.b: Strategies for Design, Sustainability and Complete Neighborhoods in Existing Areas......................................................................................................3.8 Existing Neighborhoods ...................................................................................3.10 Developing Neighborhoods .............................................................................3.10 Affordable Housing..........................................................................................3.11 Table E1.a: Housing Type by Decade, Lincoln................................................3.12 Rural Housing ..................................................................................................3.13 Figure E1c: Rural Housing on the 2050 Future Land Use Map .......................3.14 Trends in Housing............................................................................................3.16 Policies Related to this Element:.....................................................................3.16 Goals Related to this Element ........................................................................3.17
E2: Infill and Redevelopment..............................................................................3.18 Infill and Redevelopment Approach ...............................................................3.19 Figure E2.a: Infill Districts ..............................................................................3.20 Greater Downtown ..........................................................................................3.21 Mixed Use Redevelopment Nodes and Corridors ..........................................3.21 Redevelopment Nodes.....................................................................................3.21 Redevelopment Corridors ................................................................................3.22 Location Criteria...............................................................................................3.22 Design Strategies for Mixed Use Nodes and Corridors.................................3.22 Figure E2.b: Design Strategies for Mixed Use Nodes and Corridors ............3.23 Example 1 ........................................................................................................3.23 Figure E2.b: Design Strategies for Mixed Use Nodes and Corridors ............3.24
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Example 2.......................................................................................................................................3.24 Primary Mixed Use Redevelopment Nodes and Corridors.......................................................3.25 Figure E2.c: Gateway Mall Area Long-Term Redevelopment Concept..................................3.26 Neighborhood Edges ...................................................................................................................3.27 Figure E2.d: Locations of Primary Mixed Use Redevelopment Nodes and Corridors ..........................................................................................................................................................3.27 Existing Neighborhoods .............................................................................................................3.28 Figure E2.e: Neighborhood Edge Example..............................................................................3.28 High-Quality Design.....................................................................................................................3.29 Redevelopment Incentives..........................................................................................................3.29 Policies Related to this Element.......................................................................................3.30 Goals Related to this Element .........................................................................................3.30 E3: Business, Economy and Workforce............................................................................................3.31 Economy and Workforce Development ....................................................................................3.31 Figure E3.a: Business & Commerce Sector Employment .......................................................3.32 Figure E3.b: Government Sector Employmemt........................................................................3.32 Figure E3.C: Industrial Sector Employmemt............................................................................3.33 Downtown......................................................................................................................................3.37 Lancaster County, Outside of Lincoln .....................................................................................3.37 Commercial and Industrial Development ...............................................................................3.38 Commercial Centers ....................................................................................................................3.38 Figure E3.d: Commercial Center Design Strategies...............................................................3.40 Figure E3.d: Commercial Center Design Strategies...............................................................3.41 Figure E3.e: Regional Centers...................................................................................................3.44 Commercial Infill ...........................................................................................................................3.45 Figure E3.f: Commercial Infill Design Strategies....................................................................3.46 Industrial Centers .........................................................................................................................3.47 Potential Large Employer Opportunity Areas .........................................................................3.48 Policies Related to this Element ......................................................................................3.48 Goals Related to this Element .........................................................................................3.49 E4: Environmental Resources............................................................................................................3.50 Figure E4a: Water Cycle.............................................................................................................3.50 Local Food.....................................................................................................................................3.53 Environmental Resources Categories .....................................................................................3.53 Native Prairie.........................................................................................................................3.54 Freshwater Wetlands ..........................................................................................................3.55 Saline Wetlands ...................................................................................................................3.55 Threatened and Endangered Species ..............................................................................3.56 Basins and Streams .............................................................................................................3.56 Floodplains ...........................................................................................................................3.57 Agricultural Lands................................................................................................................3.57 Views and Vistas ..................................................................................................................3.58 Parks, Trail Corridors, and Other Recreational Areas ...................................................3.58 Urban Forest .........................................................................................................................3.58 Woodlands ............................................................................................................................3.58 Figure E4b: Environmental Resource.......................................................................................3.59 Policies Related to this Element ......................................................................................3.60 Goals Related to this Element .........................................................................................3.60
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Table E5.a: Sites Managed by the Parks and Recreation Department ............................3.61 Figure E5.a: Existing and Future Park Sites ...................................................................3.62
Figure E5.b: Community Park Diagram...........................................................................3.64
Figure E5.c: Neighborhood Park Diagram ......................................................................3.65 Figure E5.d: Joint School and Park Site ("Sparks") Diagram .........................................3.66
.........................................................................................................................................3.69
Figure E5.e: Greenway Linkages ....................................................................................3.72 Figure E5.f: Salt Valley Greenway...................................................................................3.73
Figure E6.a: Capitol View Corridors ...............................................................................3.78
Figure E6.b: Entryway Corridors......................................................................................3.80
Figure E6.c: Historic & Capitol Environs District ...........................................................3.82
Figure E7.a: Existing Community Facilities ....................................................................3.87
Figure E7.b: Existing Fire Districts .................................................................................3.89
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Rural School Districts ...........................................................................................................3.92 Private and Parochial Schools .............................................................................................3.92 Figure E7.c: Joint School and Park Site..............................................................................3.92 Community Colleges, Trade Schools, and Universities ......................................................3.93 Other Public Buildings and Facilities ...................................................................................3.93 Policies Related to this Element .........................................................................................3.94 Goals Related to this Element .............................................................................................3.94 E8: Energy and Utilities...........................................................................................................3.95 Energy ......................................................................................................................................3.95 Statutory Requirements.....................................................................................................3.97 Energy Use.........................................................................................................................3.97 Figure E8.a: Nebraska's Energy Use by Type ..................................................................3.98 Figure E8.b: Nebraska's Energy Use by Sector................................................................3.98 Water Services ........................................................................................................................3.99 Lincoln Water System and County Water Resources .......................................................3.99 Figure E8.c: Lincoln's Energy Use by Sector ....................................................................3.99 Figure E8.d: Existing and Future City of Lincoln Water Pressure Zones .........................3.101 Groundwater Management Plan........................................................................................3.102 Wastewater Services ..............................................................................................................3.102 Collection System ..............................................................................................................3.102 Figure E8.e: Existing and Future City of Lincoln Wastewater Improvements ....3.103 Water Resource Recovery Facilities..................................................................................3.104 Watershed Management..........................................................................................................3.105 Floodplain and Stormwater Management .........................................................................3.105 Comprehensive Watershed Management .........................................................................3.105 Floodplain Management ....................................................................................................3.106 Solid Waste (Sustainable Materials Management)................................................................3.107 Collection ...........................................................................................................................3.107 Disposal ..............................................................................................................................3.107 Environmental Services .....................................................................................................3.107 Landfill Gas Collection and Control ..................................................................................3.108 Strategies for Solid Waste Management ...........................................................................3.108 Electric Service ........................................................................................................................3.109 Figure E8.f: Solid Waste Circular Economy......................................................................3.109 Figure E8.g: LES Service Area and LES/Norris Joint Planning Area..............................3.111 Wind Energy .......................................................................................................................3.112 Natural Gas Service3.112 Policies Related to this Element .........................................................................................3.113 Goals Related to this Element .............................................................................................3.113 E9: Transportation ...................................................................................................................3.114 Existing Conditions and Issues...........................................................................................3.116 Community Growth and Travel Patterns ...........................................................................3.117 Active Transportation and Multi-Use Trails .......................................................................3.117 Existing Transit System......................................................................................................3.118 Existing Freight System......................................................................................................3.119 Existing Rail System ...........................................................................................................3.120 Existing Airports and Airfields ...........................................................................................3.120
