The City Council and Planning Commission have completed a draft for revisions in the city's general plan after some 18 months of study.
A public hearing on the tentative plan was held earlier this month and another hearing is planned for Jan. 23. The City Council could vote to accept the new master plan as early as Feb. 13.Mayor Michael Garrett said the city's original general plan was completed in 1976 and first updated in 1989. Now the city's rapid growth has necessitated more revisions.
City planner Barry Burton agrees.
"We're looking at an explosive growth rate," Burton said, explaining at its current growth rate of 6.25 percent, the city's population will grow to 7,849 by the year 2000.
The new general plan identifies low population density as one of the most attractive aspects of Syracuse. It calls for a mix of densities and could create a new zone suited for retirement homes.
"Citizens want wide-open spaces, not 8,000-square-foot lots" Former mayor Delore Thurgood told the council.
The plan also identifies single-family homes as the dominant residential land use. It will also continue to allow multi-family housing to be scattered throughout the city, but at only four units maximum per building.
Residents may also be polled according to the plan to see if they will support a tax increase to secure open spaces in the city.
"Agriculture will not stick around for a very long time," Burton said, explaining that conclusion is based on many interviews with city farmers.
The City Council could adopt an agricultural zone that would allow for special lot sizes of two to three acres. It could also establish some impact fee waivers to encourage the location of such ranchettes in the city.
Burton said Syracuse needs to diversify its commercial structure, to include more than just RC Willey. The intersection of 2000 W. and 1700 South would continue as the city's main commercial area. There would also be more commercial development allowed along the 1700 South road leading to the Antelope Island causeway.
The only two designated industrial areas for the city would be at 1000 West, near the Freeport Center and on 1000 West, north of 1700 South.
The city would also work to install sidewalk, curb and gutter in its central area. That is defined as from 1000 West to Bluff Road and from 700 South to 2700 South.
Regarding recreation, the city would pursue the development of a major park in the southeast area. This would be located near a future elementary school site, if possible.
The new general plan also splits the city into 10 planning districts.
The Planning Commission created citizens committees to gain input for the new general plan and also held four public hearings.
Copies of the proposed general plan are available at city hall, 1787 S. 2000 West, for interested citizens.
Thurgood also recommended to the City Council that it look into hiring a full-time city planner.
Thurgood, the mayor prior to Garrett, said Syracuse's growth justifies such a hiring.
"You need a full-time planner," eight hours a day, forty hours a week," he said, referring to the city's growth. He also cautioned the council not to let the general plan sit on a shelf and gather dust.
The City Council made no comments on Thurgood's suggestions, but they will be considered as part of the public record as the council reviews the new general plan.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Growing pains?
City population counts and projections:
1970: 1,843.
1980: 3,702.
1990: 4,658.
1994: 5,456.
2000: 7,849.
2005: 10,629.
2020: 26,388.