__________________________________
C. E. Molitor

__________________________________
B. A. Leonard

ORDINANCE NO. 3261


AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE “FORD COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 1998” AS AN UPDATE AMENDMENT TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE CITY OF DODGE CITY, KANSAS.

_____________________________________________________________________

WHEREAS, in December, 1998 the joint Ford County Planning Commission recommended approval of the “Ford County
Comprehensive Plan 1998” after a duly advertised public hearing to the Board of Commissioners of Ford County,
Kansas; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Ford County, Kansas in January, 1999 adopted said Comprehensive Plan; and

WHEREAS, the “Ford County Comprehensive Plan 1998” applies to the municipalities within Ford County as well as the
unincorporated areas; and

WHEREAS, on November 16, 1999 the Zoning Board of the City of Dodge City conducted a duly advertised public hearing to
solicit comment on said comprehensive plan; and

WHEREAS, the Zoning Board of the City of Dodge City at the conclusion of said public hearing unanimously recommended
approval to the City Commissioners of the City of Dodge City of the “Ford County Comprehensive Plan 1998” as an
amended update to the City of Dodge City Comprehensive Plan;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF DODGE CITY, KANSAS:

SECTION 1. There is hereby incorporated by reference, for the purposes of guiding public action to ensure
coordinated and harmonious development or redevelopment which will best promote the health, safety, morals, order,
convenience, prosperity, and general welfare as well as wise and efficient expenditure of public funds, an amended
update the City of Dodge City comprehensive plan, entitled ”Ford County Comprehensive Plan 1998,” prepared, compiled,
published and promulgated by the City of Dodge City in code form as that term is defined in K.S.A. 12-3301 ©, such
incorporation by reference being authorized by K.S.A. 12- 3009 through 12-3012. No fewer than three copies of the
”Ford County Comprehensive Plan 1998” shall be marked or stamped “Official Copy as Incorporated by the Code of the
City of Dodge City,” and shall be filed with the City Clerk to be open for inspection and available to the public
during reasonable business hours.

SECTION 2. This Ordinance ‘shall be codified under Chapter XVI, Article 5 (Zoning and Planning, Comprehensive Plan).

SECTION 3. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication in the official City newspaper.

ADOPTED this 7th day of December 1999, by
the governing body of the City of Dodge City, Kansas.

________________________________
Robert Carlson, Vice Mayor

ATTEST:
__________________________
Nannette Pogue, City Clerk

FORD COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 1999

EXISTING CONDITIONS,
TRENDS, AND ISSUES

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

POLICIES AND STRATEGIES

FORD COUNTY, KANSAS
PLANNING COMMISSION

FORD COUNTY, KANSAS

1999 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

EXISTING CONDITIONS, TRENDS, AND ISSUES

POLICIES AND STRATEGIES
CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . 1

EXISTING CHARACTERISTICS AND TRENDS

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

POLICIES AND STRATEGIES

APPENDIX

INTRODUCTION

This document is the first part of a comprehensive plan for Ford County Kansas. Taking 2030 as the project year, this comprehensive planning effort makes recommendations for changes to accommodate the anticipated population growth and resolve problems identified to that focus year.
This document presents the background material and Goals and Objectives. It provides background studies; projects population and land use growth into the future, and identifies issues with the anticipated growth. Planning strategies to accomplish recommended changes will be in a separate document for the convenience of the user.
State statutes govern this comprehensive planning process. The Kansas Statutes Annotated at Section 12-747 stipulates what items are necessary for a valid plan. These are to make comprehensive surveys and studies of past and present conditions and trends relating to:

. Land use
. Population
. Building intensity
. Public facilities
. Transportation facilities
. Economic conditions
. Natural resources
. Other elements as necessary

After the background studies are complete, the plan shall show recommendations for the development or redevelopment of the jurisdiction, including:

• Land use locations and relationships for

Agriculture	Recreation
Residential	Education
Commercial	Public buildings
Industrial	Other community facilities

. Population and building intensity standards
. Public facilities
. Transportation facilities
. Conservation of natural resources
. Capital improvements financing
. Other elements as necessary

After many meetings, citizen surveys, questions of people knowledgeable in various issues, the Ford County Planning Commission devised a set of Goals and Objectives to be a guide for future action These goals and objectives, when adopted by the Ford County Board of County Commissioners, become the map for planning strategies to meet the projected future needs. The Goals and Objectives: fit between the background studies and the planning strategies. They are at the end of this background report; they are at the beginning of the planning strategies report.

Comprehensive planning is a process. It should be continuous. Citizens, planning commissioners, and elected officials should constantly consider local issues and problems, and how to better the area quality of life. State planning statutes emphasize this point by requiring annual review of the comprehensive plan.

The comprehensive plan need not be a single document. As new concerns arise, and more information is obtained, the plan can be expanded by incorporating separate studies. We do not have to revise the entire comprehensive plan for each new concern.

This is a Ford County, Kansas Comprehensive Plan. It was prepared for review and adoption by the Board of County Commissioners. However, much information is included for the incorporated cities and unincorporated villages. Citizen surveys were conducted in Bucklin, Dodge City, Ford, and Spearville, as well as in unincorporated Ford County. There are two reasons for this: all are tax-paying county citizens, and each jurisdiction can using the information for their individual planning efforts.

When an incorporated Ford County city is ready for a comprehensive plan, this document provides the required background research and studies. Only the Goals and Objectives and the planning strategies need modification for issues singular to those individual communities. In many instances, only slight modification would be necessary. Each jurisdiction will not have the time consuming task of preparing background reports.

HISTORY

Where we have been gives us a better understanding of where we are going. The historical context of Ford County is exciting and entertaining. The rich history can provide a focus for the future. This plan first discusses the natural history, which shaped our landforms; then our cultural history, in which humans adapted to the land.

NATURAL HISTORY

Geology

In geologic time, inland seas covered Ford County and Southwest Kansas. The basic underlying geologic foundation gently slopes up to the west and the Rocky Mountains. The official name for the underlying formation is the Hugoton Embayment of the Anadarko Basin.

Geologic time is divided into Periods. Important periods for the development of Southwest Kansas start with the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian Periods (280-345 millions years ago). These are also known as the Carboniferous Periods. The few reservoirs of oil and natural gas found in Ford County were created from deposits during these Periods. Ford County oil and gas are found deep under the surface: 3,0005,000 foot wells are the best producers.

The next period is the Permian (230-280 million years ago). Seas covered southwest Kansas during this time. Permian deposits are combinations of limestone, shale, and chert. Salt and gypsum deposits. May also be found. Salt deposits over 400 feet thick are located northeast of Ford. A very deep Cedar Hills Sandstone Aquifer is found in the Lower (older) Permian formations (900 feet under Ford County).

No rocks were formed or remain in the county from the next two periods, the Triassic (230-180 million years ago), and Jurassic (135-180 million years ago). Western Kansas was covered by seas during the Cretaceous Period (135-65 million years ago). Formations from this period produced the Dakota Aquifer from ancient river deltas and sandbars.

The two most recent geologic periods are the Tertiary (600,000 to 65 million years ago), and Quaternary (600,000 years ago to current time). The Rocky Mountains were formed during the Tertiary Period about 3.8 million years ago. The Ogallala Aquifer was created by a huge alluvial fan (delta) with deposits from mountain erosion. The Ogallala formation and aquifer cover parts of five states. During the early Quaternary Period the current river and stream channels were established in Western Kansas.

A thrust fault jolted the area during the Tertiary Period. Permian and Cretaceous bedrock in Southeast Ford County were pushed up about 200 feet from the adjacent land. This is known as the Crooked Creek-Fowler Fault. The Ogallala deposits continued after the fault, leveling the surface again. This ancient fault poses almost no risk for earthquakes today. On a scale of earthquake susceptibility for the nation. Southwest Kansas ranks lowest.

Continued deposition of Rocky Mountain materials in recent geologic history has raised the bed of the Arkansas River. This caused tributaries to either not feed the river, or made past tributaries change course away from the upper Arkansas. This lack of feeder tributaries is one reason for the surface water shortage in Ford County and along the Arkansas River basin.

Physiography

The visible surface landforms comprise the regional physiography. In Ford County three distinct areas are identified. The Arkansas River Lowlands are the most recent. The river deposits are from the most recent Quaternary Period. These Cross the county in a band a few miles either side of the present river.

North and south of the river are the High Plains. These comprise deep soils deposited from Rocky Mountain erosion, with surface bedrock created during the Tertiary and Quaternary Periods. The very north-central part of the county is in the Smoky Hills physiographic region. Bedrock for the Smoky Hills is from the older Cretaceous Period. South of Ford County even older Permian rocks are found at the surface in the Red Hills of Clark County.