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Community Input on Transportation ............................................................................3.121 Major Public Outreach Efforts .....................................................................................3.121 Planning for the Transportation Needs of 2050 ..........................................................3.122 The 2050 Needs Based Plan ........................................................................................3.122 Major Streets and Right-of-Way Considerations. .......................................................3.122 Figure E9.a: Major Streets and Right-of-Way Map......................................................3.124 Fiscally Constrained Transportation Plan ...................................................................3.125 Revenue Forecasts........................................................................................................3.125 Fiscally Constrained Transportation Plan....................................................................3.126 NDOT Highways Program.............................................................................................3.126 Figure E9.b: LRTP Resource Allocation ($1M)............................................................3.126 Lancaster County Rural Roads Program .....................................................................3.127 Figure E9.c-1: Fiscally Constrained Rural Road and Bridge Capital Projects ...3.128 Figure E9.c-2: Fiscally Constrained Urban Roadway Capital Projects .................3.129 City of Lincoln Urban Roads Program .........................................................................3.130 Transit............................................................................................................................3.132 Active Transportation....................................................................................................3.134 Figure E9.d: Priority Trail Projects ...............................................................................3.136 Policies Related to this Element..................................................................................3.138 Goals Related to this Element .....................................................................................3.139
P1: Housing Affordability .............................................................................................4.4 Goals Supported by this Policy .............................................................................4.5 Elements Related to this Policy ............................................................................4.5 P2: Existing Neighborhoods.........................................................................................4.6 Action Steps ...........................................................................................................4.6 Goals Supported by this Policy .............................................................................4.7 Elements Related to this Policy ............................................................................4.7 P3: Developing Neighborhoods ...................................................................................4.8 Action Steps ...........................................................................................................4.8 Goals Supported by this Policy .............................................................................4.9 Elements Related to this Policy ............................................................................4.9 P4: Rural Housing ........................................................................................................4.10 Action Steps ...........................................................................................................4.10 Goals Supported by this Policy .............................................................................4.11 Elements Related to this Policy ............................................................................4.11 P5: Downtown ..............................................................................................................4.12 Action Steps ...........................................................................................................4.12 Goals Supported by this Policy .............................................................................4.13 Elements Related to this Policy ............................................................................4.13 P6: Nodes and Corridors .............................................................................................4.14 Action Steps ...........................................................................................................4.14 Goals Supported by this Policy .............................................................................4.15 Elements Related to this Policy ............................................................................4.15
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P7: Redevelopment Incentives....................................................................................4.16 Action Steps ..............................................................................................................4.16 Goals Supported by this Policy ...............................................................................4.17 Elements Related to this Policy ..............................................................................4.17 P8: Infill and Redevelopment....................................................................................4.18 Action Steps ..............................................................................................................4.18 Goals Supported by this Policy ...............................................................................4.19 Elements Related to this Policy ..............................................................................4.19 P9: Skilled, Diverse, and Trained Workforce...........................................................4.20 Action Steps ..............................................................................................................4.20 Goals Supported by this Policy ...............................................................................4.21 Elements Related to this Policy ..............................................................................4.21 P10: Supporting Small Businesses ...........................................................................4.22 Action Steps ..............................................................................................................4.22 Goals Supported by this Policy ...............................................................................4.22 Elements Related to this Policy ..............................................................................4.23 P11: Parking Requirements ......................................................................................4.24 Action Steps ..............................................................................................................4.24 Goals Supported by this Policy ...............................................................................4.24 Elements Related to this Policy ..............................................................................4.24 P12: Economic Growth .............................................................................................4.25 Action Steps ..............................................................................................................4.25 Goals Supported by this Policy ...............................................................................4.25 Elements Related to this Policy ..............................................................................4.25 P13: Commercial and Industrial Centers..................................................................4.26 Action Steps ..............................................................................................................4.26 Goals Supported by this Policy ...............................................................................4.26 Elements Related to this Policy ..............................................................................4.26 P14: Commercial Infill .............................................................................................4.27 Action Steps ..............................................................................................................4.27 Goals Supported by this Policy ...............................................................................4.27 Elements Related to this Policy ..............................................................................4.27 P15: Infrastructure and Economic Development......................................................4.28 Action Steps ..............................................................................................................4.28 Goals Supported by this Policy ...............................................................................4.28 Elements Related to this Policy ..............................................................................4.28 P16: Rural Economy.................................................................................................4.29 Action Steps ..............................................................................................................4.29 Goals Supported by this Policy ...............................................................................4.30 Elements Related to this Policy ..............................................................................4.30
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P17: Predictability...............................................................................................................4.31 Action Steps .......................................................................................................................4.31 Goals Supported by this Policy ............................................................................4.31 Elements Related to this Policy...........................................................................4.31 P18: Conservation Design..................................................................................................4.32 Action Steps .......................................................................................................................4.32 Goals Supported by this Policy ............................................................................4.33 Elements Related to this Policy...........................................................................4.33 P19: Native Prairie..............................................................................................................4.34 Action Steps .......................................................................................................................4.34 Goals Supported by this Policy ............................................................................4.35 Elements Related to this Policy...........................................................................4.35 P20: Ecology and Habitat..................................................................................................4.36 Action Steps .......................................................................................................................4.36 Goals Supported by this Policy ............................................................................4.37 Elements Related to this Policy...........................................................................4.37 P21: Floodplains and Riparian Areas................................................................................4.38 Action Steps .......................................................................................................................4.38 Goals Supported by this Policy ............................................................................4.39 Elements Related to this Policy...........................................................................4.39 P22: Local Food ..................................................................................................................4.40 Action Steps .......................................................................................................................4.40 Goals Supported by this Policy ............................................................................4.41 Elements Related to this Policy...........................................................................4.41 P23: Salt Valley Greenway and Connecting Green Corridors Concept Implementation4.42 Action Steps .......................................................................................................................4.42 Goals Supported by this Policy ............................................................................4.44 Elements Related to this Policy...........................................................................4.44 P24: Environmental Resource Protection ........................................................................4.45 Action Steps .......................................................................................................................4.45 Goals Supported by this Policy ............................................................................4.46 Elements Related to this Policy...........................................................................4.46 P25: Open Space with Development.................................................................................4.47 Action Steps .......................................................................................................................4.47 Goals Supported by this Policy ............................................................................4.48 Elements Related to this Policy...........................................................................4.48 P26: Community Forestry Management ..........................................................................4.49 Action Steps .......................................................................................................................4.49 Goals Supported by this Policy ............................................................................4.50 Elements Related to this Policy...........................................................................4.50
