LAND USE PLAN TABLE OF CONTENTS

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF LAND USE PLAN AND MAP

TO:   McHenry County Recorder

	         The Township of Seneca, County of McHenry, Illinois herby gives notice of
the adoption of a Land Use Plan and Map by the Township of Seneca.  The Plan shall
become effective upon the expiration of ten days after the date of filing of this 
notice.  The official Plan and Map were adopted via Resolution of the Seneca Township
Board of Trustees on January 9, 2001.

RESOLUTION

To accept and approve the Seneca Township Land Use Plan and Mapas developed and presented by the 
Seneca Township Planning Commission.

	WHEREAS, the Seneca Township Board of Trustees, guided by the Illinois Complied 
Statute, Chapter 60, in 1998 established the Seneca Township Planning Commission;

	WHEREAS, the Seneca Township Planning Commission, directed by the Township Board 
of Trustees, developed a Land Use Plan and Map for the Township of Seneca;

	WHEREAS, said Land Use Plan and Map were presented to the Public and the Township Board of 
Trustees for review at a duly published Hearing on September 12, 2000 where those members of the board and the 
public desiring to be heard in support or opposition to the Land Use Plan and Map were afforded an opportunity 
to make comment thereon;

	NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the Seneca Township Board of Trustees, 
McHenry County Illinois, as follows:

    

  • Section 1:	The Seneca Township Land Use Plan and Map be and herby is adopted as official Land Use Plan 
of the Township of Seneca, subject to the conditions set forth herein, and the official map depicting the 
planning jurisdiction of the Township is specifically adopted and approved;


  • Section 2:	The Comprehensive Plan and map shall become effective upon the expiration of ten days 
after the date of filing notice of adoption of the Land Use Plan with the Recorder of McHenry County.  
Copies shall also be placed on file with the McHenry County Clerk and the McHenry County Planning Department.


  • Section 3:	The official Land Use Plan and Map and this Ordinance shall be placed on file with the 
Township Clerk and shall be available for public inspection.  Copies of the Plan, all Ordinances implementing 
it, and the official map shall be made available to all interested parties upon payment of the sum that the 
Township Board may, from time to time, determine is adequate to reimburse the general fund of the township 
for the costs of printing and distributing the same.  


  • Section 4:	This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval 
in accordance with law.  

		Township Board elected and qualified to vote:		5
		AYES: Bartman, Frohling, Zielinski, Spiniolas and Schuster
		NAYS: None
DATED, at Woodstock, Illinois on this nineth day of January, AD, 2001.


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Seneca Township Board of Trustees
    

  • Ersel Schuster, Supervisor

  • Rosemary Bartman

  • Larry Frohling

  • James Spiniolas

  • Henry Zielinski

Seneca Township Planning Commission
    

  • Pat Andrews, Chairman

  • Haskell Brown

  • Eleanor Gerloff

  • Dan Murphy

  • Tom Wilbeck



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PREFACE
	
Illinois Compiled Statues, Chapter 60, gives townships the right to develop comprehensive plans through 
township plan commissions.  Seneca Township began this process in 1998 by establishing the Seneca Township 
Planning Commission.

The Seneca Township Land Use Plan is a general guide for land use and development in the township.  The 
Plan is a policy document and does not directly regulate the use of land in the Township.  The Plan is 
generally implemented through the application of ordinances such as the McHenry County Zoning Board of 
Appeals and the Zoning Ordinance should be referenced to determine allowable land uses and zoning requirements 
for properties located within Seneca Township.  The Land Use Plan does not preclude and individual from 
requesting zoning changes for properties located within the Township.  However, a zoning request, which is 
not in conformity with the adopted Seneca Township Land Use Plan, may require an extraordinary majority for 
approval by the McHenry County Board.  Therefore, the Plan should be used as a guide for potential land use 
changes and associated zoning requests in Seneca Township.

