PLANNING FOR WATER RESOURCE PROTECTION

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PLANNINGFORWATER RESOURCEPROTECTION

• Prepared for the
• Rocky River Watershed Council
• February 26, 2007
• By
• Chuck Eckenstahler
• Public Consulting Team
• 219-861-2077

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Introduction

• What we want to review
• The legal requirement for a Master Plan
• How often do we need to update the Plan
• The process to update the Plan
• Lessons learned and mistakes not to make

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Legal Requirement for a Plan

• The Michigan Zoning Enabling Act
• P.A. 110 of 2006, section 203 (1) states .
• The zoning ordinance shall be based on a plan
  designed to promote the public health, welfare,
  to encourage the use of lands in accordance with
  their character and adaptability, to limit the
  improper use of land, to conserve natural
  resources and energy, to meet the need of the
  states residents for food, fiber, and other
  natural resources, places of residence,
  recreation, industry, trade, service, and other
  uses of land, to insure that use of the land
  shall be situated in appropriate locations and
  relationships, to avoid the overcrowding of
  population, to provide adequate light and air, to
  lessen congestion on the public roads and
  streets, to reduce hazards to life and property,
  to facilitate adequate provision for a system of
  transportation, sewage disposal, safe and
  adequate water supply, education, recreation, and
  other public requirements, and top conserve the
  expenditure of funds for public improvements and
  services to conform with the most advantageous
  uses of land, resources and properties.
• Underline added for emphsis

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Whats Meant By Review and/or Update?

• Heres some thoughts.does your plan include -
• 2000 Census, current population estimates and
  2025 population estimates?
• A current existing land use map?
• A map showing properties enrolled in the P.A. 116
  program?
• A map showing prime and unique soils conducive
  for agriculture and natural resource protection?
• A map showing current and future utility service
  areas?
• Up to date future land use goals, policies,
  development standards, etc?

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A Ten-Step Planning Process

• 1. Read the current plan - what does it say
• 2. Determine if the Plan conveys what you want it
  to do
• 3. Gather information and schedule tasks
• 4. Conduct a survey
• 5. Hold meetings with the public

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Ten-Step Planning Process

• 6. Complete a narrative text
• 7. Conduct a mapping exercise
• 8. Propose a plan amendment and complete
• public review
• 9. Have the Planning Commission adopt the Plan
• 10. Have the elected officials endorse the Plan

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What Information Will You Need And Where To Get It

• 1. Old Plans - county and township
• 2. USDA Agricultural Census data
• 3. P.A. 116 Information
• 4. Soils and Prime agricultural land information
  from Natural Resource Conservation Service
• 5. Current Future Land Use Map
• 6. Utility service area information
• 7. Other info as required

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Bainbridge Township, MI Plat Map
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Bainbridge Township, MI1994 Future Land Use Map
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Bainbridge Township, MI2020 Future Land Use Map
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(No Transcript)
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Paw Paw Township, MI2020 Master Plan
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Lincoln Township, MI2025 Future Land Use Plan
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Mistakes Not to Make

• 1. Watch your language - define your terms -
• Preservation vs Protection
• Agriculture vs Farmland
• Cluster Development
• Overlay Zoning Designation
• 2. Dont assume everyone will support land
  preservation policies
• 3. Supporters are quiet naysayers are vocal
• 4. Involving township board members right from
  the start
• 5. Not allowing enough time
• 6. Not letting the planners plan for themselves

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Do You Need Help?

• Do you need technical help or a neutral party
  facilitator?
• Sources of help
• Michigan State University Extension
• Natural Resource Conservation Service
• Michigan Department of Agriculture Farmland
• County Regional Planning Commissions
• Professional Planning Consultants