Coles Comprehensive Plans

CO LES CO UN TY
CO MPREHEN SIVE PLA N
2006
U p d a t e d 2 01 2
Created By:
Coles County Regional Planning & Development
Commission
2006 COLES COUNTY ILLINOIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
FOREWORD
Developing a county comprehensive plan is an extremely challenging process. The Coles County
Board was fortunate in having an active citizen based Coles County Comprehensive Plan
Steering Committee to help guide the development of the Coles County Comprehensive Plan
over a two year period (see a listing of the Steering Committee Members on the next page). The
Plan as outlined in the following pages and exhibits was adopted by the Coles County Board as
the official Coles County Comprehensive Plan on November 14, 2006. This Plan will hopefully
serve Coles County’s community planning and development needs for many years to come.
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Coles County IL Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Members
1. Gary Boske
2. Andy Cerven
3. Leslie Combs
4. Dan Cougill
5. Dee Greathouse
6. Angela Griffin
7. Bill Harrington
8. Sharon Houchin
9. John Hurst
10. John Inyart
11. Dan Lawrence
12. Alan Metzger
13. Cynthia Nichols
14. Jill Nilsen
15. Gary Patrem
16. Jim Pierce
17. Ray Rieck
18. Rebecca Sawyer-Spoon
19. David Schilling
20. Michael Smith
21. Mike Stanfield (Steering Committee Chairman)
22. Susan Starwalt
23. Jan Eads, Ex-Officio - Chair, Coles County Board
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Coles County IL Comp Plan
Statistical Update Report
July 1, 2012
Prepared by Coles County Regional

Planning & Development
Commission
I. Introduction
I. Introduction
On November 14, 2006, the Coles County Board adopted a Comprehensive Plan for Coles County,
Illinois. One of the recommendations in the Plan was that the Plan be formally updated every five (5)
years. In 2011, this update began.
Because of extremely limited financial resources at the County, State and Federal levels however, this first
5 year update is confined primarily to updating the various data and statistics covered in the ’06 Plan.
These financial constraints were due to the 2007-2012 “Great Recession” which has severely limited the
ability of local, state and federal governments to provide financial resources for the development of “full
scale” comprehensive plans as was previously the case.
The above described financial constraints notwithstanding, the Coles County Regional
Planning and Development Commission (CCRP&DC) was able to secure approximately
$22,000 of planning grant funds from the IL Dept of Transportation (IDOT). These grant funds were
awarded as 2 separate grants for approximately $11,000 each in 2008 &
2009. The County Board would like to acknowledge and thank IDOT for providing these funds for this
Plan Update Report.
II. Background
II. Background
The 2006 Coles County IL Comprehensive Plan grew out of the concern of what land use
developments would take place because of the Federal and State funded I-57-
1000N Interchange which in Coles County, will stretch from IL Route 121 east to IL Route 130 (the
Interchange is expected to be completed and fully in use sometime in the Fall of 2012).
Other County development concerns included the spread of rural water districts, the near 10%
population increase in unincorporated Coles County, the preservation of prime ag land and the high
rate of development outside municipal corporate limits.
In November of 2004, a 23 Member Coles County Comprehensive Plan “Steering Committee”,

comprised of representatives of Coles County governments, educational institutions and the private
sector met for the purpose of guiding the Plan’s development.
The resulting Plan itself was comprised of ten (10) chapters and focused on current as well as future
land use patterns, various policy areas including development standards, housing, intergovernmental
cooperation and parks, recreation and cultural resources. Each of these policy areas had a considerable
amount of recommendations. Among these was the adoption of the “unified comprehensive plan
approach” in which each local government’s plan is developed in coordination with other local
governments’ plans to create a “unified framework” of development to minimize land use and other
development conflicts. The 2006 Coles County Comprehensive Plan can be found in “Appendix A”.
III. Summary and Analysis of Changes in
Coles County IL Comp Plan Census &
Other Statistics as Outlined in ’06 Plan
III. Summary and Analysis of Coles County IL Comp Plan Census
Statistic s as Out lined in ’06 Plan, How They Changed in 2010 and Analysis of Changes
This section updates the Tables found in Section III of the 2006 Coles County Comprehensive Plan.
The updated statistics which comprise these tables are drawn primarily from the 2010 U.S Census
(the ’06 Plan used 2000 Census figures and Census estimates).
What follows is the statistical updates and an analysis of what changes took place since the 2006 Coles
County IL Comprehensive Plan
IV. Narrative on Key National, State, and
Local Trends and Events 2007-2012
IV. Narrative on Key National, State, and Local Trends and Events
2007-2012
This section attempts to briefly summarize the impacts of The Great Recession (2008-
2012) including effects on Local, State and Federal Governments. Coles County IL Unemployment
Rates are also a key focus of this section. In particular, the unemployment summary includes
unemployment rate data from January, 2007 through mid-2012). Finally, efforts on two (2) economic
development projects are summarized (Mattoon IL FutureGen and the Oakland IL Coal Gasification
Project)
In the beginning of the year 2007, just after the ’06 Coles County IL Comprehensive Plan was
adopted, Coles County’s unemployment situation, along with the State and the Nation, was looking
encouraging.
Specifically in January of 2007, Coles County’s Unemployment Rate was 4.8%. The State of Illinois and
the USA’s Unemployment Rate were 4.5% and 4.6% respectively. Many economists, both outside and
inside the federal government, identified the start of the “Great Recession” as occurring in December of
2007. It appears that for Coles County IL, this recession “peaked” in 2010, improved a bit in 2011 but
trended upward then “flattened out”” for the first half of 2012.
The table in the following paragraph outlines the “beginning” (January”) and “ending” (December)
months’ unemployment rates for Coles County, the State of Illinois and the USA for the years 2007
through May, 2012.
Unemployment Rate Table is as follows:
YEAR COLES COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (UR) IL UR USA UR
Jan Dec Jan Dec Jan Dec

2007 4.8-5.0% 4.5%-5.5% 4.6%-5.0%
2008 6.0-6.9% 5.5%-7.6% 5.0%-7.3%
2009 7.8-10.0% 8.0%-11.3% 7.8%-9.9%
2010 11.3-8.5% 11.4%-9.5% 9.7%-9.4%
2011 9.4%-8.6% 9.4%-9.7% 9.1%-8.5%
Jan May Jan May Jan May

2012 10.0%-8.5% 9.4%-8.6% 8.3%-7.9%
Sources: IL Dept of Labor Security and the U.S. Dept of Labor Statistics
As the sharply increased unemployment rates summarized on the preceding page demonstrated,
Coles County, along with the rest of the state and nation, was adversely affected by the Great
Recession. This recession also affected area local government budgets as major shared revenues such
as revenues from the income tax were either reduced or delayed. Much of the delays in state
reimbursements to various local organizations can be explained by recession caused income
reductions coupled with increased expenditures for “safety net” programs that expand to
support increasing numbers of unemployed or otherwise economically disadvantaged residents.
Coles County took active steps to create expanded employment opportunities during the 2007-2012
period. The first was the Mattoon IL based FutureGen Power Plant whose goal was to demonstrate
that coal could be burned to make electricity while the polluting carbon dioxide byproduct would be
safely “sequestered” deep underground. A total of 150 jobs were to be created along with 1,300
construction jobs.
Narrative on Key National, State, and Local Trends and Events 2006-2012 (continued)
In December 2007, Mattoon was announced as the winner for this project after an intensive,
nationwide competition. The federal government was to provide $1.1 billion investment dollars
for the power plant. Later however, the federal government withdrew its support for the original
concept leading to the withdrawal of the project from the Mattoon site.
The second was the Oakland IL based Clean Coal Fuels Project. It was to convert Biomass and Coal
to Synthetic Fuels. This proposal came about in 2007 and was to create 600 permanent jobs.
However, delays in the timely availability of financing, perhaps due in part to the Great Recession,
resulted in this project not being constructed during the 2007-2012 period. Such a project (including
a FutureGen type project) may be possible in Coles County IL should oil resources quickly
dwindle and become prohibitively expensive to use as a major fuel source.
In 2012 however, the unemployment rate improved from 10% in January to 8.5% in May (see table
on preceding page). Also in 2012, Charleston and Mattoon have recently seen investments in the
wholesale/manufacturing sector by two existing firms which together will create approximately 50
jobs.
V. Brief Summary of Other Coles County
IL Community Plans
V. Brief Summary of Other Coles County IL Community Plans
The City of Charleston IL last updated their Comprehensive Plan in 2002. The City of Mattoon IL
is in the process of updating their Comprehensive Plan and Oakland adopted a “Land Use Policy
Statement” in 2007. Those documents can be obtained online or from the cities themselves.
VI. Recommendations – Areas to Look
To for Future Formal Plan Update
VI. Recommendations – Areas to Look To for Future Formal Comp
Plan Update
Recommendations/Areas to look to for formal Coles County IL Comprehensive Plan

Update are as follows:
 Acknowledgement that Coles County’s community and economic development

prosperity is dependent primarily on the Cities of Charleston and Mattoon.
 In addition, Eastern Illinois University and Lake Land College are also critical to the
future development of Coles County. Very few Counties comparable in size to Coles have
a fine public university and excellent community college.
 It is recommended that a comprehensive review of all Goals, Objectives and

Recommendations contained in the ’06 Plan (especially those not addressed or
implemented since ’06 Plan was Adopted).
 In addition, it is recommended that the next formal Coles County IL Comprehensive Plan update focus on 2 new
areas which could create increased opportunities for community and economic growth in Coles County IL:
Entrepreneurship and Rural Broadband.
o EIU and Olney Community College provide entrepreneurial and business plan
assistance through the SCORE program (EIU), Entrepreneurial support and education
programs (EIU) and business plan development support services (Olney Community
College).
o Rural area access to high speed internet (broadband) services is an essential tool for
fostering community and economic development. Several years back, the “Partnership
for a Connected Illinois (“PCI”), a statewide not-for-profit organization, was
established to expand broadband capabilities, especially in rural areas of the State of
Illinois. About a year and a half ago, a regional broadband coordinator position was
created to cover Coles County and surrounding areas. Lake Land College is heavily
involved with this effort as well. Coles County community and economic development
representatives should, if they haven’t already, interact with PCI to help create
affordable, high speed broadband access for the rural residents of Coles County.
 It is recommended that, financial resources permitting, a formal update to the Coles County IL
Comprehensive Plan be developed and adopted no later than the year 2017.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE #
Foreword i
Listing of Steering Committee Members ii
I. Introduction/Background 1
II. History and Regional Setting 5
III. County Profile (i.e., population – current and projected, 7

employment statistics, physical attributes, transportation)
IV. Current Land Use Patterns 16
V. Summary of IL County Government Land Use Related 18

