1. Local Decision Maker:
A Web-based Decision
System for Comprehensive
Planning
Coastal Zone 09
Boston, MA
July 20, 2009
Robert McCormick

2. Our Mission ...
to assist Indiana
communities in making
informed and integrated
land use and economic
development decisions.
Local Decision Maker: A Web-
based Decision System for
Comprehensive Planning

3. LDM Foundation
Ag. Others
Econ.
Ext.
AgIT
FNR ABE

4. Comprehensive Plan
“… multiyear process in
Definition:
which planners work closely with
residents and other professionals
to identify and describe
community characteristics,
articulate goals, and explore
alternative plans for the future.”
(The Practice of Local Government, C.J. Hoch and L.C. Dalton
(eds.), 2000, pg. 24)

5. Planning Process

6. Objectives
 Improve the development and
implementation of comprehensive
planning.
 Integrate natural resources
Expand
 Integrate education
 Incorporate GIS into this planning process.
 Use the university’s research and outreach
to assist a user in making a decision.
 Implement a 4-6 click framework.

7. LDM – Two Parts

8. Inventory & Analysis

9. Purdue University is an Equal
Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

10. Land Use Inventory

11. Value-added: Analysis
conducted in-house

12. Local Community Decision-maker
Land Cover Change (1992-2003)

15. Sensitive areas
This map indicates areas where development is illegal or highly
This map indicates areas where development is illegal or highly
undesirable.
undesirable.
• “Sensitive areas”areas” as defined by Indiana code (327 IAC 16-2-34)
 “Sensitive
as defined by Indiana code (327 IAC 16‐2‐34) are 300
foot buffers around streams, lakes, karst areas and 100 foot buffers 100
are 300 foot buffers around streams, lakes, karst areas and
foot buffers around water wells.
around water wells.
 These buffer areas are especially susceptible to pollution from
• These buffer areas are especially susceptible to pollution from human
activity and serve as a refuge for many plant and wildlife species. wildlife
human activity and serve as a refuge for many plant and
species.
• This data layer was created from the following data: NHD streams and
 This data layer was created from the following data:
lakes, National Wetland Inventory (NWI) wetlands, IGS karst areas, karst
springs (sinking areas), and water wells.
NHD streams and lakes, National Wetland Inventory (NWI) wetlands, IGS
karst areas, karst springs (sinking areas), and water wells.

16. Sensitive Areas
Value-added analysis

17. Why are working lands, green
infrastructure, and open space important
• Economic value of agriculture and forest products
• Protects quality and supply of drinking water
• Health benefits
• Improve air quality and controls erosion
• Minimizes infrastructure costs
• Enhances property values and tax revenues
• Attracts business and boosts tourism
• Preserves community character and quality of life
• Provides recreational opportunities
• Expands non-motorized transportation network
• Wildlife habitat
• Natural Flood control

21. •
Impervious surfaces by 14‐digit watershed
• This map illustrates the percentage of impervious surface cover
in each 14 digit watershed.
• Impervious surfaces are hard surfaces that do not allow water to
percolate into the soil including roads, roofs, parking lots, and
factories.
• Research has shown that watersheds with < 10% impervious
cover (green) have aquatic ecosystems in their streams fairly
intact.
• Watersheds with 10%-25% cover (yellow) usually have impacted
streams.
• Watersheds with greater than 25% impervious surfaces (red)
generally have degraded streams.
• Concentrating future development in high density areas and
implementing standard storm water and conservation design
BMP’s in all areas will reduce the impact of development on
streams in your community.

22. Local Community Decision-maker
Impervious Surfaces Map

29. Wrap-up
 Map service built into LDM is
extremely powerful.
 All you need is a computer and
an internet connection.
 Our integration of Phase 1
(Inventory/Analysis) and the
map service is well underway.
 Other parts of the decision
system planned over the next 2
to 3 years.
 We need feedback!!!