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P27: Regional Parks and Tournament Facilities ......................................................................... 4.51 Action Steps ......................................................................................................................... 4.51 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................... 4.51 Elements Related to this Policy ................................................................................... 4.51 P28: Community Parks ................................................................................................................ 4.52 Action Steps ......................................................................................................................... 4.52 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................... 4.53 Elements Related to this Policy ................................................................................... 4.53 P29: Neighborhood Parks ........................................................................................................... 4.54 Action Steps ......................................................................................................................... 4.54 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................... 4.55 Elements Related to this Policy ................................................................................... 4.55 P30: Recreation Centers / Community Learning Centers ............................................................ 4.56 Action Steps ......................................................................................................................... 4.56 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................... 4.57 Elements Related to this Policy ................................................................................... 4.57 P31: Aquatic Facilities ................................................................................................................ 4.58 Action Steps ......................................................................................................................... 4.58 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................... 4.58 Elements Related to this Policy ................................................................................... 4.58 P32: Other Recreational Facilities and Activities ......................................................................... 4.59 Action Steps ......................................................................................................................... 4.59 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................... 4.60 Elements Related to this Policy ................................................................................... 4.60 P33: Parks and Recreation Partnerships..................................................................................... 4.61 Action Steps ......................................................................................................................... 4.61 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................... 4.62 Elements Related to this Policy ................................................................................... 4.62 P34: Urban Design Standards .................................................................................................... 4.63 Action Steps ......................................................................................................................... 4.63 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................... 4.64 Elements Related to this Policy ................................................................................... 4.64 P35: Entry Corridors.................................................................................................................... 4.65 Action Steps ......................................................................................................................... 4.65 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................... 4.65 Elements Related to this Policy ................................................................................... 4.65 P36: Public Art............................................................................................................................ 4.66 Action Steps ......................................................................................................................... 4.66 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................... 4.66 Elements Related to this Policy ................................................................................... 4.66
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P37: Historic Preservation .......................................................................................4.67 Action Steps .........................................................................................................4.67 Goals Supported by this Policy .......................................................................4.68 Elements Related to this Policy ......................................................................4.68 P38: State Capitol ...................................................................................................4.69 Action Steps .........................................................................................................4.69 Goals Supported by this Policy .......................................................................4.70 Elements Related to this Policy ......................................................................4.70 P39: Community Space ...........................................................................................4.71 Action Steps .........................................................................................................4.71 Goals Supported by this Policy .......................................................................4.72 Elements Related to this Policy ......................................................................4.72 P40: Libraries .........................................................................................................4.73 Action Steps .........................................................................................................4.73 Goals Supported by this Policy .......................................................................4.74 Elements Related to this Policy ......................................................................4.74 P41: Fire and Rescue..............................................................................................4.75 Action Steps .........................................................................................................4.75 Goals Supported by this Policy .......................................................................4.75 Elements Related to this Policy ......................................................................4.75 P42: Law Enforcement ............................................................................................4.76 Action Steps .........................................................................................................4.76 Goals Supported by this Policy .......................................................................4.76 Elements Related to this Policy ......................................................................4.76 P43: Health Care Access ........................................................................................4.77 Action Steps .........................................................................................................4.77 Goals Supported by this Policy .......................................................................4.77 Elements Related to this Policy ......................................................................4.77 P44: Education .......................................................................................................4.78 Action Steps .........................................................................................................4.78 Goals Supported by this Policy .......................................................................4.78 Elements Related to this Policy ......................................................................4.78 P45: Early Childhood Care and Education ............................................................4.79 Action Steps .........................................................................................................4.79 Goals Supported by this Policy .......................................................................4.80 Elements Related to this Policy ......................................................................4.80 P46: Public Buildings ..............................................................................................4.81 Action Steps .........................................................................................................4.81 Goals Supported by this Policy .......................................................................4.82 Elements Related to this Policy ......................................................................4.82
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P47: Civic Participation ........................................................................................................4.83 Action Steps ........................................................................................................................4.83 Goals Supported by this Policy .....................................................................................4.83 Elements Related to this Policy .....................................................................................4.83 P48: Renewable Energy .......................................................................................................4.84 Action Steps ........................................................................................................................4.84 Goals Supported by this Policy .....................................................................................4.85 Elements Related to this Policy .....................................................................................4.85 P49: Conservation of Energy ...............................................................................................4.86 Action Steps ........................................................................................................................4.86 Goals Supported by this Policy .....................................................................................4.87 Elements Related to this Policy .....................................................................................4.88 P50: Water Quantity and Quality ........................................................................................4.89 Action Steps ........................................................................................................................4.89 Goals Supported by this Policy .....................................................................................4.89 Elements Related to this Policy .....................................................................................4.89 P51: Groundwater ................................................................................................................4.90 Action Steps ........................................................................................................................4.90 Goals Supported by this Policy .....................................................................................4.90 Elements Related to this Policy .....................................................................................4.90 P52: Wastewater System......................................................................................................4.91 Action Steps ........................................................................................................................4.91 Goals Supported by this Policy .....................................................................................4.91 Elements Related to this Policy .....................................................................................4.91 P53: Gravity Flow Collection System...................................................................................4.92 Action Steps ........................................................................................................................4.92 Goals Supported by this Policy .....................................................................................4.92 Elements Related to this Policy .....................................................................................4.92 P54: Wastewater Resource Recovery Facilities..................................................................4.93 Action Steps ........................................................................................................................4.93 Goals Supported by this Policy .....................................................................................4.93 Elements Related to this Policy .....................................................................................4.93 P55: Watershed Planning ....................................................................................................4.94 Action Steps ........................................................................................................................4.94 Goals Supported by this Policy .....................................................................................4.94 Elements Related to this Policy .....................................................................................4.94 P56: Waste Management System .......................................................................................4.95 Action Steps ........................................................................................................................4.95 Goals Supported by this Policy .....................................................................................4.95 Elements Related to this Policy .....................................................................................4.95