State Statutes and Coles County Land Use Related Ordinances
VI. Public Meetings Summary & Outcomes 23
VII. Policy Areas: Vision Statement, Goals, Objectives and 28

Recommendations (includes “Policy Matrix” and Summary
of “Unified Comprehensive Plan Approach”)
VIII. Coles County Unified Future Land Use Plan – Unincorporated 43

Area
IX. Transportation Plan 45
X. Comprehensive Plan Summary 50
Map Exhibits (located in back of the Plan Narrative)
Exhibit 1 Existing Transportation Map

Exhibit 2 Existing Land Use Map
Exhibit 3 Land Use Impact “Scenarios” Map
Exhibit 4 Policy Areas Map
Exhibit 5 Future Land Use Map – Entire County
Exhibit 6 Future Land Use Map – Urban Services Area
(“Urban Facilities Area”)
Exhibit 7 Transportation Plan Map
I. Introduction/Background
A. Background
In February, 2000, the Coles County Board adopted a Strategic Plan. One of its major
recommendations called for the development of a Coles County Comprehensive Plan. Starting in
2001, such a plan was pursued but a state grant program that was to provide financing for most
of the Plan’s cost was eliminated due to a severe downturn in state revenues.
In the Spring of 2004, the Coles County Alliance petitioned the Coles County Board to develop a
County Comprehensive Plan. The Coles County Alliance is an organization consisting of the
governments of Coles County, Mattoon and Charleston IL as well as the economic development
organizations of Coles Together, the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce and the Charleston
Chamber of Commerce. Their mission is to promote cooperation among area local governments
and economic development organizations to facilitate a unified economic development approach
to retain and create jobs. The Alliance was concerned with the types of land use that would
develop along the proposed I-57 Interchange.
In addition, there were other concerns that prompted consideration for developing a Coles
County Comprehensive Plan. In May of 2004, The Coles County Planning & Development
Commission (CCRP&DC) summarized these concerns as follows:
o Future land development along the proposed I-57 Interchange

o The preservation of prime agricultural land
o The spread of rural water districts in the County’s unincorporated areas
o The near 10% population increase in the County’s unincorporated area between
1990 and 2000
o The high rate of development of areas outside municipal corporate boundaries
The above described “high impact” activities affect everyone in the County and call for a well
thought out, long-term development approach. All Coles County residents therefore whether
they live in urban or in unincorporated areas have a stake in County development actions. In
view of these issues, the Coles County Board took steps to initiate a Coles County
Comprehensive Plan.
1
B. Introduction
As they did for the 2000 Strategic Plan, the Coles County Board formed a citizen based “Steering
Committee” to guide the Plan’s development. The County Board also engaged the services of the
Coles County Regional Planning & Development Commission and the Indianapolis Engineering
and Planning Firm of Edwards and Kelcey to help develop the Plan. The Firm’s Principal, Jim
Klausmeier, led the development of the 2000 Coles County Strategic Plan, the 2000 City of
Mattoon Strategic Plan and the 1999 City of Charleston Comprehensive Plan.
Beginning in November, 2004, the Steering Committee met monthly over the next 18 months to
oversee the Plan’s development. During this period, 4 public meetings were held for the purpose
of informing the public on the Plan’s purpose and to obtain their input. It was also during this
period that the Cities of Mattoon, Charleston and Oakland agreed to develop or update their
own comprehensive plans in cooperation with the Coles’ effort to insure a “unified approach” to
critical community planning and development issues. During May-July, 2006, all these units of
local government passed an intergovernmental agreement to both recognize and support this
unified approach to planning. It is hoped that this County Comprehensive Plan will serve as the
primary guide to the Coles County’s Community Development for years to come.
The Plan is organized into the following components:
II. History and Regional Setting
III. County Profile (i.e., population – current and projected, employment

statistics, physical attributes, transportation)
IV. Current Land Use Patterns
V. Summary of IL County Government Land Use Related State Statutes and Coles
County Land Use Related Ordinances
VI. Public Meetings Summary & Outcomes
VII. Policy Areas: Vision Statement, Goals, Objectives and Recommendations

(includes “Policy Matrix” and Summary of “Unified Comprehensive Plan
Approach”)
VIII. Coles County Unified Future Land Use Plan – Unincorporated Area
IX. Transportation Plan
X. Comprehensive Plan Summary
2
B. Introduction (continued)
Before proceeding to the Historical Setting and Profile Sections, it’s necessary to summarize
what a “Comprehensive Plan” is as well as the role of the “Steering Committee”:
What is a Comprehensive Plan?
 A comprehensive plan is a very detailed, long range (10-20 years) plan intended to guide
the growth and development of a community or region.
 The plan details and integrates a community’s land use, transportation, economic,
development, housing, recreation, and open space and relates these to the community’s
goals and objectives.
 The key component of a comprehensive plan is the land use plan.
Reasons Coles County IL Needs a Comprehensive Plan
 Future land development along the proposed I-57 Interchange

 The preservation of prime agricultural land
 The spread of rural water districts in the County’s unincorporated areas
 The high rate of population growth and development of areas outside
municipal boundaries
 Interest by the private sector to possibly make significant investments in Coles
County (Wind Energy Systems, FutureGen Clean Energy Plant in 2005 & 2006,
respectively)
Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee
Steering Committee Roles
o The Steering Committee helps to develop Comprehensive Plan components.

o The Steering Committee directs consultant staff in the development of
Comprehensive Plan.
o The Steering Committee reviews the draft Plan and coordinates revisions to
ensure it’s responsive to the needs of the Coles County Community.
3
II. History and Regional Settings
4
II. History and Regional Setting
History and Regional Setting
Coles County is located in East Central Illinois. It is situated 180 miles south of Chicago, Illinois,
115 miles west of Indianapolis, Indiana and 130 miles northwest of St. Louis, Missouri. Coles
County contains a 2000 U.S. Census population of 53,196. Key historical event and climate data
are as follows:
Coles County Illinois - Key Events In Its History
o Coles County established in 1830

o Charleston designated as County Seat in 1831
o Mattoon founded in 1855 (Advent of Railroad System in Coles County)
o Eastern Illinois University founded in 1895 in Charleston
o I-57 construction completed 1963-1970 (Mattoon IL Route 16 Intersection)
o Lake Land College founded in 1966 in Mattoon
o Proposed i-57 Interchange completed 2009
Coles County Illinois - Climate & Topography

o Climate = “Humid Continental” (dry cold winters, hot humid summers)
o Relatively little variation in topography (550 to 780 ft above sea level)
o Mix of sands, silts & clay deposits left in the wake of glaciers covering most of Coles
County
o Ground water supplies mainly from thin layers of sand and gravel in the glacial drift
o Coles County has 3 river basins in the county: the Embarras, the Kaskaskia and
Little Wabash river basins.”
5
III. COUNTY PROFILE
6
III. County Profile
A. Transportation
Major elements of Coles County’s existing transportation system are as follows:
 Interstates: Interstate 57 (Interstate 70 is located just south of the

County
 State/Federal Highways: U.S. 45, IL Route 16, IL Route 49, IL Route
121, IL Route 130, and IL Route 133
 Railroads: Canadian National Railroad, Eastern Illinois Railroad
 Airports: Coles County Memorial Airport
Note: There are no navigable waterways
Please see Map Exhibit 1 - Existing Transportation System Map located at the end of the Plan
Narrative.
7
B. Coles County Demographics
Coles County U.S. Census

Population
Table # 1
Coles County U.S Census Population
1980-2000
Area 1980 1990 2000 1980 - 2000 Chg (#) 1980 - 2000 Chg (%)
Coles County 52,260 51,644 53,196 936 1.79%
Ashmore 883 800 809 -74 -8.38
Charleston 19,355 20,398 21,039 1,684 8.7
Humboldt 499 470 481 -18 -3.61
Lerna 386 301 322 -64 -16.58
Mattoon 19,055 18,441 18,291 -764 -4.01
Oakland 1,035 996 996 -39 -3.77
Balance of County 11,047 10,238 11,258 211 1.91
Source: 1980, 1990, 2000 U.S. Census
The 1980-2000 Population trend for Coles County Illinois generally shows a flat pattern with moderate decreases
from 1980 to 1990 and moderate increases between 1990 and 2000. For the municipalities, population decreases
are more pronounced between 1980 and 2000 with the notable exception of Charleston although most saw modest
increases between 1990 and 2000. Unincorporated Coles County showed a modest increase between 1980 and
2000 but increased dramatically (almost 10%) between 1990 and 2000.
8
AGE AND GENDER TABLES: COLES COUNTY & MUNICIPALITIES
Table #2
Age & Gender For Coles County
Popula tio Ma le Fe ma le 17& Unde r18-64 65 & Ove r Me dia n Age
25,387 27,809 10,477 35,652 7,067
53,196 47.72% 52.28% 19.70% 67.02% 13.28% 30.8
Age & Gender For Ashmore
Popula tio Ma le Fe ma le 17& Unde 18-64 65 & Ove r Me dia n Age
395 414 234 487 88
809 48.83% 51.17% 28.92% 60.20% 10.88% 33.9
Age & Gender For Charleston
Popula tio Ma le Fe ma le 17& Unde r18-64 65 & Ove r Me dia n Age
9,781 11,258 2,898 16,103 2,038
21,039 46.49% 53.51% 13.77% 76.54% 9.69% 22.7
Age & Gender For Humboldt
Popula tio Ma le Fe ma le 17& Unde 18-64 65 & Ove r Me dia n Age
229 252 132 291 58
481 47.61% 52.39% 27.44% 60.50% 12.06% 33.1
Sourc e: 2000 U.S. Census
Age & Gender For Lerna
Population Ma le Fe ma le 17&Underr18-64 65 & Over Median Age
161 161 109 189 24
322 50% 50% 33.85% 58.70% 7.45% 29
Age & Gender For Mattoon
Population Ma le Fe ma le 17&Under 18-64 65 & Over Median Age

