City of Rockford Master Plan 2020

Transcription

City of Rockford
Master Plan 2020
June 2002
City of Rockford
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 – Introduction
1
Chapter 2 – Profile
Historical Background
Soils and Terrain
Population
Age
Race & Ethnicity
Education
Housing
Employment
Community Patterns
Existing Land Use
Natural Features
Transportation
Historical Features
Neighborhood Conditions
3
4
4
4
5
5
5
6
7
7
11
11
11
12
Chapter 3 – Planning Issues
Small Town Charm
Neighborhood Integrity
Commercial Opportunities
External Influences
Future City Growth
Physical Conditions
Redevelopment Opportunities
18
19
19
19
20
21
21
Chapter 4 – Vision and Goals
Community
Central Business District
Housing
Business/Employment
Natural Features
Parks & Recreation
Transportation
TABLE OF CONTENTS
23
23
24
24
24
25
25
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MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
Chapter 5 – Rockford’s Future
Land Use
Residential Capacity
Residential Character
Transportation
26
33
33
37
Chapter 6 – Implementing the Plan
Roles & Responsibilities
Things to Remember
40
40
Appendix
Kidspeak
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
Future Land Use Map, a graphic
representation of the vision, goals,
policies, and recommendations contained
in the text. Together the text and maps
constitute the long-range Master Plan for
Rockford.
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION
Rockford has long been considered one of
the metro area’s most desirable small
towns, a place reminiscent of Norman
Rockwell’s vision of small town America.
Its large homes fronting tree-lined streets
surround a bustling downtown business
district. Residents enjoy abundant
recreational opportunities, including the
unique White Pine Trail and the Rogue
River. Employment is available at
numerous companies, large and small,
including Wolverine Worldwide, an
international giant within its industry.
Why does Rockford need a plan and
what will the Master Plan do?
The Master Plan is the conceptual
foundation of the City’s land use policies
and provides the basis for the City’s
zoning regulations. Michigan law
requires that a Zoning Ordinance be based
on a well conceived Master Plan. The
Planning Commission, City Council, and
Zoning Board of Appeals can use the Plan
for guidance when land use issues appear
before them. This includes adoption of
zoning amendments, review of land use
applications, and requests for variances
from the requirements of the Zoning
Ordinance. Applicants seeking project
approvals will also find the Master Plan to
be a valuable tool for understanding the
City’s long-term goals. In addition, the
Plan provides direction for public
improvements such as roads, parks, and
similar facilities.
This Master Plan is intended to provide a
common vision to guide the City’s actions
and policies toward a future which
maintains the strengths and addresses the
short-comings of a growing community.
The Plan is the product of many long
hours of work by the Planning
Commission and City staff with input
from the City Council, the community-atlarge, and even the school children.
What is a Master Plan?
A Master Plan is a document authored by
the Planning Commission to guide the
future growth and development of the
community. Furthermore, it can be
utilized to preserve and enhance those
qualities of the community that
residents consider important. The City of
Rockford Master Plan examines a wide
range of community development issues
including population growth, housing,
natural resource protection,
transportation, and land use. The
implications of each are analyzed and
translated into a series of issues, goals,
and recommendations for the City. An
important part of the document is the
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION
The Planning Process
This document was produced through the
combined efforts of many individuals and
groups within the community, coming
together at various times to voice their
ideas, hopes, and concerns for the future
of the City.
While the Planning Commission took the
lead in formulating the Plan, they were
facilitators and catalysts for a much
broader City-wide undertaking. In
addition to the regular active discussions
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MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
by the Planning Commission, several
other steps were designed to tap the
broader resources of various segments of
the community.
dislikes, identifying those things that
should be preserved and those that should
be changed.
Working in small groups the students
were asked to prepare master plan maps
illustrating their vision for the City. With
the assistance of the Mayor, City Council
members, City staff, and Planning
Commission members, students used their
imaginations and artistic abilities to
construct the Rockford of the Future,
based on the lessons learned in the
program. Public facilities, such as parks
and trails, were placed throughout the
community, along with business and
industrial districts, and a variety of
residential locations. Other amenities
deemed beneficial to the overall livability
of the City were also added.
First, one-on-one interviews were
conducted with a number of individuals –
business owners, corporate executives,
residents, school district officials, staff,
and others.
Next, an effort at wider “targeted”
participation was undertaken with a focus
group that was convened on two separate
occasions. This group of about 40 persons
represented a wide range of perspectives
and contributed significantly to the Plan’s
direction. During these sessions, small
groups discussed the City’s opportunities
and needs and eventually translated those
thoughts into goals and actions for the
future. Planning Commissioners and
other City officials observed while the
small groups debated and set priorities.
The final Kidspeak session included a
presentation of the nine versions of the
“Laphamville of the Future” plans to the
Rockford City Council, bringing together
the original community of 1846 and the
Rockford of the Future. The students also
wrote essays to explain in narrative form
how their plans were developed. The
drawings and narratives generated by the
students are included in the Appendix to
illustrate the thought and creativity that
came from their participation.
A third, and very unique, aspect of the
community’s involvement was an effort
dubbed “Kidspeak” in which fifth graders
from Parkside Elementary School were
asked to formulate their vision of
Rockford. The Kidspeak program proved
to be both an enjoyable and insightful part
of the Master Plan process for students
and the City, alike.
Conducted over several days, the program
began with an introduction to the basic
concepts of planning and zoning and how
they affect the community. A bus tour
was organized to familiarize students with
the City and its character including
important landmarks, public service
facilities, parks, natural features and the
various land uses. Students were asked to
make observations about their likes and
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION
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MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
community, and railroad line ensured that
the village would be rebuilt. With a
decline in lumbering, Rockford needed
new industry, and the Hirth-Krause
Company’s decision to build a shoe
factory provided it. Using the Rogue as a
source of power, the Hirth and Krause
families built their factory in 1903 and a
tannery in 1909. From 1903 to the
present, the company, which adopted the
trademark “Wolverine”, has been a
cornerstone in Rockford’s growth.
CHAPTER 2 - PROFILE
Historical Background
Located along the Rogue River and just a
short drive north of the Grand Rapids
metropolitan area is the community of
Rockford. In 1842 Marlin Hunter came
to the area looking for lumber, and
wintered in a cabin near the Rogue River.
The following spring he was joined by his
brother William, who hoped to dam the
river and build a water-powered sawmill.
By 1845, five families had settled in
“Laphamville” and a road was cut
through. Just 20 years later, the tiny
village contained enough new buildings to
require official platting. The village was
platted and the tradition of planting trees
along all the streets was instituted—a
practice that continues today. At that
time the name of the village changed from
Laphamville to its current name,
Rockford.
Rockford became a home rule city in 1935
with its own charter, city council, and
manager. Since then the City has
continued to grow, due in part to the
steady expansion of Wolverine World
Wide, Inc., the small town lure of
Rockford, and the City’s proximity to the
Grand Rapids metro job market.
Today, Rockford’s 2.6 square miles
contain a rich mix of quality residential
neighborhoods and its location near the
U.S. 131 freeway makes it readily
accessible to Grand Rapids area
employment centers. In addition, it is
home to the company that evolved from
the humble Hirth-Krause Company into a
world leader in the shoe industry,
Wolverine World Wide, employing over
1,500 people locally.
Rockford possesses a thriving downtown
that has a strong local and tourist market.
In recent years, there has been a growing
interest in the revitalization of the
downtown business district and the City’s
other commercial core at Ten Mile Road
and Wolverine Boulevard. Such efforts,
coupled with steady business and
industrial growth, and one of the most
respected school districts in the nation,
By the 1870’s, the once abundant virgin
pine forests were almost exhausted and a
series of devastating fires and floods in the
late 1800’s nearly leveled Rockford. But
its water power, large farming
CHAPTER 2 - PROFILE
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MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
have continued to lure new residents to
the community.
time period, than the overall population of
Kent County.
Soils and Terrain
Its location on the bank of the Rogue
River, results in much of the City being
located on nearly level and relatively low
lands, especially on the east side of the
river. Newly developing areas west of the
river, however, sit on steep banks and
more undulating topography. Likewise,
on the other side of the City, east of
Wolverine Boulevard, the land rises
sharply. In general, soils on the City’s
east side are excessively to well drained
with sandy and loamy materials.
However, on the west side, soils tend to be
heavier, poorly drained clay. The soils of
Rockford and its surroundings were
created during the last glacial period and
the result was a variety of soil types
differing in texture, drainage, and slope.
Govt. Unit
1970
1980
1990
2000
% Chg
‘90 to ‘00
Rockford
2428
3324
3750
4626
23.4
Cdr. Spr.
1807
2615
2600
3112
19.7
Grnville
7493
8019
8101
7935
- 2.0
Algoma
3088
4411
5496
7596
38.2
Courtland
2196
3272
3950
5817
47.3
Plainfield
16,935
20,611
24,946
30,195
21.0
Kent Co.
411,044
444,506
500,631
574,335
14.7
Age
Kent County and Rockford share a similar
age composition of their population.
However, one important difference is the
percentage of residents under 18 years old.
According to the 2000 Census, one-third
(33.9 %) of all residents in the City (1,566)
are under the age of 18. This has obvious
implications for planning public facilities
such as schools and parks.
Population
Since the 1970’s, the City of Rockford has
experienced a steady increase in
population consistent with the overall
population explosion of the Grand Rapids
metropolitan area. Pre-1970’s, the City
was a small community of approximately
2,000 residents and is now home to 4,626
people. Residential growth has not been
the only change within the City limits;
industrial opportunities have grown over
time and now are providing a steady
source of employment, as well as a strong
tax base.
The table below illustrates the 2000 age
distribution of the City of Rockford
compared with that of Kent County and
the State of Michigan.
Age Distribution Comparison
12.3
10.8
10.9
% 65 +
% 18-24
As the accompanying chart indicates, the
population of Rockford has nearly
doubled during the past 30 years. The
City has grown at a faster rate over the
same
CHAPTER 2 - PROFILE
43.6
% 25-44
7.0
10.5
16.5
27.6
28.3
32.5
% Under 18
0.0
50.1
49.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
Source: 2000 U.S.