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P57: Energy from Waste and Emission Reductions: .....................................................................4.96 Action Steps ..................................................................................................................................4.96 Goals Supported by this Policy ...........................................................................................4.96 Elements Related to this Policy ...........................................................................................4.96 P58: Waste Reduction and Diversion...........................................................................................4.97 Action Steps ..................................................................................................................................4.97 Goals Supported by this Policy ...........................................................................................4.97 Elements Related to this Policy ...........................................................................................4.98 P59: Electric Utility .........................................................................................................................4.99 Action Steps ..................................................................................................................................4.99 Goals Supported by this Policy ...........................................................................................4.99 Elements Related to this Policy ...........................................................................................4.99 P60: Technology..............................................................................................................................4.100 Action Steps ..................................................................................................................................4.100 Goals Supported by this Policy ...........................................................................................4.101 Elements Related to this Policy ...........................................................................................4.101 P61: Industrial Zoning and Pipelines ............................................................................................4.102 Action Steps ..................................................................................................................................4.102 Goals Supported by this Policy ...........................................................................................4.102 Elements Related to this Policy ...........................................................................................4.102 P62: Transportation Equity .............................................................................................................4.103 Action Steps ..................................................................................................................................4.103 Goals Supported by this Policy ...........................................................................................4.104 Elements Related to this Policy ...........................................................................................4.104 P63: Transportation and the Environment ..................................................................................4.105 Action Steps ..................................................................................................................................4.105 Goals Supported by this Policy ...........................................................................................4.106 Elements Related to this Policy ...........................................................................................4.106 P64: Complete Streets.....................................................................................................................4.107 Goals Supported by this Policy ...........................................................................................4.108 Elements Related to this Policy ...........................................................................................4.108 P65: Transportation and Managing Growth ...............................................................................4.109 Action Steps ..................................................................................................................................4.109 Goals Supported by this Policy ...........................................................................................4.110 Elements Related to this Policy ...........................................................................................4.110 P66: Congestion Management.......................................................................................................4.111 Action Steps ..................................................................................................................................4.111 Goals Supported by this Policy ...........................................................................................4.111 Elements Related to this Policy ...........................................................................................4.111
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P67: Transportation and Economic Health......................................................................4.112 Action Steps ................................................................................................................4.112 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................4.112 Elements Related to this Policy................................................................................4.112 P68: Pedestrians ...............................................................................................................4.113 Action Steps ................................................................................................................4.113 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................4.114 Elements Related to this Policy................................................................................4.114 P69: Bicycles....................................................................................................................4.115 Action Steps ................................................................................................................4.115 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................4.116 Elements Related to this Policy................................................................................4.116 P70: Transit.......................................................................................................................4.117 Action Steps ................................................................................................................4.117 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................4.118 Elements Related to this Policy................................................................................4.118 P71: Public ROW and Access .........................................................................................4.119 Action Steps ................................................................................................................4.119 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................4.119 Elements Related to this Policy................................................................................4.119 P72: Freight ......................................................................................................................4.120 Action Steps ................................................................................................................4.120 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................4.120 Elements Related to this Policy................................................................................4.120 P73: Shared Mobility........................................................................................................4.121 Action Steps ................................................................................................................4.121 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................4.122 Elements Related to this Policy................................................................................4.122 P74: Advanced Mobility...................................................................................................4.123 Action Steps ................................................................................................................4.123 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................4.124 Elements Related to this Policy................................................................................4.124 P75: Transportation Partnerships ...................................................................................4.125 Action Steps................................................................................................................4.125 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................4.125 Elements Related to this Policy................................................................................4.125 P76: Transportation Safety ..............................................................................................4.126 Action Steps................................................................................................................4.126 Goals Supported by this Policy ................................................................................4.127 Elements Related to this Policy................................................................................4.127
Table of Contents
P77: Transportation Maintenance ..................................................................................4.128 Action Steps................................................................................................................4.128 Goals Supported by this Policy..................................................................................4.128 Elements Related to this Policy..................................................................................4.128 P78: Transportation Funding...........................................................................................4.129 Action Steps................................................................................................................4.129 Goals Supported by this Policy..................................................................................4.130 Elements Related to this Policy..................................................................................4.130 P79: Airport .....................................................................................................................4.131 Action Steps................................................................................................................4.131 Goals Supported by this Policy..................................................................................4.131 Elements Related to this Policy..................................................................................4.131 P80: Annexation...............................................................................................................4.132 Action Steps................................................................................................................4.132 Goals Supported by this Policy..................................................................................4.132 Elements Related to this Policy..................................................................................4.132
Land Use Administration ................................................................................................5.3 Five Year Tasks ...........................................................................................................5.3 Table 1.a: Five Year Implementation Tasks....................................................................5.4 Financial Resources.........................................................................................................5.6 Strategies for Financing Rural Infrastructure ............................................................5.6 Strategies for Financing Urban Infrastructure ............................................................5.6 Capital Improvements Programming...............................................................................5.7 Public Sector Contributions .......................................................................................5.7 Private Sector Contributions ......................................................................................5.8 Strategies for the Capital Improvement Program .......................................................5.8 On-Going Comprehensive Plan Activities......................................................................5.9 Plan Amendments ..........................................................................................................5.11 Plan Update Process ......................................................................................................5.11
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The Lincoln–Lancaster County 2050 Comprehensive Plan is a roadmap to “plan forward”, not only in time, but in concept, to envision a community that is Livable, Equitable, Thriving, Resilient, and Innovative.
CITY OF LINCOLN NEBRASKA LANCASTER NEBRASKA COUNTY
Introduction
The City of Lincoln Land Acknowledgement Statement reads as follows:
We want to acknowledge that our community rests on the traditional lands of the Ponca, Omaha, Winnebago, Dakota and Otoe Peoples past and present, and honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations. This calls us to commit to work in partnership with our Indigenous Peoples, continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land we now inhabit as well.
PlanForward is the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County. PlanForward embodies Lincoln and Lancaster County's shared vision for the future, out to the year 2050. PlanForward acknowledges the importance and interconnectedness of economic, environmental, and socio-cultural domains, and the ways in which technology and public policy are applied and affect outcomes in these domains. PlanForward therefore is a combination of practicality and vision and provides guidelines for sustaining the rich mosaic that now characterizes our growing community. The core promise embedded in PlanForward is to maintain and enhance the health, safety, and welfare of our community during times of change, to promote our ideals and values as changes occur, and to meet the needs of today without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
For a “good quality of life,” a community has more than jobs, shelter, utilities, and roads — there are numerous services, education, historic, natural, and cultural resources that are fundamental to enriching lives in our One Community.
