Land Development Ordinance

Last year, the Planning Commission established a "Land Development (LDO) Ordinance Committee", responsible for reviewing and revising the ordinances that regulate the following types of land development:

• Land Divisions/Splits
• Subdivisions (plats)
• Site Condominiums
• Private Streets
• Commercial & Industrial Access Management

Although work began on this project, it was put on hiatus as the 2008 Master Plan Update took precedence. The Committee is now restarting this project, which is scheduled to be completed sometime in 2010.

The intent is to re-write Chapter 22 of the Code of Ordinances and end up with an ordinance that will be more streamlined and user-friendly, while at the same time contribute to orderly development within the Township. Please review the Project Timeline for more information about this project and check back here for future announcements or visit the Planning & Zoning Department's web page.

Reporting a Streetlight Outage

Not all streetlights are maintained by Consumers Energy. However, they will happily repair the streetlights that they maintain. To report a streetlight that is out or malfunctioning, simply visit their website at www.consumersenergy.com, complete and submit an online form or call 1-800-477-5050.

Planning Commission - 2008 Annual Report

Section 19(2) of the Michigan Planning Enabling Act (Public Act 33 of 2008) requires the Planning Commission to "make and annual written report to the legislative body concerning its operation and the status of planning activities, including recommendations regarding actions by the legislative body related to planning and development."

The 2008 Annual Report provides the Planning Commission and Township Board with the following information:

An update of development activities within the Township
The meeting activity of the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals
Code enforcement activities
Internal Department actions
A review of the 2008 Work Program

The 2008 Annual Report was reviewed and accepted by the Township Board at its March 9, 2009 meeting.

2009 Parks & Recreation Plan

In November of 2008, the Township Parks and Recreation Committee made the decision to prepare a new "Parks and Recreation Plan". The current Plan, adopted in 2004, has allowed the Township to seek grant money through the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF). The MNRTF requires the Township to have an adopted 5-year Plan on file in order to be eligible for grants. As the 2004 Plan is set to expire this year, the Committee wishes to continue to be eligible for these grant dollars, and therefore has appointed a subcommittee that will work with Township staff on preparing a 2009 Parks & Recreation Plan. The planning process will incorporate input from the public, so please check the Township website often for more details.

Nieghborhood Stabilization Program Soliciting Qualifications

The Community Development Department of Kent County is soliciting qualifications from groups and businesses that have the technical ability and financial capacity to identify then acquire and rehabilitate foreclosed and abandoned properties located within designated target areas within the County. These rehabilitated properties will subsequently be sold and/or rented to households meeting the Neighborhood Stabilization Program income requirements of low, moderate or middle income (LMMI). All activities must conform to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) regulations, Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) rules and relevant federal and local ordinances, plans, policies and procedures.

Click here for more details or contact the Kent County Community Development Department at 616-632-7400.

Dutton Days!

The Dutton community and some of the local businesses will once again be sponsoring the Annual Dutton Days Event to be held on Saturday, June 27th from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm in the heart of beautiful downtown Dutton. This year there will also be a community wide church service held on Sunday, June 28th at 10:00 am.

There is a long list of fun and festivities to enjoy at this years event. Bring the whole family for a great time! For more information, if you are interested in volunteering, or helping to sponsor the event please contact Mike or Vicki Schmidt at Vschmidt@kentland.com or call 616-698-8610.

Master Plan Summary

The Planning Department has prepared a 4-page document which attempts to summarize the findings of the 2002 Master Plan and the recently adopted 2008 Master Plan Update. The document can currently be found on the Township's website and will hopefully be available in hard copy version shortly.