tionn
8,659 9,632 4,072 10,915 3,304
18,291 47.34% 52.66% 22.26% 59.67% 18.06% 37.6
Age & Gender For Oakland
Population Ma le Fe ma le 17&Underr18-64 65 & Over Median Age
485 511 260 568 168
996 48.69% 51.31% 26.10% 57.03% 16.87% 40.5
Age & Gender For Unincorporated Areas
Population Ma le Fe ma le 17&Under 18-64 65 & Over Me dia n Age
5,677 5,581 2,722 7,099 1,387
11,258 50.43% 49.57% 24.62% 63.06% 12.32% 30.8?
Sourc e: 2000 U.S. Census
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COLES COUNTY AGE COHORTS & RACE BREAKDOWNS
Table # 11
Cole Count y A ge Cohorts
1980 t o 2000
Cohort 1980 1990 2000
17 & Under 11,704 10,706 10,477
22.40% 20.73% 19.70%
18-64 34,158 33,838 35,652
65.36% 65.52% 67.02%
65 & Over 6,398 7,100 7,067
12.24% 13.75% 13.28%
Total 52,260 51,644 53,196
Sourc e: 1980, 1990, 2000 U.S. Cens us
The Coles County IL cohort figures just above show a pattern of an aging population as is common
throughout the rural United States between 1990 and 2000. The “65 and over” cohort would be a greater
percentage in Coles County if it weren’t for the presence of a large, resident university student population
in the City of Charleston (where the 2000 Census median age is 22.7 years as opposed to other communities
whose median age is well over 30 years). This may mean greater need for elderly services.
Coles County Population-Race

Table # 3
Population by Racial Category
Black Or African American Indian & Native Hawaiian & Other

Community White Hispanic American Alaskin Native Asian Pacific Islander Races
Coles # 50,734 737 1215 105 419 24 219

County 95.37% 1.38% 2.28% 0.20% 0.79% 0.04% 0.41%
# 788 6 3 2 10 0 2
Ashmore 97.40% 0.74% 0.37% 0.25% 1.24% 0 0.25%
19,462 370 894 51 282 18 105
Charleston 92.50% 1.76% 4.25% 0.24% 1.34% 0.08% 0.50%
# 475 19 0 1 0 0 5
Humboldt 98.75% 3.95% 0% 0.21% 0 0 1.04%
# 318 2 0 0 0 0 0
Lerna 98.76% 0.62% 0% 0% 0 0 0
# 17,676 232 260 33 75 2 75
Mattoon 96.64% 1.27% 1.42% 0.18% 0.41% 0.01% 0.41%
# 987 9 2 1 0 0 0
Oakland 99.10% 9.04% 2.00% 1.00% 0 0 0
Source: 2000 U.S. Census
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COLES COUNTY HOUSING DATA
Table # 4
Coles County
The Number of Owner Occupied Housing Units
1990-2000 (U.S. Census)
1990 2000 # +\- % +\-

Coles County 12256 13028 772 6.30%
Ashmore 264 252 -12 -4.50%
Charleston 3311 3508 197 6.00%
Humboldt 159 150 -9 -5.70%
Lerna 82 92 10 12.20%
Mattoon 5021 5031 10 0.20%
Oakland 306 340 34 11.10%
Balance of County 3113 3655 542 17.40%
The 1990-2000 Owner Occupied housing trend for Coles County Illinois generally shows a mixed pattern with
moderate growth in Coles County as a whole but varying considerably among the municipalities and the Balance of
the County (unincorporated area). Ashmore and Humboldt showed significant decreases while Lerna, Oakland and
particularly, the Balance of the County (unincorporated area) showed significant increases.
Table # 5
Coles County
The Number of Renter Occupied Units
1990-2000 (U.S. Census)
1990 2000 # +\- % +\-

Coles County 6701 8015 1314 19.61%
Ashmore 36 55 19 52.78%
Charleston 3047 4164 1117 36.66%
Humboldt 22 33 11 50.00%
Lerna 22 20 -2 -9.09%
Mattoon 2803 3074 271 9.67%
Oakland 103 76 -27 -26.21%
Balance of County 668 593 -75 -11.23%
The 1990-2000 Renter Occupied housing trend for Coles County Illinois again shows a mixed pattern but unlike the
owner occupied pattern, shows dramatic increases in rental occupied housing nearly across the board. The only
exceptions to this pattern are Lerna, the Balance of the County (unincorporated area) and particularly Oakland.
With the exception of Charleston, which has a large university student population, this may show the need for
increasing ownership opportunities for single family housing units.
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COLES COUNTY EMPLOYMENT DATA
Table # 6
Employed Coles County Population
by Industry
% of 1990 % of 2000 1990-2000

Industry Type 1990 Total 2000 Total Change % Change
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, and Mining 740 3.00% 523 2.00% -217 -1.00%
Construction 998 4.00% 1442 5.50% 444 1.50%
Manufacturing 4825 21% 4723 18% -102 -3.00%
Wholesale Trade 805 3.50% 560 2.10% -245 -1.40%
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, and Rental and Leasing 1044 4.50% 1012 3.80% -32 -0.70%
Educational, Health, and Social Services 5808 25.00% 7144 27.10% 1336 2.10%
A.E.R.R.T * 4977 21.50% 5552 21.00% 575 -0.50%
Other Services 1152 5.00% 1298 4.90% 146 0.10%
Public Administration 559 2.40% 805 3.10% 246 0.70%
Transportation/Information/Communication/Public Utilities 1831 7.90% 1978 7.50% 156 -0.40%
Source:1990 & 2000 Census

* Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, & Retail Trade
Employment in all industry categories showed no dramatic increases or decreases in the 1990-2000 period.
Manufacturing showed the greatest decrease (-3.00%) while Educational, Health and Social Services showed the
greatest increase (+2.10%)
Top Ten Employers - Coles County IL
Eastern Illinois University 1,839

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. 1,525
Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center 1,222
Lake Land College 600
Consolidated Communications 525
Pinnacle Foods (Lenders Bagel Bakery) 275
General Electric 270
Justrite Manufacturing Co., Inc. 225
Vesuvius USA 173
Ampad Corporation 173
Source: Coles Together, Sept 2006
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COLES COUNTY COMMUTING (“JOURNEY TO WORK”) PATTERNS
The commuting patterns Table # 7 County Area Communting Patterns In and Out
to the right show that
Coles County remains a
of Coles County 2000 U.S. Census
“regional center of Cumberland
employment” for County to Coles 1,833
Coles County to
residents of
Cumberland 203
surrounding counties. Net Total to Coles 1,630
“Out-of-County Clark County to
residents commuting to Coles County 530
Coles County to
Coles to work far exceed Clark County 131
the numbers of Coles Net Total to Coles 419
residents commuting to Douglas County to
work in surrounding Coles County 552
Coles County to
Counties by over 3,400 Douglas County 947
persons. The only Net Total to Coles -395
exception is Douglas Edgar County to
Coles County 584
County which, like
Coles County to
Coles, has Edgar County 318
manufacturing and Net Total to Coles 266
commercial centers Moultrie County to
Coles County 889
which employ large Coles County to
numbers of area Moultrie County 318
residents from Net Total to Coles 523
Shelby County to
throughout the region. Coles County 1,110
Coles County to
Shelby County 118
Net Total to Coles 992
Total commute
into Coles County 3,435
Coles County Area Commuting Patterns

(2000 U.S. Census)
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POPULATION PROJECTIONS FOR COLES COUNTY, ILLINOIS
According to the U.S. Census, Coles County has been losing population at a fairly significant
pace from 2000 through 2005 as indicated by the following chart:
2000 U.S Census Population 2005 U.S. Census Pop Estimate Difference (+/-) % Change
53,196 51,065 - 2,131 - 4%
The U.S. Census estimated that Coles County would lose 1% of its population between 1990 and
2000 when it actually went up 3% so Census estimates are certainly suspect. In view of the
foregoing, it’s best to assume a population range which shows a 3% population loss per decade at
the low end and a 3% population gain per decade at the high end. Using the 2000 U.S. Census
population as the starting point to calculate projected population loss/gain for the year 2010 and
2020 yields the following:
Coles County IL. Population Projections Based on 3% Gain/Loss Per Decade: 2000 – 2020
2000 U.S Census Population 2010 Pop. (Gain) 2010 Pop. (Loss) 2020 Pop. (Gain) 2020 Pop. (Loss)
53,196 54,792 51,600 56,436 50,052
From a land use planning standpoint, a “flat” population pattern doesn’t necessarily mean minor
changes in land use. Like the 1990 – 2000 decade, expectations for the next 2 decades are that
most growth will take place in the urban service areas of Mattoon and Charleston with some
residential growth expected in rural areas south of IL Route 16. This plan’s recommendations for
land use and other critical development areas hopefully sets the stage for moderate population
growth for years to come.
14
IV. CURRENT LAND USE
PATTERNS
15
IV. Current Land Use Patterns (Summary and Existing Land Use Map)
COLES COUNTY LAND USE FIGURES
There are:
 325,760 total acres (508 Square Miles) in Coles County
 294,451 total acres of farmland in Coles County (or 90.4% of the County’s total
acreage; per 2003 Dept. of Revenue figures)
 12,563 total acres of incorporated areas in Coles County (2000 U.S. Census figures)
 18,746 total “non-ag” acres remaining in the County’s unincorporated area
 The County’s topography contains “hilly terrain” featuring large tracts of woodland
located along the County’s river and stream systems. Most of this type of land is
located south of IL Route 16. Most “farm flat” land is located north of IL Route 16.
 A grand total of 53,160 persons in Coles County according to the 2000 U.S. Census.
Of this total, 11,250 or just over 21% reside in the County’s unincorporated area. Of
the total unincorporated population, approximately 1,780 reside on “farmsteads”
(3.3% of the County’s population & 15.8% of the County’s unincorporated
population)
The Current Land Use Map (See Map Exhibit 2 located at the end of the Plan narrative) utilizes
the American Planning & Association (APA) uniform land use category system known as the
Land Based Classification Standards (LBCS). There is a wide array of categories under LBCS.
For the Coles County, LBCS individual land uses or land “functions” are defined and assigned a
color code to identify the land use in question. In this way, land uses can be more easily
understood leading to a more informed approach when it comes to land use policies.
Current land uses were initially obtained by a "windshield survey" conducted (December of 2005
& January, 2006) by the Coles County Regional Planning and Development Commission
(CCRP&DC) with additional information provided from representatives of the Comprehensive
Plan Steering Committee. As one can see from the current land use map, most County land is
devoted to agriculture related uses. In the rural area, there are large tracts of woodland along
river and stream basins. Also, in the rural areas, most uses outside of agriculture and
woodlands are for residential related developments. For the County as a whole, land taken up
by incorporated municipalities constitute about 6% of the County’s total acreage.
16
V. Summary of IL County Government
Land Use Related State Statutes and
Coles County Land Use Related
Ordinances
17
V. Summary of IL County Government Land Use Related State Statutes and Coles
County Land Use Related Ordinances
The following is a listing and brief description of Coles County “Land Use Related” Ordinances:
Regulation Brief Description
1. Entertainment Ordinance Regulates Dance Halls, Motion Picture

