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Local Government>Hillsdale County Planning Commission

HILLSDALE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

Hillsdale County Courthouse, Room 12
29 N. Howell Street
Hillsdale, Michigan 49242
Phone (517) 439-9166
Fax (517) 439-9502

E-Mail: Planning@co.hillsdale.mi.us

 

 

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)
  • Marc Richards, Secretary (Citizen At-Large)
  • Parke Hayes (County Board of Commissioners)
  • Fred Fowler (Townships)
  • Gary Reppert (Townships)
  • Mike Potts (Education)
  • Adam Smith (Industrial and Economic Development)
  • Shelby Bollwahn (Environmental and Natural Resources)
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    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 2012, click here.

    * Meeting dates are subject to change and special meetings may be called. 

       

    2012 Agendas

    2012 Minutes

    2011 Agendas

    2011 Minutes

    January 30, 2012

    January 30, 2012

    January 24, 2011-No Quorum

    January 24, 2011-No Quorum

    February 27, 2012

    February 27, 2012

    March 21, 2011

    March 21,2011

    April 16, 2012

    April 16, 2012

    May 16, 2011

    May 16, 2011

    July 16, 2012

    July 16, 2012

    July 18, 2011-No Quorum

    July 18, 2011-No Quorum

    October 15, 2012

    October 15, 2012

    August 15, 2011

    August 15, 2011

     

     

    September 19, 2011

    September 19, 2011

     

     

    October 17, 2011

    October 17, 2011

     

     

    November 21, 2011

    November 21, 2011

     

     

    December 19, 2011

    December 19, 2011

      

    2010 Agendas

    2010 Minutes

    2009 Minutes

    2008 Minutes

    January 25, 2010

    January 25, 2010

    January 26, 2009

    June 2008

    February 22, 2010-Cancelled

    February 22, 2010-Cancelled

    March 16, 2009

    July 2008

    March 15, 2010

    March 15, 2010

    April 20, 2009

    August 2008

    April 19, 2010

    April 19, 2010

    June 15, 2009

    September 2008

    May 17, 2010

    May 17, 2010

    July 20, 2009

    October 2008

    June 21, 2010

    June 21, 2010

    August 17, 2009

    December 2008

    July 19, 2010-Cancelled

    July 19, 2010-Cancelled

    September 21,2009

     

    August 16, 2010

    September 13, 2010-No Quorum

    October 18, 2010

    November 15, 2010-No Quorum

    December 20, 2010

    August 16, 2010

    September 13, 2010-No Quorum 

    October 18, 2010

    November 15, 2010-No Quorum

    December 20, 2010

    November 16, 2009

     

     

     

     

       

    For further information, please contact: 

     


     

    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.

     

    PICTURE HILLSDALE COUNTY - read and participate in discussion on 'Picture Hillsdale County Blog'

    An Asset-Based Strategic Plan for Hillsdale County

     

    The ‘Picture Hillsdale County’ Project is a strategic planning and community participation process that the Hillsdale County Planning Commission is utilizing in the update of the Hillsdale County Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

     

    What is Picture Hillsdale County?

     

    Picture Hillsdale County Survey Report: What residents of Hillsdale County Want.

     

    Picture Hillsdale County Survey Report Summary (Black and White)

     

    Picture Hillsdale County Survey Report Summary (Color)


     

    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
    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
    Nov 2009 minutes
    2010 Meeting Schedule
    Jan 2010 Agenda
    Jan 2010 Minutes
    March 2010 Agenda
    March 2010 Minutes
    April 2010 Agenda
    April 2010 Minutes
    May 2010 Agenda
    June 2010 Agenda
    May 2010 Minutes
    June 2010 Minutes
    August 2010 Agenda
    September 2010 Agenda
    April 2009 Minutes
    October 2010 Agenda
    November 2010 Agenda
    October 2010 Minutes
    August 2010 Minutes
    December 2010 Agenda
    December 2010 Minutes
    2011 Meeting Schedule
    January 2011 Agenda
    March 2011 Agenda
    May 2011 Agenda
    March 2011 Minutes
    July 2011 Agenda
    May 2011 Minutes
    August 2011 Agenda
    September 2011 Agenda
    September 2011 Minutes
    August 2011 Minutes
    2012 Meeting Schedule
    October 2011 Minutes
    October 2011 Agenda
    November 2011 Agenda
    November 2011 Minutes
    December 2011 Agenda
    December 2011 Minutes
    January 2012 Agenda
    February 2012 Agenda

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