The update of the Indianapolis-Marion County Comprehensive Plan continues to make progress as work on the Washington Township and Warren Township Planning Areas nears completion.

So far over 80 Washington Township residents collectively have given more than 250 hours of their time to the planning process.  Conversion of residential properties to commercial uses was a recurring topic in the meetings.  These discussions resulted in eight of the ten Critical Areas in the township including recommendations for limiting the conversion of residential properties to commercial uses.

The quantity of parkland is another top land use topic in Washington Township.  With more than 80% of the Township’s land already developed, identifying suitable parkland is a challenge.  Through the planning process, more than 275 acres of additional parkland were designated, which includes both new parks and additions to several existing parks.

The Warren Township planning area includes parts of adjoining Center Township.  The process benefited from a high level of attendance and thoughtful discussion through six meetings.  A major concern was the decline of established retail areas along East Washington Street.  Land use recommendations were aimed at reinvestment and modernization.  A related concern was the encroachments of commercial uses into stable residential neighborhoods, such as along Post Road.

The proposed Pennsy Trail was a new topic in this land use update.  The proposed trail abuts residential, industrial and commercial areas and requires appropriate linkages to the surrounding neighborhoods.  Another challenge was to place appropriate land uses and densities along the Grassy Creek and Buck Creek valleys, both of which contain high quality and natural woodlands, wetlands and floodplains.  Both stream valleys are planned for Greenways.

Both the Washington Township and Warren Township Planning Areas should be completed in November.  Meetings to coordinate the Washington Plan with the Pike Township and Lawrence Township plans will occur in December and early January.  The Comprehensive Planning staff will then move on to the Decatur and Franklin Township Planning Areas.

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

Upcoming Comprehensive Land Use Planning meetings are:

Warren Township Planning Area 
Monday, November 17, 7:00 p.m. 
Warren Township Government Center
501 North Post Road

Washington Township/Pike Township Coordination Meeting
Monday, December 8, 7:00 p.m. 
Washington Park North Cemetery Community Life Building
2701 Kessler Boulevard, West Drive

Washington Township/Lawrence Township Coordination Meeting
Monday, January 5, 7:00 p.m. 
Eastwood Middle School
 4401 East 62nd Street

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