The Zionsville Comprehensive Plan will be built on a foundation of public engagement.
About the Zionsville Comprehensive Plan
The Zionsville Comprehensive Plan is a community-wide strategic planning effort between town leadership, municipal departments, non-profits, local businesses, emergency services, utility providers, and the broader community. It will guide future investment and development in Zionsville for years to come. As development interest in the community grows, it is critical that the comprehensive plan represents the goals and interests of current residents and business owners and serves as a tool to sustain the high quality of life Zionsville is known for.
This plan will address land use, utilities, transportation, economic development, government capacity, and other topics vital to the on-going success of the community. A variety of existing conditions research and analysis will help lay the foundation for a set of planning goals and action strategies which will be utilized by town leadership and staff when making land use and policy decisions. Additionally, the Zionsville Comprehensive Plan is intended to be a document supported and used by the entire town, including residents, businesses, and community organizations
Over the course of the project, there will be times when people living, working, or even visiting Zionsville will be asked to provide input to assist in the development of the plan. This input not only assists local leaders in determining critical challenges to address in the future but helps create a foundation of community backing that is needed to support successful implementation plan recommendations. Public workshops and open houses, online surveys, stakeholder meetings, and booths at pop-up events such as the farmers market are all part of the plan’s engagement and outreach process.
How will we reach the community?
1
In-person Engagement
Community planning relies on the input from residents, business owners, elected officials, and others to build a unified vision for the future of the community. Over the next year, we will be holding multiple in-person engagement opportunities open to everyone living and working in or around Zionsville. Initial visioning workshops will be held at three locations across the community. A Big Ideas open house will happen later this year to present preliminary findings and confirm overall goals. The Community Strategies open house will occur next spring to present more detailed recommendations related to plan topics such as land use, housing, quality of life, transportation, and economic development.
2
Online Resources
We understand not everyone will be able to attend in-person engagement events. For each in-person event, we will be creating an online opportunity to provide input and feedback. This will include multiple surveys, an online workshop using Zoom, an interactive mapping tool, and video summaries to communicate preliminary themes and recommendations.
3
Committees & Stakeholders
In addition to broader engagement events, the process will be guided by the project steering committee. Additional targeted stakeholder outreach will occur to engage leaders and professionals related to plan topics such as utilities, housing, education, arts and culture, preservation, recreation, community services, transportation, economic development,
and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why plan?
Planning is essential in order for a community to define their collective vision for the future. Planning reviews and evaluates existing conditions, describes a collective vision, and establishes clear goals and objectives for achieving that vision.
What is the purpose of a comprehensive plan?
A comprehensive plan is an official policy document, used by elected officials and town staff when making land use, infrastructure, and other community investment decisions. It also communicates the town’s vision for the future to property owners and developers that may be interested in Zionsville.
What geographic areas does the Zionsville Comprehensive Plan cover?
The comprehensive plan will apply to all of Zionsville’s incorporated limits. This includes both the urban and rural service districts. See the map on the resources page for more detail.
What topics does a comprehensive plan cover?
The comprehensive plan will cover topics such as land use, economic development, transportation and utility infrastructure, natural resources, quality of life, and housing.
What is the plan’s timeline?
The plan will look 10+ years into the future. There will be strategies within the plan that can be implemented immediately after adoption while others will be longer term. Although the plan looks 10 years into the future, it should not stay static for that long. Updates should occur periodically as conditions change, development occurs, or local preferences shift.
Does a comprehensive plan have legal requirements?
Yes, it is governed by Indiana Code 36-7-4-500 series. The plan must contain a statement of objectives on future development, a statement of policy for land use development, and a statement of policy for the development of public ways, public places, public lands, public structure, and public utilities. The statute also provides a community the option of including more components in the plan to address unique local concerns. The Zionsville Comprehensive Plan will include much more than the minimum statutory requirements to ensure it provides the necessary detail and ultimately greatest benefit to the community.
Is there a difference between zoning and a comprehensive plan?
Yes, the comprehensive plan is a policy document, adopted as a resolution, that serves as a guide for development and community investment. It should be considered by the Town Council, local boards and commissions, and staff when making decisions, but it is not legally binding. The zoning ordinance is a primary mechanism to implement the recommendations of the comprehensive plan through legally binding regulations related to permitted uses, lot size and setback requirements, and other development standards such as building materials, landscaping, parking, access, and signage.
Is a comprehensive plan about managing growth?
No. Even if a community is not growing, it still needs to manage the changes that happen over time. Without a clear plan, change is managed with piecemeal decisions that are not always in the community’s long-term best interests.