In 1993 the McHenry County Board adopted the McHenry County Land Use Plan:  Year 2010 Update (“2010 Plan”).  
The purpose of the 2010 Plan is to provide a guide for development and land use in the County.  The McHenry 
County 2010 Plan Township Land Use Plan adopts the 2010 Plan objectives and goals.  However, the Seneca 
Township Land Use Plan relates to a smaller area than the 2010 Plan and thus is more detailed in addressing 
land uses in the township.

In preparation for the development of the Seneca Township Land Use Plan the Township Plan Commission 
developed a land use survey for township residents and property owners.  The survey was sent to over 800 
mailing addresses.  A copy of the resident land use survey and the survey results are included as part of 
the Seneca Township Land Use Plan.  The resident land use survey formed a basis for future land use goals, 
objectives and designations contained in the Land Use Plan.  Both the Township Planning Commission and 
Township Board wish to thank all who participated in the resident land use survey.

The Plan is to be used as a whole; no one part is meant to be used alone.  The Land Use Plan provides for 
the orderly development of land uses in the Township.  Without the Plan, piece meal development could occur 
in an appropriate manner and location, which could cause land use conflicts.  Development consistent with 
the Plan will be in harmony with the character of Seneca Township and enhance the existing as well as the 
future land uses in the Township.     

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A BRIEF HISTORY OF SENECA TOWNSHIP

Seneca Township was first settled by European-Americans in 1835 and officially became a township in 1850.  
The township was named for the Seneca Indians in New York State, where many of the early settlers were from.

The north and south branches of the Kishwaukee River run through the township, joining in the southwest 
quadrant and continuing to flow westward.  Kishwaukee is an Indian name meaning “clear waters” or “the place 
of sycamores.”  The township land can generally be described as gently rolling and productive.  However, 
early in the 1800’s the west side was heavily timbered, thus providing good hardwood for buildings and fuel 
for area residents.

Originally Seneca Township had no towns located within its boundaries.  At one time, Franklinville boasted 
several stores, a school, and post office (called Belden).  At that time there was hope for growth in 
Franklinville, but when the railroad came to McHenry Coutny it went to Union first, thereby discouraging the 
growth of Franklinville.  At present, portions of the township that have some subdivision housing are annexed 
to the towns of Marengo and Woodstock.  There are also small clusters of houses throughout the township, as 
well as many five, ten and twenty acre lots with houses.

In Seneca Township, as in so many areas in the county, there were once many cheese factories, pickle factories, 
and a saw mill.  At one time there were seven schools in the township.  Now, due to consolidation, there is only 
one school (Westwood Elementary).  There are two cemeteries:  the “pioneer cemetery” on South Street Road and 
another on Franklinville Road, believed to be the first in the township.  Seneca Township’s first church, now 
a private residence, still stands next to this cemetery.

Although Seneca Township is still considered a very productive agricultural area, one major change over the 
years has been the loss of dairy farms.  At one time virtually every farm had a milk producing dairy herd.  
At present, there are only three dairy farms in the township that market milk.

Thus far, Seneca Township has enjoyed a high quality of life, maintaining reasonable rates of growth and 
careful use of land resources.  Stewardship of the land is vitally important in any society, whatever its 
size.  A sound land use plan can preserve for future generations the quality of life that Seneca Township 
residents now enjoy.  

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GEOLOGY OF SENECA TOWNSHIP

Seneca Township was formed hundreds of millions of years ago when the geology of the area was primarily 
igneous and metamorphic rocks.  During this same time period the region was covered by water forming shallow 
inland seas.  Many forms of fossil life were formed such as limestone.  Over this time a large gradual 
depression known as a geosyncline formed boundaries from Illinois-Indiana to the western part of Nebraska.  
The valley formed by this large depression had a depth of 4 to 5 miles.

