Planning Commission

The basic function of a township planning commission is to make and adopt a plan for the township’s land use development. In addition to private land use, the planning commission considers the general location of major streets, water and sewer systems and other public utilities and structures, and rehabilitation of blighted areas, location of public buildings, and flood prevention.

The planning commission is required to review any plats or subdivisions and make a recommendation prior to township board action. It also does site plan reviews and makes decisions on applications for special use permits and planned unit developments.

The township board decides on rezoning issues and amendments to the zoning ordinances after review and recommendation of the planning commission.

On November 11, 2020 the Laketown Township Board approved the 2020 township master plan. The master plan is the culmination of nearly three years of work by the Laketown Township Planning Commission.

The 2020 master plan can be viewed by clicking here.

For a copy of the 1991 Master Plan, click here.
For a copy of the 2005 Master Plan Update, click here.
For a copy of the 2005 Future Land Use Update, click here.
For a copy of the 2008 Laketown SubArea Plan, click here.

View the zoning map by clicking here.

View a map of the streets in the township by clicking here.

The Planning Commission meets the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the township office. Planning Commission members are Randy Becksvoort – Chair, Jim Johnson – Trustee, Dick Becker – Vice Chair, Marcia Perry, and Chad Nienhuis

Meetings and Minutes

Parks Commission

Laketown Township is fortunate to have many parks, seven owned by the township, one by the State (DNR), several on Allegan County Road Commission rights-of-way and some preserves maintained by nonprofit groups. The Parks Commission is made up of five elected commissioners. It meets the third Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the township hall.

Mission Statement: The Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commission through its Board of Commissioners, staff, programs, services and facilities seeks to enhance the quality of life and the environment, to acquire, conserve and protect natural resources, and to provide quality leisure time opportunities for the benefit of the community.

Members of the Parks Commission: Jeremy Van Hoven – Chair, Karen Simmons – Vice Chair, Dick Becker – Treasurer, and members Anne Brand and Brad Laninga.

Find a park with the Parks Map

Master Plan Update

The parks commission is now working on its Five-Year Master Plan which was last updated in 2018. The master plan helps guide the commission in planning and projects. It also assists in securing state grants.

Parks Reservation Information

What type of events require a Park Use Permit?

A Park Permit is needed when one or more of the following criteria applies to your event or activity:

• 20 or more people expected at the event or activity
• live musical entertainment
• fee collection on township property (donations, admissions, concession, or merchandise sales)
• use of temporary structures or facilities, such as, tents, shade structures, stages, booths, amusement devices (such as, bounce house, dunking booth), etc.
• the general public is invited or notified by the media
• animals on display, for show, or for rides
• hot air balloons or any apparatus for aviation ascent or descent into a park
• any wedding held at a park location
• use of the shelter or park is in a manner other than their specified recreational use

When do I need to submit my Park Use Application?

It is recommended that applications be submitted to the township office at least eight (8) weeks prior to your event. Applicants desiring to hold major events, especially those that are publicly advertised, should submit their application at least 90 days in advance, as a pre-event meeting with township staff may be required. Applications submitted less than 4 weeks in advance will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

What if my event is an annual event? Will I get the same date and location every year?

Reservations can be made up to 364 days in advance and are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Event planners may request the same date for the following year if they turn in a completed Park Use Application. Multiple events will not be allowed to be hosted on trails during the same day.

Can I have amplified sound at my event?

Amplified music is permitted, but must be kept to a reasonable level so as not to disturb the peace, quiet or comfort of the neighboring inhabitants. Amplified sound shall not exceed the distance of 100 feet from the building, structure or outdoor area in which the device is located.

Absolutely no profanity or profane lyrics are allowed in the selection of music that is played for the event. If such music is heard by park staff or if complaints are received from other park users, it will be grounds for shutting down the event and a prohibition on any future events by the sponsor.

Meetings and Minutes

Building Authority

The township Building Authority is appointed by the Township Board and authorized to acquire, furnish, equip, own, improve, enlarge, operate and maintain buildings, automobile parking lots or structures, recreational facilities, and any other properties and facilities used for any public purpose. You may contact the Building Authority by calling the Township office, (616) 335-3050.

Members are Chairperson Tom Shuff, Robert Schaftenaar and Township Manager Al Meshkin. The township clerk and treasurer are ex-officio members meaning they can participate in discussion but not vote.

2023 Meeting Agenda and Minutes

May 1, 2023 – Agenda / Minutes

July 5, 2023 – Agenda / Minutes

August 17, 2023 – Agenda / Minutes

2022 Meeting Agendas and Minutes

April 18, 2022 Agenda / Minutes

July 20, 2022 Agenda / Minutes

Dec 21, 2022 Agenda / Minutes

Zoning Board of Appeals

The ZBA meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at the Township office.

The ZBA hears and decides all zoning ordinance appeals. It may grant variances from the strict letter of the zoning ordinance if practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship would result in conforming with the ordinance, provided the spirit of the ordinance is observed, public safety secured, and substantial justice done. The hardship should not be self-created and some unique circumstances involving the property in question should be evident to support a variance.

An appeal may be filed by any individual aggrieved or by an officer, department, board or bureau of the township, county or state. The reasons for any ZBA decision shall be stated in full and made a part of the meeting records.

The proper use of a zoning board of appeals within the limits of its jurisdiction can prevent a zoning ordinance from becoming a rigid or unjust document.

Zoning Board of Appeals members are: Casey Kimes – Chair, Marcia Perry – Vice Chair, Jim Delaney, Barb Hibiske and Bob Slikkers. Alternates are Charles Martin “Marty” Hysen and Stephen Penfield.

Forms and Applications

Meetings and Minutes

Graafschap Fire Department Board

The fire board for Laketown and Fillmore townships is a joint fire board with two members from each participating governmental unit.

Two members from Laketown: Gary Dewey and Linda Howell

Two members from Fillmore: Bob Yonker and Tim Hofman

The Fire Chief, Doug DenBleyker serves as a non-voting member. Two additional fire department members serve as non-voting members as well.

The fire board is required to submit an annual budget for review, modification, and approval by the township board.

The Graafschap Fire Board meets quarterly.

Minutes and Meetings

Downtown Development Authority

On June 13, 2007, the Township Board of Laketown Township in Allegan County, Michigan created the Laketown Township Downtown Development Authority (DDA). At that time the DDA was given all of the powers and duties prescribed for a Downtown Development Authority pursuant to Act 197 of Public Acts of 1975, M.C.L.A. §§ 125.1651 et seq., as amended by the State of Michigan. A nine-member DDA Board was appointed to represent the Township and its downtown business interests. The Township Board also designated the boundaries of the downtown district within which the DDA may legally operate.

The overall goal of the Development Plan is to undertake public improvements that will provide the framework for future development of the commercial parcels along Blue Star Highway. Implementation of this plan will result in a variety of economic benefits including employment, greater retail activity, and funding for improvements.

The goals of this plan are to:

• Create a physical environment, image, and “sense of place” which will encourage a vital mix of land uses and activities in the district
• Create a physical environment that works in concert with the natural environment
• Capitalize on the existing seasonal tourist market and create new opportunities for expanding the tourist market and attracting new markets
• Create a visual cohesiveness and unity for the uses along Blue Star Highway through onsite and streetscape enhancements
• Encourage additional private investment in the district
• Improve shared use ways and promote multi-purpose circulation in the district
• Protect the residential areas within and adjacent to the district through sensitive site design

Forms and Applications