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Orleans Comprehensive Planning Project Workshop Sept. 25

Last updated on Wednesday, September 17, 2014

(ORLEANS) - The next phase of the Orleans Comprehensive Planning Project is a public visioning workshop scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday Sept. 25 at the Orleans Christian Church Unity Hall Corner of Jackson St. and Hwy 37 South in Orleans.

Orleans Town Council President Mike Fields is encouraging resident to come and share their perspective on the future of Orleans.

"This comprehensive planning process gives our community a great opportunity to build on the Image Orleans planning charrette project completed earlier by Ball State University students," Fields added. "The comprehensive plan will help to better define future growth opportunities and identify and prioritize public investments in future years."

Bob Grewe, planner with the Lochmueller Group, says The public visioning is essential to the success of the plan.

"Understanding the shared values, concerns, opportunities and challenges are key to developing a vision and plan that is shared by the community," Grewe added. "Framing these shared perspectives can help to develop a plan that will realize future support, which translates into the successful implementation of the plan."

Orleans Clerk-Treasurer, Robert F. Henderson says Orleans will complete the comprehensive plan in the first quarter of 2015.

"With 2015 being the Town of Orleans Bicentennial year, it is appropriate for the plan to identify development opportunities for the following generations. Our Bicentennial does provide a unique and effective platform for the preparation of our comprehensive plan. Looking back on 200 years of history can provide a compelling framework for positioning our community to address the future."

Grewe says, the unique Town Square and historic district has potential to be revitalized into something very special. However, the karst features that are prominent in the area do provide a unique challenge in terms of land use and future development patterns. These unique karst features could also create new tourism opportunities.

The Orleans community is encouraged to participate in the planning process by completing a short survey to share their perspectives on the Town of Orleans and the future direction of the community.

The electronic survey can also be accessed via the Orleans Comprehensive Plan project website at: orleanscomprehensiveplan2014.wordpress.com and on the project Facebook page at: facebook.com/orleanscomprehensiveplan2014.

The website and Facebook page also include updates on the Orleans Comprehensive Plan as well as background information, including previous planning efforts completed by Ball State University students and faculty.

Paper copies of the survey can be obtained and returned to the Orleans Town Hall 161 E. Price Street Orleans, IN 47446.

The survey takes less than five minutes to complete. Residents are urged to share the survey with friends and neighbors.

For more information on the development of the Orleans Comprehensive Plan, please contact Bob Grewe, Manager,

Community Development Services at 812-480-2878 or bgrewe@lochgroup.com.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

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