Consultant Crystal Welch and others told the council on Nov. 14 that the Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission adopted the 300 North area study at its meeting that day and that the final study will be posted online next week.

Study purpose and findings: Welch said the study examined likely land-use change in a 20–25 year horizon for an area outside Milford and Syracuse near the state overpass and identified possible public-infrastructure projects the county or towns might consider to accommodate growth. She said the study projects natural growth radiating from towns toward the center of the study area and that, even under aggressive growth scenarios, the study still identifies more than 51% of the area as agricultural land.

How the study will be used: Welch said the redevelopment commission may amend its TIF plan to reference the study but is not required to do so. She told the council the planning staff can use the study “as a plan of record” in evaluating rezonings or appeals to the board of zoning appeals; no additional county-wide comprehensive-plan adoption was required.

Why it matters: The study gives local governments and property owners a shared reference for long-range planning near a state transportation investment, and it identifies where utilities or other public improvements may be needed if development occurs.

Next steps: The final study will be posted online and available to the public; redevelopment and town officials may use the study in TIF or other local planning decisions.