HIGH SPRINGS VISION STATEMENT General Community Character
High Springs will maintain its small town atmosphere while accommodating planned growth within its traditional city, the dynamics of preservation, revitalization and new development can co-exist and mutually contribute to a sense of place. Our gateways will reflect this community's distinct character and newly developing areas will offer a quality of life and character in keeping with the City's heritage. The City will strive to retain its identity through the maintenance of well defined edges.
Downtown High Spring's downtown will flourish as the community's cultural, social, governmental and commercial center. Its human scale will be retained as the new is blended with the old. A synergistic blend of commerce, business, entertainment, service, cultural and public activities will be encouraged and live work arrangements will be emphasized. The downtown will be interconnected, walkable and bikeable while functionally accommodating the automobile. The gateways to the downtown will reflect the traditional sense of place that has distinguished the City.
History High Springs is committed to preserving its history. The preservation of the historic integrity of those buildings that contribute to this legacy will be vigorously pursued. The adaptive reuse of historic structures and landmarks will be encouraged and new development will be architecturally and functionally compatible with the historic character of High Springs.
Natural Resources High Springs is committed to the stewardship of a remarkable natural environment. The karst geology of the region has produced the largest natural system of springs on earth and the water supply of our entire state is just below our feet. The responsibility for protecting these resources is embraced by the City. The City will also seek to expand the accessibility of these natural resources to others and to pursue opportunities for educating the public about the extraordinary importance and value of these resources.
Housing High Springs will promote a diversity of housing type, density and setting. The City will seek to provide a wide variety of life style choice to residents of all ages and life circumstances. The affordability of housing is of high priority as is the quality of housing construction and the long-term stability of housing value.
Neighborhoods The conservation and revitalization of High Spring's traditional neighborhoods is of high priority. Neighborhoods will remain connected as integral parts of the community and empowered to influence their own destiny and character.
Growth Management High Springs is committed to providing an exceptional level of public services to those citizens that are here today and to those who will come in the future. The infrastructure and services required of this commitment will be provided in a timely and efficient manner, and funded by an equitable balance of cost and benefit. The City will seek to balance the conservation of open lands and environmentally sensitive lands with growth demands.
Connectivity High Springs is and will remain a physically, culturally and economically connected city. No City can thrive in isolation. Physically, internal and external connectivity of roads, pedestrian and biking facilities, and eventually public transportation are essential to the City's prosperity. High Springs is culturally important to the region and the City will exercise leadership in strengthening cultural ties with its neighbors. Economically, High Springs recognizes its dependence on the economic health of the Gainesville, Alachua County region and is committed to a progressive role as an economic partner with its neighbors.
Community Assets High Springs values its community assets. Its schools, parks, public buildings and public spaces are all an important part of the City's character and heritage. City will restore, renovate and expand these assets to provide a full complement of educational, recreational, cultural, social and medical services and facilities for its citizens.
Economy High Springs will adopt a "local first" philosophy with regard to economic development. The local ownership of small businesses maintain local character, promote community well-being, encourage healthy competition, entrepreneurship and local decision-making, enhance public benefits and reduce public costs, maintain sustainable jobs and wages, and keep dollar in the local economy. Big boxes and formula businesses will be included only if their benefit to the community can be demonstrated. The "local first* philosophy will emphasize achieving a jobs to housing balance, promoting business diversity, renovating and expanding existing businesses, and maintaining a low environmental impact. The economic integrity of the downtown will be maintained. The 1-75 Hwy 236 interchange will be developed for more intense economic development and commercial nodes will be encouraged in appropriate locations to serve the expanding community.
Respecting Our Neighbors High Springs cannot exist in isolation. Our actions will influence and impact our neighbors just as we are affected by their actions. High Springs will weigh every decision for consistency with its own vision but with a full awareness of the consequences of such action for other governments, organizations and citizens. High Springs will seek and promote the same consideration from its neighbors.
|
|