City of Rockford
4
Kent County
State of Michigan
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
The median age of 31.5 years old, as
reported in the 2000 Census, is lower than
either the State of Michigan (35.5) or Kent
County (32.5).
over 200 additional K-5 students has also
been recorded. This type of growth has
forced the Rockford Public Schools to
adjust their building needs to
accommodate the growing student body.
For the school year 2001-2002, the school
district had an elementary population
(PPI through 5th grade) that made up
44.7% of the overall student body and the
high school (grades 9 through 12)
accounted for an additional 31.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Racial diversity, while somewhat greater
than reported in the 1990 Census, remains
predominantly white. An estimated
96.2% of the City’s population, according
to the 2000 Census, was classified as
white. The mix of other races, reported
by the Census is comprised of: Hispanic
(1.5%), Asian (.9%), Black (.6%),
American Indian (.4 %), and other (.4%).
Rockford Public Schools Enrollment Change
School
Year
1991-92
1992-93
1993-94
1994-95
1995-96
1996-97
1997-98
1998-99
1999-00
2000-01
2001-02
Total
Education
The entire City is within the Rockford
School District though the district
boundaries extend well beyond the City
limits. The Middle School, the school
district administration offices, and two
elementary schools are located within the
City. A private school and three preschools are also located inside the City.
5,654
5,842
5,997
6,259
6,470
6,802
7,014
7,256
7,395
7,559
7,572
Change
#
%
188
155
262
211
332
212
242
139
164
13
1,918
3.3
2.6
4.4
3.4
5.1
3.1
3.5
1.9
2.2
0.2
33.9
Enrollment is grand total including Special Education and
Alternative Ed.
Enrollment in the Rockford Public
Schools has been consistently growing for
many years. As the chart indicates, the
school district has witnessed an average
increase of 192 students per year over the
last eleven years. In the school year 19911992, the total school population was
5,654 while that number grew to 7,572
students for the academic year 2001-2002,
an increase of more than one-third of the
91-92 enrollment.
City residents exhibit a high level of
educational attainment as 89.5% have a
high school diploma or higher educational
level compared to 84.6% for Kent County.
Nearly 30% (27.9) of the City’s population
has a bachelor’s degree or higher,
compared with 25.8% for Kent County.
Housing
The housing stock in the City of Rockford
is varied in both style and age of
structures. The pattern of development is
almost visible from the varying styles of
homes and their location within the city.
The City’s oldest homes are found,
predictably, at the very center near
In the last five years, the majority of this
increase has occurred in the high school.
Over 500 additional students have been
counted in the high school since the 96-97
academic year. A noticeable increase of
CHAPTER 2 - PROFILE
Enrollment
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MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
downtown. The housing stock gets
progressively newer as development
moves outward from the City center.
large lots (10,000 to 15,000 sq.ft.) and cul
de sac streets. This represents a departure
from the traditional neighborhood pattern
found throughout the core City.
Two of every three dwellings (66.3%)
within the City are owner-occupied,
according to the 2000 census. This
number represents an increase in home
ownership since 1990 when
approximately 60% of the households
were owner-occupied. Renter-occupied
dwellings include both traditional
“apartments” and homes being rented or
leased, while owner-occupied units are
both homes and condominiums occupied
by the owner/purchaser.
Employment
Rockford is home to a wide array of
employers, offering job opportunities to
the residents of the City and surrounding
areas. Of the top ten employers within the
City limits, seven are product-related
industries. Wolverine World Wide leads
the list of employers with a local work
force of approximately 1,500.
Top Ten Employers
This ratio of owner- to renter-occupied
dwellings is fairly typical of small cities,
due in part to the availability of large, old
homes and the aging of the population,
along with a reduction in family size. The
following table provides a comparison of
the owner/renter status among other
comparable cities.
City
Portland
Grand Haven
Belding
Rockford
Greenville
Ionia
% Owner
74.9
67.6
66.4
66.3
61.6
60.8
City of Rockford
Employer
Wolverine World
Wide
Grand Rapids
Controls Inc.
Byrne Electrical
Specialist
Rockford Public
Schools
D & W Food
Center
ITW B & L Plastics
Kalfact Plastics
Inc.
Champion Health
Aftech Inc.
Alloy Exchange
Inc.
% Renter
25.1
32.4
33.6
33.7
38.4
39.2
Based on the visual survey conducted for
this Plan and input provided throughout
the course of the planning process, the
majority of the new residential
development has occurred at the periphery
of the City. The Rockford Highlands
project, located west of the Rogue River,
is an example of a new residential
development that has introduced typically
suburban style housing with relatively
CHAPTER 2 - PROFILE
Number of
Employees
1,535
Product/
Service
Product
425
Product
250
Product
250*
Service
210
Service
150
150
Product
Product
112
75
60
Service
Product
Product
*work within city limits
Institutional and retail employers also
contribute significant job opportunities.
Rockford Public Schools employs 250
people within the City limits. The D&W
Food Center employs around 210 persons
at its store on the corner of 10 Mile and
Wolverine Boulevard. The City’s top ten
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MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
employers provide over 3,200 job
opportunities within the City of Rockford.
Rockford is conveniently positioned in
relation to a wide array of employment
opportunities. Major transportation
corridors, Wolverine Boulevard/
Northland Drive and the US-131 freeway,
offer direct north/south access into the
metro area. Commuting time reported in
the 2000 Census was comparable to,
though slightly less than, that of 1990 (21
minutes vs. 21.8 minutes, respectively).
Considering Rockford’s population is less
than 5,000, the availability of over 3,000
jobs from the top 10 employers results in a
very low unemployment rate. According
to Michigan Office of Career
Development, the City’s unemployment
rate was consistently below 2% for the last
half of the decade of the 90’s and has
remained at that level into the new
century. This compares to a statewide
unemployment level for the same period
which ranged from a low of 3.6% to 4.9%.
According to the 2000 Census commuting
pattern data 85.1% of residents drove
alone to work, compared with 78.9% in
1990. The mode of transportation used
to get to work is illustrated in the chart
below.
Rockford residents are employed in a
diverse range of occupations. The two
largest employment sectors are
“management, professional, and related”
and “sales and office.” The following
chart shows the employment distribution
by occupation.
Mode of Commuting
Occupations
13.2
35.2
26.7
Drove alone
Walked
Work at home
17.9
7
Management, professional & related
Service
Sales & office
Construction, extraction & maintenance
Production, transportation & material moving
Existing Land Use
Most of Rockford’s developable land is
developed. While there are isolated
parcels scattered throughout the City,
there are few large blocks of land that
have yet to be developed.
Commuting Patterns
In 2001 the City of Rockford and Algoma
Township entered into an agreement
whereby approximately 170 acres of
Located on the northern edge of
metropolitan Grand Rapids, the City of
CHAPTER 2 - PROFILE
Car-pooled
Other means
7
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
vacant, rolling land along Rockford’s west
border, north of 10 Mile Road, was
transferred from the Township to the City
under a cooperative, tax sharing
arrangement.
The City’s downtown, also east of the
river, is located just north of the main
east/west transportation corridor (10 Mile
Road/Division Street). Some older
homes adjacent to the commercial core
and fronting on heavily traveled streets,
such as Division Street and Monroe
Street, have experienced conversion to
non-residential uses, primarily offices.
However, despite having business and
residential uses coexist side by side, the
residential character of these areas
remains strong.
Rockford is divided by the Rogue River.
The east side contains the original city
settlement and older homes as well as all
of the commerce and industry.
Residential development on the east side
of the river is predominantly single family,
owner-occupied homes, though some twofamily conversions and multi-family
complexes have occurred. Time periods
of construction, architectural details on
homes, and development layouts vary
throughout this area of the City, providing
clues to the time period when the
neighborhood was developed.
Building Permits in the City of Rockford
1990-2001
Year
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
Total No.
Total No.
of Res.
of Bldg.
Bldg.
Permits
Permits *
105
34
114
37
99
31
90
26
81
70
85
61
65
31
63
23
57
11
12
Total No.
of Comm.
Bldg.
Permits
7
7
3
4
4
1
4
The homes around the downtown area are
the oldest and exhibit two stories, wood
siding, ornate, and decorative detailing.
The neighborhoods on the south side of
Division Street have similar features of
those surrounding downtown but appear
to have a slightly newer look and
detailing. Moving north and south, away
from the downtown, the house styles
change and exhibit the more
contemporary styling of the late 1960’s or
1970’s when single story, brick homes,
with attached garages, were popular.
* BREAKDOWN EXCLUDES: Residential remodel,
commercial remodel, signs,
breezeways, single wide mobile homes, attached garages
and detached garages.
However, these items are reflected in the overall # of
building permits issued.
CHAPTER 2 - PROFILE
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MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
side. Several open sites remain for future
industrial development, as well as some
limited commercial development.
However, while zoned industrial, much of
the remaining vacant land on the east side
of Wolverine Blvd./Northland Drive in
the northeast section of the City is owned
and held by Wolverine World Wide.
Development on the west side of the river
is newer and contains varying residential
options -- apartments, condominiums,
large lot single-family home sites, and
many small lot home sites. All have been
built over different periods of time,
resulting in a variety of building styles and
sizes.
Business activity in Rockford has not been
confined to the downtown area. Larger
commercial enterprises requiring more
space have established a broader
community commercial node at 10 Mile
Land Use
Acres
Single & two
family residential
675.81
% of
Total
Area
36.7
Multi family
residential
Commercial
74.70
4.0
87.11
4.7
Industrial
189.43
10.3
Public
137.36
7.5
Water
32.41
1.8
Vacant
641.17*
35.0
Total
1837.99
100
Road and Wolverine Boulevard. A large
grocery store, fast food restaurants, small
retail shops, health/fitness center, and
financial and medical offices are clustered
at this busy intersection.
