Overall Comprehensive Plan Goals: Encourage growth in more suitable areas within town boundaries. These areas include sites close to existing residential, commercial, or industrial areas that are already served by utilities. Create opportunities for all residents by bringing enough wealth and resources into the community Provide enhanced opportunities to shop, play, and work in Avon Proactively guide the development that the community wants and will receive Create a diverse and sustainable tax base to support the ongoing provision of Town services Focus on strengthening specific aspects of the Town s existing economy by retaining its existing businesses and building diversity in the tax base, including light industrial and office based employment Establish an approach to strengthening Avon s image and establishing a role as a destination Theme Goals: Build Avon This theme is all about providing housing choice for our residents. We want to facilitate housing diversity (type and affordability), facilitate neighborhood connections, and facilitate good planning to inspire excellent community design. Goal: Modify the existing Zoning Ordinance to allow for flexibility in density, design, and uses Objective 1. Research current housing issues in Avon to gain a deeper understanding of the housing market Objective 2. Allow diversity in housing types within a single subdivision to help increase housing options for first time, move up, and empty nester buyers. Page 1 of 20
Goal: Encourage community involvement in enhancing community aesthetics Objective 1. Establish a façade improvement fund for commercial properties to high Objective 2. Fund grant program for residential neighborhood enhancements to high Objective 3. Establish public/private partnerships Objective 4. Establish a Keep Avon Beautiful group to high Goal: Pursue live/work housing opportunities Objective 1. Identify appropriate areas to establish these areas (neighborhoods, zones?) Objective 2. Develop standards for desired development Objective 3. Pursue mixed-use housing development adjacent to commercial clusters Goal: Provide housing diversity Objective 1. Update architectural standards to require enhanced building materials and aesthetic diversity Page 2 of 20
Objective 2. Update bulk development standards (lot size, setback, etc.) to encourage medium and higher density residential developments Objective 3. Adopt criteria to ensure sustainable property values, livability, and relationships to adjacent land uses Cultivate Avon This theme is all about growing strategically and figuring out what makes the most sense for Avon. It s about establishing a smart balance between housing and industry, between developed areas and open space, and between using and protecting our natural resources. Together, we want to create an Avon with awesome places to live, interesting places to play, important places to work, diverse places to shop, and preeminent places to learn. Goal: Identify places for more compact, mixed use development Objective 1. Identify places for development clusters (mixed-use map) Objective 2. Increase allowed density and intensity in appropriate areas Objective 3. Survey existing natural areas in the township to determine which are most valuable to our community Goal: Create an Economic Development Binder Objective 1. Craft guidelines to outline tax incentives and establish rating process Page 3 of 20
Goal: Discourage corridor development Objective 1. Identify places for development clusters (Future Land Use Map) Goal: Study feasibility of establishing a Town Center Objective 1. Create an overall vision for a future town center Objective 2. Identify permitted uses and establish a Town Center zoning district in contrast to the majority of existing uses along U.S. Highway 36. Objective 3. Create development standards for the Town Center district that avoid a static streetscape and allow for a mix of architectural styles and building materials Objective 4: Establish public-private partnerships to build the Town Center /Program/Project Page 4 of 20
Goal: Expand arts and culture opportunities Objective 1. Conduct feasibility study of establishing a performing arts center /Program Objective 2. Foster makerspaces and other entrepreneurial enterprises in appropriate sites Promote Avon This Theme concerns the Avon brand and how we promote and market ourselves. We want to enhance our community aesthetics and identifiability through signage, landscaping, open spaces, and art. We also want to recognize our position in the region as a desirable location Goal: Develop Avon s brand Objective 1. Market the Town s new logo /Program Objective 2. Incorporate logo and colors throughout the Town Objective 3: Establish a design palette for street furniture, plantings, and amenities for developers to utilize in key areas throughout town. Page 5 of 20
Goal: Approve gateway signage design and fund at least four signs Objective 1. Obtain town council approval for gateway signage design by end of 2017. Objective 2. Establish funding in 2018 budget to install two signs by the 2nd quarter of 2018 and two signs by the end of the 4th quarter 2018. Goal: Establish gateways Objective 1: Identify key locations to install gateway signage (keep in mind future growth of the town. Don t want to change gateway locations with annexations) Goal: Wayfinding Objective 1. Identify places of destination (map: schools, library, town hall, parks) /Project Objective 2. Establish a wayfinding sign design /Project Objective 3. Establish visually identifiable Avon pedestrian crosswalks at strategic locations throughout town /Construction Page 6 of 20
