Orleans Making Progress On New Comprehensive Plan

Last updated on Thursday, October 23, 2014

(ORLEANS) - Progress continues to be made with the preparation of new Comprehensive Plan for the community of Orleans.

A half dozen area residents braved a rainy and blustering night to share their perspectives on the draft development concepts and recommendations associated with the Comprehensive Plan. The public workshop for the planning effort was held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the Orleans Christian Church Unity Hall.

This second public workshop was facilitated by Bob Grewe and Matt Schriefer, with the Lochmueller Group. The program include a PowerPoint presentation of a handout that outlined development concepts and recommendations.

A copy of the handout is available on the project website at: http://orleanscomprehensiveplan2014.wordpress.com/.

Mr. Grewe opened the meeting and jumped into presentation. Those in attendance shared their perspectives in the
course of the presentation.

Following is outline of the development concepts and recommendations.

Annexation of 56 acre town-owned reservoir property
Ordinance to help manage development near sinkholes
Update zoning ordinance and zoning map
New facility for emergency services
Enforcement of property maintenance code and removal of deficient structures
Expansion and ADA improvements to Orleans Library
Sidewalk and trail improvements
Preserve rail service to support economic development
Participate in Indiana Main Street Program
Redevelopment downtown buildings
Pursue new housing opportunities
Pursue efforts to reduce impacts associated with flooding events
Develop park on 56 acre reservoir property north of town
Pursue effort to attract restaurant and other retail/commercial activities
Pursue development of the Lost River Research/Education and Visitors Center

Mike Fields, President of Orleans Town Council remarked, "Residents will have an additional opportunity to share comments and ideas regarding the Comprehensive Plan.

The Orleans Plan Commission will host a public hearing on the Draft Comprehensive Plan on Monday, Dec.1

Bob Grewe, planner with the Lochmueller Group, noted, "While we were a little light on attendance, we did get great
feedback. Seemed as though there we a number conflicting meetings and activities this evening."

Orleans Clerk-Treasurer, Robert F. Henderson, shared, "The concepts and recommendations developed to date are
many and varied.

Recommendations range from downtown development to housing rehabilitation, from a Lost River Interpretive Center to developing new park and recreation amenities.

Orleans residents can continue to following the project and participate in the electronic survey via the Orleans Comprehensive Plan project website at: http://orleanscomprehensiveplan2014.wordpress.com and on the project

Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/orleanscomprehensiveplan2014.

The website and Facebook page also include updates on the Orleans Comprehensive Plan as well as background
information, including previous planning efforts completed by Ball State University students and faculty.

Paper copies of the survey can be obtained and returned to the Orleans Town Hall 161 E. Price Street Orleans, IN 47446.

The survey takes less than five minutes to complete. Residents are urged to share the survey with friends and neighbors.

For more information on the development of the Orleans Comprehensive Plan, please contact Bob Grewe, Manager,

Community Development Services at 812-480-2878 or bgrewe@lochgroup.com.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

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