Donna Gale

Mitch Burdick-County Engineer

Gerald Brockmeier

Roger Weber

Joe Kula (Emeritus)

David Hake

Ron E. Brown

Mike Borrenpohl

Jerry Waters

Brad Conant- County Farm Bureau

Jeff Evans

Angie Lisk

Robert Gill

Kate Muenter*

Eric Brammeier*

CHAIRMAN

Doug Bening

Paul Todd

Victor Shubert*

Terri Kurwicki

Dave Ibendahl

Leo Barczewski

Alan Hohlt

Gary Suedmeyer

CHAIRMAN

David A. Meyer

Willy Spenner

This Comprehensive Plan for Washington County updates the 1999 Comprehensive Plan prepared

with the support of Southwestern Illinois Metropolitan and Regional Planning Commission

(SIMAPC). Because of changing conditions, updated information and development pressures it was

determined that the 1999 land use plan needed to be brought up to date. This responsibility

ultimately rests with the County Board and County Planning Commission, and the Washington

County Comprehensive Plan Update Committee was appointed. The Committee is an advisory body

to the County government and, in that role, is recommending this plan for adoption as the

Washington County Comprehensive Plan.

Comprehensive land use planning provides the basis upon which more effective and informed

decision-making may take place. One of the principal contributions of the planning process is to

provide appropriate information for everyday decisions while considering the long range goals and

objectives. The planning process and the planning document provide public officials and interested

citizens with essential information about their region. In essence, the plan is an interpretation of this

data that outlines area¡¦s potential and perceived threats, and recommends policies required to

achieve the desired physical development.

The plan is not intended to be a rigid framework for future development but, rather, a broad outline

for harmonious and coordinated physical development. It will be used by the County Board, County

and municipal officials and administrators, developers, and the general public as a guide in the

decision-making relative to physical development. The plan represents proposed policy

recommendations for adoption by the County Board and should be periodically revised as changing

conditions warrant. The plan shows the essential relationships which must be established and

preserved among the various public service facilities, as well as the uses of privately owned land if

desired community and area wide objectives are to be reached.

The primary function of the County Comprehensive Plan can be summarized as follows:

1. To provide a statement of public policy regarding the guidance and control of desirable

physical development within the County.

2. To provide the County Board with developmental policy guidelines to assist with decision

making on specific development issues and on future public expenditures.

3. To establish the framework for coordinated action between local units of government, as well

as coordinated action between these units of local government and state and federal units of

government.

4. To provide administrative continuity through successive County government administrations.

5. To educate the general public regarding possibilities in shaping future growth.

In the Comprehensive Plan the Washington County Comprehensive Plan Update Committee offers a

renewed starting point for a more efficient and attractive County for tomorrow.

The responsibilities of the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee are summarized as follows:

recommendations to the County Board through County Planning Commission with respect to

the plan.

recommendation to the County Board.

improvements embraced within the Comprehensive Plan, to further the development of these

projects, and generally to promote the realization of the Comprehensive Plan.

Plan update and on the effectiveness of ordinances and regulations as they relate to the

Comprehensive Plan.

concerns, conditions, and proposals pertinent to the future development of the County.

Comprehensive planning has been a function of Washington County for more than four decades.

Planning related activities began when Washington County adopted their first comprehensive plan in

1969. The present Comprehensive Plan was updated in 1999. The subdivision ordinance was

originally adopted in 1975 with a comprehensive update adopted in June, 2003. The Zoning

Ordinance was adopted in 1980, and a comprehensive update was adopted in May, 2009.

Today, zoning and subdivision review remain important functions of the Planning Commission,

Zoning Board of Appeals, the Zoning Administrator and the County Engineer. The Zoning

Administrator provides the staff functions for the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Planning

Commission, and the County Board. The Administrator provides assistance and information on

planning, zoning, and resource management to individuals and, on occasion, the smaller

communities that are without a planning and zoning function of their own.

The Washington County Planning Commission was created and appointed by the County Board in

1973 as a response to changing conditions and new information provided by the 1970 U.S. Census of

Population, and the Commission¡¦s first responsibility was to assist with the development and

adoption of a new Comprehensive Plan. The 1973 Land Use and Transportation Plan addressed

housing, commercial and industrial development, transportations, park and recreation, County

Services, natural resources and citizen participation. The 1973 Plan discouraged scattered residential

development, promoted the orderly extension of public utilities, preserving areas of natural beauty,

and balancing urban development while preserving the County¡¦s rich agricultural lands. The Plan,

being very general in nature, failed to provide for the essential tools necessary to address the

important issues that were identified, namely farmland protection and development in rural

unincorporated areas.

On September 23, 1985, the Illinois legislature enacted the Local Land Resource Management

Planning Act (Illinois State Statutes, Chapter 50 ILCS 805). This important legislative initiative

added strengthened the power of counties and municipalities to engage in intergovernmental

planning activities. The new enabling legislation could be used to develop joint land resource

management plans that address critical land and water resource issues. The Land Resource

Management Planning Act provides that:

As Washington County entered the 1990s, growth pressures increased and agricultural preservation,

open space, growth management, environmental protection, and intergovernmental cooperation

emerged as critical issues. The Comprehensive Plan developed in 1990¡¦s attempted to address these

critical issues over a planning horizon of twenty years. The subdivision Ordinance update of 2003

and comprehensive revision of the Zoning Ordinance of 2009 were aimed at implementation of the

strategies of the 1999 Plan.

The Washington County Comprehensive Plan Update is the product of a public input and review

process that specifically sought input from individual citizens and the various municipalities, taxing

bodies, and other organizations within the County. The review process included a public opinion

locations throughout the county to provide individuals an opportunity to review the draft plan and

provide input, a public hearing before the Washington County Planning Commission to receive input

and comment prior to a decision on a recommendation to the County Board. The Plan incorporates

revisions made as a result of public review process. This process has resulted in a plan that seeks to

balance between natural resource protection and community & economic development. The intent

of the plan is to provide elected officials advice and direction to guide decision-making on

The planning committee was recommended by the Planning Commission and appointed by the

County Board to initiate and steer the process, and make decisions and recommendations on the

public policy issues that will shape and direct the growth and development of the County over a

twenty year planning horizon. Members of the committee included County Board members,

appointed County administrative staff members, representatives of various local governments within

the County, members of the County business and industrial community, educators, and members of

the agricultural community. The members of the committee met many times over a span of several

months and worked to define the scope of the planning process, gather the many plan inputs,

evaluate the data compiled, and develop the recommendations for the general plan. They undertook

the study of data compiled by the facilitator concerning demographic, economic, social, and political

information in order to be well informed of the baseline factors.

In order to shape the scope and context of the planning areas to be addressed the Committee solicited

public input by means of a county-wide public survey via a written questionnaire. The survey

was opened to anyone within the County that wished to participate.

Committee undertook a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis

concerning the many planning issues under consideration, and used this analysis to shape the plan

recommendations. The synopsis of the SWOT Analysis completed is included in the Appendix.

The Committee undertook the development of a vision statement for the County and decided upon

the following vision:

Notice of the Survey availability was accomplished by local new articles and by way of an insert

copies of the survey were available to be picked up at the Zoning Office and at the County Clerk¡¦s

office. The survey remained opened and available for many months in an effort to obtain the best

possible response rate.

While the response rate to the survey was somewhat less than statistically significant, the Committee

ultimately concluded that since responses were received from every township within the county, and

consistently mirrored the general population patterns and demographics within the county, the

survey results could be relied upon as a representative sample. As such, the input received from the

public survey was deemed to be an important guide in continuing the Committee¡¦s work. A copy of

the survey questions and the full survey results are included in the Appendix.

The committee undertook an exercise to determine the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and

Threats (S.W.O.T) that exist, or that lie ahead for the county. The results of that exercise are

included in the Appendix.

The most important issues to emerge from the S.W.O.T. analysis were determined to be:

population is aging on average, and that younger adult population is leaving the County at an

alarming rate. This type of trend generally means that both the median income and the

average educational level for the County will decline.

and is contributing to an out-migration of young adults.

the job market and aid the effort to keep property taxes from increasing.

presence on the internet.

attract younger home buyers.

land uses in the vicinity of the incorporated municipalities needs to be encouraged.

The 2014-2016 Washington County Comprehensive Plan Update Committee endorses the

conceptual land use strategies of the 1999 Comprehensive Plan, and asserts that these strategies must

remain as necessary strategies of the 2016 Comprehensive Plan Update. These strategies are as

follows:

1. For the purpose of comprehensive planning, Washington County is comprised of three

distinct land use strategy areas: Growth Areas, Rural Corridors, Agricultural/Village Areas.

2. Different intensities and types of development are appropriate for each area.

3. Farmland and open space preservation, as well as, water resource management are critical

elements of land use planning in the County.

4. Balanced development should be encouraged.

5. Agriculture must continue to be a desired land use.

6. A strong relationship must exist between land use and transportation planning.

In addition, three new strategies have been identified by the Committee and have been added to the

list:

7. Modest population growth must be encouraged with emphasis on efforts to retain our young

adult population within the County.

8. Economic Development in growth areas must be a priority for the County.

The strategies also include completing a draft copy of the Plan and establishing a process for public

review of the draft plan. The process of preparing the draft plan began with an analysis of the

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) of the County, development of a vision

and vision statement, identification and examination of five distinct planning elements facing the

County, and development of goals and objectives for each planning element identified. Goals and

objectives will determine the direction for the County over a planning horizon of the next twenty

years. The planning process as depicted in Figure 1 was utilized.

