Draft thoroughfare plan in public comment; APC staff to align subdivision and zoning ordinances with new cross‑sections and complete-streets policy

Commission staff reported the draft thoroughfare plan is in public review and that staff have offered one-on-one meetings with developers and engineering firms; few requested individual sessions but staff incorporated comments received.

Staff said the plan expands focus beyond vehicular traffic to include pedestrians, bicycles and transit and includes a complete-streets policy. To implement the plan, staff must amend the county submission standards and the unified zoning ordinance; the goal is to adopt all three documents contemporaneously so standards, zoning and the plan align.

Staff intends to present the revisions to the ordinance committee next month and expects a one-to-two month period following that for additional work before beginning formal adoption efforts early next year. The plan will proceed for recommendation by the Area Plan Commission and, if recommended, will go to local jurisdictions — the two cities (Lafayette and West Lafayette), Tippecanoe County and the three towns of Dayton, Clarksville and Battleground — for final action.

Staff also noted internal updates to roadway cross-section CAD files and said they will share those files with jurisdictional engineers to streamline standard revisions. The county’s construction standards have not been updated since 2018, and staff said they will propose changes such as continuous underdrains and other minor technical updates to align with the new thoroughfare plan.