What is the Hendricks County Comprehensive Plan?

The Hendricks County Comprehensive Plan is a county-wide strategic planning effort between county leadership and staff, municipalities, non-profits, local businesses, emergency services, utility providers, and the broader community to guide future growth, development, and preservation in Hendricks County. This project is a response to present opportunities and changes that have occurred since the county’s current comprehensive plan, Growing Smarter, was adopted in 2006. Sustained residential, commercial, and industrial growth and progress made toward current plan goals mean it’s time to update this important document.

This plan will cover land use, utilities, transportation, economic development, government capacity, and other topics vital for sustainable growth throughout the county. A variety of existing conditions research and analysis will help lay the foundation for a set of planning goals and action strategies which will be utilized by the county and other community leaders for decision making. However, the Hendricks County Comprehensive Plan is not solely meant for elected officials and county staff but is also intended to be a document referenced and supported by the entire community.

Over the course of the project, there will be times when people living, working, or even visiting the county will be asked to provide input to assist in the development of the plan. This input not only assists local leaders in determining critical challenges to address in the future but helps create a foundation of community backing that supports the successful implementation of the plan. Online surveys, stakeholder meetings, public workshops, and event pop-up booths are all part of the plan’s engagement and outreach process.

Planning & Project FAQs

  • Planning is essential in order for a community to define their collective vision for the future. Planning reviews and evaluates existing conditions, establishes a collective vision, and establishes clear goals and objectives for achieving that vision.

  • A comprehensive plan is an official policy document, used by elected officials and community leaders to create a long-term vision for the community and to inform land use, infrastructure, and other community development decisions.

  • The comprehensive plan will cover topics such as economic development, land use, infrastructure, natural resources/environment, quality of life and housing.

  • The plan will look out 10-20 years. However, there can also be strategies within the plan that can be implemented immediately after adoption.

  • Yes, it is governed by Indiana Code 36-7-4. 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 structure, and public utilities. The statute also provides a community the option of including more components in the plan to address unique local concerns.

  • Yes. The comprehensive plan is a policy document that may influence zoning changes, but it is not legally binding. It is enforced through the adoption or amendment of local development ordinances (such as zoning and subdivision ordinances).

  • Yes. Even if a community is not growing, it still needs to manage the changes that happen over time. Without a clear plan, change is managed with piecemeal decisions that are not always in the community’s long-term best interests.

  • As a member of the steering committee, we ask that you:

    • Participate in the committee meetings;

    • Provide input on discussion topics, especially in your area of expertise/interests;

    • Ask for input from colleagues, friends and neighbors on the topics;

    • Build interest and support for the plan by talking to others about it;

    • Share your ideas and the input that you hear; and

    • Read and review drafts to make sure they reflect the community’s vision.