Suburban development continues within the rural corridors, although the rate at which it is

happening appears to have be slowed by development regulation in the County. Development

Pressures have been experienced as a result of the construction period for the Prairie State Energy

Campus construction, but much of this pressure has eased now that construction is complete and the

mine and power plant are both in full operation. This major industrial facility was not even foreseen

at the adoption of the last Comprehensive Plan. The growth pressure anticipated from the Scott

AFB/MidAmerica Airport joint use anticipated at the last Comprehensive Plan has not yet

materialized to any great extent, but should continue to be considered as a potential issue for the

future. Rural citizens are concerned about the future of agriculture, environmental degradation, and

the impact of scattered residential rural development. With the passage of the Illinois Hydraulic

Fracturing Regulatory Act (765 ILCS 525) in June, 2013, considerable interest was shown in some

areas of Washington County by high volume hydraulic fracturing companies (fracking). The interest

and rate of growth in this area has slowed to a trickle since domestic oil and gas prices plummeted

earlier in 2015, but this technology must be considered as a potential development pressure in the

future.

In this plan we anticipate a twenty year planning horizon. In the twenty-first century Washington

County will experience increased development pressures and pressure for conversion of open space

and rich farm land, and concerns and conflicts will arise. Timely planning efforts aim to anticipate

these concerns and conflicts, and seeks to resolve and mitigate many problems as they become

Building upon the historical framework, the Plan identifies anticipated growth areas, rural corridors,

and agricultural areas.

Expanding municipal boundaries, transportation improvements, and anticipating growth is expect to

renew pressure on open space and natural resources. The preferred approach of managed growth can

prevail over conventional suburban sprawl, and scattered residential development in the agricultural

areas, at various locations throughout the county if the current policy of balanced growth is

maintained. Rural and urban sprawl frequently become the norm in metropolitan areas and is

usually the result of competitive, uncooperative, and unplanned development. The success of this

Plan and balance, managed growth depends on the support and cooperation of the cities and villages

within the County because this is where expanding municipal boundaries, expensive public

improvements, and critical land use decision will be made.

The development of goals begins with values, which are translated into objectives, and from which

policies aimed at achieving the established goals are generated. The range of policies that can and

should be adopted is limited by the values themselves. This factor suggests which policies can work,

and which cannot. In many cases, while a certain policy would work, the more forceful desires of

society will not permit it to work. In essence, then, these values , goals, objectives and policies

constitute a body of development factors; they define the future development of a planning area.

A distinction needs to be drawn among these development factors:

with achieving that which is in conformance with a standard of excellence.

ideal condition to be sought. Goals are not measurable end-products, but reflect the desires of a

community to maintain and improve the quality of life.

that serve as a guide for public policy and action.

are to be fully considered and evaluated when allocating resources, making public improvement,

directing growth, and receiving development proposals.

The attainment of the goals of the Washington County Comprehensive Plan is a long-term process.

As Washington County grows and develops the values, goals, objectives, and policies of its citizens

and elected official will evolve. The Plan should be reviewed regularly to determine if revision of

the plan is appropriate.

Although they are general in nature these goals identified by the Washington County Comprehensive

Plan Update Committee can be achieved through the more specific objectives recommended by the

Committee in order for the County Board to develop the public policies to implement them.

Washington County will work closely with the various local jurisdictions within the County to achieve a

shared community vision for the region.

Preservation of the rural and small town atmosphere of the County, characterized by an attractive and

Support the conservation, protection, development and improvement of prime agricultural land for the

production of foods, fiber, and other agricultural products.

To encourage development which can be adequately served by transportation facilities, community

facilities, public utilities and other urban services and amenities.

economy to provide for personal income growth by using all economic development tools available.

Support and promote the availability of a variety of housing types within Washington County that are

based on needs of residents.

Continue to provide safe, efficient transportation systems compatible with adjacent land use.

All development decisions shall consider the conservation and wise use of our air, soil, water resources

and the natural environment of Washington County.

Continue to protect and maintain local historic and cultural resources that contribute to the character of

Washington County.

Promote and encourage citizen participation in planning the physical development of the County by

assuring that citizen input is invited and welcome in the process.

The purpose of this section is to provide the background information on the geographic, natural, and

social elements of Washington County. These elements comprise the physical characteristics,

environmental resources, and human activities that have shaped Washington County over the

decades. This section provides a foundation for cooperative planning and effective resource

management.

Washington County includes approximately 564 square miles, or 360,980 acres. The County

measures approximately 20 miles north to south and 30 miles east to west with 16 townships and 13

municipalities.

Washington County is located in southwestern Illinois, and is generally a part of the Greater St.

Louis Metropolitan Area while not actually part of the St. Louis MSA. The County is within

commuting distance of the important employment centers of the City of St. Louis and St. Louis

County in Missouri, and the Illinois urban counties of Madison and St. Clair. The adjacent counties

for Washington are St. Clair, Clinton, Marion, Jefferson, Perry, and Randolph.

Lambert-St. Louis International Airport is approximately 70 miles from the County and MidAmerica

Airport is 27 miles, with both airports being located west of the County along interstate highway

systems. The major highways providing access to and from the County are Interstate-64 which

transverses the northern one-third of the County, U.S. Highway 51 which runs north and south near

the eastern edge, and state highways providing access to the municipalities are IL Route 177, IL

Route 160, IL Route 127, and IL Route 15.

Washington County is located within the region known as Southwestern Illinois, a seven county area

Statistical Area, Washington County does derive significant advantages by being located in close

proximity to such a vibrant center of commercial, industrial, entertainment, transportation, and

cultural activity. The region is also home to a major military installation, Scott Air Force Base

The County is within commuting distance of the important employment centers of the City of St.

Louis and St. Louis County in Missouri, and the Illinois urban counties of Madison and St. Clair.

The adjacent counties for Washington are St. Clair, Clinton, Marion, Jefferson, Perry, and Randolph.

Lambert-St. Louis International Airport is approximately 70 miles from the County and MidAmerica

Airport is 27 miles, with both airports being located west of the County along interstate highway

systems. The major highways providing access to and from the County are Interstate-64 which

transverses the northern one-third of the County, U.S. Highway 51 which runs north and south near

the eastern edge, and state highways providing access to the municipalities are IL Route 177, IL

Route 160, IL Route 127, and IL Route 15.

There are 13 incorporated municipalities across 16 townships in the County. In addition, there are

several platted, but unincorporated, communities in the rural areas. The County seat is at Nashville.

Table _1__ shows the list of townships, their population and a list of the municipalities in each

township.

In planning, it is necessary to investigate population growth, changes in household

structure, and other demographic trends that impact market forces in order to help

guide Washington Count y¡¦s future land use and development.

At the 2010 Census the total population was 14,716 which reflected a loss i n

population from the 2000 Census, a loss of 432 persons (2.9%). The County ranked

over several decades since a 13% increase occurred between 1970 and 1980. Figure 4

compares the population trends over several decades for Washington County with the

regional population trends for the seven counties in Southwestern Illinois.

The population pyramid is a tool that is used by demographers to chart the gaining of a population.

Washington County¡¦s population pyramid shows that the bulk of the population is clustered in the

age group of 45 years to 74 years. Alarming is the fact that, aside from the population over 75, the

smallest age group are those persons between the ages of 20 and 39. Persons in this age group are

generally thought of as those of child-bearing age, and it is this segment that must be relied upon for

a stable population and workforce.

On January 2, 1818 the Legislative council and the House of Representatives of the Illinois Territory

passed an act that separated the area that is now Washington and Clinton counties from St. Clair

County. The same act that founded the original county of Washington appointed three

Commissioners. They met at the house of James Bankson of Shoal Creek on March 2, 1818 and

pronounced that, ¡§The permanent seat of justice of said county be established on the site of the Old

Town of Covington¡¨.

The Town of Covington was officially considered for the location of the Capital of the new State of

Illinois in 1818. Mr. Bankston of Washington County, a delegate to the State Constitutional

Convention, introduced a resolution calling for Covington to be designated as the official seat of

government. The town was then the county seat of Washington County. It was described as being

near the center of the Illinois population, located on the beautiful Kaskaskia River, and located so

Covington was described as rich, beautiful and healthy, however, on August 20, 1818 members of

Vandalia was later selected as the capital.

In 1824, Clinton County separated from Washington County and the boundaries of the County have

remained the same since then. The County seat remained at Covington until 1831. For years all that

remained of the old brick court building in Covington was the crumbling ruin. Today all that can be

found is the red cast in the earth from the disintegrating brickbats.

A new site of the County seat was demanded after Clinton County split away. A pole was struck

upon the Southwest Quarter, Section 17 of Nashville Township. The place was called Georgetown.

No buildings were built, and when the court met they found nothing to mark the spot except the

forty-foot pole, and the court adjourned to Covington. There was considerable debate among the

East (Beaucoup) and West (Elkhorn) settlements. The people who favored the Nashville site were

too poor to raise the money to buy the land from the government. They went to David Pulliam, a

man who could raise a hundred dollars in cash whenever he desired. So persistent was the party who

went to see him that Pulliam got so annoyed that he pulled off his old white hat and threw it to the

Middleton and William G. Brown of St. Clair County, were finally induced to purchase the land.

In March, 1831 the town was laid out, platted and surveyed. David white, Joseph Wittenberg, and

Livesay Carter, the Commissioners, declared this to be the permanent seat of justice of Washington

County. All of these men being natives of Tennessee, and having fond memories of that area, named

the town ¡§New Nashville¡¨. The ¡§New¡¨ was later dropped from the name.

On June 25, 1831 the County Commissioners contracted with Thomas L. Moore for the building of a

courthouse on the public square in Nashville. He erected a frame courthouse that continued in use

until 1840. On April 1, 1840 a new courthouse was contracted with the agreed upon price of $4,385.

It was built on the site of the old one. The Courtroom was on the ground floor and the offices on the

second flood. Later this arrangement was reversed. This building was destroyed by fire in 1883.