Theaters, Race Tracks and Road Houses & other
“adult uses” (ex. Adult Bookstores). Proposed siting
of these facilities would go before the County’s
“Planning & Development” Committee
2. Massage Parlors Ordinance Regulation of Massage Parlors. The enforcement of

Massage Parlors falls under the Coles County Public
Health Department
3. Residential Subdivisions Governs the establishment of Residential

Subdivisions in the County (applies to parcels
proposed for division into less than 5 acres into not
less than one acre tracts). There are exceptions
where subdivision regulations would not apply.
These are spelled out in the IL Plat Act. The
Executive Director of the Coles County Regional
Planning Commission is the County’s “Plat Officer”
4. Private Sewage Disposal Ordinance Establishes the guidelines and specifications for
installing septic systems in the County. Overseen by
the Coles County Public Health Department
5. Nuisance Ordinance Covers dangerous buildings, “junk” and open

wells and cisterns as well as other conditions
which pose a threat to the health and safety
of rural residents. Overseen by the Coles County
Health Department. Has a hearing process.
6. Liquor Ordinance Outlines regulations for the sale of alcohol in

the County. Overseen by the County’s Liquor
License Subcommittee
7. Flood Plain Development Ordinance Regulates development in flood plains located

in the County’s unincorporated area. Overseen by
the County’s “Planning & Development Committee
8. Wind Energy Conservation (WECS) Ordinance Regulates the placement and installation of wind
towers. Overseen by the County’s “Planning &
Development” Committee
Note: The above ordinances apply only to the County’s unincorporated area. The Flood Plain
Ordinance was adopted in 2003. In 2004, the Entertainment, Liquor and Massage Ordinances
were revised to add certain uses, added a public hearing or public meeting requirement and
makes permit fees consistent with one another.
18
V. Summary of IL County Government Land Use Related State Statutes and Coles County
Land Use Related Ordinances (continued)
Listing/Brief description of Coles County “Land Use Related” Ordinances (continued):
The Wind Tower Ordinance was adopted in 2005. There are a handful of other land use type
regulations as well. One of these governs the siting of “Regional Pollution Control Facilities”
(i.e., landfills, transfer stations).
Coles County IL Land Use Related Ordinances Generally
Land use patterns are the results of many private development decisions over time. These
decisions however, are governed by land use related ordinances enacted and enforced by the local
government having jurisdiction over the land area in question. Coles County “Land Use” related
Ordinances have the following features in common:
a. Coles County Land Use related ordinance address a particular aspect of land use and not
others.
b. Ordinances described above are based on a particular state statute. As Coles County is a
“non-home rule” unit of local government, their ordinances must, generally speaking, be
based on State IL Statutes.
c. Coles County Land Use related ordinances, like other IL County ordinances, feature a
permit review process, a permit application, a permit fee, opportunity for public input
and an appeal process. Many of them provide an opportunity for public input either
through a public meeting or public hearing. Allowing the opportunity of public input is
extremely important.
The above ordinances have, are and will have an impact on County land use for years to come
Description of Other County Land Use Regulations that the County Currently Doesn’t Have
a. Agricultural Areas Conservation and Protection Act (State Statute: 505 ILCS 5/1):
Administered by the IL Dept of Agriculture at the state level and 23 IL Counties at the
local level, the program’s purpose to preserve agricultural land. Under the “ag areas”
program, ag land owners are encouraged to voluntarily set aside a minimum of 350 acres
under agreement with the local county board for a 10 year period to be used for ag
purposes only. This 10 year agreement between the land owner and the administering
County is renewable every 8 years. Once designated, such lands are protected from local
laws that would unreasonably restrict or regulate normal farming practices. It also
protects designated lands from locally initiated projects which would lead to the land’s
conversion to non-ag uses.
19
Description of Other County Land Use Regulations that the County Currently Doesn’t Have
(continued)
Listing/Brief description of Coles County “Land Use Related” Ordinances (continued):
b. County Zoning : Zoning is defined as the division of a community (in this case, the
County) into different areas for different specified land uses. Zoning regulates the
location, density, height, type and overall size of buildings that can be built in each zone.
The zones are designated according to broad categories of land use. These include
residential, commercial or industrial. There are also more categories specifically as to
building type or density of land use. Examples include single family or multifamily
residential. Chapter 55 of the IL Compiled State Statutes (ILCS 5/5-12001) grants the
legal authority for all IL Counties to enact a County Zoning Ordinance of the Illinois. As
of 2006, about half have done so. The County’s Zoning jurisdiction applies only to the
unincorporated area of the County and stops at a municipality’s corporate limits.
Like a standard municipal zoning ordinance, a county zoning ordinance provides for
continuation of existing uses prior to the enactment of the ordinances, a permit
application procedure, permit application and related fees, public hearings and appeals.
The IL County Zoning State Statute is “farmer friendly” in that it restricts IL Counties
from requiring building permits with respect to land use for agricultural purposes.
Zoning is the only single legal enactment which comprehensively regulates all land use.
When reviewing the concept of County Zoning, “Performance Zoning” should also be
considered. While traditional zoning specifies allowable land uses in each district, performance zoning
specifies standards of land use intensity that are acceptable in each district. Performance zoning focuses on
the performance of the parcel and how it impacts adjacent lands and public facilities, not on the use of the
land. This gives developers and local governments more flexibility in designing
projects because the use of a property is not restricted as long as the impacts to the
surrounding land are not negative (as defined in the specific regulation. Source:
Tomkins County New York Web Page).
20
Brief Summary of Municipal and Township Zoning
Description of Municipal Zoning
The State of Illinois grants IL municipalities the ability to exercise zoning jurisdiction within
their corporate boundaries. Should the County in which they’re located not have a zoning
ordinance, such municipalities can expand their zoning jurisdiction 1.5 miles beyond their
corporate boundaries. In Coles County, the Cities of Mattoon, Charleston and Oakland have
municipal zoning as does the Village of Ashmore. Mattoon and Charleston’s zoning jurisdiction
includes the 1.5 mile “extra-territorial” area. The Villages of Humboldt and Lerna do not have
zoning ordinances.
Description of Township Zoning
The State of Illinois grants IL Townships the ability to exercise zoning jurisdiction outside of
municipal corporate boundaries. The Township State Statute reads much like the ones
governing and municipal zoning. In cases where municipalities’ boundaries are not close to one another,
Township Zoning provides the only way to zone a multi-township “corridor” without zoning the rest of the County.
When considering passing or modifying land use ordinances, the Champaign County IL
Environment and Land Use Committee recommends the following objectives that all
development ordinances should address (note: some were consolidated into ”one concept”):
 The ordinance should be easy to understand.
 The ordinance standards must be logically related to the ills they’re intended to prevent.
 To the extent possible, ordinance standards must be based on the latest scientific
information available.
 Cost/benefits of ordinance standards should be considered before passage
 The cost of compliance and ordinance administration should be minimized to the extent
possible
 The ordinance must be constitutionally sound with respect to such issues as private
property “takings”, equal protection, and “due process” (including provisions for a
“notice” and a “hearing”).
 The Ordinance must be based on applicable laws and consistent with state/federal
regulations
 The Ordinance must contain amendment provisions to keep it flexible and responsive
Coles County should carefully review the above described ordinances and recommendations
with the view of selecting the most effective combination of these to guide land use development
in accordance with this Comprehensive Plan.
21
VI. Public Meetings Summary &
Outcomes
22
VI. Public Meetings Summary & Outcomes
There were three (3) public meetings held to present Plan information, data and preliminary
recommendations and receive public input (Please note: a 4th Public Meeting was held on the
completed Plan draft on August 22, 2006). What follows is a summary of these meetings and their
outcomes.
A. March 8, 2005 Public Meeting
At the March 8, 2005 Meeting, a Plan “Profile” was presented. In addition, Staff from the
Planning firm of Edwards and Kelcey conducted a “land use impact mapping scenario” whereby
meeting participants (assigned to 10 different discussion groups) were asked to locate different
“real life” developments in various locations in the County. Developments consisted of a
manufacturing plant, a retail distribution center, a large cattle farm operation and a
manufactured home subdivision. The meeting participants showed consensus by locating
manufacturing, distribution center and residential subdivisions in the urban service area where
infrastructure support could be reasonably provided while the cattle farm development was,
generally speaking, located in remote rural areas of the County (mainly north and south). Even
cattle operations however, were located near roads or railways. See Map Exhibit 3, Land Use
Impact “Scenario” Map
On April 7, 2005, Staff of the Edwards and Kelcey planning firm as well as Staff of the Coles
County Regional Planning & Development Commission developed an analysis based on the land
use impact map scenario exercise. Analysis and conclusions identified were as follows:
APRIL 2005 ANALYSIS OF 3/8/05 LAND USE IMPACT MAP