About 4 million years ago a series of land glaciers came down from central Canada to transform the area we 
call the Mid-West.  Most of the rich soils and rock of Canada were stripped away by these land glaciers and 
brought to this area.  These million year glacial period four successive glaciers moved down to the Mid-West.  
The last glacial movement was 10,000 years ago.  These continental glaciers were 10,000 feet thick.  Because 
of their thickness and weight they acted as a large bulldozer and filled low areas and made the central plains 
flat.  The action of these glaciers created the richest farmland in the world, including significant areas of 
land in McHenry County and Seneca Township.

The soils in Seneca Township consist of over one hundred different soil types.  Of these various soil types 
there are six major soil groups that make up the majority of the soils found in the township.

    

  1. Group 27 – Miami Series
The Miami soil group consists of deep well-drained soils formed in loess and the underlying glacial till 
on uplands.  The surface layer is dark brown silt loam about 4 inches thick.  The subsoil is dark yellowish 
brown silty clay loam and clay loam in upper 22 inches, dark brown loam in lower 5 inches.  The substratum 
is brown loam.  Slopes range from 0 to 60 percent.  This soil is most suitable for use as cropland, pastureland 
and woodland.
 

  2. Group 79 – Dakota Series
The Dakota soil group consists of well drained soils formed in loamy deposits and the underlying sandy deposits 
on glacial out wash plains, stream terraces and valley trains.  The surface soil is very dark brown and very dark 
grayish brown loam about 14 inches thick.  The subsoil is dark yellowish brown and brown loam in the upper 12 
inches, brown sandy loam in the next 4 inches and brown loamy sand in the lower 5 inches.  The substratum is dark 
yellowish brown sand.  Slopes range from 0 to 18 percent.  This soil group is most suitable for use as cropland.  


  3. Group 149 – Brenton Series
The Brenton soil gorup consists of somewhat poorly drained soils formed in loess or silty sediments and in the 
underlying loamy out wash in out wash plains and terraces.  The surface layer is black and very dark gray silt 
loam that is 16 inches thick.  The subsoil is brown and dark yellowish brown silty clay loam that is 37 inches 
thick.  The substratum is mixed brownish yellow and light gray stratified silt loam.  Slopes range from 0 to 43 
percent.  This soil group is most suitable for use as cropland.
 

  4. Group 219 – Millbrook Series
The Millbrook soil group consists of somewhat poorly drained soils formed in silty over loamy sediments on out 
wash plains, terraces, and fans.  The surface layer is very dark grayish brown silt loam about 7 inches thick.  
The subsurface layer is dark grayish brown silt loam that is 7 inches thick.  The mottled subsoil is yellowish 
brown and gray silty clay loam in the upper 30 inches and gray and yellowish brown stratified clay loam and sandy 
loam in the lower 11 inches.  The substratum is stratifies sandy loam and loam.  Slopes range from 0 to 5 percent.  
This soil is most suitable for use as cropland.


  5. Group 224 – Strawn Series
The Strawn soil group consists of soils that are well drained formed in glacial till or uplands.  The surface 
layer is dark grayish brown silt loam that is 4 inches thick.  The subsoil is brown and dark brown loam and clay 
loam that is 15 inches thick.  The substratum is yellowish brown loam.  Slopes range from 2 to 60 percent.  This 
soil is most suitable for use as cropland.


  6. Group 265 – Lomax Series
The Lomax soil group consists of well drained soils formed in alluvial and out was materials on terraces and 
uplands.  The subsoil is dark brown sandy loam in the upper 11 inches and strong brown stratified sand and sandy 
loam in the lower 9 inches.  The substratum is yellowish brown sand.  Slopes range from 0 to 5 percent.  This 
soil is most suitable for use as cropland.

As can be seen from the above listing of soil groups and their properties, the majority of the soils located 
in Seneca Township are well suited to agricultural production. 

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LAND USE GOALS, STRATEGIES AND POLICIES

    

  1. Goals
The Land Use Plan goals are the foundation of the Plan from which policy directives 
are developed.  The policies are then used to implement the goals through ordinances, 
regulations, laws, and education.  The goals recognize the need to obtain a balance 
between accommodating a broad range of human activities, quality of life, and preserving 
the environment and natural resources.  The main objective of the Land Use Plan is to 
encourage orderly growth in areas immediately adjacent to subdivisions or 
municipalities, while at the same time preserving contiguous agricultural 
areas and large open spaces.