At a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors in October, 1883 a contract was let to A.

Hallenbeck for $23,999 for building yet another courthouse that was completed in 1884 and is the

present day courthouse for Washington County.

The County consists of small towns, forests, barrens, wetlands, pasture, and cropland. A 248-acre

lake, the Washington County Lake within the IDNR State Conservation area, is located within the

County. Most of the land in Washington County is flat to gently rolling terrain, and does not include

excessively steep slopes generally. The majority of areas which do have steep slopes of greater than

12 percent are located in the southeast quadrant of the County, with another area southeast of

Venedy.

The County is situated within the Illinois major land resource areas of (113) Central Clay Pan Area,

and (114B) Southern Illinois and Indiana Thin Loess and Till Plain, Western Part. From the NRCS

County Soil Survey: The elevation in Washington County ranges from about 385 to 583 feet. The

County is a loess-covered till plain dissected by shallow, low-gradient rivers and streams. Much of

the area was forested, but many prairies occur throughout the area. Washington County was

glaciated by the Illinoisan glacier approximately 150,000 years ago. The County consists of upland

loess-covered claypan soils and Wisconsinan-age lacustrine terrace soils along the Kaskaskia River.

Drainage in Washington County flows into the Mississippi River through the Big Muddy and

Kaskaskia Rivers. Major streams are the Mud, Elkhorn, Plum, and Crooked Creeks which flow into

the Kaskaskia River, and the Little Muddy River and Beaucoup Creek flow into the Big Muddy

River.

Washington County has the continental climate typical of southern Illinois; cold and rather dry in the

winter and very hot and humid in the summer. Due to the latitude, area weather fronts associated

with low pressure systems bring frequent changes in temperature, humidity, cloudiness and wind

direction during the majority of the year. These changes are considerably less frequent during the

summer months. Distinct winter, summer, fall, and spring seasons occur. Minimum temperatures

In summer, precipitation occurs mostly as showers and thunderstorms of brief duration, although a

single thunderstorm often produces more than one inch of rain and occasionally is accompanied by

than half of the annual total, falls during the growing season of April through September, and rarely

will total precipitation fall below 16 inches during this period. Monthly precipitation averages more

than 3.4 inches in March through August.

January is normally the coldest month, and July the warmest. Maximum temperatures in July and

the three winter months when northwesterly winds dominate. Wind speeds generally average

between 10 and 15 miles per hour, but in severe thunderstorms and during tornado conditions, wind

velocities reach 50 to 75 miles per hour.

Hydrology is the science that deals with the waters of the earth. Hydrology in Washington County

includes the rainfall, runoff, storage, and movement of water through its landscape and ground. Of

special concern to land use planning are drainage basins, flood plains, and wetlands.

The County is divided into two major drainage basins. A drainage basin is the total land surface area

occupied by a network of rivers, streams, and their adjacent slopes. Seventy-five percent of the

County drains into the Kaskaskia River drainage basin. The remainder of the County, primarily the

southeastern portion, drains into the Big Muddy River drainage basin. Water in this area is drained

toward the Big Muddy by Swanick Creek, Locust Creek, Beaucoup Creek, and the Little Muddy

River. The remainder of the County is drained to the Kaskaskia River basin. The major streams of

the Kaskaskia system include Webster Creek, Grand Point Creek, Crooked and Little Crooked

Creeks, Coon Creek, Pond Creek, Plum Creek, Beaver Creek, Elkhorn Creek, and the Mud and

Little Mud Creeks. Waters of both of the County¡¦s drainage basins ultimately reach the Mississippi

River.

A flood plain is an area of low-lying, flat ground on either side of a river, stream, pond, or lake

subject to periodic inundation by flooding. Flood plains are the natural storage areas for water

overflow after heavy rains or snow melt. Hence, loss of storage in the flood plains increases the

likelihood of flooding and increased damage both upstream and downstream. Flood plains in

Washington County are primarily within agricultural areas and do not affect develop areas for the

most part.

Wetlands are a sensitive environmental resource, integral to the hydrologic cycle. Wetlands are

ecosystems periodic inundated by water. The October, 2014 National Wetlands Inventory from the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reveals that there are 19,025 acres under wetlands, ranking

Washington County twentieth in the state. Predominate wetland types found in Washington County

are riverine and palustrine wetlands.

soil and rock. Most ground water aquifers are recharged from the surface waters that percolate down

from the earth¡¦s surface, or from streams, rivers, wetlands, lakes, and ponds. Washington County

has three types of aquifer zones:

1. Shallow sand and gravel aquifer zone likely to yield 20 gallons per minute or more.

2. A shallow sand and gravel aquifer zone likely to deliver 100 gallons per minute

3. Bedrock aquifer zone covering the overwhelming vast majority of the County and

yielding non-potable water because of dissolved salts and minerals. In these areas

potable water is derived from other sources; either municipal water systems or

Washington County Rural Water Company.

Washington County ranks twentieth in the State in wetland acreage having 23,321 acres identified,

and accounts for a ranking of twenty-first in the State in portion of the County covered by wetlands

having 19,025 acres, or 5.3% coverage of the total. Washington County also ranks seventy-fourth

in the State in acreage covered by open water having 2,441 acres, with .7% of the area in lakes or

rivers.

Agriculture historically has been the dominate land use in the County, and the most recent surveys

indicate more than 93% of the land is occupied with cropland, grasslands and pasture, forest and

economy. A major threat to agriculture is the encroachment of development and the conflicts that

arise between farm and non-farm land uses.

Illinois is a major producer of agricultural products in the United States according to the U.S.

Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, 2012 Census of Agriculture which reports Illinois

produced 1.253 billion bushels of corn, 40.5 million bushels of wheat, and 371.3 million bushels of

soybeans. For the same year cash receipts from farm marketing in Illinois totaled $17.2 billion,

ranking sixth among all states in the U.S. Illinois exported $7.9 billion of corn, soybeans, wheat,

this production is exported to feed populations in other parts of the world.

Illinois is among the leaders of all states in the U.S. in the production of food and fiber. In 2014,

Illinois was second in cash receipts earned from all crops, and ranked 22nd in cash earned from

livestock. That same year Illinois ranked second in production of corn, second in soybeans

production, and fourth in the number of hogs and pigs marketed. In 2014 Illinois had 74,500 farms.

most recently available agricultural statistics the cash receipts of Washington County agricultural

products totaled nearly $144,788,000 for the 2012 Census of Agriculture, up 29% over the previous

year. County farmers harvested 3,191,913 bushels of soybeans, 4,188,473 bushels wheat, and

2,914,588 bushels of corn. Farms in Washington County account for 354,899 acres of land, and

Cropland accounts for roughly 64 percent of the agricultural total. Washington County was ranked

Census of Agriculture.

base. Agriculture will continue to contribute to a stable and diversified economy, especially as the

variety of agricultural crops and products has increased in response to changing markets.

Agribusiness services and facilities support the farm economy and need a strong agricultural base for

their success. The farm economy indirectly creates jobs in equipment sales and service, seed

research and sales, fertilizer and herbicide sales, finance and insurance, food processing industries,

and shipping. Washington County has some of the most productive farmland in the region.

However, the trend for farm specialization and big equipment has changed the face of agriculture in

the area. Larger and fewer farms are found in the County today, as is the trend in our nation as a

whole. See Table 4, Washington County Farm Historical View.

With agriculture and agricultural activities being the major economic activity of Washington

County, the County has strong incentive to preserve the integrity and viability of that industry. The

Illinois State Legislature passed and the Governor signed into law amendments to the Livestock

Management Facilities Act, effective in January 2001. These recent amendments have the potential

to significantly impact agricultural activities.

In order to minimize the impacts on agriculture by the Livestock Management Facilities Act it will

be necessary for Washington County to be pro-active in its management of physical development,

especially development in unincorporated portions of the County.

A major threat to animal husbandry and agriculture is encroachment of development and conflicts

between farm and non-farm land uses. Encroaching development discourages new investments in

farm improvements. New non-farm neighbors must contend with odors, dust, noise, and other

conditions present in agricultural areas. To minimize concerns regarding urban encroachment land

use planning must address agricultural land preservation in each of the general planning areas which

are delineated by this plan The Comprehensive Plan strongly encourages farmland preservation by

guiding residential development within planned growth areas around and adjacent to the existing

communities. Areas determined most appropriate to remain in agriculture use have been left outside

the Planned Growth Areas.

Agricultural protection is valuable because:

While agriculture is the major extractive land use in the County, there is a long history of coal

mining and oil and gas production. Activity in these two extraction industry is currently quite robust

with the activity at the Prairie State Energy Campus, a mine-mouth coal power generating facility.

Oil and gas continues very active in the county and contributes significantly to the local economy

with the possibility of high pressure hydraulic fracturing on the horizon. The plates on the following

two pages depict the mines and mineral well activity.

The lands that make up Washington County's open space areas are diverse despite the influence of

agriculture. They consist of undeveloped public and private lands, ranging from large forest tracts to

small parks and playgrounds. Specifically, the County open space inventory includes municipal and

other park districts, school and neighborhood playgrounds, greenways, golf courses,

bicycle/pedestrian trails, cemeteries, recreational areas, state parks, undeveloped urban infill areas,

waterways, wetlands and agricultural areas. Examples include the Washington County State

Conservation Area, the Storck Woods County Nature Preserve, wetlands along the Kaskaskia River,

and various lakes and streams and throughout County.

The wetlands in the County are an important element of the open space system. Often wetlands have

been looked upon as unsightly and having no value unless drained. In more recent years, it has been

recognized that wetlands provide important wildlife habitat, water recharge and pollution cleansing

functions. These functions will become increasingly important as populations increase and

development occurs. Therefore, it is recommended that , by and large, the County's wetlands that

remain be protected.

