2011 Annual Planning Commission Work Plan

This work plan is a schedule for the objectives that the Planning Commission will undertake in the coming year.  The work plan provides for an efficient method of achieving the most important goals of the Planning Commission and the community.  The priority projects are determined by referencing the Master Plan goals, hearing concerns from stakeholders, and monitoring the types and frequency of variances presented to the Zoning Board of Appeals and enforcement matters presented by the ordinance enforcement officer. 

 

The projects on this work plan will take priority over other matters unless the work plan is amended by the Planning Commission or a pressing matter or unexpected and extensive site plan review is encountered.

 

Summary of Work Plan projects

  Update the Master Plan

The master plan must be reviewed every five years.  This master plan was adopted in 2002 and must be updated.  The rewrite will begin in early 2011 with a community visioning process.  The timeline for the update will have been presented to the Planning Commission in December of 2010.

 

  Update the Zoning Ordinance

The list of zoning ordinance amendments is in order of priority.  The priorities are set by evaluating variances applied for and enforcement concerns.  We also evaluate community and economic development needs in the county and make the necessary changes to the zoning ordinance as appropriate to accommodate those needs. 

1.      Village Center rezoning

We will review the zoning language to make sure it is appropriate if applied to the areas suggested in the Master Plan.  For this year, the planning commission will review the commercial centers of Topinabee and Indian River for their possible rezoning.

 

This is nearing completion at the end of 2010 and should be completed for these two communities in early to mid 2011.

 

2.      Lakefront parcel setbacks

There have been many variance applications presented to the ZBA which request relief from the setbacks in the Lake and Stream (P-LS) zoning district, specifically in the older, more historic lakefront neighborhoods.  The Planning Commission will review the older, narrow lot lakefront areas and review the possibility of changing setback requirements to accommodate and preserve the older neighborhood characteristics.

 

3.      Planned unit development (PUD) language updates

Existing PUD language is outdated.  Because of the potential for PUD’s to better accommodate natural resource demands on land use and to create more appropriate but flexible land use, the Planning Commission will review possible improvements to this language.

 

4.      Shared Parking Requirements

This amendment would allow for commercial developments to show how their parking spaces can be shared with multiple uses if those uses have hours of operation that do not overlap.  This would reduce the overall required parking spaces in certain situations as appropriate.

 

5.      Camping on private property

There have been enforcement problems with camping on vacant, lakefront parcels.  Language in the zoning ordinance has not been and cannot feasibly be enforced as written.  There is a desire to continue to allow this practice with limitations and to make the zoning ordinance enforceable on this topic.

 

6.      Water quality protection updates

There is a need to continuously improve our water quality as demand on water resources increases.  We will review possible updates to the zoning ordinance to accomplish this goal.

 

7.      Renewable energy facility accommodations

There is growing interest in various types of renewable energy systems due to the rising cost of energy.  There have been many recent innovations in the renewable energy field.  Our zoning ordinance will be reviewed to consider appropriate accommodations.

 

8.      Recycling operation accommodations

Due to a new county recycling program and more interest in recycling there is a need to appropriately accommodate recycling stations where material is collected. 

 

9.      Shared waterfront and dock requirements, clarifications

There are many instances of unique shared waterfront throughout the county that may not be accommodated appropriately in our zoning ordinance.  We will review these instances and discuss if accommodations need to be made.

 

ON-GOING WORK

  Follow-up on approved special use permits and site plans

Consistent communication will be give to the Planning Commission from staff to keep the commissioners informed on the site plans that they have reviewed. 

 

  Existing enforcement matters

More frequent enforcement updates will be presented to the Planning Commission and ZBA.

 

  Communications with other entities (Boards of Commissioners, townships, citizens, business owners, stakeholders)

We will incorporate more communication tools such as email, website, and the press to better inform the stakeholders of Cheboygan County.

 

  Planning and land use education

We will continue to provide educational opportunities for our planning commissioners and the general public on land use.