LaGrange County, IN
Comprehensive Plan

LaGrange County is made up of distinct, but connected communities. LaGrange County Together was a community-led process to prepare a comprehensive plan for the County, as well as the towns of LaGrange, Shipshewana, Topeka, and Wolcottville, and all unincorporated areas. In a time of growth and change, a special opportunity was presented—to unify the communities, work collaboratively, and decide on a unified future, together.

Preserving rural character

LaGrange County takes pride in its rural character, from the Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife Area to miles of family farms to growing Amish industries. All of these activities have a place in the County, and the community wanted them thrive in the future. The plan focused on supporting rural areas by directing development to key locations, monitoring farmland and environmental resources, and providing incentives to foster growth. These actions, coupled with the land use plan, provided a foundation for maintaining the County’s rural heritage while embracing projected growth.

Celebrating individuality

Each of the County’s many towns and villages is special in its own way. Through the process, it became clear that every community had a unique opportunity that complemented its neighbors. Each community was distinctive in its access to natural resources, opportunities to support industry, and distinct cultural experiences. When each community was able to identify and promote its own distinctive characteristics, the plan created a foundation for a robust system of opportunities to support local residents and enhance economic possibilities.

Improving land use tools

Residents and business owners rely on the County’s land use policies and regulations to help protect the environment and support development. However, the existing land use tools were not providing the intended outcomes the community wanted. The plan focused on an assessment of the zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations. Following the adoption of the plan, the County launched a rewrite of the zoning ordinance to align with the plan’s goals and vision.

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Tags

Project Type: comprehensive plan
Community Type: county
Client: Lagrange Community Foundation and LaGrange County Plan Commission
Services: comprehensive planning, public engagement, social media and online engagement