The Plan recognizes there are limitations to the ability of public agencies to acquire all of the areas

that might be suitable for open space uses. It is recommended that those lands be preserved through

agricultural conservation tools, as homeowner association lands, as conservation easements, or as

private open space. The areas indicated as important open space linkages often have development

limitations, such as flooding, undermined areas, or areas where soils are considered poor for

development purposes, so these lands can often be preserved if development occurs. For those

portions of the County which will remain predominantly in agricultural use to the year 2036, the

recommended open space may not be implemented until development becomes more appropriate.

The 2036 Future Land Use Map indicates areas for potential future open space in the form of large

tracts, linear greenways, and recreational areas. While the areas indicated are an increase in the

County's existing open space it is not intended to limit the locations or amount of open space that

could be achieved by the year 2036.

In terms of impact, residential is the second largest land use in Washington County following

agriculture. The predominant housing type in the unincorporated areas is single-family detached

housing. Recent trends indicate that both the number and size of the homes are increasing. This

trend is consistent with a national trend to smaller household size. The result is that more land is

being used to accommodate fewer people in this lower density residential land use. The increase in

the number of smaller households which began in the 1970¡¦s can be attributed to many factors

including smaller families, couples without children, single parent households, empty-nesters and

persons living alone. The general aging of the population, which has been borne out by the last three

Census reports, is another significant factor. A growth trend that reflects increased residential land

uses raises concern about the spread of scattered residential subdivisions, the adequacy of

infrastructure, and the future of agriculture.

These areas are often adjacent to existing low density residential areas or may already have a limited

degree of scattered development in the rural areas. These land uses generally contain one dwelling

or less per acre. The plan recommends that the character, agricultural potential, wildlife base, and

natural features of these areas be preserved by maintaining current low density criteria for future

developments. Table __ depicts the nature of the housing stock within the County.

The density of development should be determined by the area's physical characteristics and, where

applicable, the suitability of the soils to accommodate individual wastewater disposal systems.

Rural residential areas adjacent to small communities are included in this category to encourage an

infill strategy between and adjacent to existing rural residential development, generally where prime

agricultural lands will not be taken out of production.

Densities of new proposed subdivisions in the areas planned for rural residential development should

be based on prevailing standards and regulations, surrounding densities, soil suitability for septic

systems, preservation of natural features, and the character of the area. Open space design

requirements are recommended for these areas.

The Urban Residential category refers to densities of development equal to or greater than two

dwelling units per acre that specifically should receive the provision of municipal-type facilities and

services. Urban residential designations on the 2036 Plan Map in large part reflect the proposed or

adopted land use plans of municipalities or the character of residential areas adjacent to

municipalities. This category also includes areas adjacent to existing development or settlements

that have public water and sewer systems. Specific areas for multiple family (commonly called high

density residential) are not excluded from this category, but are not shown separately. The majority

of multiple family developments should only occur where public infrastructure is accessible and that

occurs primarily in municipalities. Multi-family developments not within municipalities or

designated within the planning jurisdiction of municipalities should be discouraged. Once

annexation and extension of utilities have occurred, the municipalities can provide diverse housing

opportunities in well-designed neighborhoods.

base and economic development base. Many areas designated for commercial development are

based on municipal plans. The County recognizes the importance of balancing future residential and

population growth with the generation of additional employment opportunities.

Most of the areas recommended for commercial or industrial land uses are along major state or

County highways and are close to concentrations of population. Control of access points and

requirement of aesthetic design criteria will be critical concerns in order to prevent inefficient traffic

patterns and unsightly strip commercial development. The County's management of these land uses

will need to be carefully coordinated with the municipalities. It is anticipated that much of this kind

of development will occur only as the properties are annexed and provided with municipal services.

The population and labor force of Washington County have remained relatively constant over the

last two decades. As with the national trend from the recession that began in 2009, Washington

County did experience a significant increase in unemployment during the period 2009-2012. As of

2015 unemployment in the county has stabilized, dropping to below four per cent. Despite the

recession years, Washington County has seen a sizable increase both in number of persons employed

as well as in overall labor force participation. This is in stark contrast to both the state and national

labor force trends.

Source: http://www.ides.illinois.gov/LMI/Pages/Historical_Monthly_Annual_Data

Industrial and commercial activity and labor information within Washington County is represented

Statistical Abstract portrayed in Table 6 that follows:

inviting for potential new development. Because we are planning for the future of the County, it is

helpful to have some idea concerning the business sectors that can expect growth in the future. The

Illinois Department of Employment Security has forecasted the leading growth industries for

Southwestern Illinois. The top ten growth industries identified in the forecast and predicted

employment levels for Southwestern Illinois are as depicted in Table 8:

Washington County enjoys a fairly robust economy given its population size, but it lacks the

presence of any ¡§big box¡¨ retailers and major grocers. Where this becomes glaringly obvious is

when you look at a comparison between Washington County and some of its neighboring counties.

The table on the following page reflects the amount of sales tax dollars distributed to County

Governments during 2014. Washington County lags well beyond neighboring counties in sales tax

residents patronizing commercial establishments in these neighboring counties.

In comprehensive planning, our attention in utilizing this information is focused upon the land uses

necessary to accommodate the needs of existing and growth industries, and in the avoidance of

adjacent incompatible land uses.

This is a limited land use category specifically used to identify commercial activities that serve the

markets provided by transportation corridors, not just the surrounding population. In most instances

there is a mix of markets but the primary markets are those of transportation and agriculture and is

primarily based upon ease of access .

This land use category is used to denote a variety of commercial development possibilities.

Depending on the specific location, they may include urban arteries, individual businesses,

professional office parks, malls, agri-business uses or areas that are primarily commercial but may

contain some warehousing or other uses.

facilities)

The development of land uses in this category generally should occur on large parcels as industrial

parks or light industrial centers. Some industrial land uses are "heavy" in nature, others secondary

manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, and light industrial uses. Once again, it is recommended

that most of these uses be permitted only when they are in developments that are coordinated with

transportation facilities and where water and sewer systems are available, since these land uses

generally require a high level of utility service and can generate considerable traffic volumes.

Development of these types of land uses will help to ensure a traditional employment base for

Washington County and provide an adequate tax base for the general public. These land uses may

also be developed as businesses utilizing high technology.

This land use category includes governmental uses and institutional holdings. This category also

represents the incorporated municipalities in Washington County. These communities contain

infrastructure, higher densities, mixed land uses and commercial and employment centers. They

provide a number of services to their residents including fire and police protection and public water

and sewer service.

The purpose of this Chapter is to identify, describe and discuss issues that form the core of the 2036

Comprehensive Plan. This identification, description and discussion forms the primary

considerations when designating proposed land uses and recommended plan implementation

measures.

Over the past decade, the urban edge of the St. Louis metropolitan area has expanded in an easterly

direction across St. Clair, Madison and Clinton counties. With Washington County being literally at

the edge of this expansion area opportunities for development were anticipated, and raised concerns

about the spread of scattered subdivisions and the future of agriculture in the rural areas. As

pressure and a trend of conversion of farmland to suburban and urban growth. Over the last fifteen

years development pressures materialized only within the southwest quadrant of the County and was

due primarily to development at the Prairie State Energy Campus. As the new mine and power

generating plant came on line in 2012 a population and residential surge that had been anticipated

did not appreciably occur.

The purpose of the 2036 Plan is to provide a statement about County goals and policies and to retain

in the planned growth areas of the County; preserve rural and agricultural uses outside the growth

areas and within the balance of the County. Building upon this framework, the Comprehensive Plan

identifies three distinctive strategies for the development of Washington County.

flood plain corridor, Interstate Highway Corridor, and the industrial/extraction Corridor.

should help to reinforce historical land use patterns.

locational characteristics of areas, historic uses and their natural resources.

cultural, economic and open space framework.

requires coordinated planning.

municipalities.

The management of development is best done by encouraging that activity to take place in locations

that minimize the negative impacts and maximize the benefits of development. Those locations that

reduce the negative impacts and maximize the benefits of development are in and around existing

municipalities within Washington County. Those are the locations where public water supplies,

public sanitary sewers and stormwater management systems are operating.

The most opportune method of encouraging development to occur in and around existing

Washington County would be one-quarter (1/4) mile surrounding each community within the

County.

Washington County will be approaching a crossroad in the future due to growth and expanding

municipal boundaries. The choice of balanced and managed growth depends on the cooperation of

the cities and villages within the County, where expanding municipal boundaries, extension of

public utilities and critical land use decisions will be made.

the need for a stable population and workforce, and efforts to stem the tide should be undertaken.

The Comprehensive Plan Update Committee undertook an informal study to canvas some of the

young adults in the County, as well as some that had left the County to determine what steps could

be taken to retain more of this population group within the County. The results of that study are

included in the Appendix, and some of those recommendations have been incorporated into some of

the actions steps recommended by this plan.

The County is not taking advantage of the important tool that is having an internet web presence.

Efforts should be taken to exploit this resource to market the County for Economic Development and

workforce enhancement

Over and over, those responding to the public opinion survey for this committee indicated that not

enough is being done in the County on Economic Development. Many were in favor of securing the

services of a professional Economic Development specialist, and not just leaving this function up to

the municipalities. Economic Development should be a County-Municipality alliance.

The Washington County Land Use Plan is based on the assumption of modest population growth of

approximately 5% over the planning time frame of 20 years. Washington County is evolving as a

desirable location for residential and light industrial development. There is also growing potential for

commercial and recreational uses in the Washington County Lake area of the County as well as in

the western portion of the County in conjunction with the Prairie State Energy Campus, Scott Air

Force Base, and MidAmerica Airport.