Geographers refer to the High Plains, as being a steppe environment The natural vegetation is bluestem prairie short grass and buffalo grass. It is characterized by rolling plains with wide flood plains along stream channels. Erosion near the Arkansas River bed creates a more hilly terrain north of downtown Dodge City than found in other southwest Kansas towns. Precipitation averages about 20 inches annually. Historically there were no trees. The climate is subject to extremes: high winds, cloudbursts and floods, blizzards, and tornadoes.

CULTURAL HISTORY

Native Americans

Pre-History. The High Plains has been settled on a continuous basis since some 12,000 years ago. The earliest Native Americans are known as the Paleo-Indian Culture. Twelve Mile Creek site in Logan County has been dated to 10,300 years ago. The western Kansas Paleo-Indians were big game hunters. An archeological “site” may be little more than the discovery of stone points. Climate changes at the end of the glacial “Ice Age” brought forward the less nomadic Archaic Culture, which started in the High Plains about 8,000 BC. The Archaic peoples were hunters and gatherers with some crude beginning horticulture. Around the start of the Christian era, the Archaic Culture was replaced by what is known as the Ceramic Culture. Technological advances included pottery, more advanced horticulture, and the bow and arrow. These technologies were most likely introduced through the influence of Eastern Woodlands cultures from Missouri and further east. The people of the High Plains were becoming less nomadic, often occupying temporary villages.

Groups from the later Ceramic Culture appeared just prior to direct European contact. East of Ford County were ancestors of the Wichita tribe, and to the west were the beginnings of the Plains Apache. In the late 1600s, a Pueblo village was constructed in Scott County. This may be more of an accidental settlement rather than evidence of extensive Pueblo occupation of the High Plains. Natives of the Plains were hunters more than farmers. Little evidence exists of anything other than temporary villages.

Spanish Contact. Native American contact with Spaniards allowed the High Plains to flourish-because of the horse. The local Plains tribes became adept horsemen and often raided neighboring tribes to replenish their herds. Eastern tribes migrated to the High Plains to create, along with native tribes, the “horse and buffalo” culture, which lasted through the Indian Wars of 1830-1870. Apache and Arapaho settled to the west; Kansa and Osage to the east; Wichita and Comanche to the south; Cheyenne and Sioux to the north, with the Kiowa occupying a region from the Smoky Hill River south to the Red River (including Ford County). There were no precise boundaries for these High Plains Horse Indians. They were mobile, created alliances, and fought each other. By 1790, the Kiowa and Comanche often were together.

The Kiowa conducted horse-stealing raids against the Spanish settlements by the mid-17th Century. After 1680, the Kiowa traded horses with the Arapaho, Cheyenne, Pawnee, Wichita Tribes, and Spanish traders along the Santa Fe Trail.

United States Contact. The United States Congress passed the Indian Removal Act in 1830, which was the beginning of the end for the horse and buffalo culture. Eastern tribes were resettled to the High Plains to rid the settled United States of Indians. Opening the Santa Fe Trail, the settlement of Texas, and the general move of the United States westward voided treaties and started the Great Plains Indian Wars.

The 1830 Indian Removal Act carved Kansas (and all land between the Missouri and Red Rivers) into various Indian lands as a “Permanent Indian Frontier”. Most of Ford County was allocated to the Osage Tribe, with “Cherokee Neutral Lands” south.

Broken treaties, massacres, and the white philosophy of “Manifest Destiny” to conquer the continent marked the 1830-1870 eras. The Indian Wars. Were little more than a series of raids, marauding, and massacres? These lasted until the Indians were removed from Kansas to reservations in present day Oklahoma in 1876. The Santa Fe Trail began in 1821. In Ford County two short-lived stations were built: Fort Mann in April 1847, and Camp Mackay in August 1850 (renamed Fort Atchison in 1851). These provided early protection for travelers and trade along the Santa Fe Trail

Before the Civil War, there were battles and raids between the Indians and trail travelers. Tribes created alliances to combat the loss of their traditional lands. The Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 (near Fort Lyon, Colorado) unified the Arapaho and Cheyenne. The Comanche and Kiowa often defended and raided together. During the Civil War the Confederate States supplied arms to the Kiowa and Comanche to antagonize the Union Army.

After the Civil War, settlement pushed into western Kansas. Fort Dodge was constructed in 1865 several miles east of the earlier stations. Its troops protected trail traffic, railroad construction, and eventually settlers. Homesteader pressure caused more forced movement of Indians. The Fort Atkinson Treaty of 1853 with the Kiowa and Comanche Tribes was one of many minor treaties designed to protect the Santa Fe Trail area The Medicine Lodge Treaty of 1867 supposedly placed all southern plains tribes on reservations. It also prohibited whites from hunting buffalo south of the Arkansas River.

In 1868-69 General Phillip Sheridan mounted a large-scale campaign against the Kiowa, Comanche, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Sioux to resolve the conflict between American settlers and the Indians. Colonel Alfred Sulley and later George Armstrong Custer’s 7th Cavalry led one march from Fort Dodge for battles in Indian Territory (Oklahoma). This effort subdued most of the Cheyenne.

Bands of Comanche and Kiowa made a struggle for independence in the 1870s. Buffalo hunters based in Dodge City had depleted the Kansas herds. This market resource was still available in Texas. Contrary to the Medicine Lodge Treaty, the hunting moved south. A major hunting expedition left Ford County for a station called Adobe Walls in the Texas panhandle. Kiowas, with some Comanche’s, attacked the 28 buffalo hunters on June 26, 1874, but could not defeat the heavily armed whites. Afterwards, General Sheridan was again called upon to stop the Indian “problem”. By February 1875, the last of the Kiowa surrendered; and by June, the remaining Comanche gave up. Tribes on the southern Plains were thereafter confined to reservations.

European Exploration and Settlement

Francisco de Coronado led an expedition of Spanish Conquistadors from Mexico into the High Plains in the mid-16th Century. By accounts, he crossed the Arkansas River in Ford County in late June 1541. These Spanish explorers were the first Europeans to visit southwest Kansas. His trail is reputed to have been northeastward from Seward County, through Ford, and on to the Linsborg area-and perhaps further into the plains. His return trip was also through Ford County, then more due south into Mexico.

Early Ford County was split by international boundaries. North of the Arkansas River and east of the 100th meridian was claimed by France in 1682. There is no record of French settlement in southwest Kansas; sporadic exploration was conducted, but was not well documented. South of the Arkansas River and west of the 100 meridian was claimed by Spain. In 1762 the French territory was given to Spain, but negotiated back to France by Napoleon in 1802. With the Louisiana Purchase of April 30, 1803, the French portion of Ford County became part of the United States. The actual boundary was disputed for some time. An 1819 Spanish-American Treaty verified the former Louisiana Purchase-Spanish American boundary through Ford County. In 1821 Mexico became a free republic from Spain. Ford County lands south of the river and west of the 100th meridian were under Mexican rule. After the Mexican-American War of 1848,

The United States acquired the former Mexican territory. (The 100th meridian is approximately 1,000 feet west of the present Avenue P in Dodge City.)

Santa Fe Trail. The Santa Fe Trail was originally an Indian trade route between the Rio Grande and the High Plains. Spanish conquistadors and settlers of Mexico used the route for trade between Mexico and the Missouri River area. Especially after the founding of Santa Fe (New Mexico) in 1610. United States parties made a few trips along the Santa Fe in the early 1800s, such as Zebulon Pike on his 1806 expedition west. And merchants seeking trade. In 1821 William Becknell of Missouri opened the Santa Fe as a commercial route between Mexico and the United States. Mexico had just become a republic. , And lowered tariffs encouraged trade. After the Mexican-American War, the Santa Fe Trail became a military route into the newly acquired territory.

Early Stations/Forts. Way stations and defense forts were established along the Santa Fe for the wagon trains. In Ford County, Fort Mann was established in 1847 and operated for one year. Camp Mackay was established in 1850, and re-named Fort Atkinson in 1851. This was in operation unti11854. There are no remains of these dugout, sod, and log facilities. Both were just west of the present day Dodge City.

Fort Dodge. In 1865 Fort Dodge was established to protect the Santa Fe Trail. It was named for Major General Grenville M. Dodge, then in command of the Missouri Military District. General James H. Ford established the fort. The first buildings were dugouts along the river. Colonel Richard 1. Dodge was a commanding officer at the fort. The two Dodge’s often being confused. Fort Dodge was de-commissioned in 1888, becoming a state soldiers’ home.

Dodge City. The military administration established a “military reservation” five miles around the fort. With the railroad under construction towards the area. George M. Hoover rode five miles from the fort. Unhitched his wagon. And opened up a saloon from the back in June 1872. This was the start of Dodge City. Kansas. For two or three months the place was called Buffalo City. The post office refused to accept that name. As there was already a Buffalo, Kansas. The community then decided to name themselves after the nearby fort.

The Atchison. Topeka. And Santa Fe Railroad was completed through Ford County in 1872. That same year the town site was laid out. But the town was not incorporated until November 2, 1875.

