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Comprehensive Plan
Developing the Plan
The City of Johnston has a vision far into the future. Thank you for checking out our 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
2015 the Johnston City Council adopted the following criteria as guidelines to consider when amendments to the Johnston 2030 Comprehensive Land Use Map are proposed:
impact of a project that would be consistent with the current comprehensive plan?
7. What impact willthe the proposed use have on the balance of development mix in the community? What is the land availability within the community for uses similar to the proposed and existing land use designations?
A major component of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan is the Merle Hay Road Gateway Redevelopment Area.
The Gateway Area is on its way to becoming unlike any other area in the Des Moines metro. The Johnston City Council approved a redevelopment plan that is setting the stage for a dramatic transformation to the front door of the City.
Video On What Is Envisioned For The Merle Hay Road Gateway Redevelopment Area
Kayak to your favorite restaurant. Popin to a new hotel with an ecological theme. Make your home in a luxury rental property with access to natural amenities and trails. Spend time at a destination community park with unique elements that could include a skate park, BMX track, dog park and trailhead. These are all part of the vision for the Merle Hay Road Gateway Area.
The Gateway Area is 123 acres total and is defined as generally south of NW 55th Avenue along both sides of Merle Hay Road to Interstate 35/80. As one of only two gateways into the City from Interstate 35/80, this area is a recognizable and critical area of the City.
The master plan sees an opportunity to expand recreation and tourism with the addition of more canoe/kayak launches along Beaver Creek to provide more opportunities to get on the water. A planned outdoor recreation retailer could even use portions of the creek to test equipment and provide training and educational opportunities for those interested in water sports on the creek or nearby Saylorville Lake.
It will be a development that is truly a destination, either as a specialized retail destination, new hotel and conference center or a corporate office headquarters that would serve as a catalyst for transformation.
Johnston has the second highest median household income of metro cities at $89,543, exceeded only by Clive. During the recession, Johnston's median home values actually grew from $239,000 to $242,000. These are just two of the many reasons a new, vibrant development along Merle Hay Road will be sustainable for the long term.
The implementation plan recognizes the need for the City of Johnston to utilize financial incentives to begin and sustain improvements in the District, while specific incentives will be considered on a development by development basis, they could include a tax increment financing (TIF), tax abatement, a revolving loan fund, special service districts and other economic incentives.
During extensive research of the Gateway Area, AECOM conducted a preliminary market analysis which identified the market constraints and possibilities. Following input from many property owners and stakeholders, the City Council adopted the Redevelopment Plan on September 16, 2013. Please click on the links below for more information on the plan.
The City of Johnston has a vision far into the future. Thank you for checking out our 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
The Johnston 2030 Comprehensive Plan consists of ten chapters:
- Table of Content and Introduction
- Chapter 1 - Introduction
- Chapter 2 - Johnston in 2030
- Chapter 3 - Community Context
- Chapter 4 - Natural Resources
- Chapter 5 - Land Use
- Chapter 6 - Transportation
- Chapter 7 - Housing
- Chapter 8 - Parks and Recreation
- Chapter 9 - Utilities
- Chapter 10 - Implementation
- Is there a demand in the community for the proposed use?
- Current supply/demand, vacancy/occupancy rates, etc.
- Short and long-term projections for the existing and proposed uses
- What benefits would be generated by the proposed use as compared to the existing use? What negative impacts would be caused by the proposed use?
- What is the history of the property? Are there impediments to marketing/developing the site pursuant to the existing
use that are unique and distinguish the site from other properties in the community? Are there any factors or criteria unique to the site or area under study that would argue for or against the proposed use? - Is there or can adequate land use transitions be provided between existing uses and the proposed use? Can buffers and site design be incorporated to minimize the impact on neighboring property owners? What impact is there
to existing development sight lines? - What are the impacts and is there capacity on the property and within the surrounding area to support the proposed use in the following areas:
- Roadway network/traffic
- Utilities (water, sewer, stormwater management)
- Services and amenities (typically available to support the proposed use)
- What are the property tax implications that would result from the proposed change?
7. What impact will
Johnston Town Center
The City of Johnston has hired Confluence to prepare a market analysis and updated development concepts for the Johnston Town Center area, generally the area in the northwest corner of Merle Hay Road and NW 62nd Avenue. Upon
Merle Hay Road Gateway Redevelopment Area
A major component of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan is the Merle Hay Road Gateway Redevelopment Area.
The Gateway Area is on its way to becoming unlike any other area in the Des Moines metro. The Johnston City Council approved a redevelopment plan that is setting the stage for a dramatic transformation to the front door of the City.
Video On What Is Envisioned For The Merle Hay Road Gateway Redevelopment Area
Kayak to your favorite restaurant. Pop
The Gateway Area is 123 acres total and is defined as generally south of NW 55th Avenue along both sides of Merle Hay Road to Interstate 35/80. As one of only two gateways into the City from Interstate 35/80, this area is a recognizable and critical area of the City.
The master plan sees an opportunity to expand recreation and tourism with the addition of more canoe/kayak launches along Beaver Creek to provide more opportunities to get on the water. A planned outdoor recreation retailer could even use portions of the creek to test equipment and provide training and educational opportunities for those interested in water sports on the creek or nearby Saylorville Lake.
It will be a development that is truly a destination, either as a specialized retail destination, new hotel and conference center or a corporate office headquarters that would serve as a catalyst for transformation.
Johnston has the second highest median household income of metro cities at $89,543, exceeded only by Clive. During the recession, Johnston's median home values actually grew from $239,000 to $242,000. These are just two of the many reasons a new, vibrant development along Merle Hay Road will be sustainable for the long term.
The implementation plan recognizes the need for the City of Johnston to utilize financial incentives to begin and sustain improvements in the District, while specific incentives will be considered on a development by development basis, they could include a tax increment financing (TIF), tax abatement, a revolving loan fund, special service districts and other economic incentives.
During extensive research of the Gateway Area, AECOM conducted a preliminary market analysis which identified the market constraints and possibilities. Following input from many property owners and stakeholders, the City Council adopted the Redevelopment Plan on September 16, 2013. Please click on the links below for more information on the plan.
Other Studies
Additional planning studies have been done that relate to the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
Additional planning studies have been done that relate to the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
- 2009 - Watershed Assessment and Stormwater Management Plan
- 2007 - Merle Hay Redevelopment Study
- 2007 - Market Study
- 2005 - West Side Transportation Study
- 2004 - Central Basin Utility Master Plan
- 2004 - Northwest Utility Master Plan
- 2003 - Growth Scenario and Traffic Analysis
- 2001 - Action Development Plan
- 2016 - Multifamily Residential Housing Amenities Study
- 2018 - Walkability Study (PDF)