The intent of the Washington County Land Use Plan is to:

expansion of the transportation system;

residents; and

development pressures make it necessary to extend utilities and services.

Support the conservation, protection, development and improvement of

agricultural lands intended for the production of foods and other agricultural

products.

1. To protect farmland, a valuable natural resource and an economically productive land use, from

premature conversion to other land uses.

2. To minimize conflicts and incompatibilities between agriculture and other land uses.

3. To encourage and promote agriculturally related businesses as a valued element of the

Washington County economy.

4. To encourage the effective use of agricultural land in achieving soil conservation goals.

5. To discourage the use of public funds for projects that will have a detrimental impact on the

preservation of any designated agricultural lands.

6. To support incentives and assist property owners in maintaining agricultural lands.

7. Maintain agricultural production on farmland beyond the urban service boundaries to minimize

speculative land transactions and provide incentive for long term agricultural uses.

8. Support the needs and practices of agriculture as the highest priority in areas designated for

agricultural uses.

The State of Illinois and Washington County have some of the most productive farmland in the

still occupies the preponderance of its unincorporated lands. As an industry, agriculture plays a vital

conflicts that arise between farm and non-farm land uses, poses a major threat to agriculture. This

plan strongly discourages premature conversion of farmland through protective land use strategies

and by guiding residential development toward planned growth areas.

Washington County has a variety of reasons for implementing farmland protection programs.

Agricultural land conservation techniques serve many purposes:

The American Farmland Trust has produced an overview of the most common farmland protection

techniques in use around the country, and they include the following:

development rights, this is a land conservation techniques that helps communities protect one

uses. In PACE programs a governmental agency or nonprofit organization

(such as a land trust) buys a conservation easement on qualified farmland. This agreement is

recorded with the deed to limit the future use of the land to agriculture, of course with certain

benefits to the owner. Depending upon the program, it may be permanent or in place for a

designated period of time.

designated areas in agricultural or open space use while, at the same time, compensating the

owners of the protected land for the loss of their right to develop it for non-farm purposes. A

typical TDR system establishes both a protection district and a development district.

Landowners in the protection district are assigned development rights, but are not allowed to

develop their property. Instead, they may sell their development rights to landowners in the

development district who may then use these rights to build at higher densities than allowed

under current zoning guidelines.

one or more landowners and approved by one or more government agencies. Districting

programs are based on the premise that if farmers are given sufficient incentives to create

districts in which farming is the primary activity allowed, and if they are protected from

many of the factors that make farming undesirable or unprofitable, they will keep their land

in agricultural use.

4. Agricultural Zoning - A particular zoning technique a community selects for protecting

farmland should be based on a variety of factors including land development patterns, parcel

sizes and unique local concerns. Following are descriptions of five different agricultural

zoning techniques:

5. Point/Numerical Approach - permits non-farm uses on a case-by-case basis, relying on

specific standards to gauge the impact of the land use on farmland.

6. Conditional or Special Use-permits non-farm uses on a conditional basis relying on

discretionary standards. It is also a special land use permit approach. Non-farm uses may or

may not be permitted by the zoning authority whose decision is usually based on several

criteria.

7. Sliding Scale-The number of buildable lots allowed under the sliding-scale approach is set by

a scale that considers the total size of the parcel owned. Smaller parcels are allowed

proportionally more lot splits to total acreage than are larger parcels.

8. Quarter/Quarter-each landowner is entitled to one lot per 40 acres of farmland. Once the

farmer has converted the lot or lots he or she is entitled to, it becomes a matter of record, and

no further non-farmland development on the parcel is permitted.

9. Exclusive Agricultural Zoning-prohibits all non-farm dwellings in the agricultural zone and

severely restricts other non-farm uses. Some special exception uses related to agriculture

may be permitted, but non-farm dwelling units are not permitted.

Other techniques used to conserve farmland include:

functioning of development, such as traffic circulation. It sets standards for the division of

larger parcels of land into smaller ones, specifying the location of streets, utilities and other

improvements.

clustering of housing units and, unlike traditional zoning, allows for mixture of uses.

the agricultural parcel while retaining the balance of the land for long-term agricultural

production.

and agricultural land. The purpose is to shield agricultural operations from the effects of

development and to protect residential areas from the effects of agricultural operations.

County to protect farmland and establish buffers between cities.

complaints of suburban newcomers. These ordinances make it more difficult for

homeowners to claim their property rights are being infringed on by a nearby farm operation

if the operation was in existence when the homeowners bought their property.

1. Protect land best suited for farming from premature conversion by other land uses, and maintain

agriculture as an integral part of the County's economy, landscape, and natural resource base.

2. Support incentives to retain farmland, and further limit the circumstances under which farmland

operations may be deemed a nuisance.

3. Encourage and support the use of county produced farm products through activities such as

farmers' markets and urban produce markets.

4. Support agribusiness services and facilities, such as equipment sales and service, research

facilities, nurseries and greenhouses, genetic research, grain dryers, grain elevators and fertilizer

services.

5. Encourage, where appropriate, agricultural land use categories in municipal land use plans, and

establish transitional areas between development and agricultural land.

6. Support Executive Order 80-4, Preservation of Illinois Farmland and the Illinois Farmland

Preservation Act.

7. Promote agriculture as a major County industry.

8. Encourage a wide variety of promotional and marketing activities of County grown and processed

materials.

9. Continue the requirement for an advisory report finding by the Zoning Board of Appeals

concerning the suitability of the proposed use based upon a numerical point approach to evaluation

(Land Evaluation Site Assessment, or LESA, system) when such decisions will allow for conversion

of farm land to other land uses.

Support and promote the availability of a variety of housing types within

Washington County that are based on needs of residents.

1. To encourage a variety of housing types to meet the needs of different age groups, family sizes

and incomes, with careful attention to the housing needs of young adults ages 20 to 30.

2. To live in areas that are safe, free from environmental and public health hazards, and buffered

from incompatible land uses.

3. To ensure orderly County and municipal development with residential land uses and densities

consistent with local and County plans.

4. To provide rural residential housing opportunities for those desiring a rural living environment.

5. To encourage and require the appropriate use of Open Space Design principles and techniques in

County and municipal planning in a manner that complements the rural nature of the County and as

an alternative to conventional suburban sprawl.

6. To maintain existing housing stocks in a safe, attractive manner.

7. To guide new development into compact and compatible growth patterns in which development

can be adequately served by transportation, community facilities, public utilities, and other desirable

services and amenities, consistent with local jurisdictions and the County land use plan.

Residential land use is another important land use in Washington County. Urban/built-up areas

comprise only .3% of the total land area in the County, however, increasingly scattered single-family

detached housing is springing up, and much of the land being used for this purpose goes to provide

housing types to accommodate all types of people, family sizes, and incomes. It is also desirable to

prevent premature conversion of agricultural land and promote a sense of community rather than

contribute to conventional suburban sprawl.

Residential character is the appearance and ¡§feel¡¨ of a residential area. As growth occurs in the

County, new development should be encouraged to fit into the town fabric which helps to reinforce a

local sense of place as people take pride in their home and neighborhood. Good residential character

is neighborhood-oriented and is integrated with the natural environment.

The creation of residential zoning districts consistent with municipal land use plans that place

residential districts next to municipal boundaries where infrastructure is available is most likely to

produce the planned growth the County is seeking. In rural areas, agricultural districts with very

large lot requirements up to 40 acres helps to discourage premature conversion of farm lands to

residential uses.

It is recognized, however, that demands and pressures for large lot residential development in rural

areas will likely occur. Zoning classification for large lot development allows for limited rural

development in locations that are not considered prime for agriculture. These large lot subdivisions

should be developed to a high standard and include adequate public facilities to serve its residents.

Included is a requirement for public water, street design and construction that meets the minimum

Subdivisions of six lots or greater should be served by a common sewage collection system with

secondary effluent treatment approved by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

County and municipal development regulations must make development more economically

attractive and rewarding if most new development is to actually locate adjacent to municipalities and

their existing infrastructure. The creation of density and other incentives, such as simplified Planned

Unit Development procedures, in conjunction with open space design or other design features is

recommended.

It is recommended the County initiate a discussion concerning a future land percentage that would

be maintained in agriculture production. This recommendation presupposes that a balanced future

land use pattern is desired and necessary for a high quality of life for County residents.

Finally, it is recommended the County acknowledge the need to resolve the limited housing

opportunities of young adults who often must leave the County following the completion of their

education. The lack of desirable housing for this age group is one major contributor to the

diminishing population of the age group within the County, and ultimately contributes to a static

population, a reduction in the economic base, and reduction of the education level of the County.

1. Encourage an open housing market throughout the entire County which provides housing

regardless of age, race, religion, ethnic background, or income level.

2. Discourage residential development in areas where it would be detrimental to County

farmland preservation goals.

3. Promote and encourage rural residential development that is consistent with the ability of the

community to provide services.

4. Promote residential development that attracts a younger population, such as townhouses,

Development provisions within the Zoning and Subdivision ordinances.

5. Apply best management practices to the development of land with physical limitations for

septic systems and high erosion potential.

6. Require that residential developments preserve and enhance natural features such as

vegetation, wildlife, waterways, wetlands, topography and scenic vistas.

7. Require that new development adjacent to farms provide a suitable buffer through the use of

berms and/or natural landscaping.

8. Consider development regulation revisions that reflect new techniques and innovations to

facilitate housing development, rehabilitation, and construction.

9. Encourage residential development to occur within, or adjacent to, existing municipalities,

rural villages or unincorporated residential areas.

10. Assist the rural villages with property appearance violations such as junk vehicles and

property maintenance issues.

11. Encourage all new housing, including manufactured and modular units, be affixed to a full

permanent perimeter foundation.

