Planning Commission Annual Work Plan 2009

This work plan will be 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.

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 extent of the rewrite will be determined in April of 2009 and the plan for its rewrite will be presented in May.

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.

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.

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.

Planned unit development (PUD) language updates - Existing PUD language is outdated.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.

Camping on private property - There have been enforcement problems with camping on vacant, lakefront parcels. Language in the zoning ordinance has not been and can not 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.

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.

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.

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.

Determination of zoning administrator - The zoning administrator is currently established by the Board of Commissioners by resolution. It is often the practice for this to be determined, along with other personnel decisions, by the county administrator. This will be presented as an idea to the Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners.

Setback clarifications - There is a need to clarify for the general public and to create consistency what can be constructed in a setback and what cannot. Revised language will be reviewed.

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.

Update by-laws for Planning Commission and ZBA - We will review suggested updates to our by-laws for compliance with current law and for effective operation of these boards.

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 (Board 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.