Boone County Energy Overlay

Boone County Energy Overlay

by |

Boone County, IN

Energy Overlay

Boone County has seen significant development interest in recent years, from major LEAP development to potential large-scale utility energy projects. Seeing this high development pressure and hearing rising concerns from its residents, the County leadership proactively enacted a temporary moratorium on large-scale renewable energy projects until standards could be enacted.

The County selected HWC Engineering to develop a set of custom zoning and development standards that would respect its rural farming heritage, protect its prime farmland and natural resources, and ensure that energy production is safe. The HWC team worked closely with the Steering Committee to create this set of standards on a very short turnaround. The standards include a custom-made map of Prime Agricultural Land and were designed to blend with the existing zoning ordinance. The community was strongly in favor of these new standards and referred to them as the “gold standard” for energy production and storage development during adoption meetings.

economic development/planning

Putnam County Unified Development Ordinance

Putnam County Unified Development Ordinance

by |

Putnam County, IN

Unified Development Ordinance

After rejecting a zoning overhaul a decade earlier, HWC Engineering was retained to help Putnam County replace its 1992 ordinances. HWC began the effort by creating a digital, parcel-based zoning map from a hand-drawn map that lacked parcel lines and was subsequently difficult to administer and enforce. After formal adoption of the existing zoning map, the work began to translate the goals and recommendations of its new Comprehensive Plan into development regulations while improving flexibility for the County’s communities. In recognition of this achievement, Putnam County received the 2024 Local Government Cooperation Award from the Association of Indiana Counties. 

economic development/planning

Greenwood Comprehensive Plan

Greenwood Comprehensive Plan

by |

Greenwood, IN

Comprehensive Plan

HWC led a team of planners, landscape architects, urban designers, and engineers to create a new City of Greenwood Comprehensive Plan. Since the last comprehensive planning effort, the City had added almost 15,000 residents and experienced significant commercial and industrial growth. This new Plan establishes a vision for coordinated growth to the east of I-65 while shifting the focus from growth to reinvestment in established areas of the community. Central to this idea is continuing redevelopment and enhancement efforts in the City’s historic Old Town area while also developing specific recommendations for mature commercial areas so they remain vibrant and valuable assets in Greenwood.

The Greenwood Comprehensive Plan includes a new Thoroughfare Plan and trail network maps. Together, these Plan components will ensure that the necessary right-of-way and improvements are dedicated as development and redevelopment projects occur. The Plan also details recommendations for six key focus areas, including concept plans, precedent imagery, and area specific guiding principles.

The planning process was guided by a project steering committee and included significant community outreach through both in-person and online engagement opportunities. This included a project website, online surveys, interactive mapping tool, community workshops and open houses, outreach at the Greenwood Farmers’ Market and a Greenwood High School football game, and workshops with the Greenwood High School Student Council.

economic development/planning

New Albany River Recreation Site Boat Launch

New Albany River Recreation Site Boat Launch

by |

New Albany, IN

River Recreation Site Boat Launch

The City of New Albany has historically been cut off from its adjacent waterways due to industrial development and flooding protections, including earthen levees and levee walls. To better connect residents to Silver Creek and the Ohio River, HWC was tasked with developing the River Recreation Site Boat Ramp.

The River Recreation Site Boat Ramp was a multi-phase brownfield restoration project, which included demolition and clean-up, boat ramp for motorized watercraft, trail extension, and river overlook. 

The final phase will develop a nature park with trails and passive recreation opportunities.

Landscape architecture

Brazil Craig Park Pedestrian Bridge

Brazil Craig Park Pedestrian Bridge

by |

Brazil, IN

Craig Park Pedestrian Bridge

Once the City’s water reservoir, Craig Park is now a well-loved public park on the west side of the City of Brazil. HWC has assisted with multiple phases of trail improvements at Craig Park in partnership with the Clay Community Parks Association. The first phase was a loop trail around most of the lake. A second phase added a spur trail connecting the lake to the sports fields in the upper part of the park. The third and final phase of the project was the pedestrian bridge over the western outlet stream from the lake which completed the loop trail. The completed bridge provides a unique view of the lake and the original stacked stone overflow weir for the reservoir. In total, the 97-acre park now has three miles of trails.
Transportation