COLUMBUS -- A vision for the future development of Duncan is growing among leaders of that community.
A dozen village and rural residents met recently to lay the first foundations of transforming that vision into a reality.
The town hall meeting held at the Duncan Village Hall was the beginning of the process to plot out a comprehensive development plan and zoning ordinances that will guide the future development of the village.
With the help of Senior Community Planner David Potter, of JEO Consulting Group Inc. of Lincoln, the first order of business was the formation of the Duncan Planning Commission.
The new planning commission consists of five area residents and one alternate.
After adopting the bylaws and procedures, members of the new planning commission elected Bonnie Scholl to serve as its first chairman, Jerry Lassek, vice chairman and Dawn Pensick will serve as secretary.
Other members include Gary Schlesinger, Trent Stempek and alternate Phil Dush.
“There are many reasons that a village such as Duncan would want to create a comprehensive plan and zoning regulations,” Potter told the group. “It’s not that there’s anything wrong with Duncan. One reason for a comprehensive plan could be to preserve the good things that make Duncan what it is.
“The comprehensive plan is your blueprint for the future development of the village and zoning is the means to get there.”
Potter said a development plan and zoning regulations can protect the community from others coming in from the outside and changing things or bringing in a business that the residents don’t want.
He said state statute allows for the village to control zoning within the corporate limits and a radius of up to one mile beyond the village limits.
Potter said existing challenges such as inconsistent setbacks can not be addressed by a new comprehensive plan or new zoning regulations.
“The adoption of zoning regulations can’t address the past,” Potter said. “But having a plan and zoning regulations in place can prevent similar problems in the future.”
Potter said the plan will take into account such things as demographics, existing land uses, environmental data and transportation elements. He said zoning is an exercise of police power that is used to promote health and safety and protect the morals, prosperity and welfare of the community.
Potter said zoning addresses the location height and mass of new structures, setbacks, population density, construction, reconstruction and land use. He said the purpose of zoning among other things is to protect the tax base, encourage appropriate land use and preserve and enhance historic places.
Potter asked the questions:
• What needs to be improved in Duncan?
• What are some of the positives about the village?
• What is the vision for Duncan ?
• What needs to be done to accomplish the vision?
The top priorities for improvement included finding a use for the school, a pedestrian crossing over the rail road tracks , improving sidewalks and hiring a full-time maintenance person for the village.
Positives listed included the cleanliness and safety of the village, inexpensive housing and the friendly small town atmosphere.
The vision for Duncan’s future includes creating a positive identity as a recreational, small town community that is appealing to young families.
Participants cited increasing public involvement and getting organized as two of the most important things to develop in order to accomplish the vision for Duncan’s future.
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