12. Discourage residential strip highway development.

13. Pursue development regulation changes in the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances that

reflect new techniques and innovations to facilitate housing development, rehabilitation, and

conditions including landform, slope, vegetative cover, and natural drainage patterns.

14. Consider the feasibility of implementing an innovative incentive program such as a limited,

temporary real estate tax abatement, in whole or in part, for young families who are first-time

home buyers in the County to offer young families an opportunity raise their families in

Washington County.

Promote the spirit of growth and the development of the local employment base

to diversify the area¡¦s economy to provide for personal income growth by

using all economic development tools available to attract and retain business

and industry.

1. To facilitate the retention and expansion of employment opportunities resulting from existing

commercial , office and industrial uses, and by attracting new enterprises.

2. To provide an adequate supply of goods and services throughout Washington County.

3. To promote new employment opportunities by stimulating growth by attracting new

commercial developments.

4. To encourage the growth of agricultural-related business in farmland areas.

5. To encourage all developments to be compatible with surrounding land uses.

6. To encourage the redevelopment and improvement of older centers , buildings or industrial

sites.

7. To encourage the coordination of commercial and industrial development activities on a

countywide basis.

8. To encourage workforce development by supporting education and technological innovation

in cooperation with area vocational schools, colleges and universities in job training, and

encourage opportunities for technological development and implementation in Washington

County.

9. To facilitate the retention and expansion of employment opportunities resulting from the

existing industrial base and by attracting new industrial development.

10. To provide for economic diversity within the County.

11. To encourage the coordination of commercial and industrial development activities on a

Countywide basis

Commercial and office services land uses provide a major percentage of jobs in Washington County

and are one of the primary sources of local government revenue from sales and property taxes. The

variety of commercial land uses includes traditional downtown, heavy commercial, neighborhood

commercial, highway commercial, and agricultural. Services are also within this land use category.

they can be sprawling, cluttered development.

Industrial development is an extremely competitive area, and virtually all local governments covet

the jobs inherent with industrial development. Washington County has a relatively short

development history, but the general decline in the manufacturing sector of the national economy

have certainly been felt here. Industrial development in rural areas is extremely important in order

to provide a diversified economic base for the population and revenue stream for local government.

Intergovernmental cooperation enhances industrial development opportunities providing coordinated

efforts to retain and attract additional industry to the County. ¡§A rising tide raises all boats.¡¨

The majority of commercial area in Washington County occurs within or adjacent to the more urban

municipalities of Nashville, Okawville, and Wamac, and aggregates along transportation corridors.

growth¡¨ public policy decisions in the following areas:

urbanized downtowns are likewise the home of banking, legal, insurance, restaurant and financial

services. Each downtown is unique and should be cultivated, and municipalities should be

encouraged to exploit this uniqueness to optimize their effect on the Washington County economy.

of intensive commercial activity within or adjacent to municipal areas. This land use provides a

constant revenue stream and draw in the regional population, and are extremely important to the

municipalities in which they are located as well as the County. This represents desirable

development that needs to be encouraged and supported with appropriate incentives and

development regulation.

within a municipality, the municipality is nearby. It includes strip developments and relies upon the

traffic count of the artery on which it is located, catering to automobile traffic. This type of

development can represent job and revenue producing ventures, but frequently leads to leap-frog

development and sprawl. Mitigating these undesirable circumstances by County-Municipal

cooperation that encourages alternative sites closer to city centers and available public services is the

ideal.

development in an unincorporated area that may be somewhat distant from a city or town. This use

is dependent on the transportation corridors and interchanges, and not necessarily on an urban area.

This land use is very limited in Washington County primarily because of the expanses of agricultural

areas and occurs primarily along the Interstate highway that traverses the County. In light of

operations at the Prairie State Energy Campus and new interest in coal mining operations within the

region, possibilities to expand this land use category exist for the County. Careful policy decisions

must be made to ensure these uses are spaced reasonably because they may be occurring exclusively

along rural state and county highways that are not limited access roads.

and processing for agricultural products and farmlands, and are vital to state, county and local

economies. These uses should be encouraged to locate within rural municipalities to strengthen the

bond between village and farm. Redevelopment of existing facilities should be encouraged.

Most industrial land uses have occurred within or near city and villages in the County because this is

where the necessary infrastructure and workforce is located. Acknowledging this, the County and

the municipalities need to work closely together to attract new industrial development, and to

mitigate the potentially adverse impacts of industrial development. Such intergovernmental

cooperation also helps to ensure a good mix of housing and job development with appropriate

buffers in between so that sprawl is minimized and community character is maintained.

The County, because of its proximity to the St. Louis Metropolitan area, must be aware of the

impacts of development on the entire St. Louis region. Although Washington County is not included

in the Metropolitan St. Louis Interstate Air Quality Control Region as designated by the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency, air quality must be a paramount concern. Of the 12 bi-state

counties included in this region all five Missouri counties, and three Illinois Counties (Madison, St.

Clair and Monroe) have been classified as moderate non-attainment areas for ozone standards. Nonattainment

areas are subject to the threat of federally imposed sanctions on development due to air

quality. Washington County is adjacent to St. Clair County, and as such, air quality considerations

should factor into new industrial development decisions made by the County and its municipalities.

In this context, Washington County should to encourage industrial development in the areas where

transportation and municipal services are readily available, and the expansion of existing industrial

developments should be encouraged.

1. Coordinate with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, local

economic development organizations and chambers of commerce to foster planned growth

and with regard to the marketing and development of commercial and industrial areas of the

County, supporting intergovernmental agreements that seek to resolve conflicts which may

arise.

2. Encourage, assist and cooperate with local units of government and chambers of commerce

to support and provide programs of benefit to existing employers for the retention and

expansion of their local economic base, and that are attractive to potential employers.

3. Support and assist local government entities in the preservation of downtown buildings as

redevelopment opportunities.

4. Encourage and assist local communities in the promotion, retention and expansion of their

local industrial base, and encourage the redevelopment of brownfields areas which are now,

or have been previously, economically important to the County.

5. Work with rural communities to expand commercial and office opportunities that meet rural

needs.

6. Encourage and promote agricultural-related business and industry in Washington County

including research of and production of agricultural-related goods and services.

7. Establish and recommend high quality model design techniques, innovations and

preservation standards for new development throughout the County, requiring that

commercial developments preserve and enhance natural features such as local vegetation,

wildlife, wetlands, topography and scenic vistas through the coordination of design

guidelines and the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances.

8. Work with municipalities concerning the detriments of unplanned development outside

municipal boundaries and seek to prevent this practice.

9. Prevent sprawling non-agricultural uses in unincorporated areas that are not an integral part

of an area development plan, and encourage appropriate transportation-serving uses at

highway intersections.

10. Encourage planned commercial and office parks to maximize infrastructure investment, to

reduce storm water impacts and to produce a more efficient commercial environment by

encouraging sites at designated intersections, including parking, access, lighting and signage.

11. Encourage and promote agricultural-related business in rural Washington County including

the production, sale and research of agricultural-related goods and services.

Plan and guide all development decisions to consider the conservation and wise use

of our air, soil, water resources and the natural environment of Washington County

so that what results is an attractive and healthful total environment, both natural and

man-made.

1. To preserve Washington County open space as the cornerstone of natural resource protection.

2. To encourage the retention of open space for recreation, wildlife habitat, historical and

archaeological preservation and conservation.

3. To protect environmentally sensitive areas from deterioration or destruction by private or public

actions.

4. To foster public awareness, education, and support of environmental and open space

management.

5. To enhance the County's visual identity and community character by preserving natural areas,

landscapes, and scenic vistas, including the historic, cultural, and archaeological resources they

incorporate.

6. To provide a variety of Countywide outdoor settings and recreational activities in proportion to

the needs of an expanding population.

7. To encourage the protection of floodplains, wetlands and the natural drainage systems, and to

encourage watershed level storm water management practices.

8. To encourage the protection, preservation and conservation of prime soils for agricultural use.

9. To ensure that the extraction of mineral resources occurs with minimal environmental impact

and within adopted regulations of the State and County.

10. To achieve public awareness that a major component of the natural environment is an interacting

system of land and water resources.

11. To protect and enhance the quantity and quality of potable ground water and potable surface

water supplies for current and future generations.

12. To protect and improve the surface water quality and beneficial uses of ponds, lakes, rivers,

streams, and wetlands.

13. To reduce point source discharges of pollutants into lakes, rivers, and streams.

14. To reduce non-point source discharges of pollutants into ponds, lakes, rivers and streams.

15. To foster, through watershed planning, a better understanding of our finite and irreplaceable

water resources, and how they are affected by changes in the natural environment and land use

and development activities.

There are two chief functions of open space: environmental protection and community well-being.

Well-planned open space areas can serve both of these functions and provide a crucial link between

the natural and human environments.

Open space provides environmental protection through (1) natural areas preservation (2) wildlife and

native plant habitat protection; (3) surface water quality protection; (4) non-structural flood control;

and (5) protection of ground water systems.

Open space provides community well-being through: (1) community identity and separation; (2)

aesthetic qualities preservation; (3) recreational opportunities; (4) transportation opportunities; (5)

educational and spiritual enrichment; (6) cultural and scientific resource protection; and (7) property

value enhancement.

Open space as used in this context includes recreation and conservation areas. This category reflects

existing ownership of larger properties, generally over ten acres in size, by public and private bodies.

These existing areas provide a framework for the provision of additional open space, recreation and

conservation areas through linkages and expansions.

