Staff Reports on the Website

The Planning Department is now linking its Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Site Plan Review Committee staff reports to the agendas that are found on the Township website. With a simple click, residents will now be able to read the staff reports approximately one week before the meeting date. We felt that making the staff reports available on the website would allow for yet another opportunity for the public to become educated about the items prior to the meeting date. Although full agenda packets are not yet available for viewing on the website, we hope this is the first step towards that process.

Code Enforcement/Ordinance Violations

When the Township launched its new website in 2008, a new feature was added which allows residents to submit complaints regarding violations of Township ordinances via the website. Once submitted, Township staff is notified, the complaint is filed, and an inspection is scheduled. The submittal form can be located under the Code Enforcement area of the Planning and Zoning Department section of the website. Please follow this link to reach that form: http://www.gainestownship.org/departments/planningzoning/codeenforcement.html. Staff hopes that this is a convenient tool for the public to use when submitting complaints.

2008 Master Plan Update

On December 8, 2008, the Township Board adopted the 2008 Master Plan Update. This update does not replace the 2002 Master Plan, but provides detailed Subarea Plans for two areas within the Township; the Dutton Subarea and the 100th Street/Division Avenue Subarea. The Subarea Plans are the result of work that has occurred over the course of the past 18 months. The work has entailed multiple Steering Committee meetings, an advisory public hearing in December of 2007, a Dutton Charrette conducted in January, a joint Township Board/Planning Commission meeting held in April, stakeholder interviews, as well as multiple meetings held between Township staff and LSL Planning, Inc. The Township is currently in the process of having official hard copies printed, which will be available at the Township offices. The document will also be available on the Township website. Now that the planning is done for these areas, the next step will be to begin the implementation of the plan, which is just as critical. Please pay attention for chances to participate in the many implementation strategies that will be rolled out in the upcoming months and years.