(A) Report overview. The results of the county comprehensive plan are presented in eight sections of this report. The contents of each section of the report are generally as follows:
(1) Section One - Executive Summary: This section provides a general overview of the entire report;
(2) Section Two - Introduction: This section provides an introduction to the county and the purpose of the comprehensive plan;
(3) Section Three - Development Considerations: This section describes all the considerations that were taken into account during this project;
(4) Section Four - Goals and Objectives: This section of the report represents the community's goals and objectives during the planning period;
(5) Section Five - Land Use Plan: This section depicts and describes the proposed land use plan for the county;
(6) Section Six - Transportation Plan: The purpose of this section is to present the proposed street classification map and describe its purpose;
(7) Section Seven - Capital Improvements Plan: This section of the report serves as an overview of the capital improvements anticipated to be needed to implement this plans goals and objectives; and
(8) Section Eight - Implementation Plan: This section provides an overview of the process to implement the goals, objectives and policies included in this report.
(B) Report summary.
(1) Introduction. This comprehensive plan is intended as an instrument of public policy, reflecting the goals and objectives for the development of the county. It is an official document adopted by local government as a policy guide to future decisions about the development of its jurisdiction. This comprehensive plan is a composite of four separate plans: land use, transportation, capital improvements and implementation.
(2) Development considerations. The development considerations for the county briefly highlight some of the important demographics and statistics looking both toward the future and from the past. This section gives an in-depth look at the different land use, soils, floodplain, transportation and infrastructure considerations in the county. It also discusses county considerations by breaking them up into four distinct categories: residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural.
(3) Goals and objectives. The Area Plan Commission established goals and objectives by reviewing several lists and land use plans from workshops that were held throughout the county. From these goals and objectives the Area Plan Commission created a final land use plan that is presented in this comprehensive plan. The goals and objectives were then divided into distinct categories: commercial, industrial, residential, agricultural and general.
(4) Land use plan.
(a) Suburban development surrounds the City of Vincennes and extends well into the prime agricultural areas of the county. Many of the rural development subdivisions are scattered with pockets of undeveloped land. These scattered subdivisions are particularly vulnerable to the intrusion of mixed land use areas.
(b) Future development in the county will be affected by the rate of economic growth in the region and the effectiveness of policies and programs in the county to maintain its neighborhoods. As the county has been taking an aggressive leadership role in economic development, numerous land use changes are taking place. While some are concerned about effects of land use changes, there are others who oppose any land use controls.
(c) Most of the future development that is expected to occur will do so in and around the City of Vincennes. However, there is expected to be some residential growth occurring around Monroe City, Oaktown, Freelandville, Edwardsport, Sandborn, Bruceville and Westphalia. Industrial and commercial expansion is expected to occur in the outlying areas of Vincennes, Bicknell and Sandborn. Residential or commercial development is expected to occur on S.R. 61 and Hart Street Road outside of Vincennes.
(5) Transportation plan. Transportation facilities and services have been instrumental in the historical development of the county and continue to play an important role in the local economy. The highway systems are generally adequate in transportation of goods and people, though improvements are needed in county and local roads.
(6) Capital improvements plan. This section summarizes all the improvements to local and county infrastructure to accommodate future and current expansion. These improvements are broken into two categories: residential and transportation. Most of these improvements are drainage, sewer and recreation related.
(7) Implementation plan. This section has reviewed the measures available to the units of local government in implementing and regulating the Comprehensive Plan, after adoption. Regulatory measures, though less desirable, are also necessary in providing for orderly growth. This section also discusses the Area Plan Commission's role in regulating as well as the importance of periodically reviewing and updating the comprehensive plan and ordinances.
(Res. 2004-8, passed - -2004; Res. 5-2008, passed 12-15-2008)