      

    1. Agricultural uses.  Maintain where possible a wide variety of agricultural 
uses within the Township and avoid conflicts between agriculture and other potential 
uses of the land.

    2. Natural Resources.  Protect and restore prime agricultural soils, groundwater, 
wetlands, woodlands, natural areas, fish and wildlife habitat, threatened and endangered 
species, and the water quality of the township’s rivers, ponds and streams.  Prevent 
dramatic grade changes and draining or excavation of natural springs and potholes.  
Encourage renewal of oak, hickory and maple woodstands.  Also to encourage the preservation 
of other natural resources within Seneca Township.

    3. Historic and cultural features.  Protect historic, unique and cultural features 
in the township, including early settlements, cemeteries, farmsteads, buildings, bridges, 
native woodlands and other remnants of native vegetation.  Encourage creative reuse of 
existing structures.

    4. Economic development.  Allow commercial, light industrial and recreations 
development within the Township that maintains or enhances the rural character of the 
area, diversifies the property tax base, and does not put a burden on township roads or services.

    5. Transportation systems.  Maintain the smooth flow of traffic on major 
arterial and township roads, prevent new highways or roadways that encourage premature 
development, and encourage developmental of alternative forms of transportation such 
as bicycle trails and equestrian trails.

    6. Drainage systems.  Maintain existing drainage systems and properly manage 
storm water to avoid damaging, overloading or clogging natural and artificial waterways.

    7. Residential development.  Protect the rural character of the Township and 
the county.  Plan developments in areas where such developments would not advesely 
impact quality of life or natural resources.

    8. Fiscal responsibility.  Assure that new developments does not place an 
undue burden on roads, public services, schools and taxpayers in the Township.

    9. Intergovernmental cooperation.  Pursue intergovernmental coordination 
and communication with other public and private agencies and organizations involved 
with planning for the use of land in the Township, including the county, other townships, 
municipalities, regional planning commission and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

    10. Unique features.  Maintain the unique features and special character of Seneca 
Township.  The unique features include the following:

        

      1. Rural vistas

      2. Prairie, fens and other natural features

      3. No heavy industry

      4. No conspicuous lighted signage

      5. Headwaters of the Kishwaukee River and other streams and waterways
    

  2. Strategy
Seneca Township is a unique area made up of mostly agricultural land and rural land uses.  
This Plan calls for the maintenance and enhancement of its existing character.  
The Township does not currently have a Primary Urban Center, Primary Rural Center, 
or a Secondary Node.  The majority of future development should be located 
in the established municipalities of Woodstock, Marengo and Union. 


  3. Specific Land Use Policy Directives

      

    1. General Planning Policy Directives

        

      1. Avoid impairing existing agricultural uses.

      2. Adhere to the maximum extent possible with any recommendations provided by the 
McHenry County Soil & Water Conservation District in any Natural Resources Inventory 
Report prepared for the particular parcel of property.
      3. Adhere to any watershed 
protection recommendations in the Kishwaukee River Watershed Plan.
      4. Avoid impacts to 
existing streams, wetlands, ponds, or prairie remnants, which do not result in a demonstrable 
environment enhancement of the impacted re-source.

      5. Avoid development within mature oak or hickory woodlands or require property forestry management.

      6. Provide an ecologically appropriate buffer strip between any portions of a given 
parcel to be developed and any existing streams, wetlands and ponds.

      7. Incorporate any and all State of Illinois practices related to storm water management, surface 
and groundwater protection, soil erosion and sediment control, and non-point pollution control.