* Total includes land recently transferred into the
City from Algoma Township (175.11 acres).
North of 11 Mile Road, the land use is
predominately industrial. Two separate
industrial parks are located between the
Rogue River on the west and Wolverine
Blvd./Northland Drive on the eastern
CHAPTER 2 - PROFILE
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MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
with single-family homes and commercial
uses that also front the corridor. Most
have separate driveways and minimal
setbacks, creating frequent traffic conflicts.
In addition, the street is lined with large,
stately trees which inhibit any likelihood
of it being widened.
Natural Features
Numerous natural features make
Rockford an aesthetically pleasing place to
live, work, and relax. Woods, water, and
steep bluffs all offer interest.
Ten Mile Road west of the City to the
U.S. 131 interchange is also severely
burdened at peak hours. A joint planning
effort with Rockford, Algoma Township,
and Plainfield Township has been
undertaken to examine land use, access
management, and street improvements
along this street.
Another transportation issue stems from
the proximity of Wolverine Worldwide’s
production facilities to the north edge of
Rockford’s downtown business district.
The limited routes to and from the
Wolverine facilities require truck traffic, in
particular, to make its way past or through
residential areas.
The City’s most prominent natural feature
is the Rogue River that flows from north
to south and bisects the City. It is fed by
several smaller but important tributaries:
Shaw, Rum, and Blakeslee Creeks.
Recognizing the river’s value to the
community, steps have been taken by the
City to ensure access to the Rogue by
obtaining an easement along the Rogue
River’s west side from Bridge Street up to
12 Mile Road. Careful attention has been
paid to maintaining the high quality,
natural vegetation to provide a meaningful
experience for the visitor.
Historical Features
Rockford’s many historical resources
represent a cultural and physical link to
the City’s rich historical past. While some
of these structures still maintain the same
uses for which they were originally built,
some have been renovated for other uses.
Transportation
North/south access to and from Rockford
is reasonably good via the U.S.131
expressway and Wolverine
Blvd./Northland Drive. However, the
limited access east and west places large
volumes of traffic on 10 Mile
Road/Division Street through the center
of the City. This road is partially lined
CHAPTER 2 - PROFILE
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MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
The Hessler Opera House (built 18961900) is a prime example of a past use that
no longer exists, but the building has been
adapted to other uses. Other significant
historical structures such as the Del Tower
House (the first electric house in
Rockford) and the Smith Lapham Home
(home of Rockford’s founding father, built
in 1871) help provide a historical timeline
through the different eras of Rockford’s
past.
Neighborhood Conditions
As a part of the Master Plan, a
neighborhood conditions assessment was
prepared to get a better grasp on the
current conditions of the housing stock in
Rockford. The assessment looked at
several factors related to the age of the
structures, physical condition, property
maintenance, and the entire block for
signs of distress, safety issues, proper
lighting, and parking. General
assessments were made on a block wide
level to avoid isolating individual houses.
Historical Resources
While the City does contain a number of
historic treasures, they tend to be scattered
throughout the City’s east side rather than
being concentrated in a cohesive district.
Overall, property maintenance and
neighborhood conditions are very good
throughout the City. Most blocks are well
maintained. Structural, property, and
safety issues are mostly non-existent. A
few areas experiencing traffic concerns
related to speed, through traffic or
pedestrian crossing safety, where trafficcalming measures may offer relief and
should be examined.
The older section of the City enjoys a level
of infrastructure that newer sections
typically do not have. The core City has a
grid patterned street network with a
traditional raised curb and gutter design.
However, the City’s departure from the
traditional curb and gutter toward a rolled
curb for a brief period has altered the
appearance of some of the City’s more
recent developments. The neat and clean
appearance of the distinct curb edge
defining the boundary between the road
and the property is lost in these locations
to a vague and less defined street edge.
CHAPTER 2 - PROFILE
12
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
sidewalks and gutters are in need of
repair, missing pieces of siding, peeling
paint, and broken porches all indicate
signs of neglect. This area represents the
most vulnerable section of Rockford.
Another section of central Rockford in
need of attention is the small enclave
north of the community ball fields, on the
south side of Lewis Street and west of
Northland Drive. The twenty or so
homes in this area are in need of some
maintenance and repairs. Factors that
may have resulted in the area’s downward
turn would likely include the small
Wolverine plant to the east, commercial
businesses on Northland Drive as well as
the long hours maintained by the
community ball fields and soccer
complex. For a long time, most of the
Rockford High School athletic teams
played at this complex, as well.
In central Rockford, property
maintenance is generally good. Here
much of the housing is a part of the
‘original City’ and has been revived to
reflect its past heritage. Most of these
homes have been restored to modern
standards while embracing the roots of the
past.
For the most part, Rockford’s perimeter
development is considerably newer than
central Rockford. Therefore, much of
the housing is in relatively better
condition. A couple of the
neighborhoods are isolated from the
surrounding areas by physical barriers
or more intense uses. In time, these
neighborhoods may be more
susceptible to deterioration. Already
some areas, primarily those along the
western banks of the Rogue River and
further north along Summit Avenue,
show some signs of deterioration.
Many of these homes are forty to fifty
years old and have only recently
started to see some improvements.
The neighborhood which lines North
Main Street, north and east of the
Wolverine Leather Plant in downtown
has shown signs of deterioration. A
general lack of maintenance and upkeep
has been the main culprit. Crumbling
CHAPTER 2 - PROFILE
The following pages summarize the
relative neighborhood conditions of the
City’s residential areas.
13
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford

Well Maintained - these areas were
consistently above the 75% range when
analyzing a block by block assessment of
the physical structure, yard maintenance,
public infrastructure (sidewalks, curb and
gutter, and roadways) and overall block
appearance. More than three quarters of
the home sites had to meet or exceed the
criteria stated above to qualify for this
category. Structure age influenced this
rating indirectly, due to the obvious
relationship between age of the
development and need for maintenance.

Neighborhood 1 - the “downtown”
neighborhood corresponds with the
original City boundary and includes a grid
street pattern and many turn-of-thecentury houses that have been
meticulously maintained over time.
Housing closest to the downtown
commercial district tends to date from the
1930’s and earlier. “Newer” housing,
constructed during the middle decades of
the 20th century, is located around the
perimeter of the neighborhood. The
older, original housing tends to be two
stories with covered front porches,
typically has ornamentation detailing on
the exterior, and usually doesn’t have
garages. Newer housing is often single
level, with less square footage. Most of
these homes have little, if any,
ornamentation detailing on the exterior,
but garages are more prevalent than on
the older properties.
Standard - these areas were consistently
within the range of 60-75% of acceptable
home sites for the criteria used in this
analysis. Much of Rockford falls into this
category. Due to the age of many of the
City’s neighborhoods, maintenance needs
to remain a high priority. The mature
neighborhoods, in particular, should be
carefully monitored to detect signs of
deterioration or neglect in their early
stages.
Needs Attention - these areas of Rockford
had a range of quality home sites lower
than 60% for the neighborhood. These
locations show more than isolated signs of
neglect and are the areas of greatest
concern. Inattention to yard upkeep
and/or routine building maintenance are
often common in these locations. Land
use conflicts may contribute to the
conditions in some cases, while others
may be the result of general neighborhood
apathy.
Obviously, not all properties are in
immaculate shape. There are a handful of
homes that are in disrepair and are in
need of some physical reconditioning.
Some need just cosmetic repairs, whether
some new paint, repair of crumbling steps,
or maintenance of the yard.
Criteria:

Neighborhood 2 - the northern extension
of the “original” City grid has grown older
in its physical appearance and some of its
Housing type
Time period structures were built (per
block)
CHAPTER 2 - PROFILE
Physical condition (peeling paint, torn
screens, missing shingles, structural
sagging, broken windows, cracked
driveways, etc.)
Street infrastructure maintenance
Yard maintenance issues
Pedestrian safety issues
Parking related issues
Neighborhood cleanliness
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MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
Neighborhood 4
Older homes typically found at
northern end while southern end of
neighborhood is homes built in the
middle to late decades of the 20th
century
Older homes are larger sq. ft. on
smallest lots; newer homes are on
larger lots and typically smaller houses
Some improvements needed on
sidewalks and curb and gutter
structures are showing signs of age and
neglect.
This neighborhood appears to have been
split as indicated by the building styles
and development of the school and
athletic complexes in its midst. While
these two sections are physically
separated, they are similar in
characteristics and styles, and therefore,
considered to be one neighborhood.
Neighborhood 5
Neighborhood built in the 1960’s or
1970’s
A couple of home styles repeated
throughout the area
Average sized houses on smallish
sized lots
Active group socializing together
frequently
Infrastructure is adequate and not in
need of repair
Again, as in neighborhood #1, the age of
the buildings varies as some remain from
the turn-of-the-century, while newer
structures have replaced those no longer
around. Property maintenance and
physical conditions are not consistent with
many other parts of the City. Some
contributing factors might include the
location of the Tanning Factory
surrounded by residential homes, the
conversion of homes to non-residential
uses, parking lots with little or no
screening to mitigate their impact on
adjacent properties, other non-commercial
activities adjacent to homes, and
community athletic facilities that used to
serve the high school athletic exclusively
but now are used with less frequency.
Properties in this neighborhood were seen
with trash and litter on the ground. City
infrastructure is currently adequate, with
the sidewalks and curb and gutter needing
to be addressed in the near future.