SCENARIO RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS
There was general concurrence among the groups about the form and shape that future
development might have. All agreed that the new interchange of CR1000N at I-57 will create
new opportunities for economic development. Most agreed that new development, such as,
residential, commercial, and industrial should occur in areas that can be provided with the full
range of urban services, and that rural areas should remain in view of the economic value added
by productive agricultural activities.
Therefore, how can—or should—public policy ensure that various types of development occur in
locations that are most desirable?
Consider these observations:
1. Water lines are being extended into rural areas of Coles County.
2. Nearly 80% of the county population resides in either Charleston or Mattoon.
3. Both Charleston and Mattoon have water supply, water treatment, and water
distribution facilities.
4. Both Charleston and Mattoon have planning and zoning jurisdiction within and beyond
their corporate limits.
23
VI. Public Meetings Summary & Outcomes (continued)
A. March 8, 2005 Public Meeting (continued)
5. Most of the land in the County beyond the corporate limits of Charleston, Mattoon, and
other small towns has good or excellent soil for farming and is productively used for
agricultural purposes.
6. Most of the land in the County has soil that is not well suited for septic systems.
7. None of the land beyond the jurisdictions of the cities is regulated for development
purposes…there is no County zoning ordinance.
A new interchange with I-57 is to be constructed within the next two years, some of which will
be in areas of the County that is without zoning and which will be within the service areas of the
existing/proposed rural water districts.
Given these observations, would it make strategic sense to:
1. Encourage Mattoon to define an urban service area in consultation with the City of
Charleston and Coles County.
2. Encourage Charleston to define an urban service area in consultation with the City of
Mattoon and Coles County.
3. Encourage Oakland, Ashmore, Humboldt and Lerna to define an urban service area in
consultation with Coles County.
4. Encourage Coles County Rural Water Districts to enter into an Intergovernmental

Agreement with Coles County Municipalities and the County defining “urban and
rural” water service areas and policies to handle “inter-jurisdictional matters.”
5. The County should explore and assess the strengths and weaknesses of various land
use policies and regulations such as volunteer ag land set-asides, subdivision
regulations, single purpose ordinances and zoning that would most effectively:
a. protect farming rights from conflicts with new development in rural areas; and
b. require new development in rural areas to meet certain standards, such as requiring large
residential developments to be served by community sanitary sewer systems.
24
Land Use Impact Exercise Analysis and Conclusions (continued)
General Observation
Both the new interchange and the proposed water distribution system will stimulate
unregulated development in areas of the County without zoning. Strategies are needed to ensure
that new development near the interchange is of the highest quality and economic benefit, and
that development in the rural areas meets certain standards and does not detract from the
business of farming. The most important recommendation in this regard is to encourage each
Coles County Municipality to develop its own Comprehensive Plans in conjunction with Coles
County’s to create a “unified approach” in addressing development issues, particularly in the 1.5
mile municipal zoning jurisdiction areas.
25
Land Use Impact Exercise Analysis and Conclusions (continued)
Other recommendations discussed in other meeting forums were as follows:
• Determine & designate appropriate and “compact” non-prime ag land areas in

unincorporated areas of Coles County as rural residential and rural commercial areas.
Such areas should be located well outside the flood plains and not impact
environmentally sensitive areas. These developments would be required to be served by
adequate infrastructure but not in a way that creates a “rural sprawl” condition.
• Consider the feasibility of requiring an “open space” set-aside for proposed county
subdivisions to create park/open space recreational opportunities for residents
benefiting from residential subdivision development activities
• Require “buffer zones” to protect recreational trails and roads from encroachment by
incompatible development, such as the Lincoln Prairie Grass Trail and the Fox Ridge-
Lincoln Log Cabin Road.
• Require “buffer zones” around key historic sites, such as the Lincoln Log Cabin site to
protect such sites from incompatible developments.
• The Historic Bridges of Coles County provide critical transportation functions and are an
important part of the County’s history. To the extent possible, steps should be taken to
either preserve or relocate and reuse these bridges.
The foregoing information and analysis provided the foundation to work towards developing
planning recommendations and the future land use maps.
A. March 8 and 9, 2006 Public Meetings
On March 8 and 9, 2006, two (2) public meetings were held to present the preliminary Coles
County Comprehensive Plan recommendations. These were presented by the various
subcommittees who focused on areas such as community facilities, farmland protection,
intergovernmental cooperation and development standards. Numerous questions and concerns
were expressed. Many had to do with land use regulation and preservation of natural resources.
These were later reviewed by the Steering Committee
26
VII. Policy Areas: Vision Statement,
Goals, Objectives and
Recommendations
27
VII. Policy Areas: Vision Statement, Goals, Objectives and Recommendations (includes “Policy
Matrix” and Summary of “Unified Comprehensive Plan Approach”)
Beginning in November 2005 and continuing through February 2006, the Steering Committee
broke up into the original “topic” subcommittees first formed when the 2000 Strategic Plan was
being developed. The purpose of this was to re-examine the recommendations of the Strategic
Plan, identify the ones that still applied and to identify new recommendations for the
Comprehensive Plan. These Subcommittees focused on the following critical topics:
a. Community Facilities
b. Development Standards
c. Economic Development
d. Farmland Protection
e. Housing
f. Intergovernmental Cooperation
g. Parks, Recreation, Open Space, & Cultural Resources
h. Transportation & Utilities
After the Subcommittee Meetings, the following “Vision Statement” was agreed to:
2006 Coles County Comprehensive Plan “Vision Statement”
“Our County will cooperate with its cities, its towns, and its rural residents through agreed
upon community planning and development policies to become a stronger regional hub for
education, health, commerce, industry, agriculture, and tourism while maintaining and
enhancing the cultural and aesthetic qualities of our communities and rural areas.”
28
VII. Policy Areas: Vision Statement, Goals, Objectives and Recommendations (continued)
The Subcommittee Recommendations were approved by the Coles County Comprehensive Plan
Steering Committee at their May, 2006 Meeting:
Coles County Comprehensive Plan Committee Approved Recommendations

(May 11, 2006)
a. Community Facilities Subcommittee
1. Community Facilities Planning needs to consider the proximity of social, medical,

transportation services as well as the adequacy of water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer
services when considering locating community facility structures in rural areas.
2. There needs to be a comprehensive “on-line” resource directory of community services

available in Coles County.
3. A county-wide community facilities “needs assessment” needs to be completed to

identify community facilities needed to serve County residents.
b. Development Standards
1. Development standards should be created by the Mattoon-Charleston Corridor

Committee and submitted to the Coles County Board for consideration for the 1000 N
Industrial/Manufacturing Corridor encompassed by the proposed Mattoon-Charleston
“Urban Service Area”.
2. Review local government design standards for proposed drainage detention &
retention - explore the feasibility of regional detention/retention facilities to serve
multiple developments.
3. Identify new construction trends ("scope" and "type") through the use of the County
septic tank permit process.
4. Require developers proposing county residential subdivisions outside municipal

jurisdiction areas to set aside 5-10% of land to be developed as open space. Design of
this space should consider buffer areas and habitat protection between subdivision
areas and adjacent agricultural, historical and cultural areas and sites.
5. Pursue effective practices to use as a basis for encouraging limited low

impact development buffer strips contiguous to historic sites (Lincoln Log Cabin,
Moore House, Shiloh Church, Five Mile House), recreational trails and parks (Lincoln
Log Cabin, Fox Ridge, Walnut Point….) to protect the quality of these resources.
6. Explore County participation in the IL Ag "Volunteer Farmland Set-Aside Program" to

encourage farmland owner participation as a method of protecting prime ag land.
29
Coles County Comprehensive Plan Committee Approved Recommendations

(May 11, 2006, continued)
b. Development Standards (continued)
7. Review development policies and practices which encourage the use of incentives
for developments to locate within municipal limits or within a 1/2 mile of them.
8. Review development policies and practices which encourage future development in

non-urbanized areas of the County to be adjacent to similar development and not by or
on prime farmland more than a 1/2 mile away from suitable roads and services for
development.
9. Site development plans for all changes in land use from agriculture to non-
agricultural use should be submitted to County Soil & Water Conservation
Service for review of resource concerns due to change in land use pursuant to Sec
22.02a of the Soil and Water District Act.
10. Review development policies and practices to encourage notifying drainage districts of
proposed developments to make sure drainage areas aren’t negatively affected.
11. Acceptance of this Comprehensive Plan includes the preference of the Coles County
Board to decline county-wide zoning.
c. Economic Development
1. Formulate boundary agreements within the Urban Facilities Area between the
cities of Charleston and Mattoon with respect to corporate boundaries, water
and sewer facility service areas, zoning and building code enforcement
jurisdiction within the SR-16 and CR-1000 Corridor Development Districts.
2. Persuade Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative and Ameren CIPS to agree to

service areas in Coles County and to formulate terms of franchise agreement
renewals.
30
(continued)
Coles County Comprehensive Plan Committee Approved Recommendations (continued)
c. Economic Development (continued)
3. Identify and prepare potential suitable sites to be “Shovel Ready” for

economic development prospects:
 Secure annexation agreements for sites selected for economic

development; include purchase options within these agreements to
establish a firm sale price for the real estate for a relatively long term or in
the alternative, acquire some of these sites.
 Initiate Environmental Assessments on optioned or acquired economic
development sites.
 Rezone areas within the Urban Facilities Area where the cities of
Charleston or Mattoon have jurisdiction for the highest and best economic
development use consistent with the County Comprehensive Plan and
Plan Future Land Use Maps.
 Alter
ƒ enterprise zone boundaries consistent with the County
Comprehensive Plan and Plan Future Land Use Maps.
 Extend
ƒ roadway and utility infrastructure to optioned or acquired
development sites.
4. As Charleston, Mattoon and Coles County share a common labor market and
market trade area, the two cities should consider revenue sharing
intergovernmental agreements between the Cities and the County whereby each
jurisdiction would share in increased real estate and sales tax revenues derived
from economic development projects within the Urban Facilities Area on a
proportionate basis based upon the investments made by each jurisdiction for
preparing sites to be “shovel ready”.
31
(continued)
d. Farmland Protection
1. Seek mutual cooperation in preserving prime agricultural farmland.
2. Permit agri-business in suitable areas near major roadway and/or rail

corridors.
3. Acknowledge and protect farming operations as vital components of the