By 1872 there were twenty-two identified stores in Dodge City, a railroad depot, one sod house. And several tents and dugouts. Seven of the businesses were saloons and two stores were conducted out of tents. The primary economy in early Ford County was buffalo hunting along with services for the hunters. By 1874 the vast Kansas herds were decimated. The buffalo hunters moved on to the herds in Texas contrary to the Medicine Lodge Indian Peace Treaty.

The first longhorn cattle drive arrived in Dodge City in 1875. A tick-spread fever caused the Kansas legislature to establish a “quarantine line” to protect the state’s eastern domestic herds. In 1877 the Chisholm Trail to Wichita and Abilene was closed. In 1885 the cattle drives stopped as the quarantine line included the entire state of Kansas. It was during this decade that Dodge City became known as the Cowboy Capital.

Two fires devastated downtown Dodge City in 1885. A severe blizzard that winter nearly marked the end of all area economy. The economy recovered as a typical Kansas farming and cattle raising region.

Ford County. Ford County was authorized in 1867. The Kansas legislature allowed for the creation of western counties if and when a minimum population of 600 was verified. On April 5. 1873 the state acknowledged Ford County. named after the general who laid out Fort Dodge. Until Ford County was authorized, the only civil law and legal support was found in Hays.

Other Towns and Settlements. Several towns were planned in Ford County that never became chartered. Some were settled to later disappear. Three became incorporated cities and have survived, in addition to Dodge City. One unincorporated village remains a thriving community. Approximately every ten miles Along the railroad lines, a station was provided to water the steam locomotives and a siding was installed for trains to pass each other on the otherwise single line. These later became ideal locations for farm produce collection, and almost each one had a grain elevator by the 1910s.

The village of Bellefont was platted in July 1885. Promoters believed that it would become a railhead for the Santa Fe Railroad Instead, the railhead was placed in Dodge City, and Bellefont became a small village with a grain elevator. Oil fields have been explored east and south of the community since 1979.

Bloom developed as a stop on the Fort Dodge-Camp Supply Trail before the Rock Island Railroad It began in the 1880s and was originally called Bloomberg. Droughts nearly decimated the community in 1893. By 1908 Bloom was again thriving. It has more recently lost most of its population

Howell developed in the late l880s, with a population approaching 150 by 1890. This village has all but disappeared except for the grain elevator and county rural fire station.

Nolan started around 1882 as a country store with a post office. It no longer exists.

Sears had little more than a telegraph station and a rural schoolhouse. It no longer exists.

Kingsdown started as a rural village in 1887 along the Rock Island Railroad It was platted in 1909. A few houses and a grain elevator remain in the community.

Wilroads Gardens was a subdivision from the 1930s. It was platted with very deep lots and included irrigation ditches. Homes were designed towards the street frontage, while the rear areas were intended for self-sustaining agriculture.
Windhorst developed by a group of German Catholics from Cincinnati seeking homestead lands. The Santa Fe Railroad offered ten sections of land for ten dollars an acre, and donated eighty acres for a town site in 1876. The village was settled, but a promised Santa Fe Railroad leg from Offerle was never constructed

Wright started as a stop for the Stage Coach Line. A hotel was constructed there by 1886. It was originally called Ridgeway. In 1887 a Charter of Incorporation was filed, but Wright never became a Ford County City. Wright is the most populous and most thriving of the Ford County unincorporated villages today.

Bucklin was platted in May 1887. It was designed as a railroad town for the Rock Island Railroad. Ford was Platted in 1885, another stop for the Rock Island Line. Spearville was platted earlier, in May 1873. Spearville was a designated stop for the Santa Fe Railroad These three became incorporated cities, and are still functional as farming communities and small market areas within the county.

Other communities were planned but never developed. There was much speculation with the developing railroads, and many areas were touted as the next Kansas City. In Ford County, these include Colcord, Corbitt, Concord, and Newkirk. The proposed town of Ryansville was platted and developed in 1885~ however, it lost its existence soon after the Rock Island was laid through the City of Ford a little to the south.

The more recent development and steady growth of the Ford County region have been based on wheat, feed grain, cattle, and manufacturing. Dodge City is the principal grain market in southwest Kansas. In recent years, the feeding and fattening of cattle in local feed yards has reached major economic proportions. Manufacturing activities have rapidly grown due to beef processing and agri-business industries.

Much has been written and compiled about Ford County’s history. Valuable resources are available through the Kansas Heritage Center in Dodge City.

ENVIRONMENT

A sound environment enhances the quality of life. Some environmental issues are simple to comprehend: animal waste smells, litter is unattractive. But most environmental issues are quite complex: the quality of groundwater may be affected by events in another state. Ford County cannot solve, much less debate, environmental issues without a full understanding of their causes and effects.

GROUNDWATER
Groundwater is the greatest resource in southwest Kansas. Surface streams are intermittent at best. The only reliable water source is underground. Aquifers are subsurface formations, which hold ground water. There are three in Ford County: the Arkansas River alluvial aquifer, immediately adjacent to the river bed, the Ogallala Aquifer which ranges from zero to 240 feet below the surface, and the Dakota Aquifer below the Ogallala. In Ford County, these aquifers are hydraulically interconnected in many places. For water allocation and regulatory purposes, the Southwest Kansas Groundwater District does not use the same aquifer definitions.

Ground water usage in Kansas comprises the following:

• Alluvial Aquifer. The alluvial aquifer is hydrologic ally the same as the Ogallala in Ford County. The alluvial area is environmentally critical because surface water from the bed can enter the ground water system-surface water pollution may damage ground water quality. Prior to intense development, the surface streams both recharged and discharged groundwater. The aquifer naturally flowed toward streams. Recent water table declines have reduced the groundwater level so that the streams (when flowing) act only as a recharge now. Groundwater pollution from surface recharge may come from several sources. Agricultural runoff may contain salts, pesticides, and herbicides. Industrial, agricultural production, and municipal runoff are primary sources for nitrates in the groundwater.
  
  Ogallala Aquifer. We have been fortunate to be on top of a large aquifer, the Ogallala The Ogallala covers portions of five states in the Great Plains east of the Rocky Mountains. It contains about the same amount of fresh water as Lake Eire. The Ogallala was originally connected to the Rocky Mountains before erosion intervened. The water-bearing rock formations were created during the Tertiary Geologic Period.
  
  The rate of recharge (water being put into the aquifer) varies between 114 and Y2 inch per year for the Ogallala. Ground water removal from the aquifer has been significantly higher than its recharge. The aquifer is being depleted. As the saturated thickness varies, so does concern about the lowering ground water elevation As the aquifer was being established, its thickness depended on the depth of materials that could hold water. It was originally 1,000 feet thick in most places.
  
  Erosion over time reduced the thickness of the Ogallala Aquifer. In modem times, wells for agricultural and domestic use have further reduced this resource. Groundwater specialists have established that 1940 is the date intense groundwater use began in the Ogallala Between 1940 and 1989, the Ford County groundwater level dropped 10 to 25 feet in west, and 0 to 10 feet in the north and east. As a percent of available groundwater, Ford County has seen a 10-20 percent decline in central Ford County, and a 0 to 10 percent decline to the west. In parts of Grant County, the ground water table has declined over 200 feet and in parts of Finney County the percent decline has been over 50 percent. The percent decline depends on the original thickness of the aquifer.
  
  In the Southwest Groundwater Management District the Ogallala Aquifer is thickest near Liberal in Seward County-over 600 feet in several areas. In Ford County, the saturated thickness ranges from zero to over 200 feet thick in the southwest comer of the county (along the Crooked Creek-Fowler fault). The rate of Ogallala Aquifer depletion has been less since 1980 than before, even though the amount of water used for irrigation and other purposes has increased. There have been several reasons for this:
  
  · Higher than normal precipitation;
  · Advances in irrigation technology to minimize loss;
  · Irrigation management practices which include better scheduling and monitoring of soil conditions;
  · Creation of groundwater management districts with their public information programs and regulations controlling withdrawals.
  
  Dakota Aquifer. The Dakota Aquifer is older and is under the Ogallala in most of southwest Kansas. The Dakota water-holding sandstone was deposited during the Cretaceous Geologic Period. The range of this aquifer is much larger than the Ogallala, covering the western two thirds of Kansas. (Where the Dakota and Ogallala are connected, it is considered one aquifer-the High Plains-for management purposes; where separated by shale deposits the Dakota is a confined and separate aquifer.) Being in the ground longer than Ogallala, the Dakota has dissolved more salts from the bedrock, and is thus contains more salt The upper levels are younger and have more flow to flush the salts-they are a good source for public and agricultural uses. The deeper into the system one drills, salt becomes a problem.
  
