Land Use | 03
The Future Land Use Designations OVERVIEW The Future Land Use Plan provides land use designations that reflect the character and intensity of future development and redevelopment. Land use designations are meant to be broad brush depictions and are not intended to stand in for Zoning designations from the White County Zoning Ordinance. A Future Land Use Plan is required by state statute to enable a community to enforce Zoning. An Official Zoning Map is the instrument by which land use regulations are enforced geographically. Ten different land use classifications have been identified along with a brief description of the types of uses or development character that might occur in each. An accompanying image–either existing in White County, or an example from another community–further reinforces the type of development intended in each area. AGRICULTURAL The agriculture designation has been applied to areas recommended for traditional farming practices such as crop production, livestock (grazing and confined animal feeding operations), agricultural production and storage centers (such as grain elevators); agricultural research; stables, wineries, and other natural and food production related activities. Existing residential lots containing single-family housing units could also have agricultural related uses, such as stables and small-scale non-commercial food production and limited livestock production. Activities characterized as agritourism (farm trails, farmers’ markets, and roadside stands) may also be here.
OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION This designation refers to lands that should have a light impact of development. Open space can include both active and passive recreational areas. Sports fields would be considered “active”, while “passive” areas contain trails, picnic areas and grassy open spaces. Conservation areas include many different types of natural features such as wetlands, forests, and streams.
AMUSEMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT This designation refers to land that will accommodate a mix of intensive recreation, resort and entertainment uses in one district with the intent of preserving the tourist benefit. The overall size, hours of operation, the wide range of uses and associated activities has the potential to negatively impact surrounding properties.
100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN This not a land use designation, but rather a description of areas within the 100-Year Floodplain that may require additional scrutiny in the event of development. A more detailed floodplain analysis is located on page 87.
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