Neighborhood 6
Areas of declining housing on both
sides of Spring Street and Bridge Street
Little or no sidewalks in this section of
the City
Curb and gutter limited to the main
roads
Sections of neighborhood have quality
houses and properties
Most properties are large in acreage
Neighborhood 7
Small lot, smallish houses
Infrastructure is in good shape
Built in the 1960’s and 70’s
Similar housing, in good shape
Street layout is curvilinear with mini
cul-de-sacs
Neighborhood 3
Overall quality of neighborhood is
good
Smaller homes than previous
neighborhoods
Infrastructure quality is good
Property maintenance is above
average
CHAPTER 2 - PROFILE
15
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
Neighborhood 13
Modest homes on small lots
Infrastructure is in good condition
(rolled curbs)
Neighborhood 8
Larger lots, with 1960’s 1970’s
housing styles
Wide street rights-of-way
Feel of spreading out/spaciousness
Infrastructure is in good shape
Neighborhood 14
Large lot residential development
New homes (1990’s and newer)
New infrastructure (rolled curbs)
Neighborhood 9
Collection of two different
developments (one from the 1960-70’s
and one from the 1990’s)
Similar site layouts, size of structures,
and configurations
Streets and sidewalks are in good
condition
Rolled curbs with gutters
Neighborhood 15
Newer residential development (1980’s
and 1990’s)
Good size houses on smallish lots
One and one-half acre commons
Neighborhood 16
New single family residential
development in progress (2000 and
later)
When completed, it will have new
infrastructure
Isolated from other like developments
Neighborhood 10
Private, condominium development
High density of structures with a
common open area
On a bluff overlooking single family
residential below
No physical connections with
adjoining properties
Neighborhood 17
Site condo development
Higher density with small lots
Rolled curbs and sidewalks with no
separation from the street
Quality condominium development
Neighborhood 11
Large apartment complex
Buffered from all adjoining properties
Dense clustering of buildings with a
common, open space
Isolated from other uses and properties
Neighborhood 18
Apartment Complex
Adjacent to a commercial center
Street network and infrastructure
needs some improvement
Little open space relative to population
and housing density
Neighborhood 12
Largest residential development in
Rockford
Large lot, luxury homes
Unfinished at current, however, will
have new infrastructure when
completely built out
Homes built on crest (highest point in
Rockford)
CHAPTER 2 - PROFILE
16
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
New residential development has found
its place mainly on the west side of the
Rogue River. However, rather than
emulating the design traditions established
by the original settlement, the new
immigrants to Rockford brought with
them more contemporary styles of
development – wide meandering streets,
cul-de-sacs, and expansive front yards.
Elsewhere, industry and commercial
establishments have developed, but again,
did so without blending with the City’s
original character.
CHAPTER 3 – PLANNING ISSUES
While Rockford is widely considered to be
among the region’s most desirable
communities as a place to live, work, or
simply enjoy, there are a number of
planning issues impacting the City’s future
and which this document addresses. A
discussion of these follows.
Small Town Charm
Narrow streets, shaded by towering trees,
and lined with well-kept, two story
homes… families strolling through the
neighborhood, chatting with friends along
their route to the ice cream shop
downtown… such scenes are
commonplace in Rockford, a picture of
small town America. Like many
communities, Rockford is somewhat a
victim of its own success.
In essence, Rockford has become two
visually distinct communities – a central
core, between the Rogue River and
Wolverine Blvd./Northland Drive, and
the expanded City, where new
development lacks the traditional
character of the central core.
This physical dichotomy is identified as a
critical issue facing the City. It is
recognized that the original community
cannot be duplicated in every detail and,
in fact, the rugged terrain associated with
much of the remaining available land will
preclude the traditional neighborhood
development. However, it is widely
believed that new development, whether
residential or business, should incorporate
specific design elements, to the extent
possible, to create a more harmonious
image throughout the community. This
would blend the old with the new, rather
than define a hard line where one stops
and the other starts, suggesting two
separate communities.
The quaint charm, compact size, familyfriendly atmosphere, and nearby
employment opportunities have lured
many people to the community over the
years. The scale of that growth, however,
has outpaced the availability of existing
homes and land within the City’s central
core.
CHAPTER 3 - PLANNING ISSUES
18
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
Despite the apparent physical differences,
however, it is generally agreed that
residents City-wide share the same pride
in the community and equally enjoy the
assets that Rockford offers.
other commercial center at 10 Mile Road
and Wolverine Boulevard is bustling, but
is severely limited in its ability to expand
and is congested. A few scattered
businesses in other locations are
destinations, but lack the synergy to be
considered “centers”.
Neighborhood Integrity
During the public participation sessions,
several concerns were expressed about the
lack of business mix or diversity. This
concern may be addressed in the future
from outside the City of Rockford, as new
“big box” development engulfs the U.S.
131 interchange at 10 Mile Road. Such
outlying development may bring more
retail choice than can be accommodated
within the City, but will also pose a
serious competitive threat to businesses
within Rockford. This issue is discussed
further in the “external influences”
section.
An issue closely related to protecting
Rockford’s small town charm is that of
protecting the residential character of the
City’s established neighborhoods from the
threat of non-residential expansion.
Clearly, many uses such as churches,
schools, and parks contribute greatly to
the fabric of the traditional neighborhood
and may even provide a focal point for the
area.
However, the growth and expansion of
churches, for example, has resulted in the
demolition of viable housing to make way
for paved parking lots. This type of
intrusion is not appropriate and erodes the
desirability of the neighborhood, rather
than enhancing it.
External Influences
The Master Plan is intended to guide
community development decisions to
achieve the City’s long-range goals.
However, there are certain conditions
beyond the City’s direct control which
significantly impact its future. Such
external influences must be recognized
and addressed to the extent possible by the
City in cooperation with its neighbors.
Maintaining the residential integrity of
Rockford’s neighborhoods should be
given priority over other competing
interests. Existing homes should not be
sacrificed to non-residential uses without
serious consideration of all other possible
alternatives.
Development along 10 Mile Road
probably has the greatest potential to
impact Rockford. Property acquisition
and announced plans for large-scale
commercial development at the U.S. 131
interchange at 10 Mile Road will create a
very large business center poised as a
substantial competitor to the established
businesses in Rockford. In addition to its
mere presence in this location, such
Commercial Opportunities
Commercial development presents a
complex issue for Rockford. While its
downtown is a focal point for the City and
an attraction that pulls many visitors to
town each year, it is not without its
problems. Business turnover, insufficient
room for expansion, and retail mix are
frequently heard concerns. The City’s
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MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
development will be positioned at the
front door to the City. The first
impressions created by traffic movement,
architecture, landscaping, and signs will
reflect positively or negatively on
Rockford.
available to accommodate projects of any
size.
Most of the surrounding land, located in
four separate townships, remains
relatively rural and sparsely developed.
For the most part, these areas are planned
for very low density residential
development on acreage parcels.
Development philosophies also vary
among the adjoining communities. While
Courtland (to the east), Cannon (to the
southeast), and Plainfield (to the south)
have planned their respective lands for
various categories of rural residential,
Algoma Township (west and northwest of
Rockford) anticipates a higher relative
density (2-3.5 units per acre), if public
utilities become available. In addition,
Algoma proposes extending commercial
and industrial development north of the
City along the west side of Northland
Drive.
Other development on all sides of the City
will also impact Rockford, either in a
complementary fashion or negatively.
Specific concerns with such development
will relate to its compatibility with
existing or planned uses in adjacent
Rockford; the image it presents at the
City’s entryways; and its visual
relationship to the character of Rockford.
Again, these are matters outside the City’s
direct control. To a large extent, the City
must rely on the cooperation of adjoining
townships and their desire for quality
development to promote a harmonious
built environment.
To this end, a cooperative planning effort
has been undertaken by Rockford,
Algoma Township, and Plainfield
Township to plan for the 10 Mile Road
corridor from U.S. 131 to the Rogue
River. This unified effort, aimed at
achieving a common set of objectives,
may provide a useful framework to give
Rockford a voice in decisions affecting the
City beyond its borders and may serve as
a model for similar efforts in other
locations.
Of the four surrounding townships,
Algoma is the one most likely to support
development adjacent to the City. Such
development would probably be limited to
moderate density residential, consistent
with that which already exists on adjacent
lands in the City. In an example of
intergovernmental cooperation, Rockford
has negotiated an agreement with Algoma
Township to transfer 170 acres of
undeveloped township land into the City
in return for a tax sharing arrangement
between the two communities.
Future City Growth
Future industrial development presents a
greater challenge. The existing industrial
park on the north end of the City is nearly
built-out. The only remaining land suited
to industry is found on the east side of
Northland Drive, north of 11 Mile Road.
This land, however, is owned by
Like cities everywhere that have already
dealt with growth issues, Rockford is
nearing its capacity. Most of the
community is developed. Isolated lots
here and there offer some infill potential;
but there are few large tracts of land
20
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
Wolverine Worldwide Corporation and
will likely be held for corporate
expansion. Additional industrial land is
needed to provide a tax base and expand
the employment opportunities for the
entire area.
neighborhood quality will be avoided.
However, prolonged neglect
could result in pockets of deterioration
that could spread and influence
neighboring property values, making it
more difficult to reverse the trend as time
goes on.
Conversely, whether future growth occurs
within or outside the boundaries of the
City, it will impact Rockford’s “small
town” character. It is important for the
City to avoid the erosion of its
manageable scale.
Redevelopment Opportunities
As with most cities, when the raw land is
gone the reuse potential of exiting
developed areas is looked at more closely.
Rockford has few areas, however, that
lend themselves to redevelopment. Most
of the City’s mature development is
comprised of well-maintained, highly
prized residential neighborhoods. These
would not be appropriate locations for
redevelopment.
One of the issues to be confronted as
growth continues in and around the City
relates to moving traffic. As previously
noted, east/west access is largely confined
to the 10 Mile Rd./Division Street
corridor which connects with the only
interchange at U.S.131 near Rockford.
Additional freeway access north of
Rockford, via 12 Mile Road, would help
alleviate the current and anticipated
congestion.
Two locations that present some
opportunity for redevelopment are the
central business district and Old
Northland Drive between Courtland and
E. Main. The downtown business district
offers the potential for creative
redevelopment of some existing buildings.
In particular, upper floors of many of
these buildings are vacant or, at best,
underutilized. Many offer potential
opportunities for offices or apartments.
Physical Conditions
Overall, the City is well maintained. Its
homes and neighborhoods convey a sense
of pride in the community that is apparent
even to visitors. However, there are a few
relatively isolated areas where signs of
neglect are evident – homes needing paint,
torn screens, sagging porches, outdoor
storage, etc. (A description of
neighborhood conditions may be found
beginning on page 11.)