      8. Minimize grading impacts to the existing topography.

      9. Minimize visual impacts to the natural and rural vistas of Seneca Township.

      10. Minimize the use of exterior lighting and signage.

      11. Maximize functional open space areas.

      12. Facilitate the restoration and management of native plant communities.

      13. Development in floodplains and environmentally sensitive areas is to be avoided.

      14. Development in severe or very several soil for septic disposal is to be avoided.

      15. Intergovernmental discussions and agreements are encouraged.

      16. No new development should be permitted to increase water runoff into any developed 
area which is located in a hollow or similar area which does not have a drainage outlet.  
Adequate multi-purpose water retention areas must be provided.

      

    2. Residential Land Use

        

      1. Substantially all residential development is encouraged to occur within or 
adjacent to existing residential areas.

      2. Timely development is promoted by encouraging the infilling of existing 
potentially buildable platted lots in existing subdivisions.

      3. Sufficient acreage should be planned within appropriate density categories to 
ensure timely and orderly development, to maximize contiguous managed open space in a 
well balance proportion of open space to private lots, streets and buildings, and to 
maintain the unique features of Seneca Township.

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PROFILE OF SENECA TOWNSHIP

Area, Housing and Population

Seneca Township encompasses approximately 36 square miles or 23,040 acres.  Based 
on the 2010 county land use projections, of this acreage number approximately 1.335 
acres will be residential, 10 acres of land will be used for light industry, 190 acres 
will be incorporated in municipalities.  Based upon the county projections over 91 
percent of Seneca Township is anticipated to remain in agricultural use.

From 1990 to 1998, approximately 169 building permits (primarily for residential 
construction) were issued by McHenry County.  In 1990 the census counted 729 housing 
units in Seneca Township.  It is estimated that in 1998 approximately 898 housing 
units were located in the township representing an increase of 23%.

In the 1980 census the population for Seneca Township totaled 2,065 persons. In 
the 1990 census the township population equaled 2,229 persons.  The change from 
1980 to 1990 equaled 164 persons for a 7.9 percent population change. The Northeastern 
Illinois Planning Commission projected the Township’s 1998 population at 2,742 persons.  
The projected population increase represented additional 513 persons for a 23 percent 
increase in total population.  The Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission projects the 
Township’s population to increase to 3,3361 persons by 2020 for a total change from 
1990 of 1,132 persons or 50 percent.  Given the land use goals stated previously it is 
anticipated that the majority of the increased population and housing units will be 
located within existing municipalities, in existing subdivsions from infill activity or 
adjacent to existing residential developments.

Seneca Township is bordered on the East by Sunnyside Road then along a line North 
to Hartland Township and South to Coral Township; on the North by a line approximately 
3/4 of a mile north of Kishwaukee Valley Road; on the West by Deerpass Road from 
Route 176 North to Hartland Township then South approximately one mile south of Route 176 
through the City of Marengo to Coral Township; and on the South by Highbridge and O’Cock 
Roads along a line East to Dorr Township and West to Marengo Township.

Within Seneca Township are portions of the City of Marengo and the City of 
Woodstock. Illinois State Route 176 is the major east-west route through the 
Township, with Kishwaukee Valley road serving as a secondary east-west route.  
There is no uninterrupted north-south route in the Township, although 
Franklinville Road runs from Route 176 to Kishwaukee Valley Road.

Continuing development in Marengo and Woodstock will serve to increase traffic along Route 176, 
Kishwaukee Valley Road and Franklinville Road.  An uninterrupted north-south road through the 
township needs to be considered.

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Agricultural Land Use

The Majority of land use within Seneca Township is for agricultural purposes. The development 
of residential, commercial, and industrial areas within Seneca must respect this primary land use 
category.  The type and character of residential development adjacent to farmland must take account 
of the differing needs of each occupancy.

Land deemed unsuitable for agricultural uses may be considered for residential development.  
It is possible that existing productive agricultural land may be sold by the owners to developers 
intent on using this for residential or other land uses not consistent with the highest and best 
use of the land.  This must be discouraged.  This land use plan recognizes that agricultural 
landowners may wish to leave agri-business and turn their land over to developers.  To the greatest 
extent possible, the Township and County should work with property owners to develop a land use 
scheme that will be appropriate for the property owner, the township and the county.

