In the works for more than a year, a corridor plan that outlines development options along the county’s major roads will be up for a possible vote Wednesday.

The Porter County Plan Commission will meet Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the County Administration Center, Valparaiso. The proposed “Porter County Corridor Plan” is the only item on the commission’s agenda.

Developed by the Ratio Architects consulting firm in conjunction with a number of committee meetings and public workshops, the corridor plan identifies development options along major roads in the county’s unincorporated areas, including Ind. 49, U.S. 6, Meridian Road, and Ind. 149.

The entire plan is available online at www.communitycollaborate.com

 and on the plan commission’s page at www.porterco.org

The plan proposes a variety of development options, some general and some specific, for each roadway.

Several proposals include protection of the scenic and rural character and establishment of greenways, or pedestrian and biking trails, along the roads.

Along U.S. 6, for example, the plan proposes the development of a neighborhood retail “village district” at U.S. 6 and Meridian Road that would maintain the rural character of the area while providing the nearby residents with retail outlet.

The plan also calls for protection of waterways along the highway through cluster-type developments and to focus growth at nodes where municipal utilities are provided.

Along Meridian Road, the plan calls for signage to increase awareness about wildlife crossings and natural features along the road, as well as adding the road as a shared roadway with bikes and installing roundabouts at intersections.

If the plan commission recommends approval, the corridor plan would be forwarded to the Porter County Commissioners for final adoption as part of the county’s Unified Development Ordinance.

Posted 4/21/2009