Introduction
The update process of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan began by looking back in order to plan forward. One of the strengths in LPlan 2040 is the continuity of commitments made to “maintain and enhance the health, safety and welfare of our community during times of change, while promoting ideals and values.” Our nation and communities are facing new challenges that not only impact how we respond today but how we plan for our future generations.
Now more than ever our interconnectedness and action-oriented lenses of equity are vital for us individually and as One Community. As we adopt and implement PlanForward we intentionally want to pause to reflect and celebrate some of the unique mosaics of our One Community, Lincoln and Lancaster County:
...one public school district in Lincoln, One Community. ...the Largest Yazidi community in North America. ...welcoming visitors from across the country for the Josh fight. ...being recognized for having the most welcoming fan base in college football.
PlanForward sustains the rich mosaic noted in LPlan 2040 characterizing our growing community needs and is a candid partnership of practicality and vision. Planning for sustainable change requires patience, commitment, effective collaboration, and timing, in addition to recognizing and accepting when matters are not within our capacity.
The Lincoln-Lancaster County 2050 Comprehensive Plan is a roadmap to “plan forward,” not only in time, but in concept, to envision a community that is:
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Introduction
Resilient a capacity to adapt to new challenges, ensure the security of physical cultural resources and sustainably meet the needs of current and future generations.
Innovative continuous improvement and innovation through the use of data, technology, smart city strategies, and problem solving.
Livable a safe and healthy environment that provides a high quality of life for all residents.
Thriving engage businesses, educational institutions, economic development efforts, labor representatives, and other stakeholders to ensure that the community prospers by remaining a place of economic opportunity, maintaining a positive a positive business environment, and addressing workforce needs.
Equitable provide meaningful access to all opportunities and establishes a culture of belonging, regardless of a person's identity (i.e. economic status, race, ethnic background, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or mental, physical or linguistic ability).
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Growth Framework 1.5
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Community Background 1.21
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Public Engagement Process 1.23
Introduction
The Growth Framework is a key element to turning the community vision into reality. The core elements of the Growth Framework are the Land Use Plan and Future Growth Tiers Map. The location, form, and timing of growth in Lincoln and Lancaster County is tied to the implementation of goals and policies across all topics discussed in PlanForward.
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Lincoln and Lancaster County are One Community while containing a rich mosaic of households, living in a variety of urban and rural settings. We share a common bond and work cooperatively to promote future growth that offers new opportunities for living and working while conserving our local environmental and cultural resources for future generations.
In addition, Lincoln remains a unified community. The policies of a single public school district, drainage basin development, and provision of city utilities only within the city limits continue to be a positive influence and help shape the City for decades to come. These principles are sustained in order to preserve our ability to move forward as one community.
The following guiding principles for the development of the urban and rural environment are further expanded upon within the various sections of the plan.
The Urban Environment
Multi-directional contiguous growth. Lincoln’s future urban growth should generally occur in multiple directions around the existing city. Lincoln will continue to have managed and contiguous growth, including strengthening our Downtown core. Lincoln’s sense of community has been based on incremental, compact growth built on the foundations of established neighborhoods. Future growth will continue this traditional pattern and be linked to both the level of demand in the market and to the orderly extension of public improvements and services.
Gravity flow wastewater. The City of Lincoln’s wastewater collection system, in general, will continue to be a gravity flow system that is designed to use gravity as the main energy source to convey wastewater from the community to the water resource recovery facilities. This means that drainage basin boundaries are a primary guiding factor when determining availability of urban wastewater services and other infrastructure. This provides for contiguous growth, efficient long range planning, and cost-effective construction and management of the system.
Urban infrastructure availability. The City of Lincoln will provide water and wastewater service only to properties located within the corporate limits of the city.
Maximized infrastructure investments. The City of Lincoln’s present infrastructure investment should be maximized by planning for well-designed and appropriately-placed residential and commercial development in existing areas of the city with available capacity. This can be accomplished by redeveloping underutilized
Introduction
commercial centers into areas that include a mix of uses, and encouraging higher-density residential redevelopment in appropriate locations, including missing middle housing. New infrastructure investments to serve growth areas can be maximized by encouraging a higher density of both residential and commercial uses in these areas.
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Commercial and industrial development. New commercial and industrial development should be located in Lincoln and other incorporated communities. Lincoln has ample land area and infrastructure availability for commercial and industrial development. The situation is similar in most incorporated communities in the county. Rural areas of the county do not have access to urban infrastructure, and commercial or industrial development can add significant traffic and maintenance responsibilities to county roads.
Historic preservation. Preservation and renewal of historic buildings, districts, and landscapes is encouraged. Development and redevelopment should respect historical patterns, precedents, and boundaries in towns, cities and existing neighborhoods.
Natural resource preservation. Natural and environmentally sensitive areas should be preserved within and between neighborhoods. Conservation areas and open lands should be used to define and connect different neighborhoods. The natural topography and features of the land should be preserved by new development to maintain the natural drainageways and minimize land disturbance.
One public school district. Lincoln Public Schools is the only public school district within the City of Lincoln, and the Lincoln Public School boundary will continue to expand as the city limits of Lincoln expand.
Focus on agriculture. Rural areas should be preserved for agriculture, a limited supply of low density residential, and other compatible land uses. Acknowledge the fundamental "right to farm" in agriculture districts.
Future urban growth. Preserve areas for the future growth of incorporated towns in the county, including areas outside of the current one-mile zoning jurisdiction of certain towns. Areas within Lincoln’s growth tiers should be preserved as agriculture to allow for future urbanization.
Natural resource preservation. Ensure that acreage and rural development preserve and protect environmentally sensitive areas, and maximize the preservation of our nonrenewable resources.
The following assumptions provide the framework for growth in the 2050 plan. More information on population and demographic trends can be found in the 2050 Demographic Projections report.
Introduction
Introduction
Figure Gf.a: Population Density
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What do these assumptions mean for the community over the next 30 years? Many families with children will likely desire suburban development similar to what is seen today, and the growth framework provides ample opportunity for traditional suburban development. However, there are indications that other segments of the population may have different housing needs. The large increase in households with a head of household over the age of 65 may create a demand for smaller dwellings with smaller yards, multi-family units such as apartments, condos and townhouses, or assisted living facilities. The younger segment of the population, particularly college-aged or recent college graduates, often express a desire for a more urban setting that includes access to transit, proximity to amenities such as shopping and dining, and smaller dwellings that don't require a great deal of time spent on maintenance.
