Visioning Session and Survey Paint a Picture for Highland’s Master Planning Process

(Crystal A. Proxmire, June 13, 2023)

Highland, MI – Residents and businesses of Highland Township are in the midst of an exciting process – figuring out as a community what the Master Plan should be.

A Master Plan is a document required by the state’s Zoning Enabling Act, which tells communities that zoning must be based on a plan. It’s a document that outlines the desired physical development of a community, which is a land use plan that guides a wide range of municipal decisions and activities. The Master Plan outlines the vision and sets a guide for local government decisions, but Zoning Ordinances, ideally in line with the Master Plan, are the actual laws. They tend to look at what is a community’s vision 5, 10, and 20 years down the road.

“We plan first, and we zone second,” explained Douglas Lewan of Carlisle Wortman Associates at the Township’s Planning Commission Master Plan Visioning Session on May 18.

The Township has hired Carlisle Wortman Associates to guide them through the process. Lewan, a Partner at the firm, was joined by Anna Wysocki, a planner at the firm, to go through the background presentation.

“We are in the early stages, hearing what you want,” Lewan explained. He added that Highland Township officials are doing a more hands-on approach to the Master Plan than is legally required, because they want the most input possible. The Township did a survey about a year ago with over 400 responses; and over 60 residents turned out for the Visioning session.

In addition to the Session there will be future Planning Commission meetings where the Master Plan is discussed, before going to the Planning Commission for a vote, where even then public input can still be shared. “Highland Township thought enough of this process by going above and beyond with a survey and meetings like this,” Lewan said.

At the May 18 Visioning Session, residents and business owners heard about the process and some of the survey results, then divided into four groups to have smaller discussions on: Natural Features, Business and Commercial Development, Transportation and Utilities, and Residential Development.

The last time the Township did a new Master Plan was in 2000, with an update in 2013. That plan was designed to carry the community through 2020. Though the pandemic has given the Township a later start, they are still taking the time to hear ideas and opinions, and make deliberate choices.

WHERE THINGS STAND TODAY

Highland Township is 36.18 square miles, 2.07 of which are water. There are about 19,172 residents, 92% of whom are white. The median age is 45.1 with clear population trends showing an increasing older adult population.

The median income is $88,061 and of the residences, 83% are owner-occupied.

A slide showed Highland Township as a place that is plentiful with natural features. And another showed that sewer needs are a growing concern.

SURVEY RESULTS

The survey last year showed that 82% of respondents were satisfied with variety of goods and services available in the community. Pedestrian and bicycle paths showed up as the number one need. 46% of respondents agreed that improving local roads should be a priority. 55% disagreed with the need for adding more multi-family housing. And 67% wanted to maintain the rural atmosphere.

34% were in favor of a tax millage to preserve environmental resources, and 48% support using local tax money to preserve natural areas for public use.

Most residents agree that Highland Township is “a safe, quiet, family-friendly place with rural charm.”

VISIONING SESSION

Those in attendance at the Visioning Sessions shared ideas on a variety of topics. Then folks were given sticky dots to place next to ideas that resonated with them them.

Some of the ideas included:

– More interpark connections and pathways

-Bike paths

-Dog park

-Keep population density low

-No big box stores

-Keep agricultural zoned areas

-Control invasive species

-No roundabouts

-Make golf carts road legal

-Confine businesses to downtown, Duck Lake, and M-59

-High speed internet

-Keep Highland rural

-Increase lot sizes for residential

-EV Charging stations

-Move power lines underground

The topic of sewer infrastructure got a number of dots of interest from both those who want to see the infrastructure added and those who do not.

Another hot topic was that of preserving greenspace. While most agreed that the rural, natural atmosphere of Highland Township was an asset, people had mixed views on whether the Township should purchase property, such as for parks, to help maintain it.

WHAT’S NEXT

The consultants will be compiling results from the Visioning Session to present to the Planning Commission for further discussion. For more about Highland Township, including on how to take part in public meetings, visit https://www.highlandtwp.net/