IMPLEMENTATION
Once the Comprehensive Development Plan is completed, the single most important aspect of the Plan is implementation. Without implementation, the Plan has no meaning. The Town of New Palestine is fortunate in that the Town Manager and Town Council and other Town officials and organizations are very committed to implementing the Comprehensive Development Plan. Implementation is the final phase of the Comprehensive Development Plan process, i.e., the realization of the goals and objectives as set forth in the Plan.
ACTION PLAN
The Goals and Objectives set forth in the previous chapters of this Plan represent the items which are of top priority to the community. To implement these goals and objectives, the Action Plan was developed which will direct the community through the steps of implementation.
CONCLUSION
Even though the Community Development Plan has been developed for short-range (five years) and long-range (twenty years) planning periods, the Plan should be reviewed annually, and revised as needed by the Plan Commission every five years. Changes will undoubtedly be necessary because of changing trends and economic conditions.
The Town Council and Plan Commission of any community are often pressured to disregard the goals and objectives of the Community Development Plan. However, in order to assure orderly growth and development in compliance with the Plan, the town must continue to remain committed to implementing the Plan. It is only with this adherence to the goals and objectives of the Plan that the residents of New Palestine can be assured that the community will maintain and enhance the small town values, appearance and quality of life.
QUALITY OF LIFE
Goal: Maintain a vibrant community for all citizens so they will work towards much higher levels of economic productivity, educational and cultural attainment, and quality of life so as to encourage greater civic pride. | ||
Objective: | Action: | Responsible Entity: |
Goal: Maintain a vibrant community for all citizens so they will work towards much higher levels of economic productivity, educational and cultural attainment, and quality of life so as to encourage greater civic pride. | ||
Objective: | Action: | Responsible Entity: |
Reinvent the historic Main Street corridor as a focal point of the community. | Develop Main Street Strategic Plan. | Main Street/Plan Commission |
Protect existing historic structures. | Identify buildings and develop ordinance/resolution for conservation/preservation. | Town Officials/Main Street |
Enhance gateway points into the community. | Identify design enhancements for signage. | Town Officials/Public Works/Chamber |
Review current Town ordinances and update if necessary and determine the need for new ordinances. | Have Town Attorney review current ordinances. | Town Officials/Attorney |
Enhance communication/ cooperation between major community groups providing communication portal for services and events. | Develop committee to investigate communication solution and implementation. | Town Officials/Communications committee/County Tourism |
Enhance leadership/volunteerism in community. | Have Town representative attend Hancock County Leadership Academy. | Town Officials/Communications committee |
Maintain and improve on current community events. | Work with Town and Chamber on local community events. | Town Officials/Community organizations |
Foster community activities for youth and senior populations. | Inventory current available activities and define deficiencies. Have Town representative attend Senior Services meetings. | Town Officials/County Senior Services |
Encourage recreational activities promoting health and well being. | Follow Township Park 5 Year Master Plan. | Township Park Board/Regional Hospital |
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Goal: To improve and maintain the infrastructure and services in a way that enhances community pride, provides a tool for managing growth, and ensures the well being of the community. | ||
Objective: | Action: | Responsible Entity: |
Goal: To improve and maintain the infrastructure and services in a way that enhances community pride, provides a tool for managing growth, and ensures the well being of the community. | ||
Objective: | Action: | Responsible Entity: |
Continue collaboration with the school corporation to capitalize upon the educational resources within New Palestine. | Have Town representative attend School Board meetings. | Town Officials/School Administration |
Identify the need for future community utility upgrades and ensure the maintenance of existing facilities. | Develop 5 Year Master Utilities Plan. | Town Officials/Public Works |
Develop system of trails/paths for walking/bicycling. | Follow Bike & Pedestrian Plan. | Town Officials/Township Park Board |
Encourage the development of a 24 hour health care clinic. | Contact Hancock Regional Hospital system and start dialog. | Town Officials/Hancock County EDC |
Establish representation/ communication with the Sugar Creek Twp Park Board. | Have Town official attend park board meetings. | Town Officials |
