Overview of the Comprehensive Plan

Indianola's Comprehensive Plan is a development action plan providing direction for growth in Indianola.  First adopted in 1969, the plan covers all aspects of expansion including growth management, zoning, utility services, municipal services, parks, land use management, affordable housing and much more.  Sections in the current plan update include:

• Residential development

• Town center development

• Business development

• Transportation, including traffic plans, major and minor arterials and truck routes

• Wastewater service

The City Council appointed the current Comprehensive Plan Committee, that includes members of the community, City Council and IMU Board of Trustees to review and update the plan.  We would like to thank the Committee members for their time and dedication in providing direction for Indianola's future. The Committee worked with the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Strategic Planning Committee to develop the current plan. 

The firms of Stanley Consultants Inc., Des Moines and Environmental Design Group, West Des Moines were hired to prepare the document and make recommendations to accomplish the ultimate results of better tax bases, more rapid construction and excellent viability. The following recommendations were made:

• Authorize an "Action Development Committee" at Planning & Zoning Commission meetings and at City Council meetings.  Assign a Chair-person to act as the liaison to public bodies

• Organize the Action Development Committee to meet on a regular basis

• Members should include two Council-persons, two members of the Planning and Zoning Commission, City staff, two business-persons, two retail-persons, and one representative from Simpson College

• Select a set of projects to be initiated in the next 12 months

• Select some developers to attract to Indianola

• Select sites that could be available to project developers

• Assemble the incentives that could be available to accomplish various developments

It was also recommended that the Action Development Committee meet on a regular basis with a specific agenda each time.  Developers will always be encouraged to voice opinions and engage the entire group on the possibilities of new projects and ways to streamline the process. The Action Development Committee will strive to coordinate closely with the new Economic Development Group being formed in Warren County. 

We invite residents, developers and business people to review the Comprehensive Plan either from this site or in the Building & Zoning Department at City Hall.

Download the Comprehensive Plan Sections

The following 2003 Comprehensive Plan Update sections and maps are available for download in PDF format. 

• Foreword

• Table of Contents

• Chapter 1 - 2003 Update of the Comprehensive Plan

• Chapter 2 - Town Center Development

• Chapter 3 - Business Development

• Chapter 4 - Residential Development

• Chapter 5 - Transportation

• Chapter 6 - Waste Water Service

• List of Figures

To read and print a PDF publication, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader software installed on your PC. You may download this software free of charge.

You can download the Adobe Acrobat Reader version suitable for your system by clicking on this button: 

The 2003 Comprehensive Plan Update may also be viewed in the Building & Zoning Department at City Hall during normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Questions regarding the Comprehensive Plan should be directed to the Building & Zoning Official, Chuck Burgin.

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