Ordinance Re-write Draft
RESIDENTS OF PENINSULA TOWNSHIP: The township has taken steps to make its website interactive and ADA compliant. In the process, documents such as minutes, agendas, board packets, forms, ordinances, and the like were eliminated due to the extraordinary cost of converting the information to ADA standards. At the request of residents, these non-compliant ADA documents may now be accessed on this page. Residents who need extra assistance acquiring copies of these documents may contact the planner’s office at 231.223.7314 or planner@peninsulatownship.com or zoning’s office at 231.223.7318 or zoning@peninsulatownship.com.
On November 16, 2020, at 7:00 p.m., the Peninsula Township Planning Commission will hold a continuation of the public hearing concerning the update of the Peninsula Township Zoning Ordinance. This update includes ordinance reorganization, new definitions, updated definitions, new graphics, procedural clarifications, explanations of development standards, past amendments, additional development standards, an updated zoning map, references to related provisions and other laws, and the like.
Background: with a zoning ordinance adopted in 1972 and supported only by piecemeal amendments made during the last 50 years, the township has found it increasingly difficult to respond to current development pressures. Recognizing this, the planning commission formed a committee to work on updating ordinance language with the help of a planning consultant. Subsequently, the ordinance was reviewed by others, including township staff, legal counsel, and engineering. In January 2020, the planning commission reviewed a draft document and considered it ready for an initial public review. That draft was posted on the township website in late January. Thereafter, comments were received and incorporated into the current document. In September, the planning commission decided to hold the formal public hearing that occurred on October 19, 2020. This public hearing was posted on the township’s website, and a formal legal ad ran in the Record Eagle.
The Current Status: the public hearing will continue at the planning commission’s next regular meeting on November 16, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. At this meeting, the floor will again be open for public comments. To be optimally useful, please make comments as specific as possible, with section references in both verbal and written form. Comments can also be provided before the hearing via letter or email (planner@peninsulatownship.com).
The Purpose of a Public Hearing: public hearings are held to obtain input and feedback before action is taken. Per bylaws, the planning commission rarely takes action on any matter sooner than the next monthly meeting. When the public hearing process concludes, the commission members reflect on the input they have received before taking action. Planning commission members traditionally place a high value on public input and want to hear residents’ thoughts on how Peninsula Township can develop effective regulations and development standards that maintain and protect Peninsula Township now and in the future. Because zoning ordinances can’t be retroactive, it is important to anticipate issues.
The Process Going Forward: steps to share the progress toward an effective and modern zoning ordinance began in January 2020, and the planning commission will continue to take the time necessary to fully hear from residents before recommending a draft of the proposed zoning ordinance update to the township board. Once before the township board, the process will include another formal public hearing and final deliberation before the township board takes action.
Please see the link below for the current draft of the updated zoning ordinance and new zoning map. Also included is a link to the material included in the October 19, 2020 Planning Commission Meeting Packet.
Background: with a zoning ordinance adopted in 1972 and supported only by piecemeal amendments made during the last 50 years, the township has found it increasingly difficult to respond to current development pressures. Recognizing this, the planning commission formed a committee to work on updating ordinance language with the help of a planning consultant. Subsequently, the ordinance was reviewed by others, including township staff, legal counsel, and engineering. In January 2020, the planning commission reviewed a draft document and considered it ready for an initial public review. That draft was posted on the township website in late January. Thereafter, comments were received and incorporated into the current document. In September, the planning commission decided to hold the formal public hearing that occurred on October 19, 2020. This public hearing was posted on the township’s website, and a formal legal ad ran in the Record Eagle.
The Current Status: the public hearing will continue at the planning commission’s next regular meeting on November 16, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. At this meeting, the floor will again be open for public comments. To be optimally useful, please make comments as specific as possible, with section references in both verbal and written form. Comments can also be provided before the hearing via letter or email (planner@peninsulatownship.com).
The Purpose of a Public Hearing: public hearings are held to obtain input and feedback before action is taken. Per bylaws, the planning commission rarely takes action on any matter sooner than the next monthly meeting. When the public hearing process concludes, the commission members reflect on the input they have received before taking action. Planning commission members traditionally place a high value on public input and want to hear residents’ thoughts on how Peninsula Township can develop effective regulations and development standards that maintain and protect Peninsula Township now and in the future. Because zoning ordinances can’t be retroactive, it is important to anticipate issues.
The Process Going Forward: steps to share the progress toward an effective and modern zoning ordinance began in January 2020, and the planning commission will continue to take the time necessary to fully hear from residents before recommending a draft of the proposed zoning ordinance update to the township board. Once before the township board, the process will include another formal public hearing and final deliberation before the township board takes action.
Please see the link below for the current draft of the updated zoning ordinance and new zoning map. Also included is a link to the material included in the October 19, 2020 Planning Commission Meeting Packet.