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Residential Land Use

Outside of Woodstock, Marengo, and Union, the primary non-agricultural land use within the 
Township is single family residential.  Most of the single family residential are large lot 
(one acre or greater) and rural (5 acres to 20 acres).

Future residential development should focus on expanding out form the established municipalities 
of Woodstock, Marengo and Union.  This type of growth will allow for the controlled expansion of 
city services (police, fire, health and human services) in an orderly and logical manner.  If 
development must occur within the center of the township then extensive engineering studies must 
be undertaken to demonstrate adequate sanitary, fresh water, traffic, storm runoff and emergency 
service capacity to serve the proposed development.

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Industrial and Commercial Land Use

Outside of the municipalities of Woodstock, Marengo and Union there is no industrial or 
commercial (other than agri-business and earth extraction) land use within the township.

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Recreational and Conservation Land Use
		
At this time there is limited conservation and recreational land uses within the Township.  
Although the Kishwaukee River has significant presence within the Township, opportunities 
for recreation are limited.  Existing landowners should be encouraged to plan conservation 
area “se-asides” prior to selling their property.  Such set asides could be established by 
deed restrictions or other conservation methods.

The McHenry County Conservation District should be encouraged to invest in the Township 
by identifying and purchasing environmentally sensitive or important land areas that reflect 
the unique ecological character of the County.  It is incumbent upon the Land Use Plan to 
actively involve the Conservation District in any large scale planning opportunities.

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Aesthetics

It is to the benefit of all property owners that property within the township reflect an 
appearance of proper maintenance and aesthetics.  Proper maintenance of property will assist 
in maintaining and enhancing property values and the township quality of life.

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PROPOSED LAND USE CHANGE CHECKLIST

To the greatest extent possible, the following checklist should be used when evaluating proposed 
land use changes within the Township.  This checklist will apply regardless of the type of land use 
change requested, i.e. conditional use, change in zoning, variation, etc.

  1. Is the proposed land use change beneficial to the general health, safety, 
and welfare of the township residents in the immediate area of the change and to the general 
population of the Township?

  2. Will the proposed land use change constitute an “entering wedge” of incompatible use and 
be detrimental to adjacent property owners?

  3. Will the proposed land use change isolate an existing land use?

  4. Will the proposed land use change produce pollution or other unwanted nuisances that can or 
will adversely affect the quality of life for persons adjacent to the land use?

  5. Will the proposed land use change adversely affect adjacent property values?

  6. Will the proposed land use change adversely affect a natural resource of the Township?

  7. Will the proposed land use result in unacceptable changes in vehicular traffic patterns, 
increase congestion, or over burden existing roadways?

  8. Will the proposed land, use change conflict with long term County and Township land use goals?

  9. Is the proposed land use change appropriate to the site selected and not in 
conflict with adjacent properties?

  10. Will the proposed land use change increase surface storm water runoff, contribute to air or 
water pollution, or adversely affect the immediate environment?

  11. Does the proposed land use change use private investment to improve the quality of life in the Township?

  12. Is the proposed land use change in an area where needed services or infra-structure are 
available and of adequate capacity?

  13. Is the proposed land use change unique to an individual landowner to the detriment of the public good?

  14. Is the proposed land use change consistent with the Seneca Township Land Use Plan?

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LAND USE PLAN CATEGORIES

The following listing of land use categories have been used to develop the Seneca Township Land Use Plan.  
The Township Land Use Plan recognizes the land planning done by the incorporated areas of Marengo, 
Union and Woodstock for non-agricultural land uses located within the 1 and 1/2 mile jurisdictional 
planning area of each municipality.

  1. MR = Municipal Residential

  2. MC = Municipal Commercial

  3. MI = Municipal Industrial

    • Definition:  The MR, MC, and MI land use categories represent non-agricultural land uses 
contained in adopted municipal plans and located within the municipality’s one and one-half mile 
jurisdictional planning area.  These land use categories reflect land uses once a property is 
annexed to said municipality.  Until a property is annexed to the adjacent municipality the zoning 
of said property and associated land uses are anticipated to remain unchanged.
    

