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Hillsdale County Courthouse, Room 12
29 N. Howell Street
Hillsdale, Michigan 49242
Phone (517) 439-9166
Fax (517) 439-9502
PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS
The Hillsdale County Planning Commission consists of nine members, each representing a different facet of Hillsdale County. Ned Bever, Chair (Agriculture)Debra Sikorski, Vice-Chair (Cities and Villages)Ken Lautzenheuser (County Commissioner)Brad Densmore (County Commissioner)Fred Fowler (Townships)Julie Kanouse (Townships)Charlene Page (Economic Development)Sarah Fronczak (Natural Resources)Wendy Moore (Education) PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS
All meetings are held the third Monday of each month at 1:30 pm at the
Hillsdale County Intermediate School District Office
310 W. Bacon St.,
Hillsdale, MI 49242 To view schedule of regular meeting dates in 2009, click here. * Meeting dates are subject to change and special meetings may be called. | Agenda | 2009 Minutes | 2008 Minutes |
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June 15, 2009 July 20, 2009 Aug 17, 2009 Sep 21, 2009 Nov 16, 2009 | January 26, 2009 March 16, 2009 April 20, 2009 June 15, 2009 July 20, 2009 August 17, 2009 September 21,2009 | June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 December 2008 |
For further information, please contact the following: - Jasneet Sharma, Land Policy Educator (Michigan State University Extension, Hillsdale County) at 517-549-9301 or sharmaj@msu.edu
LAND USE PLANNING IN HILLSDALE COUNTY The County Board of Commissioners adopted the Hillsdale County Comprehensive Land Use Plan on December 17, 2002. This plan was prepared after careful review of existing local plans and broad public input. In the process of developing the plan, two fundamental concepts emerged regarding land use in Hillsdale County. First, the rural character of the county should be retained whenever possible. Secondly, development should be arranged to minimize the costs associated with service delivery and infrastructure development, thereby protecting the interest of the taxpayer. The Comprehensive Land Use Plan provides a framework for the land use decisions of our county. A pdf copy of the plan is available below.
Hillsdale County Comprehensive Land Use Plan
What is planning? The goal of planning is for diverse interests to come together to create a shared vision for their community that will create and maintain a sense of place. Planning will help a community identify and preserve strengths and assets and provide a framework to address needs and concerns. Planning establishes goals for improvement and provides a framework for zoning and other land use decisions.
What is zoning? Zoning is the method used by communities to promote the compatibility of land uses by dividing tracts of land into different zones. Zoning ensures that a factory is not located in the middle of a residential neighborhood or that a bar is not located next to an elementary school.
Why should a community plan? Communities will change. Though planning is not necessary for survival, change without planning will often happen in a haphazard fashion with little regard to residential interests, environmental resources and delivery of public services. Planning provides a framework for the cooperation of citizens to maintain the rural character of our community and also protects private property rights by minimizing the negative impacts of new development. Planning should promote sustainable development to meet the needs of our present population without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Services provided by the Hillsdale County Planning Commission include:
- Conducts studies and surveys relative to the development of Hillsdale County and serves as the coordinating agency for all planning in the county.
- Formulates plans and making recommendations for the most effective development of the county.
- Review city, village, township plans and serves as an information resource for local units of government in implementing community plans (See Plan Review section for additional information).
- Advises zoned townships on zoning requests and amendments (See Zoning Review section for additional information)
- Reviews farmland preservation agreements (PA 116).
- Prepares, adopts and maintains a capital improvement programs (CIP) for capital expenditures of the government.
- Reviews and comments on proposed physical infrastructure improvements in county government.
PLAN REVIEW by the County Planning Commission
As per Public Act 33 of 2008, any municipality proposing or amending a master plan, must submit the proposed master plan to the county planning commission for review. This step must take place after the legislative body approves the proposed master plan for distribution but has not formally adopted the plan. The county planning commission has 63 days after the proposed master plan was submitted to review and submit comments on the proposed master plan. The purpose of the review by County Planning commission review will be to determine whether the plan is consistent with the County Land Use Plan.
For master plan adoption or amendments, please submit the ‘Planning and Zoning Amendment Form’ with required documentation.
* Please Note: The comments and feedback provided by the Hillsdale County Planning Commission are advisory only. ZONING REVIEW by the County Planning Commission
Zoning in Hillsdale County is done at the individual local unit of government level. Despite this, as per Public Act 110 of 2006, when a zoned township adopts or amends the zoning ordinance or map, it must submit the zoning amendment to the county planning commission for review. This step must take place after the local unit of government has conducted the required public hearing. The county planning commission has 30 days from the date the proposed ordinance/amendment is received by the county to review and recommend.
Townships are also requested to submit the required application form and documentation for a plan or zoning review at least one week before the scheduled meeting of the Hillsdale County Planning Commission.
For map or zoning district boundary changes, please submit the ‘Zoning Worksheet Form’ with required documentation. For zoning text amendments, please submit the ‘‘Planning and Zoning Amendment Form’ with required documentation. * Please Note: The comments and feedback provided on zoning action by the Hillsdale County Planning Commission are advisory only.
Documents/Forms:
Hillsdale County Comprehensive Land Use Plan
December 08 Minutes
October 08 Minutes
September 08 Minutes
August 08 Minutes
July 08 Minutes
June 08 Minutes
2009 Meeting Schedule
Planning and Zoning Amendment Form
Zoning Worksheet Form
April 2009 Minutes
July 2009 Agenda
June 2009 Agenda
August 2009 Agenda
What is Picture Hillsdale County?
Picture Hillsdale County Survey Report
July 2009 Minutes
Picture Hillsdale County Survey Report Summary
Picture Hillsdale County Survey Report Summary (Color)
January 2009 Minutes
March 2009 Minutes
June 2009 Minutes
Community Visioning Flyer
September 2009 Agenda
August 2009 Minutes
Weaknesses and strengths
Planning Commission Appointment Application
Nov 2009 Agenda
Sept 2009 minutes
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