HPC reviews preliminary report
The Hillsboro Planning Commission met Thursday with John Riggs, the city's planning and zoning consultant, of Riggs and Associates.
Riggs presented Section III, the demographic material of the preliminary comprehensive community plan his company is working on for the commission. Riggs used 2000 federal census data which he said is more reliable than other census information.
"This is a review of the information of the city and the county over the last 100 years," said Riggs. "Everything about the city is here because people demand it. If we have some idea of how many people are going to be here, we have an idea of how to accommodate them."
According to the report, over the past 100 years, Hillsboro has maintained a pattern of growth while the surrounding region experienced moderate to strong population loss.
The preliminary report indicates there is a wide range of possibilities for the economic future of Hillsboro. According to Reiss and Goodness' report, Hillsboro can expect a modest growth with the resident population enlarging by as much as 15 to 28 percent over the course of the 20-year planning period if there is continued success with the economic development plan.
The census demographic patterns in Marion County indicate the population grew rapidly from 1890 through 1920 but growth declined from the '20s though the '80s. In the 1990s, Marion County experienced a four percent pattern of growth.
Trends and patterns of population growth in Hillsboro indicate the city has had sustained population growth throughout the 110-year period of the study.
"The county did not have the same growth as Hillsboro in the '60s and '70s," said city administrator Steve Garrett. "What accounts for the change?"
"The college is responsible for part of the growth," said Riggs. "In the 1950s the census started counting college students in the place where they spent most of the year. There is, however, more growth in Hillsboro than the college can account for."
Statistics show Hillsboro accounts for more than 20 percent of the growth in the county. The median age in Hillsboro is 38.2.
In 2001, Hillsboro experienced 27 live births compared to 29 deaths which is typical of rural populations across the Midwest.
The dominant aspect of population change is migration. There was an increase in the 45-to-54-year-old group which is the result of economic conditions said Riggs.
At the other end, Hillsboro has one-fourth of the 65-and-over age group in Marion County.
"That's probably because of the geriatric facility here," Riggs said.
Projected population forecast for 2005 is 2,869 to 2,924; for 2010, 2,908 to 3,030; and for 2020, 2,956 to 3,401. The preliminary report indicates a possible 13 percent population increase from 1990 through 2010.
Demographic figures of the 2000 census indicate a decline in the under-five population which coincides with projections of officials at USD 410.
"If USD 410 has a pre-school census, we should contact them for their information," said Riggs.
"Home-schooled students might be a factor," said Garrett. "We can get that information."
According to Riggs, it also would be a good idea to get enrollment projections from Tabor College.
"Monitoring the population trends and maintenance of the population estimates is one of the primary responsibilities of the planning commission within the scope of the continuing planning process," Riggs said.
The population report will be used to forecast housing, streets, roads, utilities, etc.
The comprehensive plan is an 18-month process that eventually will be presented to the city council. The city is required to reevaluate its comprehensive plan every year.
There was no administrative report from Garrett.
"What about the results of the community survey?" asked Riggs.
"I'll get you a copy," said Garrett.
"I want to look at it for goals and objectives for the city," said Riggs.
There was discussion about the Windover project.
"We're reacting slowly and comparing notes with Hesston," said Garrett. "Our deal with Windover is not off the table."
The next planning commission meeting will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 30 at the city building.
