At the end of 1996, the fast-growing City

At the end of 1996, the fast-growing City of Genoa, Illinois, adopted a comprehensive plan calling for pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use hamlets and neighborhoods in most undeveloped areas. The first major development proposed under the new plan demonstrates that such a policy can make a big difference in the form of growth — providing that it has the strong support of municipal officials. The developer, River Bend Associates, has no experience with traditional neighborhood development (TND), and the first proposal for the 120-acre River Bend was pure sprawl (Plan 1). The project included a shopping center on the main road, classic winding suburban single homes and a large pod of multifamily units. The first plan was in accordance with current zoning — which is under revision. Nevertheless, the city planning commission instructed the developer to completely rework River Bend to conform to the goals of the new plan. The result is Plan 2, which is more compact, includes a main street retail district, a greatly improved network of streets, some alleys, a school, a church and a new city park. Genoa’s planning consultant, Land Planning Services (LPS) of St. Charles, Illinois, is recommending further changes to River Bend to improve its qualities as a TND. For example, LPS is suggesting that two cul-de-sacs near the center of Plan 2 be changed to create two blocks of apartment buildings. “All in all, the city is extremely happy with the new plan for River Bend,” says Walter Magdziarz of LPS. “It appears to be in accordance with the comprehensive plan.” Magziarz gives credit to the developer’s land planner, Gary Herbert, and the clear wording of the comprehensive plan. “The developers did it themselves, based on what they know and understand about the comprehensive plan,” he says. “The plan is succeeding in what it set out to do. It is intended as a self- explanatory document.”