The update of the Indianapolis-Marion County Comprehensive Plan is nearing the halfway point. The Land Use Mapping processes for the Lawrence Township Planning Area and the Perry Township/Beech Grove Planning Area have been completed. 

Lawrence and Perry are the third and fourth townships to have their Land Use Maps completed.  Pike and Wayne Townships were completed late in 2002. 

The Perry Township/Beech Grove process was delayed by the state’s announcement of its favored I-69 route.  The land use plan for the western third of Perry Township will be completed in mid 2004.  By that time, it is expected that more will be known about the proposed Interstate highway’s future route. 

Notable aspects of the Perry Township/Beech Grove Plan are the designation of two Village Mixed-Use areas and 167 acres of proposed new parkland.  The Village Mixed-Use recommendations were used to help maintain and enhance the special character of Main Street in Beech Grove and the historic portion of the City of Southport.  Six new parks and four park expansions are proposed in this plan.  The recommended parkland expansion will help counter Perry Township’s low parkland-to-population ratio. 

Commercial encroachment into residential areas was also a major topic in the meetings of the Perry Township plan.  The need to protect existing neighborhoods led to Critical Area designations for Madison Avenue and Emerson Avenue. 

The Lawrence process has proceeded smoothly and is on schedule.  The proposed Lawrence Township plan includes three recommendations for Village Mixed-Use.  Two of these recommendations are for the former Fort Benjamin Harrison and the town of Oaklandon.  Additionally, Village Mixed-Use was recommended for the area at 38th Street and Carroll Road.  This is the first time this recommendation has been made for such a large area where no village has previously existed.  Residents see the potential for a dynamic community in this area.  Additionally, an additional 173 acres of parkland was proposed for Lawrence Township. 

Warren and Washington Township Planning Areas are scheduled as the next step in the Land Use Mapping process.  Meetings will begin in July and are expected to run through November.  At these meetings recommended land uses will be proposed for each parcel of land within the planning areas. 

Adoption of the new Land Use Maps for the county is expected to take place in late 2004; upon completion of the planning processes for all eight Planning Areas. 

The first meeting for each township is: 

Washington Township Planning Area 
Monday, July 7, 7:00 p.m. 
Holliday Park Nature Center 
6363 Spring Mill Road

Warren Township Planning Area 
Monday, July 14, 7:00 p.m. 
Warren Township Government Center 
501 North Post Road

Meetings are open to all Marion County citizens who wish to be involved.  For more information or to be placed on the Indianapolis Insight mailing list, call 327-5155 or visit our website at . 

www.indygov.org/indianapolisinsight