The open space areas relate directly to the various functions of open space. They range in size and

function from small playgrounds, providing active recreational opportunities, to several hundredacre

areas, offering wildlife habitats, natural area protection, and passive recreational pursuits. Also

included are private and institutional land holdings. Although these areas may or may not be

generally accessible to the public, they do provide a number of recreational and open space functions

and the plan recommends connecting them to other open space areas when feasible. These lands

include trails and greenways, major state recreation facilities, large parks -- areas that provide

visual open space and community separation, preserve important woodlands and wetlands, protect

critical wildlife habitats, and also provide important scientific, cultural and ]educational

opportunities to the citizens of Washington County.

This category includes areas recommended for both public and private open space uses. The

provision of additional open space is considered an important part of the County's planning program.

The areas indicated could become either major additions to existing public open space or serve as

linear connections, trails or storm water corridors between larger areas of open space. Areas along

and adjacent to some of the existing open space lands should be preserved in the countywide open

space system.

Many of Washington County's water resources reach beyond County boundaries. Hence, federal,

state and regional coordination is needed for effective water resource management in the County and

across Illinois. At the local level, the County and its municipalities need to continue to strengthen

implementation measures to protect and manage the quality of its water resources, especially the

shallow aquifers.

Proper handling and disposal of chemicals and fertilizers

Proper installation and maintenance of private sewage disposal facilities

Lining of landfills and proper treatment of leachate

Sealing of abandoned wells

Use of water conservation plumbing fixtures and repair of plumbing leaks

Use of native plants

Soil erosion and sediment control on construction sites

Conservation tillage and proper application of chemicals and fertilizers for agriculture production

Best management practices for new site development

River, stream, and wetland buffer strips

Reduce air pollution from fossil fuels that create acid rain

Reuse and recycle wastewater

Wetland protection and recreation

Appropriate planning and management of wastewater discharges from new development.

The challenge facing Washington County is to support agriculture and accommodate future growth

while maintaining high water quality and sufficient water quantity throughout the County.

Watershed planning is the most effective means of addressing countywide water quality issues

because it is a holistic approach that encompasses (1) minimizing impervious surfaces, (2) utilizing

best management practices, and (3) cooperative governmental planning for the management of

streams, lakes, wetlands, flood plains, storm water, and wastewater throughout an entire watershed.

In 1972 Congress approved the Clean Water Act which set very high water quality goals for the

nation. The Clean Water Act requires that plans for restoring and maintaining water quality be

prepared at the areawide level. In compliance with that mandate the¡§208 Areawide Water Quality

Management Plan in 1979 for Southwestern Illinois¡¨ was developed by the Southwestern Illinois

Planning Commission. The 208 Plan recommends to local governments strategies to control both

point and non-point sources of pollution by emphasizing:

1. Restoration and maintenance of the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the region's

waters.

2. Elimination of all pollutant discharges into the region's waterways.

3. Water quality that provides for the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and

provides for human recreation, wherever attainable.

Conventional wastewater treatment plants

Combined sewer overflows

Industrial plants

Illegal septic pumpage dumping

Yard waste dumping

Mining operations

Landfills

Feed lot and livestock runoff

Construction site soil erosion

Agricultural soil erosion

Agricultural chemical runoff

Lawn chemical runoff

Impervious surface runoff, including oils, grease, gasoline spills, tire wear, de-icing salts, etc., from

roadways, driveways and parking lots

Acid rain from air pollution

The federal government supports several programs directed at stream protection through the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Illinois Department

of Natural Resources regulates stream modification.

A key best management practice (BMP) in river and stream management is to protect the river and

stream corridor. The corridor then acts as a buffer strip to protect stream banks from erosion, filter

out pollutants, store and transport flood waters, provide wildlife and aquatic habitat, and screen

sensitive areas from potential adverse effects of development.

The Biological Stream Characterization (BSC) program is a five-tiered classification system ranging

from excellent to very poor and was developed by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and

the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The BSC rating was instituted to determine the

environmental condition of streams and to monitor changes in the streams over time. As

Washington County experiences growth and development, it is essential that the BSC rating for each

individual stream be maintained and improved wherever possible.

Wetlands are a sensitive environmental resource, integral to the hydrologic cycle. Wetlands are

ecosystems periodically inundated by water. There are several types of wetlands, differentiated by

duration of water inundation, soils, topography, and plant species. Wetland types found in

Washington County are wet prairie, marsh, fen, bog, swamp, and riverine wetlands.

Wetlands provide multiple uses and benefits to the human and natural communities in Washington

County. Some of these are: (1) provide temporary floodwater and runoff storage; (2) protect water

quality by absorbing floodwater contaminants; (3) provide important wildlife habitat through food,

water, cover, nesting, and breeding grounds; (4) shape urban form by serving as logical boundaries

to development and by buffering incompatible land use; (5) provide educational and passive

recreational opportunities; and (6) enhance the natural beauty of the area.

storm water damage protection, thereby protecting against the loss of life and property.

heavy metals, and other pollutants.

wildlife, including migratory birds and commercially and recreationally important species.

Currently, at the federal level, large wetlands are protected from major development activities by the

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Resource limitations constrain the Corps from protecting small

wetlands, like some found in Washington County. At the state level, the Illinois Department of

Natural Resources reviews projects impacting streams, lakes, and wetlands.

Wetland management entails protection, enhancement and sometimes wetland mitigation banking.

It is necessary that County wetlands be protected and enhanced because of their role in water

resource management.

Wetland mitigation can involve wetland banking, a method of compensating for wetland losses due

to development. Wetland mitigation banking is the construction of a large wetland in a central

location from which project owners or others may purchase credits to compensate for unavoidable

impacts on small wetland areas. The idea of wetland banking emerged in the early 1980s when it

was becoming clear that on-site mitigation of wetlands by developers lacking wetland expertise were

often unsuccessful. Construction of a wetland bank involves the expertise of ecologists to help

ensure the success of the new larger wetland. Both the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) are generally supportive of mitigation banking.

A flood plain is an area of low-lying, flat ground on either side of a river, stream, pond, or lake

subject to periodic inundation by flooding. Flood plains perform important drainage and hydrologic

functions. After heavy rains, snow melt, or ice jams, rivers and streams may overflow their banks

causing considerable damage. Any loss of flood plains will cause increased flooding and damage,

especially upstream.

In addition to drainage, flood plains also (1) control pollution by settling out sediment from slow

moving waters in flood storage areas; (2) provide wildlife habitat; (3) provide passive recreation

areas for hiking, bicycling, and cross country skiing and active recreation areas such as playing

fields; (4) shape urban form; and (5) enhance scenic beauty.

Federal and state agencies provide only minimum regulations for new developments in flood plains.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires only that new structures in flood

plains be elevated to the level of the 100-year flood; this regulation is enforced in coordination with

the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources (formerly, the Illinois

Department of Transportation, Division of Water Resources). The Office of Water Resources has

encouraged local governments to adopt more stringent standards for development in flood plains.

1. Implement an open space and greenway system for its environmental, aesthetic, social, and

economic benefit.

2. Protect biodiversity by preserving, re-generating, and restoring natural areas.

3. Incorporate environmental design criteria in development controls and County ordinances to

protect natural, scenic, historic, archeological, and environmental areas and to minimize

adverse impacts.

4. Encourage the increased use of non-acquisition techniques such as conservation easements,

and dedications as useful methods for implementing local, County, and regional open space

plans.

5. Coordinate open space planning and preservation with protection and maintenance of County

water resources.

6. Encourage a network of natural corridors, primarily along waterways and interconnecting

protected areas, to permit wildlife movement between areas.

7. Encourage the protection, preservation and conservation of groundwater and surface water

quality.

8. Encourage alternatives to septic systems and high chemical input soil uses.

9. Encourage the development of open space for the recreation, aesthetic and ecological needs

of the County.

10. Encourage environmentally sustainable recreational uses of land in floodplains and areas

adjacent to waterways and other natural open space.

11. Protect ground water, a key source of potable water in Washington County, and encourage

water conservation programs.

12. Develop a comprehensive set of countywide water resource management regulations which

preserve and protect watersheds, stream banks, flood plains, wetlands, and ground water

recharge areas.

13. Require new developments to document and report proposed sources of potable water

supply.

14. Preserve and improve the water quality of Washington County in order to maximize the

potential for wildlife habitat, recreational, and other uses.

15. Manage wastewater treatment in an effective and environmentally sound manner conducive

to public health, including the encouragement of wastewater recycling and reuse systems

with land application to eliminate point discharge of wastewater into creeks.

16. Develop a multiple use/multiple benefit demonstration site in a selected watershed to

effectively demonstrate how integrated land use and water resource management improves

stream quality.

17. Protect and preserve wetlands as an essential component of the hydrological system and

wildlife habitat, and restore degraded wetland areas where possible.

18. Promote and encourage the use of design techniques, best management practices, and other

methods to ensure that imperviousness within developing watersheds is minimized.

19. Encourage municipalities to adopt the same or similar regulations for storm water, soil

erosion and sediment controls.

20. Support multi-county watershed planning that will build upon the Kaskaskia and other

Watershed Planning Teams support for necessary storm water legislation.

21. Support land use, zoning and site development standards that are responsive to flood

protection issues such as the requirement for on-site detention/retention systems and reduced

erosion and sedimentation.

22. Support the protection and creation of wetlands for storm water storage and bio-filtration as

well as for fish and wildlife habitats.

23. Support and encourage agricultural practices that reduce runoff, peak flows, erosion and

sedimentation.

24. Enforce storm water drainage and detention, soil erosion and sediment control regulations for

new development and redevelopment within the County.

25. Enforce countywide flood plain and storm water management regulations which preserve and

protect watersheds, stream banks, flood plains and wetlands.

Protect and maintain local historic and cultural resources that preserve and

contribute to the character of Washington County.

1. To protect and maintain historic resources that contribute character and attractiveness to

2. To encourage economic development and increased property values through historic

preservation and restoration.

3. To promote and enhance tourism within the County.

architectural and historic assets.

federal and private historic preservation agencies.

