(A) Residential. Predominantly a single-family residential community, the city contains over 500 multi- family units with several more planned. The multi-family units are concentrated near the Central Business District (CBD) and on the west side near S.R. 37. Some two-family structures are scattered throughout the city. There are few individual mobile home units within the city, with a concentration of individual units found southwest near Washington Avenue. Many are found in East Oolitic where they are moved in and out frequently, making it difficult to police for the purpose of certification. There are several mobile home parks within the city. The development of mobile home parks in the city will help the areas of conventional homes maintain their values.
(B) Commercial.
(1) Commercial land uses are an important element of the local economy; however, they do not occupy a large part of the total urbanized portion of the planning area. There are approximately 179 acres devoted to commercial uses. The largest and most historic commercial concentration, the CBD, consists of retail goods and services establishments. A second commercial area has evolved dramatically in the past ten years and is located near the western edge of the city along 16th Street. This district, serving more of a regional need, has occurred due to the completion of S.R. 37 west of the city.
(2) While shopping centers are not a recent phenomenon in the city, they do not appear to have yet detracted from the CBD development and trade. Many convenience goods shops are not situated in local shopping centers or commercial districts but are scattered throughout the community. Highway service commercial development is also found throughout the city adjacent to the major arterials. The existing land use map, App. § 2., illustrates that the CBD pattern of development is relatively compact. However, as in most communities, there are some land use conflicts at the edge of the CBD. There should be a transition or buffer zone between the exclusive commercial and the exclusive residential areas. At present, there is a mixing of commercial and single-family residential uses. This has a depreciating influence on the value of both uses.
(C) Industrial. Industrial land uses occupy a very small area in comparison to its importance to the economy of the area. For many years, industrial activities have developed throughout the city, mixing with and many times conflicting with other types of land uses. In recent years, however, the city has attempted to concentrate the industrial uses in areas which are more conducive to such development. One such area is located at approximately 3700 South between the new and old routes of S.R. 37. Included within this industrial park is a heliport which supplements the air facilities at the Virgil Grissom Airport southeast of the city. Industries in the city range in employment from as few as two to as many as 1,700 employees at the General Motors Central Foundry. As the largest single industry, it is related to automotive activities. The industry with the greatest number of establishments is that related to limestone processing. With the industries spread throughout the city, there are several areas where the heavy industrial traffic disrupts adjacent residential neighborhoods. Adequate access and good internal circulation are essential for good industrial development. These requirements should be considered when planning for future industrial development in the community, as well as eliminating existing bottlenecks.
(D) Recreational. Primarily used during leisure hours, recreation land provides an escape from job pressures and other problems. The quality of the health and general welfare of the residents are found to be closely related to the type and amount of recreation facilities available to them. This classification of land use includes public and semi- public lands devoted to parks, school grounds, golf courses, and ball fields. The various public facilities are listed in the table below with the acreage.
Public Recreation Lands | |
Name | Acreage |
Public Recreation Lands | |
Name | Acreage |
Parks | |
Thornton Park | 9.8 |
Wilson Park | 36.0 |
Otis Park | 206.0 |
Forestview Park | 5.0 |
Washington Park | 3.0 |
Dickman Park | 2.0 |
Edgewood Park I | 4.5 |
Edgewood Park II | 1.7 |
Dunn Woods Park | 220.0 |
Schools1 | |
Parkview Central Elementary | 20.0 |
Lincoln Elementary | 11.0 |
Bedford Middle School | 20.0 |
Stalker Elementary | 20.0 |
l The recreational facilities at the various schools are ballfields and playground apparatus. | |
(E) Vacant, agricultural, and water areas. Within the corporate limits there are approximately 3,910 acres. Much of this land is in the western one-half of the city adjacent to S.R. 37 by-pass. The land is primarily vacant and fallow. Much of it is undevelopable hillsides which are major barriers to urban development.
(F) Public and semi-public. This category of land use includes land used by all government bodies; churches; and electric, gas, and telephone utilities. Within the city, there are 167 acres devoted to these various uses. Included in this acreage are over 30 churches.
(Res. 17-1984, passed 8-14-84)