  In Ford County, the Dakota Aquifer is under the Ogallala for most of the county. The Dakota is the available groundwater source for northern Ford County, and the southwestern comer. Of the 1,086 permitted wells in Ford County, 52 are for the “Dakota Aquifer”, where the Dakota is confined or otherwise separated from the Ogallala
  
  Groundwater Quality. Ford County is not only threatened by depletion of groundwater resources, but the quality needs scrutiny. A December 1997 report from the Southwest Groundwater Management District (County Water Quality Report: 1996 & 1997: Ford County) indicates that overall, the groundwater quality is being maintained in Ford County. However, 31 percent of the tested wells indicate that their water is questionable for human use. Approximately one-half of the questionable sites are in the Arkansas alluvial area indicating surface water contamination. But half cannot be traced to that source. As stated in that report:
  
  Surface activities, pumping patterns, recharge, flow direction all can play a factor in water quality. Areas that exceed drinking water standards will need to treat water for any public use in the future. This means redesigning water systems, and building treatment facilities. As the population of southwest Kansas increases this becomes more and more important. Future growth will need good quality water as a steady supply.
  
  The village of Wright contracted with the City of Dodge City for municipal water due to groundwater contamination. Dodge City water was extended there in 1997.
  
  SURFACE WATER
  
  Most of Ford County is within four watersheds: the Arkansas-Dodge City, Coon-Pickerel, Buckner, and Rattlesnake. The Arkansas-Dodge City is that portion of Arkansas River basin from Dodge City west. The Coon-Pickerel basin is that portion of the Arkansas River system from Dodge City east. The Buckner watershed includes that portion of northern Ford County, which drains northeast into the Pawnee River. The Rattlesnake watershed drains southeastern portions of the county east into the Ninnescah River.
  
  The United States Environmental Protection Agency reports that these four watersheds are remarkably similar. The overall water quality scores for each is More Serious Current Water Quality-Low Vulnerability. By EPA terminology, this means that less than 20 percent of the watersheds’ areas meet all designated standards. The major contributor to such a poor rating is the condition of source water. In each basin a Significant source water impairment is identified. All the watersheds show a Moderate loss of wetlands areas.
  
  Vulnerability factors include: wetland/aquatic species at risk, pollutant loads over permitted limits, damage from urban runoff, damage from agricultural runoff, population changes, and flow modifications from dams. Each of the four watersheds is rated as Low Vulnerability. Agricultural runoff and population change (increase) are the worst rated components, with Moderate levels of potential impacts.
  
  FLOOD HAZARD AREAS
  
  Some of Ford County is susceptible to flooding. We are fortunate that most flood hazard areas are restricted to immediately around area stream channels. The county topography includes stream valleys, which for the most part can accommodate flooding. Many parts of southwest Kansas have more land area subject to periodic floods.
  
  The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency has mapped those lands, which have a one percent chance each year of flooding (called the “one hundred year flood”). The Arkansas River through the middle of the county has a broad floodplain-except for the flow through Dodge City, which is protected by levees. The Cow Creek-Coon Creek area south of Spearville, Crooked Creek in the southwest comer and Rattlesnake Creek south and east of Bucklin have broader floodplains than other county creeks.
  
  The largest record flood was in 1965. This flood was 5.68 feet above the riverbanks. The Santa Fe railroad bed and tracks to the north protected downtown Dodge City. Southern Dodge City and Wilroads Gardens suffered four million dollars of damage (in 1965 dollars). Both the City of Dodge City and Ford County have adopted flood hazard area regulations to reduce damage from periodic flooding. These codes restrict development within flood hazard areas.
  
  Areas of shallow flooding do exist which are not shown on official flood hazard maps. Such a shallow flood caused approximately one million dollars of damage to southern Dodge City in 1997. Adequate drainage is often a problem with land development proposals throughout Ford County.
  
  FEED LOT ISSUES
  
  Much of the livestock industry in Ford County involves confined feeding operations known as feedlots. Rather than grazing, the stock is kept in a confined space and fed a mixture of prepared feed. Animal waste from feedlots is significantly more concentrated than from grazing pastures.
  
  The Kansas Department of Health and Environment regulates storage and disposal of feedlot waste, along with regulating the placement and concentration of livestock. Currently 65 Ford County sites have permits or are exempt (under 1,000 animal units may be exempt), with a maximum capacity of 220,000 animal units. (A feeder cow equates to one animal unit, a dairy cow is 1.5, a sow is 0.4, and a chicken is 0.1.) Most are situated south and southeast of Dodge City.
  
  Much discussion has recently occurred in Ford County and throughout southwest Kansas concerning environmental issues with feedlots. Many say that the confined operations are not well regulated due to a small staff of state inspectors. Many argue that the regulations are not strict enough to protect the environment Many are especially concerned about the possibility of swine confined feeding operations, claiming the industry is not environmentally sound.
  
  Commercial feedlots are covered in the Ford County Zoning Regulations. A proposed confined feeding operation, and an expansion of an existing one, requires a Conditional Use Permit and a Development Plan. These are recommended by the County Zoning Board after a public hearing, and approved or rejected by the Ford County Commission. Such requests are considered on a case-by-case basis, with the merits of each application scrutinized on its own merits. Conditions on the land use may be imposed to mitigate any possible adverse effects.
  
  State regulations control the concentration of feedlot operations, separation from other uses, and control of animal waste.
  
  THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
  
  The bison no longer roam the range by the millions. The bear is gone, along with the wolf. Civilization has just about removed the jackrabbit and coyote from Ford County. Wildlife is still present in Ford County with varying degrees of safe habitats.
  
  We are situated along the Central United States flyway for migratory birds. Not as many stop here as in the Quivira and Cheyenne Bottoms marshes; however, a significant number are noted along our wetlands.
  
  Wildlife is constantly threatened by destruction of its habitat. A list of endangered and threatened species has been prepared in response to the 1973 U.S. Endangered Species Act and the 1975 Kansas Non-game Threatened and Endangered Species Act. In Ford County, eight species are on the lists: three have not been verified since 1965. Threatened is a more severe condition than endangered. The State has identified critical habitats in Ford County for the Bald Eagle and the Spotted Skunk. In all instances, the threatened habitats are surface water, adjoining riparian areas, and/or wetlands.
  
  The White-faced Ibis (Pledgadis chihi) is a rarely seen spring/fall migratory bird to this area. It stops at wetland habitats on its journey, usually at marsh areas but occasionally temporary water pools. This bird is becoming rare due to the loss of wetland habitats and surface water pollution from pesticides and herbicides. The White-faced Ibis has been identified in Ford County since 1965. It is on the Kansas State list as threatened
  
  The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is becoming increasingly common in Kansas, both as a nester and winter visitor. It has been verified in Ford County since 1965. Critical habitats have been identified for it along the main stem of the Arkansas River and in southwestern Hodgeman County. The Bald Eagle is listed as endangered on both the state and national lists.
  
  The Whooping Crane (Grus americana) is also increasing its population. It is a spring and fall migrant along the Central U.S. Flyway, usually stopping at salt marshes and occasionally farm ponds for a one-night stay. The Whooping Crane has been spotted in Ford County since 1965. It is on both the state and national lists as endangered.
  
  The Least Tern (Sterna antillarum) is the smallest tern, about ten inches long. It is an uncommon migratory bird to the area, sometimes a localized summer resident in western Kansas. It prefers sandbars and salt flats along water areas and needs a supply of minnows. The lowering water table has reduced its habitat because high water is needed to scour vegetation from sandbars for nesting. The bird has been verified in Ford County since 1965. The Least Tern is considered endangered on both the state and national lists.
  
  The Spotted Skunk (Spilogale putorius) has experienced a rapid population decrease recently. It prefers a riparian habitat along watercourses. Fencerows and brush are used for nesting, and in winter it burrows below the frost line. It has been verified in Ford County since 1965. An identified critical habitat for the Spotted Skunk is the forested corridor of the Arkansas River in Ford, Finney, and Gray Counties. The Spotted Skunk is considered a threatened species by the state.
  
  
  The Speckled Chub (Extrarius aestivalis) is a small minnow. It prefers shallow channels with a constant current it has been noted in streams of the lower Arkansas River watershed. A lowering of the water table, creation of low water dams, and surface water pollution has damaged its habitat The Speckled Chub was last verified in Ford County before 1965. It is listed on the Kansas list as endangered
  
  The Flathead Chub (Platygobio gracilis) is a minnow about one foot long. Usually in shallow pools, it may be found in high flow periods along the Arkansas and Cimarron Rivers. Devastation of its habitat has placed it on the Kansas list as threatened. The Flathead Chub was last verified in Ford County before 1965.
  
  The Longnose Snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei) is a burrowing, nocturnal reptile. It may be found on the open prairies of the southern High Plains. Considered rare in Kansas, it is listed as threatened on the State list The Longnose Snake was last verified in Ford County before 1965.

POPULATION

A comprehensive plan begins with an analysis of the population. We need to know how many persons are expected by the forecast date, and as much information as can be gathered about that future population, including their racial and age composition, and where they might live. Studies of past trends provide a picture of the future. Any given projection given can be wrong. Area economic changes can greatly affect population: 1,000 new jobs would reduce migration out of the area and induce more persons to move in. Conversely, the loss of 1,000 jobs would have the opposite effect.