County’s economic base.
4. Continue to allow individual septic systems and wells pursuant to applicable

public health statutes.
5. Maintain rural roads and bridges by improving width, shoulder and bridge
weight capacity standards to serve local residents.
6. Agricultural practices within urban services areas should be protected by county

municipalities for as long as possible.
7. Ensure that the interests of rural residents and farmers are represented as
urban service area development decisions are being made by appointing rural
residents located in municipal urban service areas to municipal zoning boards,
including the “Corridor Zoning Board.”
e. Housing
1. In the case of rural area new housing in the County’s unincorporated area,
developments should be located:
* outside of flood plain areas and prime agricultural land
* in existing unincorporated area residential subdivisions which still have available lots
* in unincorporated “settlement areas” served by rural water services
* in wooded hilly acreage located south of IL Route 16
* in large residential subdivision areas located in the Mattoon-Charleston Urban Service

Areas.
2. The County should work with Coles County municipalities with the objective
of creating a “uniform subdivision ordinance” which would incorporate
consistent standards and procedures for subdivisions locating both within and
outside municipal jurisdictions.
32
(continued)
e. Housing (continued)
3. Single Family Housing Rehabilitation Grant funds should be secured by the

County to repair moderate income single family homes to maintain affordable
housing stock for rural residents.
f. Intergovernmental Cooperation
1. Coles County Local Government Elected and Appointed Officials should be

encouraged to formalize their intergovernmental planning efforts by
meeting on a regular basis. Key Organizations to coordinate such efforts:
Coles County Alliance Elected Officials, Coles County Alliance Executives
Committee, Coles Together and the Coles County Regional Planning &
Development Commission.
2. All Coles County Local Governments should strongly support efforts to

build up, improve and utilize GIS mapping technology in a cost-effective and
cooperative manner. It is further recommended that the county-wide GIS
utilize the Staff, Faculty and Students of Eastern Illinois University, Lake
Land College and the Coles County Regional Planning & Development
Commission to assist with regional planning.
3. Coles County Local Governments should be encouraged to enter into

Agreements with one another to share assets (equipment and personnel) to
more cost effectively implement public capital improvement and public
services projects.
4. Coles County Government should consider restructuring its operations to

reflect modern business practices and to utilize ever changing technologies.
5. The Coles County Alliance should invite the Coles County Municipalities of
Ashmore, Humboldt, Lerna and Oakland to participate in Alliance strategy
and planning activities.
33
(continued)
g. Parks, Recreation, Open Space, & Cultural Resources
1. Create and maintain a comprehensive, cooperative county park and recreation

plan which includes an inventory of park and open space facilities.
2. Allow large-scale commercial recreational facilities to be developed near

interchanges under strict controls.
3. Enhance the appearance of open-space areas within and near interchanges.
4. Extend the Charleston-Mattoon bike trail to link up with other scenic portions
of the county.
5. Preserve woodlots and hedgerows wherever possible for wildlife habitat.

Educate and encourage rural area land owners to preserve their woodlands as a
natural resource (IDNR and Farm Services Programs cited as educational
resources).
6. Create and maintain a web accessible inventory of sites, properties, cemeteries

and buildings having archaeological, architectural or historic significance, using
GIS technologies. Utilize appropriate state resources such as the Illinois
Transportation Archaeological Program to ensure that development complies
with relevant state and federal statutes (e.g., 20 ILCS 3440 Human Skeletal
Remains Act and 20 ILCS 3420/6 Illinois Historic Resources Protection Act).
7. Preserve, relocate, or reuse the historic bridges and other transportation related
structures, such as the Illinois Central Railroad Depot, in Coles County many of
which provide important transportation functions and are an important part of
the economic and cultural history of the county.
34
h. Transportation & Utilities
1. Encourage re-establishment of commercial air service utilizing

recently developed technology, as need occurs.
2. Develop future rail-spur to aid in industrial development, as demand requires.
3. Encourage Coles County’s Dial-A-Ride service to expand

hours of service, as demand requires.
4. Evaluate the need for a fixed-route type of transportation system along Route 16
between Charleston and Mattoon.
5. The County Transportation Plan should give consideration to:

 Building new arterial and collector routes and/or widening existing
routes that will improve connectivity.
 Environmentally sensitive / scenic roadway design.
 Improving traffic safety roadway signs, signals and barriers, especially at
railroad crossings.
 Bicycle routes and related bicycle route amenities.
 Trails and greenways.
6. Consider establishing a periodic inspection program for all small package sewer
treatment plants serving multiple users.
7. Establish a development standard requiring new commercial users discharging more

than 10,000 gal/day of wastewater to be serviced by district or municipal water/sewer
systems.
8. Encourage local entities to work together to develop a county-wide water

resource plan to ascertain water supply capacity available to serve future public
and private development in the County.
9. Encourage local entities to work together to ensure that hydrological capacities and
characteristics of streams, ditches and drainage ways are maintained.
35
(continued)
h. Transportation & Utilities (continued)
10. Encourage expansion and development of rural water districts in cooperation with
urban water services to serve all Coles County residents with potable water.
11. Encourage expansion of rural sewer districts where feasible in cooperation with
urban sanitary sewer services to serve all Coles County residents. These services
would include the installation of properly operating individual septic systems on
rural properties located outside of urban service areas.
36
(continued)
The above Recommendations can be looked at in terms of how they impact geographic
based “Policy Areas”. These were first identified in the 2000 Coles County Strategic Plan. See
Map Exhibit 4, Policy Areas Map located at the back of the Plan Narrative
The Matrix below ties in the geographic based “Policy Areas” with the “critical topic area”
recommendations. For example “a2” in the upper left hand corner (the need for an on-line
community resource directory) is a recommendation that applies “county-wide”
37
County Government Consideration of Above Recommendations
Many of the above recommendations will require the cooperation of area municipalities
and other private and public organizations. Ones requiring such cooperation will take a
lot of time to consider, coordinate and implement. Others however can be considered by
the Coles County Board within the next five (5) years. Recommendations that can be
considered by the Coles County Board within the next 5 years are as follows:
a. Development Standards
o Review local government design standards for proposed drainage detention

& retention - explore the feasibility of regional detention/retention facilities
to serve multiple developments.
o Identify new construction trends ("scope" and "type") through the use of the
County septic tank permit process.
o Require developers proposing county residential subdivisions outside

municipal jurisdiction areas to set aside 5-10% of land to be developed as
open space. Design of this space should consider buffer areas and habitat
protection between subdivision areas and adjacent agricultural, historical
and cultural areas and sites.
o Pursue effective practices to use as a basis for encouraging limited low

impact development buffer strips contiguous to historic sites (Lincoln Log
Cabin, Moore House, Shiloh Church, Five Mile House), recreational trails
and parks (Lincoln Log Cabin, Fox Ridge, Walnut Point….) to protect the
quality of these resources.
o Explore County participation in the IL Ag "Volunteer Farmland Set-Aside

Program" to encourage farmland owner participation as a method of
protecting prime agricultural land.
o Review development policies and practices which encourage future

development in non-urbanized areas of the County to be adjacent to similar
development and not by or on prime farmland more than a 1/2 mile away
from suitable roads and services for development.
o Review development policies and practices to encourage notifying drainage

districts of proposed developments to make sure drainage areas aren’t
negatively affected.
o Acceptance of this Comprehensive Plan includes the preference of the Coles

County Board to decline county-wide zoning.
38
County Government Consideration of Above Recommendations (continued)
The following recommendations should be considered by the Coles County Board within the next five
(5) years (continued):
b. Housing
o The County should work with Coles County municipalities with the objective of
creating a “uniform subdivision ordinance” which would incorporate consistent
standards and procedures for subdivisions locating both within and outside
municipal jurisdictions.
o Single Family Housing Rehabilitation Grant funds should be secured by the County
to repair moderate income single family homes to maintain affordable housing stock
for rural residents.
c. Intergovernmental Cooperation
o Coles County Local Government Elected and Appointed Officials should

be encouraged to formalize their intergovernmental planning efforts by meeting
on a regular basis. Key Organizations to coordinate such efforts: Coles County
Alliance Elected Officials, Coles County Alliance Executives Committee, Coles
Together and the Coles County Regional Planning & Development Commission.
o All Coles County Local Governments should strongly support efforts to build
up, improve and utilize GIS mapping technology in a cost-effective and
cooperative manner. It is further recommended that the county-wide GIS utilize
the Staff, Faculty and Students of Eastern Illinois University, Lake Land College
and the Coles County Regional Planning & Development Commission to assist
with regional planning.
o Coles County Local Governments should be encouraged to enter into