1.8 PlanForward 2050
Introduction
The trend toward smaller average household sizes will also have an impact. Since the 1940s household size in Lancaster County has been steadily falling, from over 3 persons per household in the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s to 2.36 persons in 2020, down to a projected 2.30 persons in 2050. The decrease in household size will mainly be due to more single person households, as the senior population increases and the younger population waits longer to start families. It may also indicate an inclination toward smaller houses and more multi-family housing.
A third trend which may have an impact, although probably smaller than the others already mentioned, is the increasingly diverse racial and ethnic mix experienced in the community. It is unclear what effect an increasing racial and ethnic diversity will have on the housing patterns of the community, but there may be new markets for housing products not currently common in Lincoln. Immigrants from all over the world may bring a desire for community form that more closely resembles their former homeland, including multi-generational household arrangements.
The Complete Neighborhoods and Housing and Infill and Redevelopment elements discuss the development of different housing types across the community over the next 30 years.
When planning for Lincoln’s growth an emphasis on appropriately-paced and well-designed infill benefits the entire community by providing:
A focus on maintaining existing infrastructure. A higher proportion of infill development allows the city to focus more funds on enhancing and maintaining current infrastructure and services.
Predictable and efficient provision of new infrastructure. The City’s policy of contiguous growth anchored by a gravity-flow wastewater system provides a cost-effective, predictable, and efficient way to construct and maintain urban infrastructure and services necessary to serve new growth areas.
Shorter automobile trips. In general, with more infill there would be less distance between housing and jobs/ services. This would benefit all residents by reducing system-wide lane miles traveled: fewer drivers would need to make an “across town” commute, and people taking short trips would be more likely to use other modes of transportation, which would decrease added strain on the street network.
Increased viability for alternate modes of travel. A higher proportion of infill supports multiple modes of transportation. Transit becomes more effective at higher densities, and increased infill development would create increased demand for more riders along existing routes. In addition, trail and on-street bicycle facility investments become more practical with more users. This is good not only for users of non-auto travel, but also for motorists as vehicular traffic growth and related congestion can be slowed.
Reduced carbon emissions. Shorter automobile trips and more users of alternative transit will help to reduce the community’s carbon footprint over the next 30 years.
Balanced growth throughout the community, across both existing areas and new growth areas. Continued investment within the city ensures that our existing neighborhoods and commercial areas remain vibrant and desirable locations. More “rooftops” near existing commercial areas help to support continued commercial investment.
Preservation of surrounding rural areas. Increased infill in Lincoln will help preserve the rural character of Lancaster County, including the preservation of productive farmland and sensitive natural environments.
Introduction
There is one land use plan for both the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County. The land use plan displays the generalized location of each land use. It is not intended to be used to determine the exact boundaries of each designation. The area of transition from one land use to another is often gradual. The Comprehensive Plan also encourages the integration of compatible land uses, rather than a strict segregation of different land uses.
Individual proposals for land use changes should be evaluated using best available information. Issues such as the presence of floodplains, effect on neighboring land uses, and preservation and protection of natural resources are among the considerations that should be reviewed in making specific land use decisions.
More information about how the Land Use Plan was determined is in the Growth Scenario Report.
Introduction
Figure GF.b: 2050 Future Land Use Plan
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| Public & Semi-Public | Environmental Resources | Agricultural | Residential - Urban Density | Commercial | Light Industrial |
| Lakes & Streams | Green Space | Residential - Low Density | Ag Stream Corridor | Industrial | Future Service Limit |
Introduction
Figure GF.b: 2050 County Future Land Use Plan
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| Public & Semi-Public | Green Space | Residential - Urban Density | Industrial |
| Lakes & Streams | Agricultural | Ag Stream Corridor | Light Industrial |
| Environmental Resources | Residential - Low Density | Commercial | Future Service Limit |
Introduction
The land use plan for Lincoln and Lancaster County contains several general categories of land use types that are listed below:
Industrial. Areas where railroads, manufacturing, trucking and transportation facilities are the dominant land use, with some commercial activities.
Light Industrial. Areas for light manufacturing and assembly, warehousing, business trade, research and development, and associated office and retail uses. Proximity to major transportation routes is important. Uses in this category would produce little or no noise, odor, vibration, glare, or other objectionable influences and would have little or no adverse effect on surrounding properties.
Commercial. Areas of retail, office, service and residential mixed uses. Commercial uses may vary widely in their intensity of use and impact. Individual areas designated as commercial in the land use plan may not be appropriate for every commercial zoning district.
Urban Residential. Residential uses in areas with varying densities ranging from more than fifteen dwelling units per acre to less than one dwelling per acre. All types of housing are appropriate here, from detached single family, duplex and missing middle, to higher density multi-family. Undeveloped areas shown as Urban Residential may also include neighborhood-scale commercial and other compatible uses that will be added to the map after approval of development plans.
Low Density Residential. Residential areas, often referred to as acreages, having densities ranging from 1 to 5 acres per dwelling unit, with a typical density of 3 acres per dwelling unit. Existing Low Density Residential areas within the Future Service Limit with urban utilities available may also be appropriate for future Urban Residential development.
Agricultural. Land principally in use for agricultural production and compatible industries like solar and wind energy production. Agricultural land may be in transition to more diversified agribusiness ventures such as growing and marketing of products (e.g., horticulture, silvaculture, aquaculture) on site. Some land in the Agricultural category may be enrolled in voluntary preservation programs such as the USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
Public and Semi-Public. Areas of public or semi-public land use and/or structures that serve the general public. Only the largest facilities are shown on the land use plan. Highways and interstates are also included in this category.
Green Space. Public or privately-owned areas predominantly used for recreation, such as parks, golf courses, soccer or ball fields, and trails. Many green space areas also serve functions such as buffers between incompatible uses and as stormwater management areas. In some cases, privately-owned Green Space such as golf courses may also be appropriate for future Urban Residential development.
Lakes and Streams. This category includes the larger stream corridors, lakes, and ponds.
Agricultural Stream Corridor. Land intended to remain in open space, predominately in agricultural use, but that may also include parks, recreation fields, or parking areas when near future commercial, industrial, or public uses. These areas are mostly in the 100 year floodplain, outside of the existing Lincoln urban development.
Environmental Resources. Land and water masses which are of particular importance for maintenance and preservation, such as saline wetlands, native prairie, and some floodway and riparian corridors.
Future Service Limit. The land use plan also displays the future service limit for the City of Lincoln. Land inside this line represents the anticipated area to be provided with urban services within the planning period.
Introduction
The land use plan also displays the generalized land use plans for other incorporated places within the county. These include:
Individual plans are posted on the Planning Department website.
