In Indiana most plan commissions devote much of their time to considering petitions which require commission recommendation or decision. This guide offers advice on how to make those recommendations and decisions without losing sight of the commission's broader purpose and how to function effectively within the law. Serving on a plan commission is a difficult job and an important responsibility. Doing the job well involves more than showing up at meetings. It means learning about planning, about your community, listening to citizens, visiting sites involved in cases before the commission, and perhaps serving on subcommittees.

The primary duty of the plan commission is to develop and recommend to the legislative body a plan for the future of the community. This plan should form the basis for the commission's decisions and recommendations (see Chapter 7, Comprehensive Plans). Unfortunately, few plan commissions succeed in making the overall plan their top priority. Constant pressures from property owners and developers command the commission's attention, and most meeting time is spent making recommendations on rezoning requests and decisions on subdivision proposals. Many commissions also find it difficult to adhere to the plan when they are confronted with a hearing room full of people advocating a position inconsistent with the plan.

Some commissions confuse the zoning ordinance with the plan, but the zoning ordinance is distinct from the plan. In Indiana, as in most other states, the law requires the community to adopt a plan before it adopts a zoning ordinance. This provision is sensible; the community should not adopt regulations until its citizens have decided on the goals they want to accomplish with those regulations.

This case was a petition to rezone approximately 2.5 acres from R2 - Two Family Residential to RM - Multiple Family Residential. The case was heard on 2/22/2021 and was approved by the Plan Commission. Christian Investments applied for the petition for 1451 W McKay Road. While the Plan Commission recommended approval on the rezone, the City Council ultimately voted to deny the requested rezone from R2 to RM.

This case is a petition for preliminary plat approval for a new residential subdivision consisting of 188 lots on approximately 64.18 acres. It is located at 1001 Progress Parkway and was heard on 4/26/2021. It was approved by the Plan Commission. The first section of this subdivision is nearing completion of the construction of the infrastructure, and construction of new homes should begin this Spring.

This site development plan petition made by Bell American Group, LLC. was heard on 5/24/2021, and held a final decision of Approval. This case was a petition to construct a new Taco Bell restaurant at 1806 N Riley Highway. In late 2021, this store opened for business and now serves citizens that live and work in the area, as well as those traveling along I-74 that stop at this interchange along their journey.

This case is a petition for a PUD Concept Plan at 1400 Morris Avenue by Arbor Homes. It was heard on 6/28/2021, and was denied by the Plan Commission. This was denied by the commission, the petitioner then revised and resubmitted to the commission, but ultimately withdrew their petition all together.

This petition is to rezone approximately 1,562 acres of land and was submitted by the City of Shelbyville. This case was heard on 6/28/2021 receiving a favorable recommendation from the plan commission. Shortly after this recommendation, the City Council approved the zoning classifications recommended by the Plan Commission.

This preliminary plat petition, made by the Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc., was heard on 9/27/2021 and received an Approval by the commission. This was a petition for preliminary plat approval for a new business highway lot on approximately .53 acres. This was in conjunction with petition PC 2021-14

This case was filed by S&L Properties Shelbyville LLC and is a petition for a Site Development Plan to construct a Culvers at 1898 N Morristown Road, just north of Cracker Barrell. This was heard on 9/27/2021 and received approval from the Plan Commission. The project is currently under construction.

This PUD Detail Plan was submitted by Davis Homes for the property at 560 Amos Road. The petition was heard on 11/22/2021 and received a favorable recommendation by the commission. This is a continuation of PC 2021-16 which allowed for a concept for the PUD. This case is a more refined version of the Planned Unit Development. The PUD Detail Plan accommodates more detailed specifications in reference to the site’s development. This case was for Stratford Place. The Detail Plan was subsequently approved by the City Council, following the Plan Commission's recommendation.

This case was a petition to rezone approximately 623 acres. This was heard on 8/23/2021 and received a favorable recommendation from the Plan Commission. The City Council then followed the commission's recommendation and approved the proposed zoning classifications.

This case is a petition to approve a resolution to establish the Tom Hession TIF District. This case was heard on 10/26/2021 and received approval from the Plan Commission.

The applicant, MI Homes, was petitioning for a preliminary plat approval for a new housing subdivision This was heard on 12/15/2021 and received approval from the Plan Commission.

The applicant, Trinity Alloy was petitioning for a preliminary plat approval for the subdivision of land on Enterprise Drive. This was heard and approved on 12/15/2021 by the Plan Commission.

The applicants, Terry and Debbie Esters were requesting a rezone of approximately 1.45 acres from Light Industrial to Business General at 533-535 E Hendricks. This received a favorable recommendation by the Plan Commission on 11/22/2021. The City Council agreed with the commission's recommendation and approved the requested rezone.