Why plan?

Planning is essential for a community to define its collective vision for the future. Residents and community leaders need to be proactive about assessing communities’ needs, envisioning future paths together, and documenting the best strategies to forge the desired path. 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 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 who may be interested in Remington.

What geographic areas does the Remington Comprehensive Plan cover?

The comprehensive plan will apply to all incorporated areas of Remington, as well as to land immediately adjacent to the Town that holds future development potential.

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 structures, and public utilities. The statute also provides a community with the option to include additional components in the plan to address unique local concerns.

The Remington Comprehensive Plan will include much more than the minimum statutory requirements to ensure it provides the necessary detail, takes into account the Remington community’s unique needs and desires, and ultimately provides the 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 Plan Commission, Town Council, local boards and commissions, and staff when making decisions, but it is not legally binding. The zoning ordinance is a primary mechanism for implementing the recommendations of the comprehensive plan through legally binding regulations on 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 handled with piecemeal reactive decisions that are not always in the community’s long-term best interests. A comprehensive planning process enables proactive thinking about the future and prepares the community for various scenarios.