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Dubois Strong Partners with IncCodes to Advance Zoning Modernization Across Dubois County
Dubois Strong Economic Development Corporation announces a new partnership with IncCodes, a nationally recognized zoning and land use consulting firm, to support comprehensive zoning code review and modernization efforts across Dubois County.
Dubois Strong will work closely with participating municipalities, local officials, planning staff, and community stakeholders to ensure zoning recommendations reflect the unique priorities, development goals, and character of each community.
“Housing availability and development predictability are essential to workforce growth and economic competitiveness,” said Colten Pipenger, Executive Director of Dubois Strong. “This partnership allows us to evaluate our zoning frameworks and identify practical improvements that support additional housing options while respecting community character.”
This initiative directly supports strategies identified in the 2023 Dubois County Housing Study, including:
- Finding ways to share and reduce development risk
- Increasing the variety of housing options
- Securing and conserving existing housing
- Leveraging existing lots and encouraging new lot development
“Ferdinand has always valued thoughtful growth and strong community character,” said Ferdinand Town Council President Ken Sicard. “Participating in this process will help us complete one of the valued suggestions of our Comprehensive Plan; ensuring that our development standards support additional housing opportunities while preserving the qualities that make Ferdinand a great place to live and work.”
“By working with Dubois Strong and IncCodes, we will position our city for the next generation of growth,” said Jasper Mayor Dean Vonderheide. “Updating our development codes will make it easier for small-scale projects, new housing, and local investment to strengthen our neighborhoods, downtown, and community.”
“Huntingburg continues to focus on responsible growth that supports our residents, workforce, and local businesses,” said Huntingburg Mayor Neil Elkins. “Working with Dubois Strong and IncCodes gives us an opportunity to review our development standards and ensure they support future housing and investment while maintaining the character of our community.”
A Three-Phase Collaborative Approach
The project will be implemented through a structured, multi-phase process involving Jasper, Huntingburg, and Ferdinand. After which, these principles can be applied to other municipalities.
Phase 1: Comprehensive Zoning Audit
IncCodes will conduct a detailed review of existing zoning ordinances and planning documents. This includes identifying conflicts with community goals, evaluating best practices, and documenting barriers to infill and redevelopment.
IncCodes will conduct a detailed review of existing zoning ordinances and planning documents. This includes identifying conflicts with community goals, evaluating best practices, and documenting barriers to infill and redevelopment.
Phase 2: Stress Testing the Codes
The team will analyze how current regulations perform under real-world development scenarios. This process includes stakeholder engagement, data gathering, and site plan exercises designed to test the practicality and flexibility of existing standards.
The team will analyze how current regulations perform under real-world development scenarios. This process includes stakeholder engagement, data gathering, and site plan exercises designed to test the practicality and flexibility of existing standards.
Phase 3: Model Code Rewrite
Based on findings from the audit and stress testing phases, IncCodes will develop simplified, modernized zoning code recommendations tailored for small-town development patterns. The updated framework will emphasize clarity, consistency across jurisdictions, and ease of use for builders, staff, and decision-makers.
Based on findings from the audit and stress testing phases, IncCodes will develop simplified, modernized zoning code recommendations tailored for small-town development patterns. The updated framework will emphasize clarity, consistency across jurisdictions, and ease of use for builders, staff, and decision-makers.
Zoning modernization is a critical component of Dubois Strong’s broader economic and community development strategy. Updated development standards can help:
- Encourage “missing middle” housing options
- Support redevelopment of underutilized properties
- Improve predictability for developers and property owners
- Align regulations with infrastructure and workforce needs