11-4-99

Contacts:
Tim Borich, Design, (515) 294-0220
Riad Mahayni, Design, (515) 294-8958
Steve Sullivan, News Service, (515) 294-3720

ISU LAUNCHES FIRST LAND USE SURVEY IN 20 YEARS

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University is launching the first statewide land-use survey since 1977.

The survey will be conducted by the ISU College of Design Institute for Design Research and Outreach (IDRO) and the department of community and regional planning. Information will be collected through telephone surveys of officials in 99 counties and 950 municipalities.

The survey will focus on such issues as local land-use plans, zoning ordinances and subdivision regulations. It is intended to provide a comprehensive update of land use planning in the state.

"Land use planning, particularly as it relates to such issues as farmland preservation and urban sprawl, has been a major topic of discussion in Iowa," said Tim Borich, associate director of the IDRO. "Local governments have the primary responsibility for land use planning. But, we don't know what is going on statewide because there hasn't been a comprehensive inventory in more than 20 years."

The telephone survey portion of the study is to be completed by mid-Decemeber. A preliminary report on the survey is expected to be done by early January 2000, with a complete report done by March, said Borich. Data collected with be shared with government officials and various state agencies.

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