City of Cresco’s Comprehensive Plan
The City of Cresco’s Comprehensive Plan is intended to assist local officials and community members as they make future decisions regarding growth, management, and preservation of the community. Cresco’s plan was developed under the guidance of Iowa Smart Planning Legislation SF 2389. Topics the plan covers include housing, economic development, community facilities and infrastructure, natural resources, agricultural resources, land use, and hazards. The plan was updated from 2025 – early 2026, via a series of public and stakeholder engagement opportunities, research on current and projected conditions, identification of local issues and opportunities, and identification of community supported goals and strategies. A copy of the draft 2026 Cresco Comprehensive Plan is shown below:
Draft Comprehensive Plan 2026
Please provide your feedback on the draft 2026 Cresco Comprehensive Plan! Make sure to reference the specific page or section you’d like to share input on. Comments will be accepted & reviewed through Friday May 15th. Thank you!
2025 – 2026 Cresco Comprehensive Plan Update Process
Phase One: Organization and Community Engagement
- Steering Committee Mtg to gather community outreach recommendations, review plan process, discuss involvement, and generate ideas for community survey.
- Community Survey to assess issues and opportunities within the community across plan topics.
- Public Visioning Session to identify strengths and values within the city and to create a vision for the future of Cresco.
Phase Two: Research and Data Collection
- Community Profile created from gathering and analyzing information for each plan element.
- Focus Group Mtgs were held for each topic in the plan, with knowledge experts and steering committee members involved.
Phase Three: Goals, Policies and Implementation
- Draft Goals & Strategies Plan that synthesizes plan information, stakeholder feedback, and other recommendations.
- Goal Setting Open House to present plan information and get feedback on draft goals & strategies for the future.
Phase Four: Plan Finalization
- Draft Plan was created, incorporating public feedback, research and identified goals and strategies.
Phase Five: Review and Adoption
- Planning and Zoning Commission Mtg to review & provide feedback on draft plan, and to recommend plan for council approval.
- Public Review & Comment, plan placed on website, and printed boards available at public locations, with review and comment opportunities for the public.
- Steering Committee Mtg, to review and finalize draft plan.
- City Council Adoption Mtg to review, hear comments on and adopt comprehensive plan.
Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee
Comprehensive planning begins with the formation of a steering committee incorporating representatives with diverse backgrounds and experiences in social, economic, and cultural spheres. Active community members with a keen interest in the future of your community may also like to be involved. And city staff, officials, and commission representation is recommended.
Steering committee members provided information to facilitate a robust planning process, gave feedback on plan data and strategies, and participated in meetings in support of plan objectives.
Focus Groups
Focus groups comprised of Steering Committee members and knowledge experts met to review and discuss plan data. Focus groups helped draw out key issues and opportunities based on their review of the research and community input, and their specific background or interest. This provides an essential step in moving from the data gathering phase to the goal setting phase of the planning process.
Community Meetings:
Opportunities for public engagement in the city’s 2025 comprehensive plan update included a community survey, a public visioning session, a goal setting open house, and the opportunity to review and provide feedback on the draft plan.
Community Survey
A Community Survey was created with the help of the Plan Steering Committee and Cresco staff. The survey was online and received over 300 responses. The survey gathered general information about the community, as well preferences and opinions relevant to the planning process. Review interactive community survey results by clicking on the link below!
Planning Contact
Michelle Barness
Senior Regional Planner
Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission
mbarness@uerpc.org
(563) 419 – 6243