Where land use designations in these plans are not identical to those used in the Lincoln/Lancaster County land use plan, adjustments were made to reflect the intended land use.. At all times, individual towns should be consulted as the source for decisions within their zoning jurisdictions.
The Planning Department will continue its policy of coordinating with other Lancaster County towns by sharing information, notifying them of activity near their jurisdictions, and continually updating the land uses identified in their individual comprehensive plans on the Lancaster County Future Land Use map.
In order to facilitate a sustainable growth pattern, the Priority Growth Tiers Areas map shows the phased growth anticipated over the next 50 years and beyond. The growth areas are broken up into four general regions: Redevelopment and infill in the existing city, and the Tier I, II, & III growth areas. Tier I includes three Priority Areas for phasing development as discussed below. Priority A, which is mostly within the existing city limits, is shown as red hatching over the yellow area, Priority B is shown in dark red, and Priority C in pink. Tier II is shown in dark green and Tier III in light green.
Introduction
Figure GF.c: 2050 Priority Growth Area
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Tier I Tier I reflects the “Future Service Limit,” approximately 50 square miles of developing areas and beyond the existing city limits where urban services and inclusion in the city limits are anticipated within the 30-year planning period. This area should remain in its current use in order to permit future urbanization by the City.
Lincoln regularly maintains at least a 10-year development cushion for potential growth areas and will continue to do so in PlanForward. This means that the Tier 1 area, meant to accommodate Lincoln’s growth through 2050, has enough land area to satisfy demand through 2060. This “extra” land is included in order to provide flexibility for development options within the 2050 Future Service Limit.
Introduction
The top priority for infrastructure improvements is the existing city and areas that are currently under development. In order to provide for the orderly future growth of the city, additional land is identified in Tier I as the next area for improvement. However, the community does not have the financial resources, nor is it necessary, to provide urban services to the entire Tier I area within the next few years. So within Tier I, the community needs to prioritize areas for infrastructure improvements.
Priority A of Tier I — 18.1 square miles
Priority A is comprised of undeveloped land within the City limits, as well as areas that are not yet annexed but which have approved preliminary plans such as preliminary plats, use permits, community unit plans, or planned unit developments, or areas outside city limits that will have immediate infrastructure access upon annexation.
There are still significant infrastructure needs within the existing city and areas currently under development. The top priority areas are those which are within the city limits at the beginning of the planning period. In some cases, annexation agreements commit the City to the construction of certain improvements (arterial roads, water and wastewater lines) by a predetermined date, or commit the City to the repayment of their cost which may have initially been assumed by the developer. Priority A serves as the “future urban area” for purposes of annexation per state statute, and these areas are appropriate for immediate annexation upon final plat approval. In general, commitments to serve the Priority A areas should be met before the annexation of new areas within Priority B.
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Priority B of Tier I — 16.8 square miles
Areas designated for development in the first half of the planning period (to 2036) are generally contiguous to existing development and should be provided with basic infrastructure as they develop. Some of the infrastructure required for development may already be in place. Some infrastructure improvements may be made in the near term while others, such as road improvements that are generally more costly, may take longer to complete. In certain cases, areas in Priority B have special agreements that include some level of commitment to build future infrastructure. These areas move into Priority A upon approval of development plans.
Priority C of Tier I — 18.8 square miles
The next areas for development, after 2036, are those which currently lack almost all infrastructure required to support urban development. In areas with this designation, the community will maintain present uses until urban development can commence. Infrastructure improvements to serve this area will not initially be included in the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), but will be actively planned for in the longer term capital improvement planning of the various city and county departments.
Guidelines for Amending Priority Areas:
Introduction
and services in the long term. Initially, roads may not be built to the full capacity; for example, rural asphalt roads may continue to be used for some period, or a two lane urban street may be built and later expanded to four lanes with turn lanes when conditions warrant. Public safety services and schools may be provided to an area by facilities that are more distant and new facilities phased in over time.
Generally, adequate infrastructure improvements should be completed in all Priority A areas where there is development interest prior to beginning infrastructure in Priority B and C areas.
It is anticipated that there may be unique circumstances that may warrant consideration of development of land in Priority B prior to the full completion of improvements in Priority A. In addition it is expected that there will be proposals to change land from Priority C to B. Proposals for changes from Priority C to B should be evaluated and considered through a review process that should consider the following items:
The project is contiguous to the City and proposed for immediate annexation (for Priority A), and is consistent with principles of the Comprehensive Plan.
The developer provides information demonstrating how the necessary infrastructure improvements to serve the area would be provided and financed. The City should contact other public agencies to obtain their report on the infrastructure necessary to serve the area, including utilities, roads, fire service, public safety, parks, trails, schools and library needs.
The impacts that development in the area will have on capital and operating budgets, level of service, service delivery and Capital Improvement Programs are addressed, including impact of financing, utility rates and other revenue sources and to what degree the developer is willing to finance improvements. In order to maintain a fiscally constrained plan, acceleration of one project may mean other planned projects must be removed from the list of future facilities.
There is demonstrated substantial public benefit and circumstances that warrant approval of the proposal in advance of the anticipated schedule.
Growth into most of the Priority C areas is comparatively inefficient in terms of required capital investment as compared to the Priority B areas.
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Tier II is an area of approximately 19 square miles that defines the geographic area the city is assumed to grow into immediately beyond Tier I. It shows areas where long term utility planning is occurring today and acts as a secondary reserve should Tier I develop faster than anticipated. Tier II should remain in its current use in order to allow for future urban development.
Introduction
Infrastructure planning, especially for utilities such as water, wastewater and watershed facilities, can reach beyond the Plan’s 30-year time horizon to 50 years and further. Water, wastewater and watershed master plans identify infrastructure, environmental issues and future project needs in undeveloped sub-basins. As new areas are proposed for transfer from Tier II to Tier I, these plans should be used to assist in guiding development.
The Plan’s premise is that within the next ten years, if the anticipated growth expectations are realized, additional areas from Tier II will be added to Tier I. Such change would include amending the Future Service Limit accordingly to reflect the new 30-year planning time frame. Conversely, if growth is slower or more dense than anticipated, the addition of new areas may not be necessary.
The balance between the efficient use of existing urban infrastructure and the provision of a sufficient supply of land to maintain an affordable lot supply is a delicate one, and one that should be carefully considered in this process. It is important that relevant data be maintained and critical analysis be conducted in any decision to increase the supply of Tier I land.
Tier III provides an approximately 128.4 square mile area for Lincoln’s longer term growth potential — beyond 50 years. This area is based upon the drainage basins located within the 3-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction, excluding the area identified as Salt Creek Tiger Beetle habitat. Little active planning of utilities or service delivery is likely to occur in the near term in Tier III. However, it should also remain in its present use in order to provide for future urban development.