Beyond a building-by-building
redevelopment effort downtown, there
may be a long-range opportunity
immediately north of the central business
district. Property currently owned and
partially occupied by Wolverine
Worldwide Corporation could lend itself
to eventual expansion of the business
district with retail and mixed use
development. Removal of intense
industrial activities from the heart of the
City would be, on one hand, a desirable
Signs of deterioration are advanced
warning signals of potentially greater
problems in years to come. If acted upon
soon, these nuisance conditions can be
corrected and further erosion of the
21
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
objective. This would eliminate an
existing incompatible use, while opening a
prime area for future business district
expansion. On the other hand, however,
the City recognizes the importance of its
largest corporate citizen to the community
and surrounding area and will not
advocate a change unless and until
Wolverine desires to do so.
Another redevelopment focus is found in
the east central part of the City. The Old
Northland Drive area lacks a clear
identity. It is a mix of businesses and
residences, new and old, well-maintained
and neglected. Some new investment has
been made in the area in recent years, but
incompatibilities and deterioration still
exist. This area is one that would benefit
from extensive redevelopment efforts. It
needs to clearly focus on upgrading its
deficiencies and establishing a consistent
land use pattern.
22
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
CHAPTER 4 – VISION AND GOALS
¾ Create a place for local events which
can serve as a focal point for the
community
Rockford in 2020 will be a walkable
small town that has maintained its
natural and historical assets while
providing a variety of leisure,
economic, and residential
opportunities resulting in a sense of
community pride and distinctive
character.
Central Business District (CBD)
Goals
¾ Increase the viability and
attractiveness of the CBD
¾ Promote redevelopment and more
optimum use of downtown properties
¾ Create a “sense of place” within the
City’s core
Community
Goals
Strategies
¾ Maintain the small town scale of
Rockford
¾ Promote unified/cohesive direction for
the City
¾ Promote cultural diversity
¾ Preserve the established character of
existing neighborhoods
¾ Promote neighborhood pride
¾ Promote area-wide planning
(water/sewer)
¾ Manage future growth and
development in relation to the capacity
of public services and the City’s ability
to maintain its high standards of
service
¾ Organize citizen and merchant interest
groups to spearhead needed
improvements and activities
¾ Facilitate the upgrading and reuse of
existing structures
¾ Create a major “draw”/attraction
downtown to bring more potential
customers to the merchants
¾ Encourage apartments/residential in
upper floors of downtown buildings to
more fully utilize existing structures
and increase the level of activity
¾ Seek and obtain grants for downtown
improvements
¾ Create a taxing or special assessment
district in the CBD to support
improvements
¾ Determine an appropriate mix for
CBD businesses
¾ Provide additional parking downtown,
and/or work to improve convenience
and utilization of existing parking
¾ Promote cultural events/festivals
within the business district to promote
the downtown and increase customer
traffic
Strategies
¾ Promote business in Rockford through
advertising its assets and conducting
events
¾ Establish a community calendar
¾ Develop a community center as an
area attraction and an asset for the
City
¾ Promote local cultural events/festivals
to increase community pride, public
awareness, and business
CHAPTER 4 - VISION AND GOALS
23
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
¾ Discourage strip commercial
development along 10 Mile Rd. west
of the City
¾ Provide opportunities for business
development in order that residents
may work near their homes
¾ Provide financial incentives for
improving buildings
Housing
Goals
¾ Preserve the character and integrity of
existing residential neighborhoods
within Rockford’s central core
¾ Achieve an atmosphere within new
residential development that is
consistent with the established
character of Rockford and its central
neighborhoods
¾ Promote affordable housing for senior
citizens
Strategies
¾ Encourage redevelopment of existing
buildings to prolong their useful lives
and maintain the character of the
community
¾ Adopt design standards for future
commercial development within and
outside the downtown area
¾ Focus future retail development in the
downtown and 10 Mile/Wolverine
areas
¾ Promote the Northland Drive
corridor, between East Main St. and
Rum Creek, as the City’s
office/service center
¾ Support area-wide efforts to manage
land use along 10 Mile Road and
minimize the spread of competing
commercial development
¾ Seek new locations for future
industrial growth
¾ Support “Rockford First” economic
development efforts
Strategies
¾ Prevent or minimize the intrusion of
non-residential uses into established
residential neighborhoods
¾ Adopt planned unit development
regulations that provide incentives for
developers to work more closely with
the City in achieving creative results
¾ Adopt standards for new residential
development that establish design
parameters for entryways, building
placement, and streetscape which will
result in continuity and harmony
rather than monotony and sameness
¾ Incorporate natural amenities (woods,
common open space, water features,
etc.) into new developments
Natural Features
Goal
¾ Protect the City’s prized natural
features, including the Rogue River,
tree-lined streets, and hilly terrain
Business/employment
Goals
Strategies
¾ Provide more retail choice within the
City
¾ Create a greater mix/variety of
business activity
¾ Acquire lands along both sides of the
Rogue River for preservation and
public enjoyment
24
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
¾ Require tree planting in new
¾ Actively pursue authorization from the
developments
Kent County Road Commission for
additional street access to Wolverine
Boulevard
Parks & Recreation
Goal
¾ Distribute parks throughout all areas
of the City
¾ Increase public access to the Rogue
River as a recreational amenity
Strategies
¾ Seek and obtain grants for land
acquisition and park improvements
¾ Cooperate with adjacent communities
regarding development of an areawide
multi-use park
¾ Develop a linear park and pedestrian
pathway along the west side of the
Rogue River
Transportation
Goal
¾ Improve access and circulation to,
from, and within the City
Strategies
¾ Support areawide efforts to manage
land use and access along 10 Mile
Road
¾ Promote construction of an
interchange at 12 Mile Road and U.S.
131
¾ Promote public interurban
transportation service to and from the
City
¾ Provide sidewalks in areas where they
are not yet available
25
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
Land adjacent to the City’s west boundary
(approximately 170 acres) has recently
become part of Rockford as a result of a
cooperative agreement with Algoma
Township. The development of this land
should be carried out as low density
planned residential, developed in a
manner consistent with the guidelines
found on page 34 , affording generous
open space to the residents, and providing
a suitable transition to the more rural
residential development in the adjacent
townships.
CHAPTER 5 – ROCKFORD’S FUTURE
Land Use
The pattern has been established for much
of the City’s future land use, due mainly
to the fact that most of the land is
developed. However, there are some
vacant parcels that afford an opportunity
for new development. In addition, while
the City is well maintained overall, there
are limited areas of mixed use and
marginal conditions where redevelopment
may be appropriate.
Medium Density Residential
Areas of future development and
redevelopment within the City are
identified on the Future Land Use Map on
page 31. A description of the respective
land use categories follows:
These areas generally coincide with
existing two-family and condominium
developments, as well as much of the
small lot, single family concentrations
within the City’s central core. For the
most part the land designated as medium
density is developed. Such lands should
be retained as residential use and not be
converted to non-residential uses or lost to
parking facilities.
Low Density Residential
Most of the City is, and will continue to
be, devoted to residential development.
The Master Plan attempts to reinforce the
residential character of the community,
but also provides for a variety of
residential choices, i.e., density and type
of unit.
The northwest corner of East Main and
Northland Drive, while designated for
Medium Density, is currently occupied by
several single family homes on large
parcels. The proximity of this area to
industrial development on the west,
commercial development on the north,
and Northland Drive on the east suggests
that a more concentrated form of
development would be appropriate in the
future as a transitional use.
The low density designation applies to
much of the land west of the Rogue River
and near the southern perimeter of the
City. A somewhat isolated area is also
found at the City’s north end, east of
Northland Drive. By and large these are
newer residential areas consisting of single
family homes on relatively large lots
(10,000 -15,000 sq.ft.) in comparison with
those of Rockford’s central core.
Generally, the development of these low
density areas would contain no more than
three (3) dwellings per acre of land.
CHAPTER 5 - ROCKFORD’S FUTURE
In addition, one vacant area has been
planned for medium density. This is
found on the east side of Northland Drive,
near the City’s northern border. It is
intended to provide a transition between
the existing single family homes to the
26
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
north and anticipated industrial
development to the south and east.
Townhomes, condominiums, senior
housing, or small lot single family are
envisioned as possibilities for this
location.
Office
Office and related activities provide a
buffer or transition between potentially
incompatible uses and offer a
concentration of similar uses
unencumbered by conflicting retail traffic.
Densities within this land use category are
recommended to be between three and
five (3 – 5) units per acre.
Several areas are planned for office
development. One such area is the west
side of the block at the northeast corner of
S. Main and Division. This location is
already devoted to office uses and
provides an attractive entry into
Rockford’s central business district. Two
others are located along the east side of
Wolverine Boulevard, one south of 10
Mile Road, the other south of 11 Mile
Road. Both locations are relatively small,
but offer appropriate transitional uses
between commercial activities or busy
traffic arterials and nearby residential
development.
High Density Residential
Several areas of the City are designated as
high density residential locations,
providing both an alternative housing
option and a buffer between lesser intense
residential and more intense nonresidential uses. Most of these locations
are already developed with multiple
family complexes or similar residential or
institutional projects.
Most of the land planned for high density
is found along the east side of Wolverine
Boulevard where the rugged topography
inhibits more conventional forms of
housing development. An additional
concentration is on the southeast corner of
Childsdale and 10 Mile Road that
contains an existing high density
development.
The largest planned office area is located
between Old Northland Drive and
Wolverine Boulevard. Currently occupied
by a variety of uses ranging from
residential to office to retail/service, a
portion of the area is also vacant. As
discussed elsewhere in the Plan, this
location is an ideal candidate for
redevelopment and well suited to being
transformed into an office concentration.
Development within these designated
areas may contain both single family and
multiple family units at densities up to ten
(10) units per acre. An emphasis,
however, should be placed on projects
specifically oriented toward senior citizens
for which a need exists, rather than more
conventional apartment complexes which
are already found in several Rockford
locations.
