Planning for the Future

The FORWARD Kosciusko County planning team will host a series of four online open-house meetings to solicit input from the public on the preliminary recommendations for land use, transportation, utilities, trails, parks and community facilities/programs that were generated as part of the County’s comprehensive planning effort. The comprehensive plan is a guidance document for future growth and development that frequently focuses on the next 10 to 20 years. It serves as a roadmap for effective decision making in both private development projects and community initiatives for the public good.

The FORWARD Kosciusko County process is an effort to update the County’s current comprehensive plan which was last updated in 1996. The comprehensive planning process provides the people of Kosciusko County with the opportunity to guide land use and development to meet the future needs of our County and your local community, especially in terms of public health, safety, and infrastructure.

In addition to the County comprehensive plan, the individual communities of Claypool, Etna Green, Leesburg, Mentone, Milford, North Webster, Pierceton, Silver Lake and Syracuse will also receive recommendations for their own long-range planning initiatives. This collaborative planning effort will allow these communities to leverage their unique assets and identify a strategic plan for growth, improvement and continued prosperity.

The online public workshop will allow residents to review preliminary plan components including recommendations on land use, transportation, utilities, trails, parks and community facilities/programs. Additionally, meeting attendees will learn more about the proposed projects and programs that will guide and support the County over the next five to ten years.

Due to the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the four public workshops will be held online using the Zoom platform. Each session will feature the same presentation content, so residents are encouraged to attend the meeting that fits their schedule the best. Each session will include an introductory presentation as well as a Q&A session to discuss resident questions, concerns and ides.

Following the meeting, all residents will be encouraged to review and comment on materials through the project website- https://www.forwardkosciusko.com/

The online meetings and applicable Zoom links are as follows:

1. Tuesday, February 8, 2022 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm- https://tinyurl.com/ForwardKosciusko1
2. Wednesday, February 9, 2022 from 12:00pm to 1:30pm- https://tinyurl.com/ForwardKosciusko2
3. Wednesday, February 9, 2022 from 5:30pm to 7:00om- https://tinyurl.com/ForwardKosciusko3
4. Thursday, February 10, 2022 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm- https://tinyurl.com/ForwardKosciusko4

If you are unable to join us via Zoom, or you have additional questions please let us know: info@forwardkosciusko.com. FORWARD Kosciusko County is intended to encourage cooperation, collaboration and continued, shared investment amongst all implementation partners. The process, and final plan, is intended to represent all of us and will be OUR tool to build a better future together.

Additional information on the project, including digital engagement opportunities can be found at https://www.forwardkosciusko.com/ .