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Real Property for Indiana Paralegals
Section 8 . 2

Comprehensive Plan

Jonathan Watson

All the planning overseen by a commission is done according to a comprehensive plan. This is a policy document created by a commission and recommended to the governing body of the government unit for adoption. The comprehensive plan must include at least:

(1) A statement of objectives for the future development of the jurisdiction. (2) A statement of policy for the land use development of the jurisdiction. (3) A statement of policy for the development of public ways, public places, public lands, public structures, and public utilities.[1]

In addition to these basic requirements, a comprehensive plan may also include a great deal of other information, such as:

(1) Surveys and studies of current conditions and probable future growth within the jurisdiction and adjoining jurisdictions.

(2) Maps, plats, charts, and descriptive material presenting basic information, locations, extent, and character of any of the following:

(A) History, population, and physical site conditions.

(B) Land use, including the height, area, bulk, location, and use of private and public structures and premises.

(C) Population densities.

…

(P) Land utilization, including agriculture, forests, and other uses.

(Q) Conservation of energy, water, soil, and agricultural and mineral resources.

(R) Any other factors that are a part of the physical, economic, or social situation within the jurisdiction.

(3) Reports, maps, charts, and recommendations setting forth plans and policies for the development, redevelopment, improvement, extension, and revision of the subjects and physical situations (set out in subdivision (2) of this section) of the jurisdiction so as to substantially accomplish the purposes of this chapter.

(4) A short and long range development program of public works projects for the purpose of stabilizing industry and employment and for the purpose of eliminating unplanned, unsightly, untimely, and extravagant projects.

(5) A short and long range capital improvements program of governmental expenditures so that the development policies established in the comprehensive plan can be carried out and kept up-to-date for all separate taxing districts within the jurisdiction to assure efficient and economic use of public funds.

(6) A short and long range plan for the location, general design, and assignment of priority for construction of thoroughfares in the jurisdiction for the purpose of providing a system of major public ways that allows effective vehicular movement, encourages effective use of land, and makes economic use of public funds.[2]

Obviously, a comprehensive plan could range from a few pages to many pages in length.

As you might expect, often comprehensive plans vary with the size of the city and population. For instance, the comprehensive plan for the city of Chicago, IL is over 400 pages long.[3]

After a comprehensive plan is adopted by a unit, all future planning must be pursued according to the goals set forth in the comprehensive plan. This planning is accomplished by zoning ordinances.

[1] Ind. Code § 36-7-4-502.

[2] Ind. Code § 36-7-4-503.

[3] https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dcd/supp_info/central_area_plandraft.html

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