Highway Service
This designation has been applied to two
linear belts along the west side of
Northland Drive in the north end of the
City, adjacent to the existing and planned
industrial development. The purpose of
the Highway Service category is to
provide a location for businesses whose
primary focus is commercial service and
27
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
which depend on a highway location for
customer traffic. They may also serve the
adjacent industrial users. It is specifically
not intended to be another retail shopping
district.
While parking is a perceived problem by
downtown merchants, there is little
evidence of a real parking shortage.
Efforts should focus on better
identification of available parking and
upgrading the appearance of existing
parking lots.
Businesses in this area should be limited
to service-oriented establishments such as
auto body shops, vehicle repair facilities,
lawn care services, and building
contractors. Some ancillary retail may be
acceptable, but should be subordinate to
the service nature of the business.
The creation of the Highway Service area
provides a needed and appropriate
location for these businesses and a
transition area adjacent to the industrial
development. In addition, by limiting the
retail activity, potential conflicts between
retail and industrial traffic will be
minimized or avoided.
More effort should also be expended
toward promotions and community
events. Summer concerts, races, fishing
derbies, and similar community
celebrations should be undertaken to
highlight the downtown and draw people
to this unique space.
With respect to land uses, downtown is
envisioned to be a retail center. Some
office uses may be appropriate but can
have a negative impact by taking prime,
street-level, retail space in highly visible
locations. It is strongly recommended
that efforts be made to retain street-level
space for retail and similar uses, while
encouraging the use of upper stories of
downtown buildings as either residential
or office. This may require the
modification of some existing codes to
permit the needed renovations to occur in
a cost effective manner.
Central Business District
The City’s traditional retail core is found
in the “downtown” along the east bank of
the Rogue River. Its combination of small
shops and restaurants provides a focal
point for the community and a central
gathering place that reinforces Rockford’s
small town charm. In recent years, the
district’s image has changed considerably
with extensive streetscape improvements,
defining the downtown and making it
even more inviting.
While it is desirable for the downtown to
remain compact in order to create needed
synergy among the businesses and to
ensure its walkability, there may also be a
future need for expansion of the district’s
boundaries. One area potentially suited to
this purpose is found north of the current
CBD between North Main Street and the
Rogue River. This site is currently
occupied by Wolverine Worldwide, but
also contains retail outlets and parking. In
the event that the current industrial
operations outgrow this site or must
otherwise relocate, the property should be
Downtown Rockford must capitalize on
its location and image. Uses should
continue to focus on small, unique
specialty shops; entertainment facilities;
and community events. The riverfront
park, Rogue River dam, and White Pine
Trail offer inviting features for community
events and group activities with spin-off
benefits for the business community.
28
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
redeveloped with uses more compatible
with the surrounding character of the area
which also afford an opportunity for CBD
expansion. Future uses would include
retail, but more appropriately, may
involve a mix of retail, office, and
residential in a planned setting.
and greater visibility are essential
requirements for many businesses.
Therefore, the Plan provides for
commercial development in the outer
perimeter of the City.
The concentration of this general
commercial is at the intersection of 10
Mile Road and Wolverine Boulevard.
This area has become the “community”
shopping district with a variety of retail
establishments such as a grocery store,
pharmacy, and gift shop; several services
like a bank and dry cleaners; and a
number of restaurants. In addition, the
area boasts a major health/fitness center
which combines the facilities of a
traditional athletic club with several
related services such as counseling, sports
medicine, physical therapy, and others.
CBD expansion onto the Wolverine
Worldwide manufacturing site, is
considered very long-range and, in fact,
would only happen if the current facility is
moved or abandoned. However, more
immediate opportunities are afforded on
the existing City-owned property along
the south side of Bridge Street.
Development of this site should be strictly
controlled by the City to ensure both the
right use of the property (i.e., meeting a
current unmet need which complements
the existing uses) and a high quality of
development that adds to the character of
the community.
The Plan does not envision any significant
expansion of the existing General
Commercial areas due, in part, to the
limited amount of available land, as well
as the expected competition from largescale commercial development near the 10
Mile Road/U.S. 131 interchange, and the
commitment to downtown Rockford as
the commercial center.
Conversely, expansion of the CBD along
the east side of N. Main across from the
Wolverine facility should not be permitted
beyond the non-residential development
already there. The existing residential
structures on this block face should be
retained to the extent possible. While
conversion to offices or two-family
dwellings may be appropriate as
transitional uses, such uses can be
accommodated under the current zoning
classification (R-2) which should not
change. No commercial expansion
should be permitted in this location.
Industrial
The bulk of Rockford’s industrial
development is found in a column lying
between the White Pine Trail and
Northland Drive at the north end of the
City. This is where the newer industry
has located. A second industrial area, and
by far the largest, is found in the City’s
northeast quadrant, north of 11 Mile Road
and east of Northland Drive. This vast
area is owned by Wolverine Worldwide
and is only partially developed for office,
General Commercial
Not all of the City’s retail needs may be
met downtown. In fact, due to space
needs, parking requirements, and other
demands of modern retailing, larger areas
29
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
Conservation
research, and some light industrial
activities.
The flood plain on either side of the
Rogue River, north of 10 Mile Road,
forms a narrow band that divides the City
approximately in half. This is designated
as a conservation area. Much of the land
is low and subject to periodic flooding.
Therefore, intense development should
not be permitted.
While most of this latter site is planned for
industrial, future development is expected
to be limited to WWW’s facilities and will
not be available for general development.
Therefore, as Rockford’s inventory of
available industrial land dwindles, the
City will need to seek other alternatives to
accommodate further industrial growth.
A cooperative effort with Algoma
Township to the north or Courtland
Township to the east may be a desirable
strategy.
Ideally, the conservation area should be
protected as public or private open space.
It may be incorporated into developments
on adjoining lands, aesthetically
enhancing such development and offering
passive recreational opportunities.
Public/Quasi-public
The City is pursuing acquisition of lands
along the west side of the Rogue River
and should continue this practice as a
means of both protecting the floodplain
and preserving the Rogue River as a
public amenity. An aggressive program
should be pursued of constructing a
pathway along the length of this “linear
park”.
Lands occupied by and planned for public
facilities (offices, parks, schools,
cemeteries, etc.) and quasi-public facilities
(churches) fall into this category. These
uses are scattered throughout the City, but
the largest concentration is found more or
less in the center of Rockford. Several
school facilities (middle school,
elementary school, administrative offices,
and athletic fields) as well as a City park
are located here.
One of the City’s most prominent features,
the Rogue River, is bordered by several
public recreational attractions including
Peppler Park, Garden Club Park, Rogue
River Dam Overlook, and White Pine
Trail. Another walkway is also planned
along the river’s west bank and should be
considered a high priority. In conjunction
with this trail, a pedestrian bridge should
be constructed (as shown on the
“Transportation Systems” map) to provide
a link with the White Pine Trail.
30
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
Residential Capacity
Residential Character
As discussed elsewhere in this document,
the amount of vacant land available for
development within the City of Rockford
is relatively limited, even with the recently
acquired parcels from Algoma Township.
This is not unique to Rockford and, in
fact, Rockford may actually have more
available land than most small cities.
Nevertheless, the limited supply of land
on which to grow is a constraint that
should be understood.
The character of a city shapes the first
impression of visitors, creates a lasting
public perception of the community, and
establishes a city’s identity. Character is
the physical presence of a community – its
appearance, scale, and warmth.
Features that typify Rockford’s character,
as identified in the Focus Group meetings
conducted for this Plan, include:
•
•
•
•
The following table illustrates the
estimated amount of available planned
residential property within the City and
the “build-out” potential or capacity of
that land, both in terms of the number of
new dwelling units that might be expected
and the population that would be
generated by such units. When added to
the existing population of 4,626
(according to the 2000 Census), the
“build-out” population could reach 6,970,
a 50 % increase.
Residential
Density
Vacant
Net
Acres *
168
Maximum
Density
Potential
Units
•
•
•
•
•
•
Population
per Unit
historical buildings
porches
walkability
small block, grid street pattern (classic
city layout)
sidewalks
friendly neighbors
maintained yards and streets
access to parks and natural features in
the City
compact development (allows for
more social interaction)
newer large lot subdivisions
Additional
Population
This list shows
characteristics that are
Low
3/acre
504
2.75
1,386
important to the residents
Density
of Rockford and issues
Medium
43
5/acre
215
2.50
538
that need to be addressed
Density
as the City continues to
High
21
10/acre
210
2.00
420
Density
develop and age. Some of
Total
232
929
2,344
the items mentioned are
not easily controllable,
* Net acres based on 75% of gross acreage to allow for streets and
unbuildable areas
such as friendly
neighbors, but others tend to be physical
It should be noted that even if Rockford’s
characteristics that can be controlled,
population does increase by this amount,
influenced, or encouraged through City
the resulting population is still
policies.
manageable and need not compromise the
small town character of the community.
33
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
The newer perimeter development is less
distinct. While attractive and desirable, it
is generally a mirror image of the
subdivisions found throughout other area
communities and does not reflect the
traditional characteristics that are so
prominent in central Rockford.
Rockford has several well-established
residential neighborhoods, each with its
own character. Neighborhoods
surrounding the Central Business District
are older and reflect a more traditional
pattern of development and sense of pride
and stability. In the outlying areas of the
City, the more modern ‘subdivision’
developments portray a contemporary,
progressive community-on-the-go image.
Nevertheless, these developments offer an
alternative character desired by many and
convey an image of a growing,
prosperous, young community. To some
extent, of necessity, this peripheral
development in Rockford has curving,
wide streets and cul-de-sacs running off
main arteries. Large lots up to one acre
have afforded the opportunity for
residents to meet their housing demands
in a more spacious setting.
