Jasper Plan Commission Reviews Development Ordinance Changes and Central TIF Expansion

This week, the Jasper Plan Commission considered legislative actions to balance the city’s growth and infrastructure investment with long-term planning goals. 

At the top of the agenda, a public hearing was held on the Unified Development Ordinance for 2025. The UDO update process began in late 2025 and has undergone several months of revision. One notable addition was the introduction of a Road Development Bond. The bond would protect city infrastructure, primarily streets and underlying utilities, from damage caused by heavy equipment and traffic during development. Roads with a PASER rating of above 4 would be bonded, with high-rated roads requiring bonds proportional to potential wear and new roads requiring full bonding. 

Further discussion was held regarding the UDO standards for a grease interceptor installation in new or renovated food service buildings. The language calls for a required outdoor installation for accessibility. Commission Member Lisa Schmidt pointed out that this could be an undue hardship in dense or historic downtown areas where space is limited, like Wood Capital Pizza and Tienda Moroleón. Since the primary intention is to keep fats and solids out of the sewer, it was agreed that more conversation is warranted with the Wastewater Department. The Commission voted to make a favorable recommendation to the Council for approval, with the understanding that language amendments may be made regarding grease interceptor provisions. 

The Commission also considered Resolution PC 2026-1, which would include two land parcels in the Central TIF for infrastructure planning. The board was tasked with determining if adding the parcels and an Amendment to the Economic Development Plan for that TIF were consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. 

The parcels are north of the Home Depot area, totaling almost 90 acres. They have been for sale since 1998 and are owned by an entity in Tennessee. A local company has shown interest in partnering with the city to develop the land. The developer and city staff identified a need for a new road connecting US 231 and Middle Street to improve connectivity and support future development. The resolution adds the two parcels to the existing Central TIF district and includes the road as a potential project within that district’s development plan. The resolution does not commit funds, but will enable future TIF financing if the city decides to go forward. Finding that it does align with the Comprehensive Plan, which calls for creating incentives to attract new businesses to Jasper, the Commission passed Resolution PC 2026-1. The issue will now move to the Common Council for consideration. 

For more information on these and other updates, visit jasperindiana.gov or JasperGov-Indiana on Facebook.


 - By Drew Hasselbring