Agreements with one another to share assets (equipment and personnel) to more
effectively implement public capital improvement and public services projects.
o Coles County Government should consider restructuring its operations to reflect

modern business practices and to utilize ever changing technologies.
39
County Government Consideration of Above Recommendations (continued)
The following recommendations should be considered by the Coles County Board within the next five
(5) years (continued):
d. Parks, Recreation, Open Space, & Cultural Resources
o Create and maintain a comprehensive, cooperative county park and recreation

plan which includes an inventory of park and open space facilities.
o Create and maintain a web accessible inventory of sites, properties, cemeteries

and buildings having archeological, architectural or historical significance, using
GIS technologies. Utilize appropriate state resources such as the Illinois
Transportation Archeological Program to ensure that development complies with
relevant state and federal statutes (e.g., 20 ILCS 3440 Human Skeletal Remains
Act and 20 ILCS 3420/6 Illinois Historic Resources Protection Act).
o Preserve, relocate, or reuse the historic bridges and other transportation related
structures, such as the Illinois Central Railroad Depot, in Coles County many of
which provide important transportation functions and are an important part of
the economic and cultural history of the county.
40
THE “UNIFIED” COMPRHENSIVE PLANNING APPROACH
In January, 2006, the Cities of Mattoon, Charleston and Oakland recognized, along with Coles
County, that if the “County Community” was to effectively plan for growth, it would have to be
done in a cooperative and unified manner. Accordingly, each of these communities started their
planning efforts in unison with the County. Specifically, Charleston started the process to
update their 1999 Comprehensive Plan, Mattoon began the process of creating a comprehensive
plan in place of the one done about 35 years ago and Oakland started the process of developing a
“Land Use Policy Statement.” To formally recognize and support this cooperative planning
effort, each of the units of local governments approved a Plan intergovernmental agreement
during a two month period in June-July, 2006. Each of the municipalities have created future
land use maps which focus on the areas adjacent to their corporate boundaries.
41
VIII. Coles County Unified Future Land
Use Plan – Unincorporated Area
42
VIII. Coles County Unified Future Land Use Plan – Unincorporated Area
(Future Land Use Maps and Related Narrative)
After carefully reviewing the current land use data, development trends and planning
recommendations, Steering Committee Members, Municipal officials of Mattoon, Charleston
and Oakland and Coles County Regional Planning & Development Commission Staff developed
two (2) future land use maps. These were as follows:
A. Future Land Use Map – Entire County
Given the growth prospects of the County based on past patterns and current trends, the Coles
County future land use map looks very similar to the existing one. The major difference for the
rural area is the anticipated continued growth in single family residential housing in wooded,
hilly terrain areas in the southern tier of townships south of IL Route 16. The “Urban Services
Areas” of the Cities of Charleston and Mattoon are also shown. The developments in this Urban
Services Area are outlined in the second future land use Map.
B. Future Land Use Map – Cities of Mattoon & Charleston Urban Services
Area (“Urban Facilities Area”) Map
The Cities of Mattoon and Charleston have been working cooperatively to define their “Urban
Services Area” (also known as the “Urban Facilities Map”) for the past year. An “Urban Services
Area” is the area which represents the maximum extensions of water, sewer and road
infrastructure to serve areas outside municipal boundaries. For Mattoon and Charleston, the
immediate priority is to serve areas within their legally permitted 1.5 mile extra-territorial
jurisdictions. The more outlying areas probably won’t be served for decades. Nonetheless, this is
the area which can be expected to experience the most concentrated development for the next 50
years.
Please see Map Exhibits 5 and 6, Future Land Use Map – Entire County and Future Land Use -
Urban Services/Facilities Area Map, respectively located at the end of the Plan narrative.
43
44
Introduction
The Transportation Plan Narrative and related Transportation Plan Map were prepared by the
planning and engineering firm of Edwards and Kelcey based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Edwards
and Kelcey has extensive expertise and experience in planning and designing transportation
systems of various kinds. Its predecessor firm, Pflum, Klausmeier and Gehrum, prepared the
1999 Charleston Comprehensive Plan, the 2000 City of Mattoon Strategic Plan and the 2000
Coles County Strategic Plan. Firm staff therefore has extensive knowledge of the transportation
issues affecting Coles County, Illinois.
Background
There are 1,424 miles of highways, roads and streets within Coles County, including 157 miles
under jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Transportation and 1,267 miles under the
jurisdiction of localities (County, Township, Municipal).
The Transportation Plan classifies these roadways by function to indicate those that are of
importance to serve the mobility needs of the entire community as contrasted to those that
provide local access to properties as a primary function:
Classification Function
Interstate Highway : A network of routes that provide high quality service for
long distance trips with access only at interchanges.
US and State Highways : A network of routes that serve trips within the state and
region with a minimum number of intersections and
driveways.
Major County Roads : A network of roads that connect the communities

within the county, and extend into neighboring counties
with spacing consistent with current and expected land
uses. These roads should be paved and maintained at a
high and consistent standard.
Minor County Roads : A network of roads that connect smaller communities

with spacing consistent with current and expected land
uses. These roads should be paved and maintained at a
consistent standard.
Local County Roads : A network of roads whose primary function is to serve

adjacent properties. These roads should have a well
maintained oil/gravel surface at a minimum.
45
IX. Transportation Plan (continued)
Background (continued)
This functional classification system can serve as a reference for state and local officials who are
responsible for preparing long range plans and annual programs for construction and
maintenance.
The Transportation Plan for the County is intended to be compatible with the plans of the cities
and towns. Extensions of the County system through the cities are intended to coincide with City
thoroughfare plans which have been prepared independently and in more detail by those entities.
When viewed as a system, the Transportation Plan provides a framework to serve current and
expected land use and traffic patterns. For instance, the designated Major County Roads
(CR 250 N, CR 200 E, CR 1000 N and Lerna Road) define a perimeter system around Mattoon to
serve that City.
Transportation System Connectivity
The Transportation Plan also provides connectivity between and among the various
communities within the County. Examples of several proposed roadway extensions are
illustrated that would improve the road system’s continuity thus improving connectivity.
These are as follows:
• CR 1500 N from CR2000 E to CR 2400 E (Note: Bridge would have to be constructed at the Embarras
River)
• CR 1400 N from 900 E (just east of I-57) to IL Route 130 (2 segments)
• CR 1200 N between 1100 E to IL Rte 130
• 2400 E from just south of the Village of Ashmore to Westfield Road
The long range objective should be to acquire right-of-way, construct missing segments,
construct bridges where needed and upgrade the entire length to provide connectivity and
continuity across the north central part of the County.
See Map Exhibit 7 Transportation Plan Map located at the end of the Plan narrative.
While not urgent, the above described extensions should be considered as opportunities arise.
In addition to the foregoing, road improvements are needed in and around the City of Oakland.
Northeast of the City has been identified as the site of a large coal/bio-diesel fuel plant. Road
upgrades are also envisioned west/northwest of the City of Mattoon which is a finalist for the
FutureGen “state of the art” coal powered electric utility plant.
The framework objective of major county roads is to provide north/south and east/west
connectivity and continuity. Of particular importance is the CR 1000 N proposed upgrade
between Charleston and Mattoon which will interchange with I-57 (see Exhibit 7,
Transportation Plan Map for proposed improvements). Careful attention should be given to the
cooperative planning of roadway improvements and development projects along this corridor.
46
Access Control
The roadway system is a valuable public asset. It is good public policy to ensure that the current
and future safety, operational integrity, and value of the system are not jeopardized by the
development of abutting land.
Many states and localities have adopted standards and ordinances to regulate the spacing between
driveways, their sizes, their geometric configurations, and their materials of construction. These
standards and ordinances are usually related to the functional classification of the roadway and
the land use being served. For instance, major roads with high volumes of traffic should have
driveways spaced farther apart than driveways along local roads. Commercial drives that will
accommodate trucks and high numbers of automobiles should be constructed to
a higher standard than residential driveways.
These standards and ordinances are typically administered through integrated approvals of
driveway permits, rezoning requests, and subdivisions.
It is expected that the new interchange of I-57/CR 1000 N will result in immediate development
pressures nearby and eventual development along other portions. CR 1000 N connects the
industrial developments north of Charleston and north of Mattoon with I-57. It will be good
stewardship of the public investment in the interchange to preserve safety and operational
integrity of it and CR 1000 N through various regulatory measures that may be available. It is
recommended therefore that an integrated driveway permit process be explored to promote transportation safety
and facilitate development in accordance with the Plan future land use maps.
47
Transportation Recommendations – Coles County Comprehensive Plan Steering

Committee
In addition to the above transportation section as prepared by Edwards and Kelcey, the
Coles County Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee came up with a number of
transportation related recommendations. These are as follows:
1. Encourage re-establishment of commercial air service utilizing

recently developed technology, as need occurs.
2. Develop future rail-spur to aid in industrial development, as demand

requires.
3. Encourage Coles County’s Dial-A-Ride service to expand

hours of service, as demand requires.
4. Evaluate the need for a fixed-route type of transportation system along

Route 16 between Charleston and Mattoon.
5. The County Transportation Plan should give consideration to:

 Building new arterial and collector routes and/or widening existing routes
that will improve connectivity.
 Environmentally sensitive / scenic roadway design.
 Improving traffic safety roadway signs, signals and barriers, especially at
railroad crossings.
 Bicycle routes and related bicycle route amenities.
 Trails and greenways
Transportation Plan Summary
In sum, the overall approach of this Transportation Plan is to outline some suggestions to facilitate
improved traffic circulation patterns and highlight the need for intergovernmental cooperation to
develop a detailed transportation improvement program. This is especially true of the proposed I-
57/1000N Interchange now under construction. In particular, a common development approach
for this Interchange will require the close cooperation of the local governments of Coles County,
Mattoon and Charleston.
48
49
Coles County stands at a crossroad. On the one hand, the County’s recent “flat to declining
population pattern” gives one pause. On the other hand, the County’s development potential
is strong as demonstrated by recent and significant investment opportunities proposed by
both existing and new industries. The County’s higher institutions of learning, Eastern
Illinois University and Lake Land College, give the County a competitive edge which few
Counties the size of Coles can match.
This comprehensive plan identifies key data, details its existing land use, summarizes various
land use legislative tools, points to what future land use patterns will look like for the next
two decades, and perhaps most importantly, lays out a series of recommendations for the
Coles County government and its municipal partners to implement. Some can be
implemented within the next five years at relatively little cost. Others may take up to a
decade to implement. In view of this, it’s recommended that this Comprehensive Plan be looked at every
year to identify changes and be formally updated every five (5) years. To accomplish this, it is recommended
that a Plan “Steering Committee” consisting of representatives of the County, Mattoon, Charleston, Oakland,
Ashmore, Humboldt and Lerna as well as other public/private sector representatives be appointed by the Coles
County Board to this Committee.
Critical to carrying out the outlined recommendations of this Plan is public sector
cooperation. This is best done through long-term Intergovernmental Agreements between
Coles County, the Cities of Mattoon, Charleston and Oakland as well as the Villages of
Ashmore, Humboldt and Lerna. Through a common development vision and effective
intergovernmental cooperation, issues which go beyond government boundaries or are
burdensome to individual governments can be fully addressed while saving significant costs
thus providing for a prosperous future for current and future Coles County residents.
50
COLES COUNTY IL 2006 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
MAP EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1 Existing Transportation Map

