The workshop is one of the first steps in developing a new Compre-hensive Plan for Greencastle. A Comprehensive Plan contains goals, objectives, and strategies that are intended to guide growth and community decisions over the next 10-20 years. By looking at these topics at the same time, the city hopes to create a set of policies that work together to support the type of growth the community would like to see. Federal law and state statues require local communities to produce comprehensive plans as a legal foundation for zoning and subdivision control ordinances. The zoning and subdivision control ordinances are the primary means of implementing many of the policies contained in the comprehensive plan.
Communities often find other ways to benefit from the planning process and the plan itself.
Developing a comprehensive plan allows a community to have a clearer vision of its future. Since this planning process encourages and promotes broad public participation, it will assist Green-castle's leaders in gaining an understanding of the community's needs and desires. The Plan Commission, BZA, City Council, mayor, interest groups and residents also find the plans useful tools for local decision-making. The plan can be referenced when reviewing development plans, making budgetary decisions, and determining project priorities. It enables Greencastle to manage growth and be eligible for grants.