The Comprehensive Master Plan

Plan Element

Executive Summary

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The Land Use Element identifies recommendations for managed growth in the city and parish using both incentives and regulations. This element upholds an infrastructure system in the parish, so the burden of new development will not be placed on current citizens. Accordingly, the element suggests that development be encouraged in existing urban areas and around the transportation system. The Land Use Element recommends this be done through performance-based criterion that base development on the intensity of the use. The performance measures should be consistent with the expansion of the government’s infrastructure (Capital Improvement Program) in order to allow for increased efficiency. Growth that is consistent with this plan should involve incentives through tax programs and districts such as Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Community Facilities Improvement Districts, and Community Development Districts.

Primarily, the Drainage Element calls for the establishment of a lead agency to implement the drainage plan. Once a lead agency is chosen, the element suggests launching a method to rate drainage projects that will help prioritize drainage problems and determine which to construct first. In the meantime, a comprehensive parish drainage study should be conducted. Already, a two-foot contour map of Lafayette Parish and a complete hydrologic model of the parish have been created to help identify floodways and floodplains. The drainage element also calls for continuous investigation and participation in various flood zone mitigation measures. In particular, the recommendations suggest gaining participation in the Community Rating System (CRS) that will help in flood zone mitigation and lower flood insurance costs. The element also advises adopting a floodplain ordinance that ensures post construction runoff not exceed pre-construction runoff. As well, a base floor elevation for all new structures within the flood zone should be established. Such ordinances have already been adopted, but are still in need of being updated to reflect more stringent mitigation measures.

The Transportation Element includes transportation planning components, corridor preservation, access management and transportation funding. Transportation planning components include the use of roundabouts as a viable alternative to grade separations, enhancement of transit alternatives, development of a secondary street system, the development of a parish-wide traffic calming program, and the development of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Additionally, the Transportation Element details the development of corridor preservation, management plans, and an access management plan for the parish. Planning will address funding by developing a realistic financially constrained transportation plan that takes into account all funding sources and projected transportation project costs.

The LCG planning process should be based on a network of neighborhood plans represented by neighborhood groups or Coteries that are self funded. The neighborhood plans should emphasize adequate hard and soft public infrastructure. The older neighborhoods in the future Interstate-49 connector corridor should be targeted for improvements and maintenance programs. Affordability is an important aspect of the Housing and Neighborhood Element. The element recommends the creation of a consortium of non-profits to develop housing programs, disseminate public information, develop a housing education maintenance program, and to encourage energy efficient housing construction. The element also highlights the importance of older housing stock and the establishment of minimum housing standards.

The Utilities Element focuses on the efficient expansion of electricity, water, garbage, natural gas, and sewer. This element emphasizes a balance between the government subsidy of new development, and the continuation of new growth in Lafayette Parish. This element encourages cooperation between government and agencies to make sure that utility expansion is efficient and effective. Specifically, expansions of sewer and water systems should include all residents in the parish, minimizing septic tank and well usage throughout the parish. In addition to potable water, floodwater and stormwater should be included in this plan, and ensure decreased flooding and preservation of the aquifer servicing the parish.

The Conservation & Environment Element contains recommendations to improve the both the natural and built environment in the parish. Recommendations are made to improve water quality by increasing riparian zones along waterways, assuring public and private sewer systems operate correctly, the reduction of farm runoff, and increasing retention and detention capacity. A fifty five percent tree canopy for Lafayette Parish is set as a goal. Solid waste recommendations include mandatory recycling in government offices, appropriate disposal methods for household hazardous waste, and provisions to reduce littering that includes increased trash bins and fines for littering. Recommendations on the built environment include regulations needed to limit light pollution, the encouraging reduced impervious parking areas through shared parking, on-street parking, and permeable pavements.

The Economic Development Element encompasses improving economic development efforts, increasing coordination and collaboration, and improving quality of life issues. The economic development effort should include conference planning, promoting industrial parks, facilitating the licensing of UL Department’s intellectual properties, etc. Collaboration and coordination efforts should include economic development efforts with infrastructure expansion, working with the arts community to establish a hall of fame, clean up the city, etc.

Community venues for the arts have demonstrated that they can connect diverse segments of society to cultural experiences. They provide opportunities for people who are active in social and civic life to experience arts and culture – and they allow those interested in arts and cultural experiences to encounter the diverse institutions that make up the fabric of Lafayette, Louisiana. In order to reach broader audiences, the Arts and Culture Element calls for permanent arts and cultural program budgeting, collaboration amongst art programs and non-arts organizations, and arts/cultural educational programs that are accessible within neighborhoods and schools across the parish.

Downtown areas in the six municipalities in the parish are the focus of the Urban Design Element. Performance-based land use controls are suggested that include height restrictions, site coverage requirements, parking standards, mixed use, sign restrictions, etc. Commercial development on arterials should have parking standards that include increasing green space, parking at the side or rear of the building, and decreasing the amount of paved areas. Lastly, standards for neighborhoods are recommended that include open space, public park, and retention/detention facilities requirements and/or contributions, interconnectivity, and increased densities.