Porter County launches comprehensive plan update; steering committee and training scheduled

County staff reported that the county has a contract with MKSK to update the county comprehensive plan and thoroughfare plan and that public outreach and a steering committee of about 20 people will support the process.

"This is probably the quickest meeting you guys will have," said Mike, the staff presenter, as he summarized the work to date. He told members the steering committee will include about 20 people representing agriculture, business development, government and education, and that the county and consultant are developing a public outreach program.

The commission discussed who should represent the board on the steering committee. Nikki was nominated and approved as the commission's representative to the comprehensive plan steering committee; members discussed that the role would likely require five to eight meetings a year with some work by email and that a backup would be provided during an anticipated five-week surgical absence for one member.

Members also discussed a joint training session for the planning commission and Board of Zoning Appeals scheduled for March 3, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Porter County Auto Center. The training will cover duties and responsibilities, how to process information and what Indiana law requires of members; staff said they would ask information technology to record the session or provide handouts for members who cannot attend.

The commission did not set detailed timelines beyond the start of outreach and the nomination of a representative. Contract terms with MKSK, steering committee member names beyond the nominee and any budget for outreach were not discussed on the record.