Goal: Develop Marketing tools Objective 1: Develop an Avon brochure aimed toward business recruitment Objective 2: Utilize design palette for town projects and park sites /Program Connect Avon This theme had its beginnings during a broad discussion on transportation. Avon is blessed with a fairly well established road network. When we talk about connecting Avon, however, we re really talking about moving people, goods, and services, not cars, trucks, and trains. Once we recognized that fact, the committee dug deeper and discussed connecting people through various methods - vehicles, bikes, busses, business, internet, reputation and the like. Our future desired state includes an Avon with free-flowing roads, a generous multi-use pathway network, transit options, and robust electronic connections. Goal: Update the town thoroughfare plan Objective 1: Establish an overall thoroughfare plan that includes all transit modes Objective 2: Develop a list of key projects to complete Objective 3: Update and implement the Bicycle/Pedestrian plan /Project Page 7 of 20
Goal: Update the town parks and recreation master plan Objective 1: Establish an overall plan that provides parks in key locations throughout town Objective 2: Develop a list of priority projects that connect people to parks Goal: Provide for free flowing, efficient, and effective traffic along primary and secondary arterials Objective 1: Stoplights will be present only at certain commercial clusters Objective 2: Identify commercial clusters Objective 3: Work with INDOT on US 36 signal timing /Program Objective 4: Identify corridors along 36 that are prime for redevelopment Objective 5: Identify intersections that would benefit from roundabouts /Program Objective 6: Reduce the number of access cuts along US 36 Page 8 of 20
Goal: Identify roads for potential bike lanes, mass transit bus stops, and other alternative modes of transportation infrastructure Objective 1: Explore on demand transportation options (trolley bus, uber) /Program Objective 2: Create a bike share/car share program Objective 3: Explore option for express bus service to the airport /Program Priority: 3 Objective 4. Encourage expansion of existing bus service into Hendricks County Priority: 3 /Medium Objective 5. Establish Economic Improvement Districts to help fund projects Goal: Create walkable, bikeable links to schools, recreational areas, retail sites, and places of worship Objective 1. Identify school districts with corresponding neighborhoods (map) Objective 2. Conduct public outreach with residents and schools to educate on bicycle safety Objective 3. Identify parks, sports facilities, within 1 mile of neighborhoods (map) Page 9 of 20
Goal: Establish regional planning committee Objective 1. Establish partnerships with other agencies around Avon/Hendricks County with the intent of sharing planning, development, and process information /Policy Goal: Create a more user friendly Town website Objective1. Establish a public meeting portal with upcoming projects, their project locations, and respective meeting times /Medium Objective: Consider establishing a real time video link for all public meetings Priority: 3 Goal: Attract a premiere college satellite campus Objective: Identify possible locations for campus Objective: Conduct economic development outreach to Indiana colleges Priority: 3 Page 10 of 20
Goal: Create transit link from Avon to airport Objective1. Coordinate with Town of Plainfield - conduct research on other modes of airport transportation (think long term parking? Transit station design requirements?) /Policy Priority: 3 Objective: Determine viable transit station location Priority: 3 /Medium Goal: Identify a park and ride area (this is separate, or possibly connected to, the airport transportation) Objective 1. Identify potential location(s) Priority: 3 /Medium Objective 2. Anticipate the Town s (and surrounding towns) growth and future destinations/connections /Medium Objective: Determine the best mode of public transportation (bus, trolley, on demand) Goal: Build paths, bike lanes, etc. to Town boundaries, and link with other Towns Objective 1. Reach out to other municipalities for upcoming projects Objective: Work with other municipalities to determine joint projects /Medium Page 11 of 20
Invest in Avon Investing in Avon is all about laying a good foundation for the town s future financial sustainability. It s about growing strategically and building a community others want to move to, invest in, build businesses in, and encourage others to do the same. This broad topic area touches on aspects of the other themes in the plan, but focuses on tangible things the town can do to encourage economic development. Goal: Create and implement an economic development plan Objective 1: Review current plans Objective 2: Hire/promote staff to focus on economic development strategies Objective 3: Establish fiscal guidelines Objective 4: Create an informational packet to offer potential businesses Goal: Expand quality of life through parks and recreation Objective 1: Research open space standards for development projects. Search national park trends (ADA friendly, sledding parks, splash pads) to identify specific town funded park development /Medium Objective 2: Establish park standards for development projects /Medium Page 12 of 20
Goal: Preserve existing natural areas Objective 1: Establish a baseline of important spaces /Medium Objective 2: Create policy for developer agreements for land or dollar donations Objective 3: Maintain the recreation impact fee program, updating as necessary Goal: Attract small business/entrepreneurs Objective 1: Support and expand incubators, emphasizing Stage 1 and 2 businesses /Program Objective 2: Create incentive program seed bank, emphasizing Stage 1 and 2 businesses Objective 3: Create and Partner with an entrepreneur hub Objective 4: Diversify business and housing stock /Program Page 13 of 20
Goal: Enhance existing partnerships and cultivate new ones Objective 1: Encourage technical training programs Objective 2: Partner with Avon schools to provide high school training programs Objective 3: Partner with existing post-secondary schools to provide technical training and retraining opportunities Cluster Area Goals and Objectives (Future Land Use Map) Agriculture Goal: Preserve certain areas for agricultural and/or estate lot residential development. These are designated on the Future Land Use Map in green and are located in the northwest and southwest quadrants of Washington Township. Objective1. Encourage growth in more suitable areas within town boundaries. These areas include sites close to existing residential, commercial, or industrial areas that are already served by utilities. Objective 2. Utilize the approved Future Land Use Map to guide development in the Ag Cluster. Page 14 of 20