The historical data below are from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Estimates and projections are provided by the University of Kansas, Institute for Public Policy and Business Research, Kansas Statistical Abstract: 1996, unless otherwise noted.

POPULATION TRENDS

After a population loss in the 1930s, Ford County has grown steadily. Rural areas have declined, as people migrated to Dodge City. In 1990, 77 percent of the entire county population lived in Dodge City while the central city was under 50 percent of the total in 1940 and before.

The county growth rate has been steady at about 10 percent each decade. Dodge City has grown at a higher pace. The incorporated towns of Ford, Bucklin, and Spearville have mostly stayed at the same population through the decades with marginal changes. Spearville has seen modest growth while Bucklin and Ford have had declines from 1980 to 1990.

The rural townships have fluctuated with· some increases and some decreases in population. Seven of the fourteen townships had less than 200 persons for the three census periods shown below. The following table does not include incorporated towns. Annexation would reduce a township population. This would help explain the significant decreases from 1970 to 1980 in Dodge and Richland Townships.

The Ford County population is becoming older. The median age has increased from 27.9 years in 1970 to 30.2 years in 1990. However, the 1990 state median age was significantly higher at 32.9 years.

A review of the census age cohorts (brackets) helps indicate the need for various services. A typical breakdown is preschool (under 6), school age (6-19), working age (20-64), and elderly (65+). The City of Ford had an exceptionally high percentage of ·elderly persons (30.3%), while other jurisdictions have a lower percentage of elderly than the state ratio of 13.8 percent

Ford County lost population in certain age cohorts from 1980 to 1990: 20-24,50-54, and 55-59-with the latter showing the largest decrease. These figures may be disturbing that people just out of school and nearing retirement leave the area. The state as a whole reflects a similar pattern.

MINORITY COMPOSITION

There has been a significant change in the county migration patterns and minority composition. From 1980 to 1990 the net migration total for Ford County was zero. There was a 3,148-person increase during this decade and there were 3,148 more births than deaths. A zero net migration number means in effect that every one person who moved out of the county (or died) was replaced by one person moving in (or being born).

A significant portion of the in-migration has been minority persons-mostly of Asian and Hispanic descent. In 1980 minorities comprised 8.5 percent of the county population. By 1990 that ratio more than doubled to 19.6 percent. In raw numbers, there were 3,301 new minority persons in the county in 1990.

NOTE: From the ‘80 & ‘90 census, a person may be counted as Hispanic and
another race-double counting may occur; accuracy of the ‘70 census is not verified.

The 1990 minority age cohort ratios are significantly different from the total population age breakdown, with more pre-school age children and less elderly:

ESTIMATES AND PROJECTIONS

Our current population is estimated from past trends and available vital statistics. The most recent available Census Bureau estimates are for July 1, 1996. At that time, Ford County was estimated to have about 29,309 persons. This is a 6.7 percent increase from the 1990 census-which still indicates a growth rate at about 10 percent each decade (slightly more at this time). Two basic factors influence population: the number of births and deaths (termed the rate of natural increase), and net migration.

There has been a marked increase in minority representation since the 1990 census. From the 1990 census to 1996, the Census Bureau estimates that 1,040 persons have migrated into Ford County from foreign countries, while domestic net migration shows 1,352 more persons moved out of than in to Ford County. Most of the recent immigration has been observed to be from Latin America and Southeast Asia. Assuming that all the foreign immigrants are minority persons, the county minority population would be about 21.9 percent of the total in 1996. According to Unified School District 443 records, the school age minority population percentage is significantly higher than the total at 51 percent and even more in the elementary grades.

Immigration of persons from foreign countries has spurred this recent growth, as domestic migration shows a net loss. If it were not for the international in-migration, Ford County would have had a net migration decrease of 1,352 since 1990.

The rate of natural increase (births minus deaths) during from the 1990 Census through 1996 was 2,165 for Ford County. Combining the net migration and natural increase, the county gained 1,853 persons.

Population estimates are more difficult to derive for the towns within Ford County. Annexations do not provide head counts, and persons moving into and out of towns cannot be easily measured. If we assume that Dodge City has increased from 77 percent to 78.5 percent of the total county population (one-half of the 1980-1990 increase), the July 1996 estimated city population would be 23,008 persons. The towns of Bucklin, Ford, and Spearville had less than 1,000 persons in the last census; with such small base populations, any estimate would merely be a guess-and not attempted in this plan. An exception to this is the village of Wright. Wright is a growing community, and needs attention in comprehensive planning. It is not singled out in U.S. Census records, but current estimates put the Wright population at approximately 250 persons.

Projection of future populations can be undertaken. Projections rely on assumptions based on past trends, and are only as reliable as those assumptions. For Ford County, the basic assumptions are that the population will continue to grow as it has in the recent past. In September of 1992 the Kansas Division of the Budget published Kansas Population Projections: 1995-2030. That report projects county populations. Dodge City projections are made based on a percentage of the population residing in the central city. Not only will people continue the trend of moving into Dodge City, but future annexations will incorporate already developed fringe areas. A regression line analysis shows Dodge City with 96% percent of the county population by 2030. If true, only 1,900 Ford County residents would reside outside Dodge City. This Comprehensive Plan more conservatively assumes that the Dodge City ratio to the entire county population will be 83 percent in 2000, 85 percent in 2010, 90 percent in 2020, and stabilizing at 90 percent for 2030.

The characteristics of this future population deserve some analysis. The minority population ratio is anticipated to continue increasing. The immigration patterns are expected to continue. The current minority persons are younger and as they move through the age cohorts, more minority persons should have children. In 1996, we have estimated that 21.9 percent of the county population were minority persons. That ratio is expected to increase to 25 percent by 2000. After that projections become quite speculative. The minority ratio to total population depends on several variables: in-migration, birth rates, and out-migration by the majority population and death rates. By the year 2030, we expect the ratio to have leveled out at 30 to 35 percent.

The elderly population ratio is expected to increase, but not at a high rate. According to the September 1992 Kansas Population Projections: 1995-2030, the percent elderly in Ford County should increase from 12.6 percent in 1990, to 13.2 percent in 2000, to 14.5 percent in 2030. In numbers of people, this is an increase from 3,468 in 1990 to 6,609 by 2030. The 2030 elderly population ratio projected for the entire state is much higher at 21.2 percent. While the percentage increase is slight, the county elderly population is projected to nearly double by 2030.

By 2030, this plan projects there to be 4,550 persons residing in Ford County outside of Dodge City. This represents a loss of 1,785 persons. Some of this loss will be due to Dodge City annexation of existing suburban areas. Current trends indicate that the towns of Bucklin, Ford, and Spearville, and the village of Wright, should remain relatively stable, while the decline would be primarily from unincorporated areas.

Growth of urban areas is encouraged or restrained by the availability of public facilities and services. Water and sewerage capacity are the most basic necessary facilities. A municipality with limited capacity will have limited growth. A city that plans for water and sewerage expansion can accommodate growth. Other public facilities and services such as quality parks, well maintained streets, efficient fire and police protection, good libraries and schools increase the quality of life and desirability of growth. These issues are discussed in a later section of this plan under PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES.

SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS

The previous section of this comprehensive plan provided an analysis of the raw population data. More information is available detailing characteristics of these Ford County residents. The data offered below were taken from the U. S. Bureau of the Census and the University of Kansas Institute for Public Policy and Business Research, unless otherwise noted.

HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILY STATUS

The average number of persons per household has increased in Ford County, from 2.68 in 1980 to 2.69 in 1990. While this is a very slight increase, it reverses state and national trends towards smaller households. The more typical pattern is for smaller households as more elderly become self-sufficient, as divorces and female headed households become more common. Only four other Kansas counties had an increase in persons per household (Barton, Finney, Seward, and Stevens). The Kansas state average was lower at 2.53 persons per household. A one-tenth of one percent difference is significant with persons per household data.

The percent of females in the work force for Ford County is less than the state average with Dodge City being slightly higher. The same is true for percent of female-headed households. Female-headed households with children data are about the same as the state statistics. Bucklin, Ford, and Spearville show more variation in these numbers.

Ford County had a significant increase in the number of females in the work force with children under the age of six from 1980 to 1990 (825 to 1,858). Over 80 percent of these households were in Dodge City. The number of children under six with all household parents working looks at the children rather than the households or mothers; and compared to working mothers data, is slightly higher for Ford County, Dodge City, and Spearville, while lower for Bucklin and Ford

POVERTY AND DISABLED PERSONS

Poverty level information for the area shows an increase from 1980 to 1990-except for the elderly population. The number of children below the poverty level showed a significant increase. The percentages are on par with state-wide figures except for the City of Spearville, which had significantly less than the state. The elderly population in poverty decreased from 1980 to 1990 for the county. Ford County and Dodge City were below the state average for elderly poverty persons in 1990, Bucklin and Spearville were significantly below, but Ford was well above the state average. Poverty Level is determined by a complicated formula based on the minimum cost of basic necessities. It is a national average with no consideration for regional cost of living differentials.

