Robert Thompson, AICP

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Robert Thompson, AICP
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PORTER COUNTY
Population 155,000 Approximately half of this
population resides in the unincorporated
area. Growth rate of 1 to 2 percent per
year. Major industries manufacturing (steel),
service, agriculture and construction. Major
port located on the shores of Lake Michigan.
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EXISTING LAND USE
SR 2 divides county Urban areas
north Rural/agricultural areas south Also
divide for drainage to Lake Michigan
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STATUS QUO DEVELOPMENT
Scattered growth if current development pattern
is to continue. Strip out residential
development along county roads
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URBAN/RURAL CHARACTER SENARIO
Focus development next to cities and
towns Encourage development on municipal type
services vs. well and septic
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FUTURE LAND USE PLAN
Urban Development Area located around
cities. Suburban Development located by towns
and areas with municipal type services. Urban
Development Area located around cities. Suburban
Development located by towns and areas with
municipal type services.
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PORTER COUNTYS VISION

• Adopt a Traditional Neighborhood Development
  (TND) district that is specifically written to
  encourage and to guide developments with a mix of
  residential uses (condos, apartments, and
  single-family homes) as well as commercial and
  institutional uses.
• Areas designated for conservation development on
  the land use plan should be transitioned into the
  natural landscape through the retention of at
  least 30 percent of the natural features within
  new developments.
• Enact an adequate public facilities ordinance
  requiring that new development be located in
  areas where there is service by a public (or
  approved private) water and sewer provider.
• Encourage compact, mixed-use developments that
  incorporate everyday commercial and institutional
  activities within easy walking distance (1/2
  mile) of local residences.
• Provide incentives in all districts for good
  design and aesthetics rather than using
  regulatory controls.

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UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE
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Two Day Workshop
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Proposed Projects

• Corridor Study major thoroughfares in the
  unincorporated area of the county.
• Construction Standards Ordinance
• Revised Storm Water Manual to further enhance
  water quality efforts.

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Applicability

• Priority 1 (Blue lines) Consists of major
  drainage ways and bodies of water that are to be
  given highest priority for protection. WSO
  District extends 500 feet.
• Priority 2 (Yellow Lines) Consists of major
  drainage collectors, continually flowing drainage
  ways to Priority 1 water bodies. WSO District
  extends 300 feet.
• Priority 3 (Purple lines) Consists of minor
  drainage ways and may include tertiary waterways
  and intermittent flow. WSO District extends 100
  feet.

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Additional Standards

• Each priority area is broken down into 3 buffer
  areas Zone 1 is to protect the physical and
  ecological integrity of the ecosystem, especially
  stream bank and riverbank stabilization. Zone 2
  protects the stream with vegetative filters to
  trap soil particles and to trap nitrogen and
  phosphorus. Zone 3 Will start yards for
  residential developments but no structures in
  this zone.
• Use limitations gas stations, sanitary fills,
  junk yards, heavy manufacturing are not allowed
  within the WSO.

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Robert W. Thompson, Jr., AICP Porter County Plan
Commission rthompson_at_porterco.org
Taltree Arboretum Gardens