Continue to expand community policing and its presence in the community. | Review procedures and develop new policing tactics when necessary. | Town Officials/Police Dept. |
Continue to work with the Sugar Creek Twp. Fire Department to ensure future infrastructure and staffing funding. | Work with Township Trustee and Fire Chief on Fire Department issues. | Town Officials |
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Goal: Provide sufficient planning encouraging growth while retaining a balance between residential neighborhoods and business/industrial centers. | ||
Objective: | Action: | Responsible Entity: |
Goal: Provide sufficient planning encouraging growth while retaining a balance between residential neighborhoods and business/industrial centers. | ||
Objective: | Action: | Responsible Entity: |
Encourage entrepreneurial growth that attracts new retail and services to the community. | Continue communications and representation with Hancock County EDC. | Chamber/Hancock County EDC/Indiana Small Business Development |
Support local businesses encouraging growth and retention in the community. | Develop Economic Development/Marketing Plan. | Chamber/Main Street |
Encourage progressive technologies to serve the community. | Work with internet providers. | Town Officials/Chamber |
Enhance and expand the Main Street program. | Develop Strategic Plan for downtown. | Main Street |
Continue partnerships with county and state economic development agencies to promote the retention, expansion and new development of business opportunities for the Town. | Continue relationship and representation with Hancock County EDC. | Chamber/Town Officials |
Develop an Economic Development Plan to attract and guide future growth. | Compile data and inventory for Town businesses and commercial properties. | Chamber/Economic Dev Commission |
LAND USE
Goal: To encourage the orderly, responsible development of land in order to promote the community goals, and to determine and direct land use patterns in the most positive way for the community as a whole, in a manner consistent with its long term interests. | ||
Objective: | Action: | Responsible Entity: |
Goal: To encourage the orderly, responsible development of land in order to promote the community goals, and to determine and direct land use patterns in the most positive way for the community as a whole, in a manner consistent with its long term interests. | ||
Objective: | Action: | Responsible Entity: |
Identify its desired town boundaries over the next 20 years. | Develop annexation policy and strategic plan. | Plan Commission/Town Officials |
Use the selective extension of sanitary sewer service to promote growth. | Identify areas for future development and follow annexation plan. | Plan Commission/Town Officials |
Balance residential and commercial uses that allow for the expansion of the tax base without impacting residential areas with traffic, noise, and other adverse impacts. | Follow the Comprehensive Development Plan. | Plan Commission |
Control development in a manner compatible with the desired character of the town. | Follow the Comprehensive Development Plan. | Plan Commission |
Continue to update the current Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Control Ordinance, including administrative and regulatory procedures. | Ongoing | Plan Commission/Town Officials |
Continue communication with the Hancock County Planning Department on all land use issues outside the Town's planning jurisdiction. | Have Plan Commission representative attend Hancock County Plan Commission meetings. | Plan Commission |
Concentrate on development by infill properties and of vacant parcels. | Follow the Comprehensive Development Plan. | Plan Commission |
Investigate the need for quality rental housing. | Develop a housing market analysis study. | Town Officials |
Preserve the small town character of the Town. | Have Plan Commission representative attend Hancock County Plan Commission meetings. | Plan Commission |
TRANSPORTATION
Goal: Strive to make the community connected by all means of transportation modes which will enhance the growth and development of the community. | ||
Objective: | Action: | Responsible Entity: |
Provide pedestrian and bicycle connections between important destinations. | Follow Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan | Town Officials/Public Works |
Improve local roadways to aid commerce in the transport of goods through the community. | Follow the Street Analysis & Improvements Plan. | Town Officials/Public Works |
Educate community on availability of public transportation. | Communicate the availability of HART to community. | Town Officials |
Continued maintenance and improvements to local road system. | Follow the Street Analysis & Improvements Plan. | Town Officials/Public Works |
Work with the Indiana Department of Transportation and the Hancock County Highway Department to improve major roads in and surrounding New Palestine. | Select representative to develop relationship with Indiana Department of Transportation and the Hancock County Highway Department. | Public Works |