Page 162 - Michigan City, IN US Highway 421 Corridor Plan

5.4 Plan Administration

Their primary role in advancing this Corridor Plan will be to It will be essential to engage the real estate community creation of a public art or amenities program among other programmed task in the Comprehensive Plan;
advocate on the behalf of the private sector on issues relating (investors, developers, brokers, etc.) early and often, working potential initiatives. Non-profit organizations such as the Kiwanis — obstacles or problems in the implementation of the plan,
to infrastructure development, zoning and development collaboratively with the city to create solutions where there is Club may also be able to provide volunteer support during including those encountered in administering the land use
guidelines, and public assistance such as tax abatements, ownership across the board. These long term relationships and various stages of the process. and transportation aspects, as well as any other policies of
training assistance, and education resources with the goal to comprehensive solutions will help to foster potential public the plan;
foster an environment that attracts and retains quality jobs. The private partnerships to move projects forward. 5.4.4 Plan Amendment Process
EDCMC also has strong relationships with other local, regional, The US Highway 421 Corridor Redevelopment Plan is meant — proposed amendments that have come forward during
and state agencies that support the needs of the business C. Education/Healthcare to be a flexible document allowing for adjustment to changing the course of the year, which may include revisions to the
industry and have their fingers on the pulse of the market. Their The healthcare and education industries in and around Michigan conditions over time. Shifts in political, economic, physical, individual plan maps or other recommendations or text
understanding of the market forces that are driving business City should not be overlooked for their potential to support the technological, and social conditions, as well as other unforeseen changes; and
decisions, particularly with regard to investments, will be integral efforts of the Corridor Redevelopment Plan. As discussed, the circumstances, may influence and change the priorities and — recommendations for needed actions, programs, and
as the plan moves to implementation. They have the ability Franciscan Alliance (Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Michigan fiscal outlook of the community. As the City grows and evolves, procedures to be developed and implemented in the coming
to bring business decision makers to the table to carry out City) has the distinct ability to provide support and resources new issues related to the corridor will emerge while others year, including recommendation of projects to be included
the economic development goals. The EDCMC also have the to the strategy focused on developing US Highway 421 as a will no longer be as relevant. Some action statements will be in the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), other
resources to implement certain strategies such as the Certified regional health care corridor. Their system includes 13 hospital found impractical or outdated while other plausible solutions programs/projects to be funded, and priority coordination
Shovel Ready sites. campuses and outpatient facilities serving the region, with more will arise. To ensure that the Corridor Plan continues to reflect needs with public and private implementation partners.
The Northwest Indiana Forum, Northwestern Indiana Regional than 300 physicians representing 50 medical specialties. Their the overall goals of the community and remains relevant and B. Bi-annual Amendment Process
Planning Commission (NIRPC), and Northwest Indiana partnerships in the health care industry can attract potential resourceful over time, the Plan must be revisited on a regular
Regional Development Authority (RDA) are regional economic clients, investors, and end-users to move ideas to reality. basis to confirm that the plan elements are still on point and Based on the annual progress report, the opinions of City staff,
development and/or planning organizations that will also have Education partners, such as Ivy Tech Community College, have the associated goals, policies and action statements are still planning commission and others, a determination will be made
significant implementation roles, particularly in terms of project the potential to bring administrative support and industry appropriate. as to whether there is a need for a plan amendment. When
funding. NIRPC is a multi-purpose, sub-state, area-wide planning specific knowledge to this initiative. Whether the focus is on considering a plan amendment, the City should ensure the
agency serving the citizens of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties developing low impact development strategies or a specific green Revisions to the Corridor Plan are two-fold, with minor plan proposed amendment is consistent with the goals and policies
in Northwest Indiana. They also serve as the Metropolitan infrastructure project through their civil engineering program or amendments occurring as needed and more significant set forth in the Plan regarding character protection, development
Planning Organization for northwestern Indiana responsible, providing general support during a public forum, their resources modifications and updates occurring every five to 10 years. compatibility, infrastructure availability, conservation of
together with state departments of transportation and public are endless. Minor amendments may include revisions to certain elements environmentally sensitive areas, and other community priorities.
transit operators, for carrying out the transportation planning of the plan as a result of the adoption of another specialized Careful consideration should also be given to guarding against
process for urbanized areas. This includes being the conduit for D. Utilities plan or the refinement of key concepts through engineering site specific plan changes that could negatively impact adjacent
federal funds designated for transportation improvements. The design development. Major updates will involve reviewing the areas and uses or detract from the overall character of the area.
Regional Development Authority was created to foster necessary Utility partners will be critical as the community develops base conditions and assumptions related to anticipated growth Factors that should be considered in deciding on a proposed plan
partnerships to develop infrastructure that will make Northwest a comprehensive infrastructure expansion program to trends; re-evaluating the goals, policies and recommendations in amendment include:
Indiana economically vibrant. The agency provides funding for accommodate future development opportunities. While the the Corridor Plan—and formulating new ones as necessary; and — consistency with the goals and policies set forth in the plan;
a variety of priorities, but is primarily focused on job-creating city controls the water and wastewater utilities in the corridor adding, revising or removing action statements in the plan based
economic development proposals. and can plan those necessary facilities, gas, electric, and on implementation progress. — adherence with the Future Land Use and/or Thoroughfare
communications infrastructure are no less important to a Plans;
B. Public-Private Partnerships potential development opportunity or end user. Partnering with A. Annual Progress Report — compatibility with the surrounding area;
Northern Indiana Power Service Company (NIPSCO), Frontier,
Public private partnerships are a potential and extremely and Comcast to create a comprehensive approach to providing The Redevelopment Commission, supported by the Plan — impacts on infrastructure provision including water,
valuable solution for implementing many of the initiatives in the necessary utility services will help to limit some of the risks Commission and City staff, should prepare an annual progress wastewater, drainage, and the transportation network;
the Corridor Plan, particularly those relating to infrastructure involved with any new development. report for presentation to the Mayor and City Council. This
and redevelopment. Partnerships between public sector and ensures that the plan is consistently reviewed and that any — impact on the City’s ability to provide, fund, and maintain
private economy participants create opportunities for new and E. Foundations/Other Organizations needed modifications or clarifications are identified for the services;
innovative approaches to financing, developing and maintaining bi-annual minor plan amendment process. Ongoing monitoring — impact on environmentally sensitive and natural areas; and
infrastructure projects. Innovative approaches to procure and There are many additional foundations or other social of consistency between the plan and the City’s implementing — whether the proposed amendment contributes to the overall
fund civil and social infrastructure allow policy makers and organizations that may play a significant role in the future ordinances and regulations should be an essential part of this direction and character of the community as captured in the
industry leaders to engage in mutually beneficial relationships development of the US Highway 421 Corridor. This might effort. plan vision and goals (and ongoing public input).
which serve the public good, creating much needed jobs in include, but certainly wouldn’t be limited to, the Valpo Parks The Annual Progress Report should include and highlight:
the process. The partnerships would allow for the sharing of Foundation in the development of new parks and recreation C. Five-year Update / Evaluation and Appraisal Report
risks and responsibilities while achieving the vision and goals facilities or the Porter County Community Foundation in the — significant actions and accomplishments during the past An evaluation and appraisal report should be prepared every
established by all parties involved. year, including the status of implementation for each five years. This report should be prepared by City staff, having

5-43

Adopted: August 16, 2016 Implementation 5.0