The need and demand for these
neighborhoods have created a niche for
large-lot subdivisions. Developments
such as the Rockford Highlands and
Riverchase, as well as new developments
in the north and east ends of the City,
have offered Rockford residents
alternative housing options to those in
central Rockford. This development
around the City’s perimeter provides an
appropriate transitional land use between
the lower intensity residential/agricultural
land uses outside the Rockford’s
boundaries and the denser, more intense
development of the central City.
Tree lined street in Central Rockford
Established neighborhoods in central
Rockford are characterized by many
features and details that create a unique
“feel” that may be emulated but not
duplicated in new developments. Among
these are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
tree lined streets
grid pattern street network
on-street parking
ornamentation detailing
wood lap siding
primarily two story houses
mature landscaping
front porches and short setbacks,
giving the street edge definition
single car attached or detached
garages that are typically not a
dominant feature of the lot
In order to maintain Rockford’s strong
identity and desirable character, the
following recommendations are offered
for all residential development, including
existing neighborhoods:
•
34
enforce the City’s housing and
property maintenance code
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
•
•
•
•
garages in the rear of the lot may also
be appropriate.
adhere to a regular maintenance
program for sidewalks and streets
throughout the City
establish an urban forestry program to
maintain or replace street trees within
the City
protect existing residential
neighborhoods from encroachment by
nonresidential uses
avoid removal of existing dwellings
within established residential
neighborhoods
In addition, the following guidelines
should be adopted for new residential
development to ensure a level of
consistency within the community which
will link both the old and new housing
within Rockford. It should be noted that
one such development, Rockford
Highlands PUD, has incorporated many
of the guidelines into its proposed
residential development on the City’s west
side. When completed, the project will
stand as evidence of the benefits that can
be achieved for the residents of the
development and the community as a
whole.
•
Architecture: Residential structures
should have curb appeal that creates a
friendly environment and promotes
interaction between neighbors. The
dominant feature, as viewed from the
street, should be the entryway to the
home through design features such as
a front porch, front walkway, and
living area. Garages and garage doors
should not dominate the front façade.
To minimize this potential
obtrusiveness, garages should be
recessed or set back from the front
building line; or the overhead door
should face the side or rear. Detached
35
•
Neighborhood parks: Neighborhood
parks are a key element to any quality
neighborhood. They provide visual
relief to the neighborhood and
gathering places for the residents.
Such spaces can take the form of a
public park, a school playground, or a
common area held by a neighborhood
association. The City should pursue
opportunities to create pocket parks or
small, but usable, open space areas
within both existing and new
neighborhoods.
•
Sidewalk/pathways: Neighborhoods
need an integrated pedestrian
circulation system which conveniently
and safely links residents to other
neighborhoods, public gathering
places, and other key destination
points within the City. As new
development is proposed, the City
should require that sidewalks be
provided. Additionally, it is important
that appropriate connections be made
to adjacent sidewalk and pathway
systems and to key destinations (parks,
shopping, schools, churches,
employment centers, etc.).
•
Street lighting: In order to promote
activity in the neighborhoods and
establish a safe environment for
residents, street lighting should be
provided along the roadway and
walkways. Ideally, the lighting should
be decorative to ensure compatibility
with the neighborhood. In some
situations, such as at intersections, a
more powerful light fixture may be
more appropriate. Lighting should be
reasonably spaced and should by no
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
means create glare which negatively
impacts nearby sites or motorists.
•
•
•
and all new development should
incorporate such a feature.
Landmarks can be in the form of
natural plantings (trees, flowers,
gardens) or man-made features
(sculptures or fountains) situated in a
park or common open space area. A
landmark may even be a building such
as a prominent church or school.
Street design: A traditional street
cross-section should be applied
throughout the City. This should
consist of concrete curb and gutter and
relatively narrow pavement width
(26 – 30 feet). Streets should be
designed to keep speeds and volumes
low. Methods to accomplish this
include maintaining a narrow width,
creating short block faces, and
accommodating some curves in the
road. Stop signs should be used only
where fully justified by traffic
conditions and not as a means of
slowing traffic. Additionally, streets
should be interconnecting and
provide ample and safe access to the
existing network. Where a vehicular
connection is not possible, a pedestrian
link should be provided.
Streetscape: Design features within the
streetscape such as street trees between
the sidewalk and curb can also be used
to alert a driver to slow down. In
addition, streetscape elements
establish the roadway as a design
feature, not just an impervious surface
for vehicles. Street trees should be
provided within the lawn area between
the street and sidewalk and should be
spaced 30 to 40 feet apart. Light
fixtures of an appropriate scale and
design can also be used to enhance the
appearance of the streetscape.
Walkability: The design and density
of new residential development should
be at a walkable scale. The actual size
of a defined neighborhood should be a
reasonable walking distance of onehalf mile across and contain a central
feature such as a park or school.
Residential uses need to be within
walkable distance to some form of
recreation, civic, and/or shopping
opportunity to maintain this sense of a
“walkable community.”
•
Blocks: A key aspect of maintaining
physical connections throughout the
community is an interconnected series
of streets and blocks. While new
streets do not necessarily need to
follow a rigid grid pattern, at a
minimum street connections should be
provided. These links are vital to
shortening driving and walking
distance within the community and
enhancing interrelationships within
the neighborhood.
Cul-de-sacs, the dead-end streets so
common in contemporary residential
developments, contribute significantly
to detracting from the sense of
neighborhood continuity. These
streets isolate residents and obstruct
traffic flow and should, therefore, be
avoided to the extent possible. While
rugged terrain, especially west of the
Landmarks: Landmarks are features
that create a distinct neighborhood
identifier, a sense of place at key
locations, or focal point with which
people can identify. Many of the older
neighborhoods possess a landmark;
•
36
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
Rogue River, makes through street
connections impractical in some
locations, every effort should be made
to minimize cul-de-sacs and create
blocks and interconnecting streets.
•
under the jurisdiction of the Kent County
Road Commission.
An intergovernmental study effort
explored both land use and transportation
issues related to this corridor and
proposed a variety of recommendations
for 10 Mile Road. These included
widening the street (west of the City) to a
four-lane boulevard and establishing joint
land use and design controls.
Neighborhood identity: Older platted
subdivisions within the City have
individual names, but are fully
integrated into the overall fabric of the
community and do not have any type
of sign to delineate their boundary.
However, the current trend for new
subdivisions is to create a prominent
entry often consisting of walls, even
gates, and a distinctive sign
emblazoned with the subdivision
name. This is intended to provide a
separate and distinct (often exclusive)
identity apart from the broader
neighborhood or wider community.
This concept is not consistent with the
traditional neighborhood design
within the core of the City. Single
family plats should not be permitted to
isolate themselves with physical
barriers and separate identities. Plat
entry signs, walls, gates and similar
symbols of exclusivity and isolation
should be discouraged.
Several other transportation
improvements are recommended within
or near the City to accommodate
anticipated increases in traffic volume, as
well as to ameliorate some existing
conditions. These are described as
follows:
•
Twelve Mile Road/U.S. 131
Interchange: This area is outside the
City of Rockford. However, access to
the U.S. 131 expressway north of
Rockford is considered a highly
desirable improvement, relieving some
pressure on the current 10 Mile Road
interchange, and providing an
alternative for northbound traffic. An
added interchange in this location
would still maintain adequate
spacing from the existing 10 Mile and
14 Mile Road interchanges. Rockford
officials should actively promote this
concept among GRETS, MDOT, and
the Kent County Road Commission.
•
Ten Mile/Eleven Mile Road
Connector: Land recently brought
into the City along its west border is
already experiencing residential
development pressures. It is
imperative that before
this area is platted and developed,
provision should be made for a
Transportation
Rockford depends primarily on the
personal motor vehicle for mobility.
There is no scheduled public transit
service. While traffic within the City
moves relatively freely, movement to and
from the west (U.S. 131) is hampered by
large volumes of traffic on a two-lane road
(10 Mile Road). Because it lies outside
the City boundaries and is actually the
dividing line between Algoma and
Plainfield Townships, 10 Mile Road is
37
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
should, therefore, be reconstructed to
facilitate this turning movement.
north/south connector street to link 10
Mile Road with 11 Mile Road.
•
Old Northland Drive Vacation: As
part of the recommended
redevelopment of the area along Old
Northland Drive, west of Wolverine
Boulevard, it is suggested that the one
block segment of Old Northland Drive
between E. Main Street and Lewis
Street could be vacated to create a
more usable land area for future
development.
•
Ten Mile Road Widening: Affecting
little, if any, of 10 Mile Road within
the City limits, this improvement
would have a major impact on moving
traffic in and out of Rockford and
creating an attractive “front door”
image for the City. As envisioned, 10
Mile Road would be widened to a
four-lane boulevard between U.S. 131
and a point west of Highlander Drive.
No change should be made to the
existing three lane cross-section within
the City (Main to Lincoln). While
traffic volumes on this segment are
heavy, further widening of this
segment would result in a loss of the
magnificent trees that line the street
and deterioration of the residential
character of the abutting
neighborhoods.
•
Alternate Access Road at Southwest
Corner of Division and Wolverine
Boulevard: To provide needed relief at
the Division Street/ Wolverine
Boulevard intersection, as well as an
alternate means of egress for traffic
exiting the businesses on the south side
of Division, west of Wolverine, an
access road should be constructed
around the rear of the existing
businesses. This improvement would
connect the parking areas located
behind the existing businesses and
allow traffic to exit just west of the car
wash location, further removed from
the Wolverine Boulevard intersection.
This improvement would have the
added benefit of improving access to
the rear of the deep lots, making them
more usable.
This would permit several shallow lots
to be enlarged or combined with other
parcels to create one or more usable
parcels for redevelopment. It would
also improve traffic movement at the
Wolverine Boulevard/11 Mile Road
intersection.
•
•
Lewis Street Extension: In
conjunction with the vacation of a
portion of Old Northland Drive, Lewis
Street could be extended east to
Wolverine Boulevard, subject to Kent
County Road Commission approval.
This improvement could relieve the
awkward E. Main/Wolverine/11 Mile
intersection and provide a direct entry
into the redevelopment area.