Poverty conditions continue to increase. Census Bureau estimates for 1993 show that 15.8 percent of the county population was in poverty and 19.2 percent of the children under 18 years. This is almost a five percent increase in three years.

The working age population that is disabled follows the state averages. Those that are prevented from work are less than that found in the rest of the state.

MEDICAL CARE

Statistics on medical care service indicate Ford County is below the state average, but slightly above the average of fourteen peer counties with similar population and economic characteristics (see ECONOMIC ANALYSIS section for a discussion of peer counties). In 1995 Ford County had 767 persons per physician and 2,373 persons per dentist. The state averages were 607 and 2,100 respectively; while the peer counties had 904 and 2,427 persons respectively. In 1995 Ford County had 41.1 admissions per hospital bed. This is a much better utilization of hospital services than the state average of 21.4, and a bit higher than the 31.0 admissions per hospital bed for our 14 peer counties.

EDUCATION
Kansas and all of the mid-west have a high percentage of persons (over 25 years old) completing high
School. While the state significantly increased its percentage of high school graduates from 1980 to 1990
(65.4 to 81.3%), the Ford County ratio increased only marginally (73.7 to 76.6%). In Dodge City the ten
year increase was much smaller, from 73.7 to 74.9 percent
Ford County has a higher pupil-per-teacher ratio than the state: 17.8 compared to 16.1 for Kansas. Only two of the fourteen peer counties analyzed had higher ratios (Finney and Geary). Only

HOUSING

How we are housed is critical to comprehensive planning. The future population is projected to continue growing and they must be housed. The number of new housing units needed, and where they will be located, determines where public facilities (schools, water and sewer, public safety services) need to be situated. The housing information provided below was derived from the 1980 and 1990 census statistics unless otherwise noted.

EXISTING CONDITIONS-1990 CENSUS

There were 10,842 housing units in Ford County in 1990. This is 1,010 more than in 1980; and 993 of the increase was in Dodge City. Mobile homes comprised 12.4 percent of the total county housing stock in 1990. Almost 1,000 units were vacant. Of the occupied units, 70.8 percent were single-family homes, and 64.9 percent of all occupied units were owner occupied.

Dodge City had 2,955 of the 1990 rental units, while the rest of Ford County had 510. In 1990 mobile homes comprised 9.6 percent of the Dodge City housing stock. The 1990 Census considered 564 county housing units to be overcrowded, and 503 of those were in Dodge City.

In 1990, 925 persons lived in Group Quarters. These include dormitories, nursing homes, boarding houses, and public institutions such as Ft. Dodge, jails, and detention homes. Dodge City had 720 of these Group Quarters’ residents, Grandview Township had 171 (Ft. Dodge), Enterprise Township had 27 (Methodist Youthville), and the City of Spearville had seven.

The 1990 Census attempts to address housing conditions with categories for persons per room, kitchen, and plumbing facilities. A unit is considered overcrowded if there is more than one person per room. A complete kitchen includes refrigerator, cooking appliance, and sink. Complete plumbing includes hot and cold piped water, a toilet, and either a bathtub or shower. Ford County in 1990 had more than the state average in these negative housing conditions. A review of fourteen counties with similar population and economic characteristics indicates that Ford County has more than twice the average housing units in substandard condition (see ECONOMIC ANALYSIS section for a detailed discussion of these peer counties).

Overcrowded conditions more than doubled from 1980 to 1990 and the vast majority of those situations were in Dodge City. Units lacking complete kitchens were more prevalent in Ford and Dodge City than other towns. Units lacking complete plumbing were found more so in Spearville and Ford than other jurisdictions.

1990-1996 ESTIMATES

The City of Dodge City conducted a survey of new housing permits since the 1990 census. The survey is through December 1996. It indicates that 599 new housing units were constructed during this period. Conversions of single-family units to multi-family may have occurred without permits, making this figure smaller than the actual number of new units. Of the verified new units, 59 (9.9%) were mobile homes, 62 (10.4%) were duplex units, while multi-family units comprised 165 (27.6%) of the total. It is interesting to note that a 1973 plan for Dodge City suggested that 93.8 percent of new residential units would be single family.

Ford County issues septic system permits for new residences. From the County Sanitarian’s records, 260 permits were issued for new systems from 1989 to 1996. Of these, 140 were for mobile homes. The County Sanitarian believes that these numbers are under-counted with a few individuals avoiding the permit process, especially before 1993.

PROJECTED HOUSING DEMAND

The 1990 Census found 2.69 persons per household in Ford County. If that rate continues, we can determine from the population projections that the county will need another 6,020 housing units by 2030. Dodge City will need 6,695 new units. At first glance, this makes little sense. Unincorporated Ford County is projected to lose 1,785 persons in that time period. This makes approximately 665 homes that will be annexed or otherwise vacated. The remaining ten-unit discrepancy may be attributed to rounding error.

Not that many additional units will have to be constructed. A part of the Dodge City growth will result from future annexation of developed suburban areas now on the urban fringe. The persons per household may also change over time. The Year 2000 Census may show a significant increase in that figure, especially among minority persons. A recent report indicates that foreign immigrants initially are less likely to form their own households, but over time their upward mobility will generate a demand for housing units. (Accounting for Immigration, American Planning Association PAS Memo, Oct. 1997.) Finney County, with a higher recent immigration rate than Ford, had 3.01 persons per household in 1990. If Ford approaches the current Finney persons per household rate, 50 or 60 fewer new housing units may be needed.

The number of owner occupied housing units has been declining and that is expected to continue. In 1980, the county had 70.6% owner and 29.4% renter occupied units. By 1990, Ford County had 64.9% owner and 35.1% renter units. Dodge City in 1990 had 61.2% owner and 38.8% rental units. From 1990 through 1996, 52.3% of the residential building permits were for single-family homes. Apartments and duplexes comprised 38.0% and mobile homes 9.9%. If we conservatively contribute one-half of the mobile homes to renters, 43% of the 1990-96 units were rentals. If this trend continues, nearly 40 percent of the total Dodge City housing stock would be rentals by 2030. The rental rates for Bucklin, Ford, and Spearville should remain near the 1990 levels of 22.4%, 27.7% and 19.2%, respectively. The 1972 Comprehensive Plan for Dodge City found 93.8 percent of the housing was owner occupied.

LAND USE

The land use portion of a comprehensive plan suggests land use development pattern changes in order to encourage orderly growth with a minimum of incompatibilities. Our urban counterparts have many lands use classifications; and each should be mapped and analyzed. Such an urban plan balances social and physical objectives, in an orderly fashion which directs growth into preferred patterns to conserve natural resources, optimize choices, and place the least possible burden on the taxpayers.

This Ford County Plan leaves much of that detail to the cities and towns to work out separately. The land use patterns on a countywide level are simple. What is urban? What is agricultural? Where are other population concentrations? What other rural land uses have an impact on the environment and/or infrastructure?

This plan explores three basic land use categories: population centers, agricultural, and agricultural production. Population centers are further classified as: urban, small city, and rural village. The vast majority of Ford County’s 1,099 square miles are agricultural. Dodge City is the urban land use. The incorporated city and surrounding urban area comprise about 12.1 square miles of land. Dodge City provides a complete array of urban services.

Bucklin, Ford, and Spearville are the small cities in Ford County. Bucklin and Spearville occupy about 0.6 square mile of land each, while Ford comprises about 0.4 square mile. These towns are primarily residential, with the commercial uses that their respective populations can support.

Wright is the largest village in Ford County, followed by Wilroads Gardens, Kingsdown, Bloom, Bellefont, Windhorst, and Wilroads, and. Howell. Wright, Wilroads Gardens, Kingsdown, Bloom, Wilroads, and Windhorst are primarily residential. The principal land uses in Bellefont and Howell are grain elevators.

Agricultural production land uses in Ford County are commercial feedlots, grain elevators, and Fanners’ Cooperative operations. Heavier Agri-business industrial operations such as meatpacking and fertilizer production are located within the urban and small city areas.

The remainder of the 1,085.3 Ford County square miles is rural/agricultural. Some of this land is situated in flood hazard areas, but flood prone lands can be used for agricultural purposes with suitable protections.

POPULATION DENSITY

Ford County had a 1990 population density of 25.0 persons per square mile. Incorporated places had the following densities per square mile: Dodge City-1, 746.2; Bucklin-1, 183.3; Ford-617.5; Spearville1, 193.3. The high densities in the urban areas mean that rural Ford County is sparsely populated. Six townships had less than 3.0 persons per square mile (Bloom, Concord, Royal, Sodville, Wheatland, and Wilburn). In 1996 it was estimated that the county had 30.2 persons per square mile. This is less dense than both the state and peer counties’ averages.

