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Purpose
and Planning
Process
The purpose
of the
Secord Township
Land Use Master Plan
is to provide guidelines for future
development within
the community, while
protecting the
natural resources
and rural township character.
The Michigan Planning
Enabling Act,
P.A. 33
of
2008, states
a Township
may adopt, amend, and implement a
master plan.
The Michigan
Planning Enabling Act
states:
The
general
purpose of
a master
plan
is
to
guide
and
accomplish,
in
the
planning
jurisdiction
and
its
environs, development that satisfies
all of the following criteria:
(a)
Is coordinated, adjusted, harmonious, efficient, and economical.
(b)
Considers the character of the planning jurisdiction and its suitability
for particular uses, judged in terms of such factors as trends in land and
population development.
(c)
Will, in accordance with present and future needs, best promote public
health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare.
(d)
Includes, among other things, promotion of or adequate provision for one
(1) or more of the following:
(i) A system
of transportation to lessen congestion on streets.
(ii) Safety
from fire and other dangers.
(iii) Light
and air.
(iv)
Healthful and convenient distribution of population.
(v) Good
civic design and arrangement and wise and efficient expenditure of public funds.
(vi) Public
utilities such as sewage disposal and water supply and other public
improvements.
(vii)
Recreation.
(viii)
The use of resources in accordance with their character and adaptability.
This plan presents
background information
on
social and
economic data,
natural resources, existing
community services
and facilities,
and existing
land uses.
The
background information is used
to identify important characteristics, changes
and trends in Secord Township. A special
community workshop was held to gather
input from residents and landowners.
Based
on information gathered at this workshop
and the
background data,
the Township
Planning Commission developed goals and
objectives. These
goals
and
objectives, along
with
a series
of maps
including soils,
ownership,
existing
land use,
and zoning,
provide the
basis for the
Future Land Use Map. The
future
land use map recommends locations
for various types of
future development within the Township.
The Master Plan
was developed by
the Secord Township
Planning Commission
with the assistance from
the East
Michigan Council
of
Governments (EMCOG).
This
plan
looks
at a
twenty year
planning horizon, with required
revisits
every five
years
or
sooner if
needed.
A series
of planning
workshops were
held over the
years of 2012 and 2013. All
workshops were open meetings
with public welcomed
and encouraged to
comment on the plan.
The
Status of
Planning and
Zoning
in Secord
Township
On August 10th of 1977,
the Secord
Township
Board established a
Planning and Zoning
Commission under the Township Planning
Act 168
of 1959.
With
the assistance
of
planning consultants and the
County Planning Commission, the
Township adopted
a zoning
ordinance on October 25th,
1986. It was recently amended by the
Township in 2010. On February 10, 1998
Secord Township
adopted its
first Comprehensive
Plan.
On February 10th,
2007 the Township
adopted an
amendment to their
Comprehensive
Plan
which included
Socio‐Economic
and Land Use Sections. On
June 15, 2011, the Secord Township Board passed Ordinance 3-2011 which confirmed
the establishment of the Planning Commission with Zoning Authority under the
Michigan Planning Enabling Act, Public Act 33 of 2008.
Secord
Township has recognized the importance and need for developing an updated Master
Plan in compliance with the Michigan Planning Enabling Act, P.A. 33 of 2008.
Establishing this Master Plan
provides a legal foundation for the Township Zoning Ordinance and a
formal plan to manage for anticipated growth within the Township.
By documenting existing conditions such as environment, socio-economic,
community services, transportation, recreation, and land use within a master
plan, the Township will be able to formulate appropriate land use goals and
policies to guide development and serve as the basis for enforceable zoning.
The master plan will in turn be used as a basis for re-examining the
Township’s zoning districts and land use development controls.
Location and Regional Setting
Secord Township comprises an area of 23.4 square miles and is
situated in the north east quadrant of Gladwin County Michigan.
The Township is defined by Township and Range Numbers as T.19N.-R.1E.
Secord Township is centrally located in Gladwin County and is bordered by
seven other townships: Butman, Clement, Bourret, Gladwin, Buckeye, Hay and Grim.
M-30 highway traverses the western border of the Township.
Distance to other Michigan Cities:
Miles
Gladwin
16
West Branch
20
Midland
38
Beaverton
Standish
Clare
Alpena
Houghton Lake
Gaylord
Bay City
Mount Pleasant
Saginaw
Mackinaw City
Traverse City
Lansing
Grand Rapids
Flint
Petoskey
Flint Bishop Airport
MBS Airport
Detroit Metro Airport
Chicago O’Hare Airport
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