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.
Background: Peninsula Township’s zoning ordinance was adopted in 1972, nearly 50 years ago. While piecemeal amendments have been made, the ordinance is at times ambiguous or even confusing, which makes it increasingly difficult for the township to respond to development pressures. In response, several years ago, the planning commission formed a committee made up of township staff, legal counsel, engineering professionals, and a planning consultant to update the ordinance. Changes included 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.
In January 2020, the planning commission reviewed the updated draft ordinance, considered it ready for initial public review, and posted it on the township website. After taking public comment for the next eight months, the need for additional edits was apparent. At its September 2020 meeting, the planning commission approved these edits and decided that the Draft of Peninsula Township Zoning Ordinance (09-21-2020) was ready for a formal public hearing. This document was accompanied by a separate list of additional edits staff generated and proposed to add to the draft. A formal public hearing occurred on October 19, 2020, and was continued in November and December of 2020.
Purpose of the Public Hearings: public hearings are held to obtain feedback before action is taken. Because zoning ordinances can’t be retroactive, it’s important to anticipate issues. When public hearings conclude, board members reflect on the input they have received and sometimes make further changes to the draft. Planning commission members traditionally place a high value on public input and want to hear residents’ thoughts on how the township can develop effective regulations and development standards that maintain and protect the township now and in the future.
The Current Status: based upon comments received at the October, November, and December 2020 public hearings, several portions of the ordinance rewrite are temporarily being set aside so that the bulk of the update can move forward (see the winter 2021 township newsletter article written by Isaiah Wunsch for a more detailed explanation). The non-controversial material that is ready to move forward is included in the document Peninsula Township Zoning Ordinance DRAFT – March, 15 2021 linked below. Also linked below is the updated zoning map that depicts where the various zoning districts are located. This map is now in digital format, which improves accuracy and allows for easier updates and maintenance.
The Process Going Forward: once the planning commission approves this latest draft, it will be forwarded to the township board, where another formal public hearing and deliberation will occur before the township board takes final action to approve the zoning ordinance. Members of the township board have expressed a desire to delay taking action until summer 2021 so that seasonal residents have an opportunity to comment before the town board takes final action. The sections that were set aside will be dealt with individually and incorporated into the official zoning ordinance as they are approved.
In January 2020, the planning commission reviewed the updated draft ordinance, considered it ready for initial public review, and posted it on the township website. After taking public comment for the next eight months, the need for additional edits was apparent. At its September 2020 meeting, the planning commission approved these edits and decided that the Draft of Peninsula Township Zoning Ordinance (09-21-2020) was ready for a formal public hearing. This document was accompanied by a separate list of additional edits staff generated and proposed to add to the draft. A formal public hearing occurred on October 19, 2020, and was continued in November and December of 2020.
Purpose of the Public Hearings: public hearings are held to obtain feedback before action is taken. Because zoning ordinances can’t be retroactive, it’s important to anticipate issues. When public hearings conclude, board members reflect on the input they have received and sometimes make further changes to the draft. Planning commission members traditionally place a high value on public input and want to hear residents’ thoughts on how the township can develop effective regulations and development standards that maintain and protect the township now and in the future.
The Current Status: based upon comments received at the October, November, and December 2020 public hearings, several portions of the ordinance rewrite are temporarily being set aside so that the bulk of the update can move forward (see the winter 2021 township newsletter article written by Isaiah Wunsch for a more detailed explanation). The non-controversial material that is ready to move forward is included in the document Peninsula Township Zoning Ordinance DRAFT – March, 15 2021 linked below. Also linked below is the updated zoning map that depicts where the various zoning districts are located. This map is now in digital format, which improves accuracy and allows for easier updates and maintenance.
The Process Going Forward: once the planning commission approves this latest draft, it will be forwarded to the township board, where another formal public hearing and deliberation will occur before the township board takes final action to approve the zoning ordinance. Members of the township board have expressed a desire to delay taking action until summer 2021 so that seasonal residents have an opportunity to comment before the town board takes final action. The sections that were set aside will be dealt with individually and incorporated into the official zoning ordinance as they are approved.