COUNTY ZONING

The Ford County Commission in 1997 implemented a zoning resolution for the entire unincorporated area. This resolution has as its basic concept that non-municipal areas should remain agricultural. Outside existing population centers, there should be no lot smaller than 40 acres, precluding suburban subdivisions in rural, agricultural areas. Smaller lot residential development may be permitted in areas with adequate water and sewerage service (adjacent to existing urban areas). Land use proposals that are non-agricultural and non-residential are considered on a case-by-case basis in a public hearing where individual merits are deliberated the thrust of the zoning resolution is that non-agricultural land uses should be situated in the population centers.


AGRICULTURAL LAND USE

In 1995 Ford County had 740 farms comprising 680,000 acres (1,062.5 square miles). This is the largest number of farms for all Western Kansas. From 1985 to 1995 between 262,000 and 372,000 acres have been harvested annually. The remaining acreage is used for livestock raising and fallow cropland.

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION LAND USE

There are 65 permitted commercial confined cattle feedlots in Ford County. These have an authorized capacity for 220,000 cattle (or other animal units). A majority of the lots are concentrated along the southern area of Dodge City with a few scattered sites elsewhere. There are no large-scale confined feed operations for poultry or swine in Ford County to date. That possibility does exist for some time in the near future. There has been no determination of the maximum capacity that the land can hold for confined feeding operations. State environmental regulations govern separation and waste treatment requirements and authorize differing maximum capacities for each feedlot. But an overall county capacity has not been set.

Other agricultural production land uses in Ford County are grain elevators and farmers’ cooperatives. There are eleven-grain elevators in use throughout the county. These are operated by the various farmers’ cooperatives. Due to their function, grain elevators are situated adjacent to railroad tracks and dispersed along those lines. Farmers’ cooperatives providing additional services are situated in existing population centers.

PLANNING CONCERNS

A primary concern of this and most comprehensive plans are to direct future land uses. All other elements of the planning process come into play. Where will the projected future population live? Is the transportation system adequate for the anticipated growth? Are public facilities sufficiently programmed for the growth? Will area economics support the future population? Are preservation/enhancement of the environment and quality of life being considered? Most importantly, what do the present and future citizens want regarding growth issues?

The previous section on population indicates that Dodge City will have 90 percent of the total Ford County population by the year 2030. The cities of Bucklin, Ford, and Spearville will grow slightly (along with the village of Wright): The remainder of the county is expected not to have a population increase and most likely will continue a population decline. If this is not the most desirable growth pattern, strategies can be developed to foster change. If this is desirable, strategies should be formulated to accommodate the growth patterns while enhancing the quality of life within those growth areas.

Preservation of agricultural land is encouraged in Ford County. It is not, however, always seen as a critical issue because there is so much land. Citizens should become more aware of the need to consciously keep a distinction between agricultural and urban land uses.

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation is a major key to Ford County’s development. The Santa Fe Trail first crossed the future county, bringing people and goods across the Great Plains. Fort Dodge was established to help protect the Trail Other horse and wagon trails developed off the Santa Fe. The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad followed the Santa Fe Trail. Cattle drives from Texas to the Ford County railroad stations developed into trails. Highways were then constructed following these earlier trails. A municipal airport was added. As Dodge City grew and became more densely populated, a public transit system was created. Lately, recreational trails have been discussed for the area Ford County has a truly multi-modal transportation system. All modes of travel exist-except for water.

HIGHWAYS AND STREETS

There should be a hierarchy of streets, from limited’ access highways to unpaved rural section line roads. All should be designed to carry goods and people with varying degrees of access. National standards have been developed to classify the different categories: Freeway, Major Arterial, Minor Arterial, Major Collector, Minor Collector, Local Street, and Rural Road. When considering the network of highways and streets in rural Ford County, however, an abbreviated hierarchy may be more meaningful. Below is a discussion of arterials (the U.S. routes), collectors (the paved county roads), and rural roads (the unpaved, usually township roads).

Primary Roads

Ford County does not have a true freeway. There are two highways around Dodge City, which are limited access (U.S. 50 north of town and U.S. 56 By-pass south east of town). These do not fit the precise definition of freeways because there is no grade separation (over/under-pass) at intersections, nor divided medians. However, they are limited access, requiring frontage roads rather that direct driveway access.

Our major arterial highways are the U.S. and Kansas State Routes that cross Ford County. These connect the towns within Ford County, and provide direct access to other counties and states. Three U.S. routes converge on Dodge City and a fourth crosses the southern portion of Ford County. Only the Kansas City area, Sedgwick, and Shawnee Counties have more federal routes crossing their jurisdictions.

U.S. Route 400 is a relatively new highway designation, which follows existing routes through Kansas from Missouri to Colorado. In Ford County it follows, (from east to west) U.S. 54 bypassing Bucklin to the north, the former K-154 northeast to Dodge City, and U.S. 50 from Dodge City on to Garden City. This route provides Ford County direct access to Wichita, Kansas and Pueblo, Colorado.

U.S. Route 56 connects Great Bend to Dodge City and continues southwest through Sublette, Hugoton, Elkhart, and on to New Mexico. East of Ford County this route splits with U.S. 50 continuing to Hutchinson, U.S. 56 to Great Bend, and U.S. 183 to Hays.

U.S. Route 54 connects Wichita and Liberal through Bucklin and the villages of Kingsdown and Bloom, and on to Minneola in Clark County. U.S. Route 283 is the north-south arterial through Ford County, connecting Nebraska and Oklahoma through Dodge City.

Ford County does not have many Kansas State Routes. K-154 has been re-designated as U.S. 400 east of Dodge City. (Trail Street in Dodge City was recently designated a city street, a trade-off when the southeast U.S. 56 By-pass was constructed). K-94 is a short route connecting the village of Kingsdown on U.S. 54 with the Clark County Lake State Park. K-34 connects U.S. 400 north of Bucklin with U.S. Routes 160/183 in Clark County. K-94 is difficult to classify as a major arterial due to its traffic and function.

Secondary Roads

It is difficult to describe collector roads within a rural county setting. A collector funnels traffic from local origins to arterial routes for final destinations. Outside the cities and villages, Ford County has very few concentrations of traffic origins and destinations from which to funnel traffic. The county system of paved roads (and county roads proposed to be paved) is the nearest to providing a collector street network. When the roads proposed for paving are completed, Ford County will have approximately 250 miles of blacktop collectors. County road standards are not designed for heavy truck traffic.

In an urban setting, these paved county roads would be considered local streets from a design viewpoint however; roads that fit the minor street function in rural Ford County are the gravel and graded dirt farm routes. Most all of these are under township maintenance control (approximately 1,000 miles).

Recent and Planned Improvements

The State of Kansas has recently made several roadway improvements in Ford County:

              · East Wyatt Earp in Dodge City (U. S. Routes 400/50/56) was widened to four lanes with left turns
              · South 2nd Avenue in Dodge City (U.S. Route 283) was widened to four lanes with left turns
              • U.S. Route 56 By-pass was constructed southeast of the city as a two lane facility
              • US. 4001K-154 was reconstructed and widened southeast from Dodge City to the City of Ford
              • US. 283 was reconstructed from Wright to the Hodgemen County line (and on to Jetmore)

Planned highway improvements are found in the Kansas Department of Transportation five-year plan for fiscal years 1998-2001. The state considers this an “interim” plan because the legislature will be asked for additional funding in the near future. There are many more transportation needs than there is current funding. The scheduled improvements include:

              • Resurface K-34 from US. 54 to Clark County (5.9 mi.)-and on to U.S. 160
              • Resurface U.S. 50 from west Dodge City limits 8.7 miles
              • Resurface U.S. 50 from east Dodge City limits to US. 283 (6.0 mi.)
              • Reconstruct US. 50 from east Dodge City limits to US. 50B/56 (preliminary engineering)
              ;• Overlay bridge on US. 56 at Arkansas River
              • Upgrade RR signals at Second Avenue, Dodge City
              • Resurface U.S. 56 from east Dodge City limits to US. 50 (3.2 mi.)

In addition to the above, Ford County and Dodge City have contracted for improvements to South Fourteenth Avenue connecting it with U.S. Route 56. This two-lane facility will help alleviate downtown Dodge City congestion caused by through traffic mixing with local traffic. This improvement will not replace the need for a southern by-pass, but it will provide an arterial connector to the existing southeast by-pass. Ford County has utilized state secondary road funds for this project. This will unfortunately delay some other secondary road paving projects; however, it is considered a higher priority.

A proposal has been floating around the country for over a decade concerning the need for a new interstate system route from the east to west coasts. Supporters call it 1-66. Following existing rights-of-way as often as possible, potential corridors have been pinpointed through Virginia and Kentucky. A likely route through Kansas would basically follow the recently designated US. Route 400: through Wichita, Dodge City, and on to Pueblo, Colorado.

