What Does Buhl’s Comprehensive Plan Include?
Buhl’s Comprehensive Plan is a long-range blueprint for growth and development. It identifies community priorities and guides decision-making on land use, infrastructure, housing, economic development, and more. The plan includes 17 elements required by Idaho Code §67-6508.
These elements are interconnected—decisions about housing affect transportation, which impacts land use, and so on. Together, they help the City plan responsibly for the next 10 to 20 years.
The required elements include:
1. Property Rights: Ensuring land use policies do not violate constitutionally protected rights.
2. Population: Evaluating current and projected demographics to anticipate future needs.
3. School Facilities and Transportation: Planning for adequate school capacity and safe student access.
4. Economic Development: Identifying strategies to support local businesses, job creation, and workforce development.
5. Land Use: Outlining how land should be used and developed throughout the city and surrounding areas.
6. Natural Resources: Addressing the conservation and sustainable use of natural assets like water, soils, and open space.
7. Hazardous Areas: Planning for areas at risk of flooding, landslides, or other hazards to protect life and property.
8. Public Services, Facilities, and Utilities: Coordinating infrastructure like water, sewer, police, and fire services to support growth.
9. Transportation: Planning for safe and efficient roads, transit, and pedestrian/bike connections.
10. Recreation: Enhancing access to parks, trails, and other community amenities.
11. Special Areas or Sites: Protecting historically, culturally, or environmentally significant areas.
12. Housing: Promoting a mix of safe, affordable, and diverse housing options for all ages and incomes.
13. Community Design: Encouraging attractive, walkable, and cohesive neighborhoods and public spaces.
14. Agriculture: Supporting working agricultural lands and related uses within the community.
15. Implementation: Defining goals, policies, and specific actions to achieve the plan’s vision over time.
16. National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors: Addressing federally designated transmission corridors, if applicable.
17. Public Airport Facilities: Planning for the needs of aviation infrastructure, if applicable.
These elements are interconnected—decisions about housing affect transportation, which impacts land use, and so on. Together, they help the City plan responsibly for the next 10 to 20 years.
The required elements include:
1. Property Rights: Ensuring land use policies do not violate constitutionally protected rights.
2. Population: Evaluating current and projected demographics to anticipate future needs.
3. School Facilities and Transportation: Planning for adequate school capacity and safe student access.
4. Economic Development: Identifying strategies to support local businesses, job creation, and workforce development.
5. Land Use: Outlining how land should be used and developed throughout the city and surrounding areas.
6. Natural Resources: Addressing the conservation and sustainable use of natural assets like water, soils, and open space.
7. Hazardous Areas: Planning for areas at risk of flooding, landslides, or other hazards to protect life and property.
8. Public Services, Facilities, and Utilities: Coordinating infrastructure like water, sewer, police, and fire services to support growth.
9. Transportation: Planning for safe and efficient roads, transit, and pedestrian/bike connections.
10. Recreation: Enhancing access to parks, trails, and other community amenities.
11. Special Areas or Sites: Protecting historically, culturally, or environmentally significant areas.
12. Housing: Promoting a mix of safe, affordable, and diverse housing options for all ages and incomes.
13. Community Design: Encouraging attractive, walkable, and cohesive neighborhoods and public spaces.
14. Agriculture: Supporting working agricultural lands and related uses within the community.
15. Implementation: Defining goals, policies, and specific actions to achieve the plan’s vision over time.
16. National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors: Addressing federally designated transmission corridors, if applicable.
17. Public Airport Facilities: Planning for the needs of aviation infrastructure, if applicable.