Public infrastructure - including transportation facilities, water, sewer, parks, schools, and libraries - is essential to the health, safety, and welfare of the community. In new growth areas, the most essential public infrastructure (such as electricity, water, sewer, pedestrian facilities and roads) should be made concurrently with that growth.
Some public infrastructure, such as water and sewer lines, is most efficiently built to serve the ultimate demand of the new area. Other public infrastructure, such as arterial roads, may be provided in proportion to the initial need, with later improvements added as growth proceeds. Still other services, such as schools and libraries, may be provided at more remote locations until the population to support a new facility is in place. Developing public infrastructure in this manner will protect the public health, safety and welfare of the community while efficiently using taxpayer funds.
Conversely, infrastructure should not be built or developed if it is not needed. Public resources are scarce and should be conserved and used efficiently. Development of infrastructure beyond the needs of the community is a waste of resources and is not beneficial to the community as a whole. Thus, some improvements, such as park land, must be obtained early in the process, but may not be fully improved until more development occurs. Land for other services such as fire and police stations or schools may also be obtained. This may also apply to road improvements, which in early stages can be adequately served by two-lane paved streets, after obtaining the needed future urban right-of-way, with additional lanes planned for but not developed until later when traffic demand warrants the improvements.
The key to a successful community is the concurrent development of infrastructure proportionate to the development and need of the community — a balance between the need for infrastructure and the need to conserve resources.
Introduction
The City of Lincoln requires that properties receiving municipal services be located within city limits. City annexation should occur before any property is provided with water, sanitary sewer, or other potential City services. In most cases this also means that annexation must occur prior to a property receiving an urban zoning designation.
Information regarding annexation procedures can be found in the Annexation policy.
Annexation is a necessary and vitally important part of the future growth and health of Lincoln. The City of Lincoln has been successful with urban development occurring within its city limits. The City routinely annexes land at the request of a developer or landowner as part of the regular development process. This allows properties to be supplied with City services when they are needed, and the City benefits from the property taxes, utilities, and other fees that City residents pay.
Some properties along the City’s edge may not be interested in further development and thus will not request annexation. It makes sense for the City to initiate annexation of adjacent properties that are already developed and require a minimal public investment to serve.
Reasons for City-initiated annexation include:
Annexation generally implies the opportunity to access all City services within a reasonable period of time. Voluntary annexation agreements may limit or otherwise outline the phasing, timing or installation of utility services (e.g., water, sanitary sewer), and may include specific or general plans for the private financing of improvements to the infrastructure supporting or contributing to the land uses in the annexed area. The annexation of large projects may be done in phases as development proceeds.
The character of existing residential areas should be respected as much as possible during the annexation process. When low density “acreage” areas are proposed for annexation due to the City’s annexation policy, additional steps should be taken to ease the transition as much as possible, such as public meetings, advance notice and written explanation of changes as a result of annexation. In general, many aspects of acreage life may remain unchanged, such as zoning or covenants. However, any annexation of existing residential areas will include some costs that must be the responsibility of property owners.
The City Council may by ordinance at any time include within the corporate limits of such city any contiguous or adjacent lands, lots, tracts, streets, or highways such distance and in such direction as may be deemed proper... Such city shall have power by ordinance to compel owners of land so brought within the corporate limits to lay out streets and public ways to conform to and be continuous with the streets and ways of such city, or otherwise as appears best for the convenience of the inhabitants of such city and the public.
Introduction
Annexation to facilitate the installation of improvements and/or possible assessment districts is appropriate if it is consistent with the annexation policies of the Plan listed above.
These annexation guidelines in this section are specific to the City of Lincoln. Each town in Lancaster County has its own procedures for annexation.
Introduction
Lincoln and Lancaster County have a rich background that will continue to shape the community's future.
The City of Lincoln and Lancaster County lie within the Platte River Valley in southeastern Nebraska. A little more than 50 miles west of the Missouri River, the county's natural features are characterized by uplands, stream terraces, and bottom lands. The region was historically covered by native tallgrass prairie that served as home to buffalo, antelope, grassland birds, and many other smaller species of plants and animals.
The county's 846 square miles are situated mostly within the Salt Valley Basin. Native Americans and early settlers were attracted to the area by the natural forming salt flats. One of the region's earliest European settlers was Captain W.T. Donovan of the Crescent Salt Company. He named the settlement Lancaster after his home in Pennsylvania. “Lancaster” was later used to name both the county and the county seat in 1859.
The City of Lincoln today serves as both the capital for the State of Nebraska and the seat of government for Lancaster County. The County's 322,608 residents comprise the second largest metropolitan area in the State. The Lincoln Metropolitan Statistical Area includes Lancaster and Seward counties and 340,217 people. The broad southeastern Nebraska region is home to over one million people, including the greater Omaha urban area to the east.
Southeastern Nebraska is experiencing a growing sense of social, cultural, and economic interdependence. The Interstate 80 corridor offers a major link between the State's two largest urban areas and the region as a whole. Strengthening ties between the two cities and the surrounding rural communities is integral to the region's future success in providing employment, recreational, and other opportunities.
The City of Lincoln and Lancaster County are committed to further examining regional planning issues for southeastern Nebraska. Much public dialogue about the future of the region is needed if core planning issues and potential solutions are to be fully explored.
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PlanForward embraces a growing, changing community. The Plan energetically recognizes the long-term growth potential of the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County, and opportunities presented by the fundamental demographic changes in the community.
Introduction
Lancaster County’s population is assumed to reach nearly 440,000 persons by the year 2050 — that’s over 117,000 more people than the County’s year 2020 population base of 322,608 persons. The adjectives “steady” and “stable” accurately describe Lancaster County’s expected future growth. Between 2020 and 2050, the projections indicate growth of nearly 40,000 persons and 18,000 households each decade. The county should reach the milestones of having 150,000 households just after 2030, and 400,000 people in 2040. To understand future changes, the projections compare population values between non-Hispanic Whites and all other population groups. The projections indicate the portion of Lancaster County’s population comprised of persons of color rises by five percentage points per decade, similar to what occurred in the 1990s and 2000s. The number of non-White and Hispanic residents more than doubles from about 65,000 in 2020 to 155,000 in 2050, when one in three Lancaster County residents will be a person of color
While those age 20 to 24 remain the largest Lancaster County population segment out to 2050, aging represents a central element of future population change. Growth occurs across all age groups, but the projections show the highest percentage gains happen as “baby boomers” born from 1946 to 1964 age into older age categories.
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