Bruce Township Planning Commission

Public Hearing-Master Plan Draft Presentation

16 January 2007

Members present: J. Fischer, B. Gardella, L. MacDonald, C. Marsh, B. Osborne, and C. Person

Absent: L. Little

Members of Public: Supervisor D. Gallagher, Clerk W. Sawyers and 3 Others

Meeting (Public Hearing) opened: 7:03 p.m.

Pledge of allegiance

Chair MacDonald presented a brief explanation of the difference between Master Plans and Zoning Ordinances: a Master Plan is a look into future land use and is subject to periodic review and updating. Master Plan Development is a State Law requirement. A Master Plan is a development guide and not a package of specific requirements. Zoning Ordinances are Township Laws and have application to Township officials and the general public.

Copies of the Master Plan draft were distributed to the public and Chair commenced to present the Plan.

The introduction refers to the 1994 Master Plan, which did not project future land use.

Section 2 presents a brief history of the township.

Section 3 includes the vision of the Township.

No public comment to this point.

Section 4 reviews the community survey that provided insights to the thoughts of the community at large.

Section 5 outlines the demographics of the area.

Section 6 is an overview of the natural environment of the Township. This includes different maps designating the mentioned topography.

Section 7 lists the services and facilities of the township.

Section 8 contains the Goals and Policies that were presented at an earlier Public Information Meeting. At that time some changes were incorporated to reflect comments made by the Public.

Section 9 describes current Land Use. Growth and changes in the Township are depicted by maps and data provided by the Eastern U.P Regional & Planning Development Commission. This section provides a visual picture of changes that have occurred in the Township over a 10 to 30 year period.

Section 10 is an analysis of the information that has been compiled and presents the Phase I projection of future land use. It must be noted that this is a projection only and subject to review and change. Currently all areas of the Township are classified as Ag/Residential and shall remain as such until the process has been completed to establish different Zoning Districts.

Section 11 describes the plan implementation.

Chair commented that the above material was the accumulation of 2 1/2 years of study and work by the Planning Commission and Township Board.

Chair asked for audience comments:

Question (Peabody) was raised concerning the wording of "800 Township addresses" in Section 4-Community Survey. Chair confirmed address were taken from the tax roles and were property owners of the Township. A note was made to look into rewording the statement.

Another questioned (Batho) regarding the difference of having Agricultural property in an area zoned residential and how that would affect property taxes. Chair indicated this should not create problems since zoning status is not a consideration in the assessment process for property tax purposes.

Hearing was closed after a call for further comments or questions received no response.

The next step in the process will be for the Planning Commission to consider adopting the Master Plan at the February meeting.

Commissioner comments: J. Fisher reiterated the Master Plan zoning districts do not do anything to discourage farming. Chair pointed out that our Zoning Ordinances have provisions for Ag. related activities in residential areas.

B. Osborne affirmed that the Township is taking "baby steps" not big leaps in bring the Township into current development trends.

Chair affirmed that this is an ongoing process and adjustments are made as the Township develops.

Meeting closed at 8:27 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,