Planning commission begins look at ordinances

The Laketown Township Planning Commission is examining the township’s zoning ordinances and welcomes resident comments.

Laketown Township has a Code of Ordinances, which are a set of rules governing the operation of the township and use of the land.  The ordinances are available at the township office, 4338 Beeline Road, or on the website laketowntwp.org, under the heading “Ordinances & Legal Notices.” Click on the bold link for the complete Code of Ordinances. 

The planning commission will specifically review Chapter 38, entitled “Zoning.”  Parcels within the township are assigned to a type of zone, such as residential, commercial, mobile home development, for example. Zoning ordinances guide land use within these zones and regulate things such as where a structure can be placed on a property, size, height, and density.  Also, zoning ordinances list uses that are allowed in each zone type, such as short-term rentals, home occupations, and commercial activities. 

At the next meeting on Wednesday, May 7, at 7 p.m., the commission will look at the ordinance for the zone “Planned Unit Developments,” Sec. 38-430 through Sec. 38-439.  This section is typically a neighborhood development but could also be a business and industry park.

The commission plans to examine each section within Chapter 38 this year.

The commission meets at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road.

Ordinances vs master plan

There is a difference between ordinances and a master plan.

A master plan is a guidebook which explains and outlines the township’s goals for future growth and development. Developed by the planning commission from extensive community input, the plan includes a map showing the desired location of each zone. Creating the map needs careful consideration regarding infrastructure needs, such as municipal water and sewer, educational and medical facilities, and roads to support the type of uses for each zone. 

A commission must include in the plan locations for all types of housing needs and may not eliminate a zone.  For example, limiting housing types such as mobile home parks and apartment buildings to land that cannot be developed, or removing them entirely, is called exclusionary zoning and not allowed by state statue. 

The planning commission invites you to attend in person or online or provide written comments regarding the ordinances found in Chapter 38.

For more information, contact Community Development Director Michelle Sall at (616) 335-3050 or michelle@laketowntwp.org.

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 of 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.

The Laketown Township Planning Commission consists for five members: Chairperson Chad Nienhuis, Vice Chairperson Jay Cravens, Mark Timmerman, Ray Buursma and Patrick Dietrich. Members are appointed by the township board.

The commission meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road.

For more about the planning commission, click here.