Secord Township   1507 Secord Dam Road    Gladwin,  Michigan 48624
Secord Township Masterplan

 

Public Hearing

A public hearing on the proposed Master Plan for Secord Township, as required by the Michigan Planning Enabling Act, Act 33 of 2008 as amended, was held on June 14, 2014.  Notice of the public hearing was published in the April 16, 2014 issue of the Gladwin County Record.  A copy of the public hearing notice is reproduced at the end of this chapter.

The purpose of the public hearing was to present the proposed master plan and to accept comments from the public.  In addition to the Planning Commission members, the Zoning Administrator, Township Board Members and general public attended the meeting.  The public hearing began with a brief explanation of the planning process and plan development by EMCOG planning staff.  During the hearing, maps of existing land use, natural resources, current zoning were presented.  Also, goals and objectives and proposed future land use recommendations were presented.  Public comment was gathered and necessary changes were made to the plan in response to the public comment and review of this document. 

Plan Adoption

The Secord Township Planning Commission formally recommended to the township Board on July 16, 2014 that this plan be adopted by the Board.  The board formally adopted the new Master Plan by resolution on July 16, 2014.  This Master Plan should be formally reviewed by the Planning Commission at least once every five years.

Legal Transmittals

Michigan planning law requires that the adopted Master Plan be transmitted to the Township Board.  The plan must also be submitted for review and comment to the county planning commission, if one exists, or to the East Michigan Council of Governments.  Copies of these transmittal letters appear at the end of this chapter.

Plan Implementation

The Master Plan was developed to provide a vision of the community's future.  It will serve as a tool for decision making on future development proposals.  The plan will also act as a guide for future public investment and service decisions, such as the local budget, grant applications, road maintenance and development, community group activities, tax incentive decisions, and administration of utilities and services.

Zoning Ordinance

The zoning ordinance is the primary tool for implementing Secord Township’s Master Plan.  The Secord Township Board enacted the last updated zoning ordinance regulating land use activities in 1986 which was last amended in 2007.  This plan recommends the Township zoning ordinance should be reviewed at least once every five years to ensure the ordinance is consistent with the current laws and Acts and the township goals and future land use plans of the township. 

The Township recently worked on totally updating their Zoning Ordinance and adopted the new Secord Township Zoning Ordinance of 2014 on July 16, 2014.  This new ordinance will become effective on July 31, 2014.

Grants and Capital Improvement 

The Master Plan can also be used as a guide for future public investment and service decisions, such as the local budget, grant applications and administration of utilities and services.  Many communities prioritized and budget for capital improvement projects, such as infrastructure improvements, park improvements, etc.

A Capital Improvements Program (CIP) typically looks five years into the future to establish a schedule for all anticipated capital improvement projects in the community.  A CIP includes cost estimates and sources for financing for each project.  It can therefore serve as both a budgetary and policy document to aid in the implementation of a community's master plan.

Recreation Plan

Secord Township or Gladwin County must have a current DNR approved Community Recreation Plan to be eligible for recreation grant funding.  Background information presented in this Master Plan update would serve as part of a township recreation plan.  Additional work would include developing information on existing recreational facilities within the township and the region, recreation goals and an action program for existing and proposed facilities.  A DNR-approved Recreation Plan would cover a five year planning period.  Grant funds would be pursued for recreation projects identified in the Community Recreation Plan.  The Planning Commission should evaluate the costs and benefits of developing such a plan.

 

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