The goal of an historic preservation program is to preserve the unique character of the County and to

protect its valuable historic resources. A historic preservation program addresses a variety of issues,

including the preservation and redevelopment of older structures in the various municipalities,

protection of historic resources and landscape, and to balance new development.

This element examines:

Historic Preservation Character; and

Historic Preservation Resources.

The preservation of the County¡¦s historic resources is accomplished through integrated planning,

continued and adaptive use of existing sites, providing information and resources for maintaining

older buildings, and public education and awareness of preservation issues and solutions.

An important part of historic resource protection is to demonstrate how existing buildings can

continue to meet the demands of contemporary life. This can be accomplished through sensitive

rehabilitation and by construction of additions that complement the scale and character of the

building and neighborhood. Creative solutions for upgrading structural, mechanical, electrical and

plumbing systems are available for commercial and residential buildings. Careful planning with

regard to zoning and land use issues can increase the availability of existing buildings to meet

changing uses and demands.

Continued and regular maintenance is crucial to protecting the integrity and future use of historic

buildings and homes. Building neglect reinforces public perception that old buildings are of little

value.

Successful historic preservation efforts require citizen support. The general public needs to be

1. Encourage the preservation of older structures to retain a sense of identity, visual beauty, and

architectural diversity.

2. Facilitate the reuse of existing buildings in ways appropriate to their character.

3. Encourage new development through economic development incentives that encourage

compatibility with existing architecture.

4. Support municipalities in their historic preservation efforts.

5. Provide technical information to assist property owners in research and restoration efforts.

Provide safe, efficient transportation systems that guide future development

and that are compatible with existing land uses. Transportation.

growth and development of the County¡¦s economy.

mobility to potential transit riders.

cost and time investments.

congestion, adds to the available travel options, and increases personal mobility.

space/recreation, economic development and other regional, state and federal transportation

planning activities so that transportation systems can accommodate the travel needs

generated by land use.

The future transportation system in Washington County will be affected by a number of factors.

These factors may include existing road patterns, major impediments to traffic, location of major

new traffic generators, growth trends, construction of new roads, and the location preferences of new

development. Although the County cannot control all the factors that will influence its future

transportation system it can provide some direction as a guide to achieving an adequate and efficient

system through its zoning and subdivision regulations and in its future development decision

making.

Typical suburban land use patterns are a leading cause of traffic congestion, which in turn

contributes issues with the local quality of life. Balancing new growth with transportation

environment and community character.

The key factors relating land use and transportation involve where people live in relation to their

place of work, shopping and services, and the means people use in getting to and from their

destination. Where people live, work and shop is a land use concern. How people travel represents

the land use and transportation relationship. In Washington County the most common mode of

transportation is single occupant vehicle primarily because the primary residential land use pattern is

the sing-family home which is usually located at a distance from work and services. These singlefamily

homes produce more vehicle trips than any other type of residential land use, especially in the

absence of meaningful public transportation.

Right-of-way protections and preservation is essential for the proper coordination of land

development and transportation improvement. Within Washington County rail, highways and

utilities occupy rights-of-way. Regional policy, in the form of updated subdivision regulations

allows for the protection of existing rights-of-way and future corridors.

There needs to be a balance between land use and transportation services. Long range planning for

transportation provides the coordination needed to achieve mobility, cost efficiency and

environmental protection.

1. Adopt an Official Map designating arterial and collector routes for Washington County.

2. Coordinate transportation improvements with watershed planning efforts.

3. Coordinate County transportation improvements with affected municipalities, Townships, and

Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

Maintain a sound and diversified economic base for Washington County

while preserving the rural and small town atmosphere of the County, characterized by an attractive

and healthy environment which can be adequately served by transportation facilities, community

facilities, public utilities and other urban services and amenities.

1. To encourage balanced development within the County.

2. To preserve County¡¦s agricultural base.

3. To provide for economic diversity within the County.

4. To provide for protection of natural resources and recreational opportunities.

5. To portray the County¡¦s rich historical heritage and foster the important tourism industry.

Economic Development provides jobs, tax revenue, sources of goods and services, and markets for

agricultural products. Community development enhances the provision of public services and

general quality of life. Economic Development opportunities bring with them inevitable change and

growth that needs to be carefully managed and planned.

The management of development is best done by encouraging that activity to take place in locations

that minimize the negative impacts and maximize the benefits of development. Those locations that

reduce the negative impacts and maximize the benefits of development are in and around existing

municipalities within Washington County. In those locations are public water supplies, public

sanitary sewers and stormwater management.

The most opportune method of encouraging development to occur in and around existing

public utilities and stormwater management provided.

Washington County will be approaching a crossroad in the future due to growth and expanding

municipal boundaries. The choice of balanced and managed growth depends on the cooperation of

the cities and villages within the County, where expanding municipal boundaries, extension of

public utilities and critical land use decisions will be made.

The focus of this issue is the status of existing economic activity and conditions, and looks to what

future conditions might be desirable. Economic development is not only described by the type and

level of business activity, but recognizes the importance of attracting dollars to the local economy,

and having those dollar circulate for as long as possible in the local area before they are lost to other

geographical areas. This spending of local dollars outside the local area is called ¡§leakage¡¨.

Goals and objectives for Community and Economic Development are intended to identify potential

opportunities to pursue appropriate community and economic development activities.

1. Enhance efforts for development opportunities along Interstate-64 and exploit the existence of

three interstate interchanges within the County.

2. Poise the County to take advantage of emerging development related to the Prairie State Energy

Generating Campus and the future of hydraulic fracturing activities.

3. Encourage commercial and recreational development opportunities around Washington County

Lake.

4. Actively pursue opportunities for the expansion of the employment base of the County.

5. Encourage diversification of skills and educational backgrounds for the labor force of

Washington County, and partner with efforts of South Central Illinois Growth Alliance (SCIGA) and

Kaskaskia.

6. Enhance the agricultural economic base and roots of the County.

7. Work with areawide economic development organizations and others to assist in the retention and

expansion of existing businesses.

8. Develop an active marketing effort of the County to attract new business and industry.

9. Consider the hiring of an Economic Development Coordinator for the County, or enlisting a

contractor for Economic Development activity for the County, to ensure a more organized approach

as well as to coordinate with the activities of the municipalities and other state and federal entities.

10. Improve the County¡¦s website and web presence on the internet making it a tool for ¡§branding¡¨

and marketing the County.

Continue to provide for high quality public safety and emergency services that

meet the needs of all residents of Washington County.

1. To foster high quality law enforcement protection throughout Washington County in a costeffective

coordinated manner.

2. To foster high quality fire protection and ambulance services throughout Washington County in

a cost-effective manner.

3. To encourage high quality emergency dispatch throughout Washington County in a costeffective

manner.

4. To support disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery from all types of disasters.

As growth and development occurs in Washington County it becomes even more important to consider

the potential impacts to existing and future residents. Protection of the health, safety and welfare of

citizens is a paramount responsibility of County government. Coordination of law enforcement, fire

protection, ambulance and emergency dispatch, the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA)

and the County Health Department needs to be a priority of County government in a coordinated and

cost-effective manner, and in coordination with municipalities, state and federal governments.

1. Assist the municipal, regional, state and federal governmental agencies in protecting the

health, safety and welfare of its citizens.

2. Promote crime prevention through the use of innovative prevention programs.

3. Encourage the strict enforcement of public safety standards and consider adoption of

applicable building codes.

4. Support continued cooperation between the separate emergency dispatch agencies.

5. Maintain a strong Ambulance Service and County Hospital.

Washington County will work closely with the various local jurisdictions

within the County to achieve a shared community vision for the region.

Objective:

Coordinated planning efforts and development with Federal and State entities as well as regional

partners and municipalities within the County.

This 2036 Comprehensive Plan focuses on the County's efforts and needs to manage the land within

its borders to maintain and improve the quality of life for all County residents. Managing land and

how it is used is what this Plan is all about.

Management of any asset for any purpose always involves choices. Those choices involve costs,

methods, timing and results desired. The recommendations for implementing this plan involve those

same variables. The additional element the County must consider is the choice and application of

specific tools to use in its management efforts.

Perhaps the most important recommendation in the Plan is for County-Municipal cooperation.

Previous subjects in the Plan note areas where cooperation is necessary for each party to be

successful.

Areas of cooperation include, but are not limited to:

a) The mile and one-half area around municipalities where the County and the municipality

have certain statutory planning and enforcement rights

b) Watershed planning for water quality and storm water purposes necessarily involves

multiple political jurisdictions

c) Transportation planning always involves multiple political jurisdictions.

d) Greenways, trails and large recreation facilities benefit multiple political jurisdictions.

To initiate a process for cooperation with municipalities the County could select a limited objective

in one or more of the four preceding subjects a) through d); select a geographic area where an

opportunity or problem exists and approach the municipality(s) involved with an offer to form a

planning partnership for a specific purpose.

1. Work with the various jurisdictions within Washington County to achieve consensus and a

shared community vision.

2. Establish a regular visioning component as part of the on going planning process to achieve an

understanding of the evolution of the County¡¦s Goals, Objectives, and Policies.

This directory accompanies the Illinois Coal

Mines map or maps for this County.

January 2015

615 East Peabody Drive

Champaign, Illinois 61820

(217) 333-4747

http//:www.isgs.illinois.edu

Prairie Research Institute

Underground coal mine - abandoned

Surface coal mine - abandoned

Indefinite underground coal mine

boundary - abandoned

County

Section

Township

Quadrangle study

Coal mine - active

Opening type unknown

Uncertain location

Active surface tipple

Abandoned surface tipple

Active drift

Abandoned drift

Underground industrial mine and

surrounding buffer region

Lake or river