  4. A = Agriculture

    • Definition:  Large contiguous areas of farmland composed 
predominately of prime agricultural soil types.
    

  5. AR = Agriculture Rural

    • Definition:  Agricultural land, agricultural activities, rural residences and 
privately owned natural areas.  The practice of agriculture remains the primary land use in AR with 
parcel sizes of 5.1 to 20 acres per residence.
    

  6. HDR = High Density Residential (less than 1 acres per dwelling unit)

  7. MDR = Medium Density Residential (1 to 2.9 acres per dwelling unit)

  8. LDR = Low Density Residential (3 to 5 acres per dwelling unit)

  9. C = Commercial

  10. I = Industrial

  11. ESA = Environmentally Sensitive Areas

    • Definition:  Groundwater recharge areas, flood hazard areas, wetlands, natural areas, 
unique geologic features, soils rated severe or very severe for septic systems, public owned parks and 
conservation areas including proposed parks or conservation areas.
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LAND USE SURVEY OF SENECA TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS

	Total Surveys Mailed = 863
	Total Surveys Returned = 130
	% Response = 15%

tr>


  Yes  No No
Response



 I. Farmland Use

   1. Should farm land remain the principle use in Seneca Township?		1061410



   2. Should the township plan to set aside certain areas for this land use?893112



   3. Should McHenry County be allowed to use various real estate techniques

      to purchase farmland or restrict the sale of farmland?		605812



   4. If you agree with item 3, would you still agree if it meant paying more

      taxes to allow for this option?		385339


 



 II. Open Space and Conservation Land Use

   1. Are you in favor of open space and conservation?		932017



   2. Should the amount of public open space be increased?---





   3. What type of open space should be maintained or preserved? (Circle One)


 River CorridorsWetlandsRidgesWoodlandsOther


(Totals are more than total survey responses)494514321



   4. Should McHenry County Conservation District be encouraged to provide corridors

      and linkages to existing open space areas surrounding Seneca Township?			832522


 



 III. Commercial, Industrial Land Use

   1. Are you in favor of designating certain areas in the township for these land uses?		576211



   2. For example, should Route 176 be designated for commercial and/or industrial land use?397318



   3. Should commercial and business areas be annexed to towns or developed
 
      in the township outside of towns?		 In TownOut of Town


(21 no responses) 7633



   4. Should there be a minimum distance between residential and agricultural

      areas and business land uses?		942511


 



 IV. Infrastructure (Roads, highways, utilities, easements, railroads, etc.)

   1. Are you satisfied with the current level of infrastructure?		11299



   2. Should utility expansions be accommodated in existing easements?704614



   3. Should existing roads be expanded?367913



   4. Should new roads be constructed?129622



   5. Should the township plan include roadway locations that benefit the health,

      safety and welfare of the township residents?		742630


 



 V. Recreation

   1. Should residential development be required to dedicate land for public recreational use?		96304



   2. Should areas be designated for bike/pedestrian and/or equestrian paths?94315



   3. Should the township plan provide for a “township center” for
 
      recreational use by all township residents? (A center could contain ball

      fields, playgrounds and picnic areas, etc.)			546016
 



 VI. Residential Land Use

   1. Are you in favor of increasing, maintaining or decreasing the current rate of

      residential developmental in the township? (Circle one)		   


 IncreaseMaintainDecrease


(16 No Responses)155742




   2. Should certain areas be designated for residential land use in the township plan?902614



   3. Should developers be held to an architectural standard to precluded 

      “cookie cutter” and repetitive house styles?		106 16  8



   4. Are you concerned that increased development may cause localized flooding? 92 31  7



   5. Will you support on-site (development specific) storm water retention/detention? 91 18 21



   6. Should residential development be restricted from flood plains as well as flood ways?109 9 12


 


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