Planning Concerns

Through traffic on arterial routes is considerably slowed by congested areas. Where congestion is a problem or where local/pedestrian traffic becomes a safety issue with through traffic, cities and village communities should be by-passed. In Ford County the principal points of such congestion are: US. 54 and K-34 through Bucklin, and Dodge City. Potential congestion is possible on U.S. 4001K-154 at Ft Dodge and through the City of Ford. There also is more heavy truck traffic coming into the City of Spearville from the south than the road is designed to accommodate-creating congestion and related problems for southern Spearville.

The arterial routes through other cities and villages in Ford County have been well designed to by-pass potential congestion. Traffic problems could occur if Spearville, Bellefont, Bloom, Kingsdown, and/or Wright were to experience more development across their respective highways.

The “free flow of through traffic” discussion for Ford County’s comprehensive plan cannot be limited to Ford County. For proper growth and development, our area depends on access throughout the region. Goods must get to markets, tourists must be able to visit, and raw materials must be delivered.

U.S. 400 traffic is restricted between Wichita and Ford County by congestion concerns in Kingman, Pratt, and Greensburg. As vehicle numbers increase, U.S. 400 should become a four-lane facility from Wichita to Pueblo. Access to and from Interstate 70 east is difficult through Kinsley, Larned and Great Bend. Travel to and from Hutchinson and Great Bend is inconvenienced through Kinsley, as US. Routes 50 and 56 disrupt that city.

Traffic routes through Dodge City will be left to a study of arterial, collector, and minor street issues specific to its needs. Except, that is, for two issues that affects all of Ford County and the region. With so many arterial highways converging on Dodge City, Wyatt Earp Blvd. through town has too many demands. And U.S. Route 50 north of town is becoming congested due to urban development north of this facility. (Through traffic appears to need a more complete by-pass-one, which will not have the future congestion as on US. 50.)

The second issue confronting arterial movement through Dodge City is that there is no well-defined nor designed north-south traffic way. Fourteenth Avenue serves the west side of town quite well, but the center and east sides have very poor north-south movement. Giving someone directions to get from South Dodge north becomes an intellectual challenge. There is only one overpass for north-south traffic over the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe tracks-on the US. 56 By-pass. (A secondary road provides an underpass, between East Wyatt Earp and Trail Street, which is not designed for through traffic.) This is a safety as well as traffic concern. If a train were blocking access, there is only one direct means of crossing the rail tracks from north to south.

OTHER TRANSPORTATION MODES

There is no water transportation in Ford County. A navigable waterway requires a constant minimum depth for draw. There is often so little water in the Arkansas River that rafting is not possible. All other modes of moving goods and people are present

Airport

The Dodge City Regional Airport serves Ford County. United Express provides two daily flights to Denver, while U.S. Air Express connects Ford County with Kansas City twice a day. U.S. Air resumed service to the airport in January 1998. The airport was constructed in 1942. The primary runway can accommodate jet aircraft (6,900ft. long) with instrument landing system. Charter airplanes, the National Weather Service, automobile rental, Civil Air Patrol, and aerial spraying services are located on airport property. Tie downs and T -hangers are also available.

Over 2,500 passengers boarded planes at the airport last year-with only U.S. Air Express service. With the addition of United Express service to Denver and continuation of the recent aggressive marketing campaign, total enplanement should more than double for 1998.

Improvements planned for the airport include a complete renovation of the terminal building. Budgeted for 1988, up-to-date security system will be installed with other improvements.

Railroads

Three railroads pass through Ford County. The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe were the first, which roughly followed the Santa Fe Trail. This line provided the means for goods to be shipped from Ford County to markets and permitted the area to develop. This line serves Bellefont, Spearville, and Wright to Dodge City, then forks into two lines. One continues southwest to Santa Fe and one west through Howell to Garden City and Colorado. The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe recently merged with the Burlington Northern Railroad system.

The Chicago and Rock Island Line provided service to southeastern Ford County, through Bucklin, Kingsdown, and Bloom. Later named the St Louis Southwestern Railway, it merged with and became the Southern Pacific Railway, and more recently the Union Pacific.

The Rock Island Line had a short line connection between Dodge City and Bucklin. This route is now operated for recreational use as the Dodge City, Ford, and Bucklin Railroad, with commercial access to the Wilroads grain elevator and connecting the Burlington Northern and Union Pacific Lines.

Amtrak service is available in Ford County. A route from Chicago to Los Angeles makes daily stops in Dodge City each way. Amtrak follows the Santa Fe route through Kansas.

Recreational Transportation

Transportation for recreation is quite popular in many areas. It may have a high potential in Ford County. Bicycling and hiking can meet exercise needs. Trails may help meet tourist expectations. Equestrian and wagon trails are untapped potential resources.

There is a recreational train route. The Dodge City, Ford, and Bucklin Railroad provides tourists and local residents with seasonal rides including dinner and western theme re-enactments along a 16 mile round trip route. Trolley rides are available to the historic sites in Dodge City.

There are several bicycling enthusiasts in and around Ford County. Designated routes, however, do not exist. Perhaps there is little demand for specifically designated routes, due to the rather wide streets and rights-of-way, flat terrain, and relatively unobstructed views.

Designated hiking trails are limited to a one-half mile course on the Dodge City Community College Campus and historical tour routes in Dodge City and Fort Dodge. Hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding are popular activities for many persons. There have been discussions in the past to explore potential trails in Ford County, but none have been aggressively pursued. The potential for equestrian trails appears to be a good prospect for tourism development considering the cultural history of Ford County.

Commercial Trucking

Truck service is available daily with Kindsvater Truck Lines, Price, Yellow Freight Systems, and Western Kansas Express. Approximately twenty trucking companies serve Ford County. The area is also home to a U.P.S. regional distribution center. Federal Express, Pony Express, Air Borne Express, the United States Postal Service, and Roadway Package Systems, Inc. are also available for both ground and air transport.

PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES

FORD COUNTY

Ford County provides a number of public services. The county courthouse provides working space and administrative support for two district court judges. The Ford County Government Center houses the administrative functions of the county: the Treasurer, Register of Deeds, County Clerk, Tax Appraisal, Public Works Department, and Environmental Health/Zoning Officer. The County Agricultural Extension Agent, Court Services Offices, and Emergency Communications Center are also located in the Government Center. The courthouse and government center are in good condition, with only minor maintenance needs. The courthouse was renovated in 1993, while the government center was created from the former Laura Locke Hotel in 1991. County government services have rapidly expanded in the past several years, and more office space is needed.

The Santa Fe Trail Community Corrections office, located on West Spruce Street is in need of more space for badly needed additional personnel. They have 103 adult clients needing intensive supervision, and 32 juvenile clients. These numbers are expected to double or triple in the immediate future.

The Ford County Health Department is in a separate location on East Spruce Street. It has recently seen a rapid increase in clients, to over 1,200 each month. Health Department services such as childhood immunizations are often provided at outreach centers in Bucklin and Spearville. The Spruce Street facility is in need of alteration. A separate employee entrance and new roof are immediate concerns.

The Sheriff’s Office and Ford County Jail are on Avenue L at Military Avenue. The jail was designed for an anticipated year 2010 capacity. The inmate population has unfortunately soared recently, and the facility is now severely overcrowded. Designed for 32 inmates, it was recently remodeled and cells were “doubled up” so the current design capacity is 84 inmates. The jail currently serves more than 100 inmates. Discussions are underway to determine whether the jail should be enlarged, or if a new facility in another location should be constructed.

The county landfill is situated on North Fourteenth Avenue. It was opened for use within the past two years, and has ample room for fifty years’ growth. The former landfill just west of the Dodge City Municipal Airport retains facilities for household hazardous waste disposal.

County fire protection and emergency medical services are offered at several facilities, with one more under construction. Eight fire stations are located, in Dodge City, Ford, Kingsdown, Bucklin, Spearville, Howell, Bloom, and Wright. Emergency Medical Service stations are located in Dodge City, Bucklin, Howell, and Spearville. The ambulance services share buildings with the local fire stations. The South Dodge City station is in the worst condition of all. A new facility is under construction in North Dodge City on U.S. Highway 50. This is not intended to replace the South Dodge station, as fire and ambulance services are needed north and south for a proper response time.

Except for Dodge City police and fire protection, the above services are provided throughout Ford County for all citizens. Police and fire protection are shared among the jurisdictions as needed.

The county supports several recreation facilities. Ford County Lake and Haynes State Fishing Lake are located in the northern portion of the county. It has several camper sites around a fishing lake. The Ford County Historical Society owns and maintains Coronado Cross Park, a monument commemorating the Conquistadors 1541 visit to the area near Fort Dodge. The Home of Stone is an 1881 house museum on East Vine Street in Dodge City owned by Ford County and operated by the Ford County Historical Society. Eleven miles west of Dodge City on U.S. Route 50 is a park overlooking one the best remaining sites for Santa Fe Trail rots. The county recently obtained grant funds to upgrade this historic feature into a positive tourist attraction with interpretive centers and accessible walkways.

MUNICIPAL AND SPECIAL DISTRICTS

Ford County is not in the public water or sewer business. Dodge City, Bucklin, and Spearville offer municipal water an