Comprehensive plan holds lofty goals

The first group of community meetings to provide input for Storm Lake's updated comprehensive plan were held this week, with a decent amount of turnout from area residents and business owners.

Topics discussed included how and where the city wants to grow from now until 2030, and covered housing, trails, community space and economic development, as well as other issues.

A long list of needs and wants were developed, and those at top of the list were no surprise: housing and business development, as well as recreational options, such as a community center, skate park and extended bike path.

Housing and business go hand-in-hand, but there seems to be a disconnect between the two in Storm Lake. Some have clamored for more expensive lakefront housing development while the workforce struggles to find clean, affordable apartments.

To put things into perspective, most recent data for Storm Lake's yearly household incomes means the city is primarily comprised of low to middle class families. For yearly household income, 17 percent make $10,000 to $14,999, 34 percent make $15,000 to $34,999 and 39 percent make $35,000 to $74,999. Only 12 percent make $74,000 and up.

The average yearly household income for the U.S. in 2011 was $50,000, but the cost of living in Iowa is reflected with lower salaries.

Two low-income apartment projects are underway, and there may still be a glimmer of hope for the once-failed condo project; however, it would be some time before housing is available.

The most memorable part of Storm Lake is arguably the downtown businesses. I never really would go downtown much before I lived here, but that has changed. In the evenings that I'm out, I'm at one of three places: La Juanita, Honey Kissed or Impulse Dance.

There is a lot that goes into making a town an enjoyable place, especially when it comes to a visitor's first impressions. At one of the comprehensive meetings, several small business owners (and citizens) voiced the need for outdoor decor and outdoor seating for restaurants, but apparently there's a lot they have to go through to be able to do that.

One request for the bike/walk/run trail: asphalt, please, since it is easier on joints and bikes.

There will be some good things in store for Storm Lake in the next 20 years, as long as we as a community work together to accomplish them.