Objective 3. Actively encourage ancillary agricultural uses such as wineries, nature centers, parks, and plant nurseries and Project Specialty Housing Goal: Provide a variety of desirable housing options that move beyond the simple single family detached and attached model. These areas are designated on the Future Land Use Map in yellow and are located centrally within the township. Objective 1. Establish a Housing subcommittee to explore best practices in detail and assist in developing policies. /Policy Objective 2. Develop comprehensive list of desirable housing options. Objective 3. Craft zoning ordinances that will allow desirable housing options. Objective 4. Promote context sensitive infill housing developments that reflect the character of adjacent neighborhoods. Objective 5. Craft design standards for site design and architecture Objective 6. Select one cluster for a pocket neighborhood development Type: Project Priority: 3 Page 15 of 20
Objective 7. Consider implementing a residential partnership program to encourage creative redevelopment of existing residential areas and Program Priority: 3 Town Center Goal: Create a vibrant central gathering spot for the Avon community. This area is designated in orange on the Future Land Use Map and includes Avon Town Hall government center and park. Objective 1. Craft development standards to achieve a lively, high density mixed-use development district. Objective 2. Establish town center specific standards to encourage unique uses and businesses within the district. Objective 2. Explore the potentials of public-private partnerships Objective 3. Utilizing partnerships, determine and then construct Phase 1 Type: Project Area Retail Goal: Provide development nodes for larger retail centers that attract customers from within and outside of Avon. Typical uses include big box retailers and integrated shopping centers. These areas are denoted in red on the Future Land Use Map and are limited to specific intersections on US Highway 36 and on CR 900 E near Ronald Reagan Parkway. Objective 1. Develop a comprehensive list of desirable and appropriate regional retail uses Page 16 of 20
Objective 2. Create design guidelines or pattern book(s) for cluster/site development. This would include architecture, landscaping, site layout, and transportation network. Objective 3. Design a frontage road network to connect retail clusters to each other without utilizing major arterials, with the overall goal of reducing stoplights along US Highway 36 and Ronald Reagan Parkway. Priority: 3 Objective 4. Create and fund a grant program encouraging reuse of existing large retail buildings within these clusters. /Program Innovation Goal: Embrace innovation through the designation of areas and supportive programming to entrepreneurs and businesses producing innovation that encourage future potential for high investment, growth, and high wage opportunities. These areas are designated as pink on the Future Land Use Map and are located along US Highway 36 and Ronald Reagan Parkway. Objective 1. To foster and guide innovation, provide designated areas for innovation clustering on the Future Land Use Map currently utilized where innovation mostly likely naturally occurs: Healthcare and Wellness clusters. Objective 2. Provide strength in policies and procedural opportunity to innovative projects that have potential for high growth, wage, and community investment. and Process Page 17 of 20
Objective 3. Incentivize innovative projects that have potential for high growth, jobs, wages, and community investment: Return on Incentive and Investment-Avon (RII- Avon) Objective 4. Market inventory and incentives to potential companies who are in growth mode. Emphasize Stage 1 and 2 businesses Type: Project Neighborhood Retail Goal: Designate clusters for smaller, neighborhood-scale retail uses. Desirable uses include small scale grocers, specialty restaurants, pharmacies, boutique shops, and limited personal services. These clusters are designated in dark purple on the Future Land Use Map and are located near existing and planned residential neighborhoods. Objective 1. Develop a comprehensive list of desirable and appropriate neighborhood retail uses Objective 2. Create design guidelines for site, architecture, landscaping, parking, and connectivity to adjoining neighborhoods Light Industrial Goal: Establish concentrated and strategic areas for a solid industrial base. Light industrial uses encompass a wide range, but those most desirable include light manufacturing, assembly, research and development, data processing, and the like. Large warehousing and distribution centers are undesirable uses and will not be encouraged. These clusters are designated in blue on the Future Land Use Map and lie along CR 100 S and Ronald Reagan Parkway Page 18 of 20
Objective 1. Define desirable uses and update use list Objective 2. Create marketing strategy for Industrial clusters /Medium Objective 3. Establish partnerships with existing industries to facilitate location and expansion in town Objective 4. Create an Economic Development Plan that targets light industrial development /Medium Wellness Goal: Establish areas to support current and emerging health and wellness technologies and services. This industry type serves as a crucial component to overall community quality of life and is an important economic asset. These clusters are designated in light blue on the Future Land Use Map. Objective 1. Emphasize micro-hospital development and encourage these uses by seeking and marketing to specific end users /Medium Objective 2. Encourage development of health clusters that include a variety of related health care uses. Objective 3. Craft ordinances to allow a mix of related uses within wellness clusters Page 19 of 20
Objective 4. Examine and work with existing wellness businesses to determine best expansion and/or retention strategies Page 20 of 20