30. Local Decision Maker
www.purdue.edu/ldm

31. Ten Principles of Smart
Growth
1. Mixed Land Uses
2. Compact Building Design
3. Increase Housing Choice
4. Encourage Walking
5. Create a Sense of Place
6. Protect Farms, Unique Natural Features, Open Spaces,
Environmentally Sensitive Areas
7. Direct Development to Existing Communities
8. Offer Transportation Variety
9. Make Development Process Fair, Predictable, Efficient
10. Involve Community Stakeholders
Purdue University is an Equal
Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

32. 1. Mix Land Uses
 Allow mixed use options with zoning ordinances
 Zone areas by building type, not by building use only
 Convert abandoned malls to mixed use
 Provide financial incentives for mixed use projects
 Protects water quality and natural resources
 Health and quality of life
Purdue University is an Equal
Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

33. 2. Compact Building
Design
 Talk about Design not Density
 Protecting Water Quality and
Minimize runoff (minimizes impervious surfaces)
 Balance street type and building scale
 Ensure ready access to open space
 Ensure privacy with yard designs
 Health and quality of life
Purdue University is an Equal
Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

34. 4. Encourage Walking
 Connect neighborhoods with
pathways
 Sidewalks alone will not be enough
 Put conveniences near homes
 Make walking safe (crosswalks,
traffic calming, speed bumps, islands)
 Connect shopping areas with
pathways
 Health and quality of life
Purdue University is an Equal
Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

35. 7 . Protect Farms, Unique Natural Features, Open Spaces
 Inventory special places and make plans to
protect them
 Improves water quality and minimizes runoff
 Establish zoning to encourage clustering
 Protect farmland and open lands with
PDR/TDR
 Work with land trusts
 Connect greenways
Purdue University is an Equal
Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

36. 6. Create Sense of Place
 Protect and preserve what is unique to the area
 Plant trees, protect older trees during construction,
leave open spaces, preserve scenic vistas
 Allow sidewalk vending, dining, kiosks, etc.
 Create opportunities for community interaction
Purdue University is an Equal
Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

37. Porter County Smart Growth Project
 EPA/NOAA/National Sea Grant Smart Growth Technical Assistance
Grant
 November 14 and 15, 2006 Two day intensive Design Charrette
and Workshop to develop TND Design Manual for Porter County
The workshop is one of the three national projects awarded through NOAA,
the National Sea Grant Office, and US EPA to provide technical assistance
to local communities on smart growth, land use planning, and the
protection of natural resources.
Traditional Neighborhood Design (TND) developments feature compact,
mixed use, walkable designs that incorporate residential, commercial,
work, and recreational environments together while preserving open
space and natural areas.
Purdue University is an Equal
Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

38. Purdue University is an Equal
Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

39. Growing Cooler:
The Evidence on Urban
Development and Climate Change
A new book released in April 2008 by Reid Ewing,
University of Maryland – Center for Smart Growth
and others. (Following are direct quotes from this book)
Transportation accounts for a full third of CO2
emissions in the United States.
Transportation CO2 reduction can be viewed as a
three-legged stool, with one leg related to vehicle
fuel efficiency, a second to the carbon content of
the fuel itself, and a third to the amount of driving
or vehicle miles traveled (VMT).

40. Climate Change
and Smart Growth
 California Climate Action Program
 Land use component in transportation and land use
decisions affecting emissions which contribute to CO2
and greenhouse gases
 California’s landmark Global Warming Act of
2006 – AB 32- sets CO2 and California
“greenhouse gas” emissions limit at 1990
levels
 New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in
January 2009 featured a number of climate
experts on the program

41. Growing Cooler:
The Evidence on Urban
Development and Climate Change
 . . . if sprawling development continues to fuel
growth in driving, the projected 59% increase
in the total miles driven between 2005 and
2030 will overwhelm expected gains from
vehicle efficiency and low-carbon fuels.
 Households without children will account for
close to 90% of new housing demand, and
single-person households will account for a
one-third.

43. Contact Information
For more information on Local Decision Maker and
Planning with POWER or to schedule a program
contact:
Bob McCormick
rmccormi@purdue.edu
(765) 494-3627
195 Marsteller
Forestry and Natural Resources
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Fax: 765-496-2422
www.planningwithpower.org