Land Use

The Purdue University Land Use Team provides research-based resources and educational programs for Extension professionals, government officials, citizen planners and residents on land use issues impacting their communities. Land Use Team efforts are underpinned by a timely and rigorous professional development system that prepares Purdue Extension professionals to effectively serve on Plan Commissions.

Overview

Delivering Information to Assist Plan Commissions in Making Informed Planning Decisions

Indiana is the only state in the United States in which Extension Educators are legislatively mandated to serve on Advisory Plan Commissions and some Area Plan Commissions. Therefore, Purdue University is uniquely positioned to leverage this mandate to support Extension programming that addresses land use issues in Indiana. Current pressing issues, including the evolving rural/urban interface, developing and implementing sustainable strategies and supporting place-based economic development, all require attention at the state, regional and local levels in Indiana.

The Land Use Team’s primary responsibility is to develop and deliver robust information that assists Plan Commissions and other related institutions/organizations in making informed decisions based on a thorough understanding of the alternatives and consequences related to land use planning decisions. Purdue Extension’s Land Use Team plays a critical role across Indiana through the work of Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR) Educators serving on Plan Commissions and Community Development Educators working on land use issues.

Guidebook

Community Planning for Agriculture and Natural Resources: A Guide for Local Government.

View Guidebook/Sections

Land Use Team Publications

Read publications related to Land Use.

View Publications

Partners

Partners and Other Technical Assistance Providers

Team

 

Team Position Name Job Title Email
Co-Chair Amanda Mosiman Purdue Extension Educator, Warrick County, Agriculture & Natural Resources bailey1@purdue.edu
Co-Chair Tamara Ogle Purdue Extension Community Development Regional Educator togle@purdue.edu
Secretary Valerie Clingerman County Extension Director, Purdue Extension Educator, Knox County, Agriculture & Natural Resources clingerman@purdue.edu
Training  Committee Chair Daniel Walker Community Planning Extension Specialist walke422@purdue.edu
Publications and Materials Committee Chair Aaron Thompson Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture awthomps@purdue.edu
Governance Committee Chair Brad Kohlhagen Purdue Extension Educator, Adams County, Agriculture & Natural Resources bkohlhag@purdue.edu
Mentoring Committee Chair Sarah Hanson County Extension Director, Purdue Extension Educator, Johnson County, Agriculture & Natural Resources sspeedy@purdue.edu
American Citizen Planner Committee Chair Kara Salazar Purdue Extension Specialist, Sustainable Communities salazark@purdue.edu
Team Member Annie Cruz-Porter Purdue Community and Regional Development Specialist acruzpor@purdue.edu
Team Member Scott Gabbard County Extension Director, Purdue Extension Educator, Shelby County, Agriculture & Natural Resources gabbardd@purdue.edu
Team Member Bill Horan Purdue Extension Educator, Wells County, Community Development, Agriculture & Natural Resources horan@purdue.edu
Team Member Michael Wilcox Purdue Extension Community Development Program Leader wilcox16@purdue.edu
Team Member Steve Yoder Purdue Extension Community Development Regional Educator yoder46@purdue.edu
Team Member Jeff Burbrink Purdue Extension Educator, Elkhart County, Agriculture & Natural Resources jburbrin@purdue.edu
Team Member Rick Foster Assistant Director and Program Leader for Agriculture and Natural Resources rfoster@purdue.edu
Team Member Kara Hammes ANR/HHS Brown County khammes@purdue.edu
Team Member Dave Osborne ANR/4-H Ripley County osbornda@purdue.edu
Team Member Phillip Woolery ANR Pulaski County pwoolery@purdue.edu
Team Member Melissa Widhalm Operations Manager for the Purdue Climate Research Center mwidhalm@purdue.edu

Contact

Tamara Ogle

Tamara Ogle

Community Development Regional Educator

togle@purdue.edu
317-523-8804

Amanda Mosiman

Amanda Mosiman

Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Educator

bailey1@purdue.edu
812-897-6101

CFO

Land Use Regulations of Confined Feeding Operations (CFO) Study

A Comparison of CFO Provisions and Standards across Indiana

In May 2015, Purdue Extension was commissioned by the State of Indiana to study Indiana county zoning ordinances as they apply to confined feeding operations (CFOs). Of the 81 Indiana counties operating with a zoning ordinance, 64 zoning ordinances (as of August 2015) contain language specific to CFOs.

The reports and factsheets found below compare CFO provisions and standards across Indiana counties. Together with a description of the ordinance, the factsheets themselves contain related county-specific demographic information such as population, farmland percentage, top employing industries and county type (e.g., rural, urban, mixed), which may impact the development of a CFO ordinance. These factsheets summarize and categorize the zoning ordinances and provisions specific to CFOs above the general zoning district standards unless otherwise specified. CFOs still have to follow the district standards in the zoning district in which they are located. Plan directors or a plan department employee in 52 of the 64 counties with zoning provisions for CFOs reviewed their county’s factsheet for accuracy. Ordinances may also be amended periodically. For the most updated and complete ordinance, please contact the county plan director listed on the factsheet.

Research Team

Dr. Paul Ebner
Associate Professor of Animal Science
pebner@purdue.edu
765-494-4820

Tanya Hall
Purdue Extension Community Development Regional Educator
tjhall@purdue.edu
812-723-7107

Dr. Larry DeBoer
Professor of Agricultural Economics
ldeboer@purdue.edu
765-494-4314

Tamara Ogle
Purdue Extension Community Development Regional Educator
togle@purdue.edu
317-523-8804

Find more resources on CFOs for communities at https://ag.purdue.edu/cfo/Pages/default.aspx.

Complete Report – Overview

Complete Reports for Indiana Counties

To learn more about Purdue’s CFO Study, contact:

tamara-ogle

Tamara Ogle

Purdue Extension Community Development Regional Educator

togle@purdue.edu
317-523-8804

Renewable Energy

Indiana Renewable Energy Community Planning Study and Ordinance Inventory Summary

In 2021, Purdue Extension’s Land Use Team conducted a comprehensive overview study of land use regulations for wind and solar energy. The team identified a state-wide need for research-based information focused on the intersection of renewable energy, land-use decision making, and ordinance development. The report provides a summary of state-wide renewable energy ordinances and county snapshots. These resources can be used as a reference for plan directors and plan commission members to compare other renewable energy zoning ordinances and zoning tools used in counties across Indiana. This report should be used for educational purposes only and should be adapted to each community’s local context, as appropriate. The information is not intended to provide specific recommendations for policies or decisions. Additionally, communities continually update ordinances based on new technology and local needs. Contact the county planning office for the most current and complete ordinance.

Team

Tamara M. Ogle
Regional Educator – Purdue Extension Community Development
togle@purdue.edu
Kara Salazar
AICP, CC-P, LEED AP ND, NGICP, PCED, Assistant Program Leader and Extension Specialist for Sustainable Communities Purdue Extension, Illinois – Indiana Sea Grant, Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
salazark@purdue.edu

One Page Overview Full Report Full Report With Snapshots

In December 2022, Purdue Extension with the support of the Indiana Office of Energy Development released two follow up reports comparing current county zoning ordinances for commercial wind and solar operations to the voluntary wind and solar ready community standards adopted by the 2022 Indiana General Assembly.

Wind Ready Community Standard Report

Solar Ready Community Standards Report

County Snapshots