Exhibit 2 Current Land Use Map
Exhibit 3 Land Use Impact “Scenarios” Map
Exhibit 4 Policy Areas Map
Exhibit 5 Future Land Use Map – Entire County
Exhibit 6 Future Land Use Map – Urban
Services/Urban Facilities Area
Exhibit 7 Transportation Plan Map
51
Coles County Transportation
Exhibit 1
Oakland
State Highway 133
State Highway 130

ad
ilr o
Ra
Humboldt Il l i n ois
rn
s te
Ea
New
Interchange Ashmore
State Highway 49
St
a
-
Ca te
H ig h
n ad
ia wa
nN y1
at 21
io n
al
Ra
il ro
ad
Mattoon State Highway 16 Charleston
Legend
Municipal Boundaries
Roads
Streams
ad
Railroads
ail ro
R
Transportation Routes
na l
a t io
Lerna
nN
Road_Name
ad ia
1000 NORTH
Ca n
STATE HIGHWAY
INTERSTATE
U.S. HIGHWAY
Source: Coles County GIS
COLES COUNTY CURRENT LAND USE Coles County
Map Exhibit 2 Land Use Classification

Single Family Residential
Mobile Home - Stand Alone
Duplex
Multi-Family
Mobile Home Park
Farm Home-Site
General Commercial
Recycling
Air Transportation
Railroad
Bus Transportation
Trucking
Telecommunications
Utilities
Landfills
Historic Site - Public
Auto Race Track
Golf Course
Park
University/College
Government Building Site
Medical Facility
Church
Cemetery
Non-Profit Use
Construction Contractor
Mining/Extraction
Farm Crops
Farmstead Outbuildings
Agri-Business
Livestock
Woodlands
Road Right of Way
Brushland
Water
Within City Boundary
5
Map Completed by: Coles
County Regional Planning
and Development Commission
COLES COUNTY LAND USE IMPACT SCENARIO MAP - MAP EXHIBIT 3
Comprehensive Plan Meeting
March 8, 2005 Oakland
5
2
2 7
5
2 2 10
2
4 3 7 3
Humboldt
7
3
ad
a ilro
is R
I llino
5 er n
st
6 Ea
New
Interchange
8
4
6
11 2 3 Ashmore
66
8 5 3
5 10 4
10 5 8 10 10
87 3
7 3 7 6 213
5 6
1 6 62 3 8 2
81 10 10
10 10
5
3 10
Mattoon 6 88
5
8
5 10
7
Charleston
1 4 5
3 73
62
6 1 1
1
4
2
7
10 Key to Features
10
3 Roads
2
Water Lines
Railroad
o ad
Streams
4 4 County Boundary
a ilr
7 5 36 Township Boundary
R
2 7 Corporate Boundary
2
na l
5 8 Circle Type
a tio
Manufacturing
4
4 LG Dairy Farm
2
nN
7
· 7 Retail Distrib
ad ia
MFG Housing
Improved 1000 North
Lerna
Can
6
10
8 5 7
8
Coles County
COLES COUNTY FUTURE LAND USE Land Use Classification

Exhibit 5 Single Family Residential
Duplex
Multi-Family
Mobile Home Park
Farm Home-Site
General Commercial
Recycling
Air Transportation
Railroad
Bus Transportation
Trucking
Telecommunications
Utilities
Landfills
Auto Race Track
Golf Course
Park
Mattoon Urban Facilities Area Charleston Urban Facilities Area University/College
Medical Facility
Church
Cemetery
Non-Profit Use
Mining/Extraction
Farm Crops
Agri-Business
Livestock
Woodlands
Road Right of Way
Brushland
Water
Rural Residential_Growth
Urban Facilities Development Area
Corporate Boundaries
5
Coles County Urban Facilities Areas with Land Use - Map Exhibit 6
Legend
Charleston's Corp Boundary
Corporate Limit Line Mattoon's Corp Boundary

Charleston's 1.5 Mile Boundary
Mattoon's 1.5 Mile Boundary
Urban Facilities Development Area
Development Type
Mattoon Urban Facilities Area Charleston Urban Facilities Area Industry

Retail
Rural Residential Growth
Airport
Land Use Classification

Duplex
Multi-Family
Mobile Home Park
Farm Home-Site
General Commercial
Recycling
Air Transportation
Railroad
Bus Transportation
Trucking
Telecommunications
Utilities
Landfills
Auto Race Track
Golf Course
Park
University/College
Medical Facility
Church
Cemetery
Non-Profit Use
Mining/Extraction
Farm Crops
Agri-Business
Livestock
Woodlands
Road Right of Way
Brushland
Water
5
CR 2400 E
Coles County Transportation Plan - Map Exhibit 7 CR 2050 N
5 40 E
Legend
®
With Future Land Use
CR 2
Coles County
SR 133 Land Use Classification
Oakland Mobile Home - Stand Alone
CR 280 E
Duplex
CR 2000 E
Multi-Family
SR 130
Mobile Home Park
CR 2400 E
Farm Home-Site
General Commercial
Recycling
Air Transportation
CR 300 E
Humboldt Railroad
Bus Transportation
CR 1500 N CR 1500 N Rardin
Trucking
Telecommunications
Bushton
45
Utilities
CR 1400 N
Cooks Mills Landfills
US
Fairgrange
Auto Race Track
Golf Course
Park
CR 1200 N CR 1200 N
16
University/College
SR
CR 2180 E
I - 57
CR 400 E
Medical Facility
SR 49
Church
Ashmore Cemetery
CR 1000 N CR 1000 N Non-Profit Use
CR 2400 E
CR 1800 E
14th St
CR 700 E
Manufacturing/Mining/Extraction
CR 900 N Loxa Charleston Farm Crops
CR 1100 E
al Tr ail Agri-Business
Mattoon
Dewitt Ave
Matto on - Cha rleston Recr eation
Livestock
Woodlands
Road Right of Way
Brushland
CR 400 E
Water
R d
t at e Within City Boundary
Lake Rd
S
Old
200E
Rural Residential Growth

West field Rd
CR 1100 E
Lerna Rd
Transportation Legend
Hutton Rd
Railroad
Interstate Highway
US / State Highway
Lerna CR 300 N Major County Road
Hutton Existing
CR 250 N
CR 2100 E
E Linc Proposed
oln H
CR 150 E
Lincoln Hwy
wy R d Minor County Road
Existing
CR 100 N
Proposed
Etna
Local County Road
Trilla Janesville Recreational Trail

Airport

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CO LES CO UN TY

CO MPREHEN SIVE PLA N

Prepared by Coles County Regional

In November of 2004, a 23 Member Coles County Comprehensive Plan “Steering Committee”,

Unemployment Rate Table is as follows:

YEAR COLES COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (UR) IL UR USA UR

Jan Dec Jan Dec Jan Dec

Jan May Jan May Jan May

Recommendations/Areas to look to for formal Coles County IL Comprehensive Plan

 Acknowledgement that Coles County’s community and economic development

 It is recommended that a comprehensive review of all Goals, Objectives and

Listing of Steering Committee Members ii

II. History and Regional Setting 5

III. County Profile (i.e., population – current and projected, 7

IV. Current Land Use Patterns 16

V. Summary of IL County Government Land Use Related 18

VI. Public Meetings Summary & Outcomes 23

VII. Policy Areas: Vision Statement, Goals, Objectives and 28

VIII. Coles County Unified Future Land Use Plan – Unincorporated 43

IX. Transportation Plan 45

X. Comprehensive Plan Summary 50

Map Exhibits (located in back of the Plan Narrative)

Exhibit 1 Existing Transportation Map

o Future land development along the proposed I-57 Interchange

The Plan is organized into the following components:

II. History and Regional Setting

III. County Profile (i.e., population – current and projected, employment

IV. Current Land Use Patterns

VI. Public Meetings Summary & Outcomes

VII. Policy Areas: Vision Statement, Goals, Objectives and Recommendations

IX. Transportation Plan

X. Comprehensive Plan Summary

What is a Comprehensive Plan?

 The key component of a comprehensive plan is the land use plan.

Reasons Coles County IL Needs a Comprehensive Plan

 Future land development along the proposed I-57 Interchange

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee

Steering Committee Roles

o The Steering Committee helps to develop Comprehensive Plan components.

History and Regional Setting

Coles County Illinois - Key Events In Its History

o Coles County established in 1830

Coles County Illinois - Climate & Topography

Major elements of Coles County’s existing transportation system are as follows:

 Interstates: Interstate 57 (Interstate 70 is located just south of the

Note: There are no navigable waterways

Coles County U.S. Census

Source: 1980, 1990, 2000 U.S. Census

Age & Gender For Coles County

Popula tio Ma le Fe ma le 17& Unde r18-64 65 & Ove r Me dia n Age

25,387 27,809 10,477 35,652 7,067

53,196 47.72% 52.28% 19.70% 67.02% 13.28% 30.8

Age & Gender For Ashmore

Popula tio Ma le Fe ma le 17& Unde 18-64 65 & Ove r Me dia n Age

395 414 234 487 88

809 48.83% 51.17% 28.92% 60.20% 10.88% 33.9

Age & Gender For Charleston

Popula tio Ma le Fe ma le 17& Unde r18-64 65 & Ove r Me dia n Age

9,781 11,258 2,898 16,103 2,038

21,039 46.49% 53.51% 13.77% 76.54% 9.69% 22.7

Age & Gender For Humboldt

Popula tio Ma le Fe ma le 17& Unde 18-64 65 & Ove r Me dia n Age

229 252 132 291 58

481 47.61% 52.39% 27.44% 60.50% 12.06% 33.1