Reconstruct Wolverine Blvd/11 Mile
Road Intersection: Due to the angle of
this intersection, large trucks
experience great difficulty in making a
right turn onto eastbound 11 Mile
Road from Wolverine Boulevard. The
potential for much more industrial
development in this part of the City
and the attendant increase in truck
traffic will only exacerbate the already
poor situation. This intersection
38
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
Things to Remember
CHAPTER 6 – IMPLEMENTING THE
PLAN
To conclude, some explanation is
appropriate regarding how the Master
Plan should be used. First, it is essential
to understand that the Plan is a policy
guide. It is not an ordinance and does not
replace zoning. The Plan is supposed to
work hand-in-hand with zoning and other
City development tools. A few important
things to know about the Plan are:
Roles & Responsibilities
While the Master Plan is essentially the
product of the City Planning
Commission’s efforts, making the Plan a
reality will require the combined efforts of
many individuals and groups. Clearly, the
Planning Commission and City Manager
will be charged with the responsibility of
spear-heading the Plan’s implementation.
However, the City Council must be in
support of the Plan’s recommendations
and will be responsible for the future
allocation of funds for specific
improvements and for the regulatory and
much of the policy support needed to
bring specific actions to fruition.
¾
Remember that the Master Plan is a
guide for future land use. The Plan
Map may not look like the zoning
map or the existing land use map. It
really shouldn’t. The Plan Map is an
illustration of the long-range land use
pattern of the City, based on the goals
and strategies adopted as part of the
Master Plan.
Outside the confines of City Hall, other
committees and organizations can lend
support to the Plan. Among these are the
DDA, chamber of commerce, school
district, and historical society. Likewise,
cooperation from the Kent County Road
Commission will also be necessary to
accomplish some of the tasks set forth in
this document.
The Plan is land use policy. City
decisions, as well as those of the
private sector, should follow the Plan.
New streets, parks, public
improvements, etc. should be
consistent with the land use policies
adopted as part of the Master Plan.
Assistance and cooperation from the
private sector also has a place in the Plan’s
implementation. Developers and
corporations in the routine course of their
activities will exert either a positive or
negative influence over the direction the
City takes. They should be encouraged,
therefore, to make a conscious effort to
work in partnership with the City to help
Rockford achieve its vision for the future.
CHAPTER 6 - IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN
Let It Be Your Land Use Guide
¾
Refer To It In All Zoning Decisions
One of the principal benefits of having
an adopted Master Plan is the
foundation it provides for zoning
decisions. Just as the Master Plan is
the policy guide for land use, zoning
is the principal legal enforcement tool.
The two should work in conjunction
with one another.
40
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
As the Planning Commission and
City Council are faced with making
zoning and land development
decisions — rezoning, site plan
review, special use permit, planned
unit development, plat reviews, etc.
— the relationship of those requests to
the Master Plan recommendations
should be a primary consideration. A
request to construct a commercial use
in an area planned for residential
development, for example, would be
contrary to the Plan and should not
be approved, unless the Plan is
determined to be in error for that
particular location.
change. That way it will remain an
up-to-date policy guide over time.
Another practice the Planning
Commission is encouraged to adopt is
to conduct a regularly scheduled
(typically annual) review of the Plan.
Even if no changes have been
warranted during the course of the
prior year, it is wise to take time to
consider the continued relevance of
the Master Plan. This is a good time
to make amendments to keep the Plan
current and consistent with City
philosophies.
¾
In some cases, it may be appropriate
to initiate a change to existing zoning
boundaries so they more closely
conform to the Plan
recommendations. This could help
avoid conflicts at a later date.
¾
The most often heard reasons for not
following a Plan are that it is out of
date or is no longer relevant. It seems
many communities undertake a
master planning effort with the idea
that once the plan is completed the
job is done for twenty years until it’s
time to do a new plan. With this
philosophy, the community’s plan
will become obsolete very quickly.
Be Flexible
As important as it is to use the Plan as
a guide, it is equally important to
recognize that the Plan must be
flexible. Changing circumstances,
unanticipated opportunities, and
unforeseen problems can require a
shift in direction. Such mid-course
adjustments are not unusual, though
they should not be a frequent nor an
easy occurrence.
As noted previously in this document,
it is essential to keep the Master Plan
current. On an annual basis, the
Planning Commission should set
aside one meeting just for the purpose
of reflecting on the past year and
considering possible amendments to
the Plan.
However, because a deviation from
the Plan may be appropriate in a
specific instance, doesn’t mean that
the Plan is no longer relevant and
should be ignored from that point on.
When these conflicts arise, the Plan
should be amended to reflect the
Keep It Current
It is unrealistic to expect the Plan to
remain unchanged for its 20 year life.
Neither the Planning Commission or
its professional advisors can predict
the future. While the Plan provides a
broad framework for land use
decisions, site-specific issues may
41
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
arise that were unanticipated and
deserve close scrutiny. Where uses
are approved contrary to the Plan, the
plan should be amended to reflect the
change. By routinely following this
procedure, the Plan will continue to
be an up-to-date, reliable planning
tool.
¾
Along the same lines, the Planning
Commission may also participate in
the preparation of a Capital
Improvements Program (CIP). This
is an annual process conducted in
many communities to prepare a
continuing list of needed
improvements, identify funding
sources, and set priorities. The CIP
can be an invaluable tool for
implementing the direction set by the
Master Plan.
Use It As A Management Tool
“No street, square, park, or other
public way, ground, or open space, or
public building or structure, shall be
constructed or authorized in the
municipality... until the location,
character, and extent thereof shall
have been submitted to and approved
by the commission...” This provision,
taken from Section 9 of the Municipal
Planning Act, requires the Planning
Commission to review all public
improvements for conformance to the
Master Plan prior to their final
authorization. In the event the
Planning Commission disapproves
such a project, a 2/3 vote of the City
Council is required to override that
action. If the Planning Commission
does not act in 60 days, approval is
automatic.
This provision is not intended to give
the Planning Commission veto
authority over public improvements,
but to ensure that formal
consideration is given to the
relationship of such improvements to
the City’s Master Plan. In evaluating
that relationship, the Planning
Commission should look at
consistency with land use, as well as
the impact of the proposed
improvement on other Plan
recommendations.
42
MASTER PLAN 2020
City of Rockford
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
MASTER PLAN 2020
Kidspeak
Rockford’s Youth City Planning Program
Goal:
To utilize the views, concepts and dreams of Rockford’s
5th grade students to enhance the City of Rockford’s
Master Plan and to nurture the student’s understanding of citizenship and
community life.
The Kidspeak program was developed in conjunction with Parkside Elementary School to
elicit input from a large segment of Rockford’s youth. Broken down into sessions
conducted over several days, the program involved all fifth grade students at Parkside,
introducing them to the basic concepts of planning and zoning.
Initially, a bus tour acquainted students with the City including important landmarks, public
service facilities, parks, natural features, and the range of different uses found throughout
the community. Students were asked to observe what they liked and didn’t like and wanted
to change. Following their orientation to the City and how it works, students were
organized into small groups to create plans for the City’s future. Using the lessons learned
and with the assistance of the mayor, city council members, city staff, and planning
commissioners, students applied their creative and artistic talents to designing the Rockford
of the future. Public facilities such as parks and trails were placed throughout the
community; commercial and industrial districts were sited; and a variety of housing options
were arranged, along with other amenities that came from their fruitful imaginations.
The final Kidspeak session included a presentation of the nine versions of the “Laphamville
of the Future” plans to the Rockford City Council, linking the original community founded in
1846 with the Rockford of the future. The students also wrote essays to explain in narrative
form how their vision for Rockford was developed and why.
The Kidspeak program proved to be an enjoyable, educational, and valuable aspect of the
Master Plan process for both students and City. The maps and narratives developed by the
students have been included on the following pages to ensure those creative visions are
considered as Rockford continues to develop into the future.
Day 1
City Day
• Introduce City Manager / Consultant to students
• Begin brainstorming what students believe is the role of a city.
• Discuss typical City functions and certain planning concepts to lay the foundation for the project.
• Present maps of the City of Rockford to students to become familiar with the size and characteristics of the
City.
• Discuss purpose and function of zoning and why it is important to a community.
Day 2
City Tour Day
• Reintroduce City staff.
• Discuss purpose of today’s session.
• Students board a school bus to tour the City including landmarks, public facilities, street layouts, and general
zoning districts. City map is brought for reference points
• Students are asked to document what aspects of the City they like and do not like- and were.
• Students were asked to observe differences between the old part of town compared to new growing areas of the
City.
Day 3
City Development Day
• Reintroduce City Manager and City staff members and/or elected/appointed officials.
• Today the students are to help construct their ideal city based on their observations during the previous lessons..
• Create Ideal City – Students were broken into groups to construct the ideal city. Each group is given a large
base map of the City including the City limits and river and creeks. Students were asked to place various
landmarks, buildings, public facilities, parks, zoning districts, and to draw a street system using previous lessons
as a foundation
• After creating their ideal city, each group was charged with writing an essay as to why their city was created in
the manner that it was.
Day 4
City Government Day
• Students were invited to a Special Council meeting to present their ideal City's of the future. Each group
presented their map and read their essay to explain the areas of Rockford they kept the same and those they
propose to change- and why.
• The essays and future City maps are to be included on the following pages.
City of Rockford
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
MASTER PLAN 2020
Kidspeak Vision for
Laphamville #1
0
500
FEET
1500
Kidspeak Vision for
Laphamville #2
0
500
FEET
1500
Kidspeak Vision for
Laphamville #3
0
500
FEET
1500
Kidspeak Vision for
Laphamville #4
0
500
FEET
1500
Kidspeak Vision for
Laphamville #5
0
500
FEET
1500
Kidspeak Vision for
Laphamville #6
0
500
FEET
1500
Kidspeak Vision for
Laphamville #7
0
500
FEET
1500
Kidspeak Vision for
Laphamville #8
0
500
FEET
1500
Kidspeak Vision for
Laphamville #9
0
500
FEET
1500