MyWHaT

I’m consistently surprised by the resources available to citizens in northern Michigan. The latest source of tools brought to my attention are these planning and zoning guides published by the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments.

Understanding and getting involved with community planning process is arguable the most effective way to influence community developments. We often react to a problem after it is well underway. Sometimes that is for lack of transparency and communication from government agencies, but often it is due to lack of planning literacy.

If needed, a review may be published in the near future.

The following documents are available for download at the links:

• Citizen’s Guide to Planning & Zoning
• Getting Involved fact sheet
• Master Plans fact sheet
• Who’s Who fact sheet
• Zoning Fact Sheet

Release from the NWCOG:

As part of the New Designs for Growth program, the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments is pleased to announce the release of planning resource guides for those that would like to become involved in the planning process.

These documents are intended to provide basic information to citizens that haven’t been closely involved in the planning process, but would like to learn more about how the process works in their community. Included in this attachment are four fact sheets outlining basic planning information, as well A Citizen’s Guide to Planning and Zoning, which is a longer document for those that would like more detailed information.

Please note that this is introductory information only, and citizens are encouraged to take advantage of other resources that are identified in the documents.

We encourage you to share these documents with anyone that might be interested. If you’d like to obtain hard copies of A Citizen’s Guide, or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.Sarah Lucas, AICP, Regional Planner NWMCOG, sarahlucas@nwm.cog.mi.us

Part of the MyWHaT endeavor is to be as engaged in planning processes in the region. Currently, I serve on the steering committee guiding the Bayfront Design (Being presented July 19). I’m also involved with developing the parks and recreation master plan, as well as the subcommittee developing the transportation elements for the master plan. Needless to say, I look forward to looking through these resources for some advice.

Will you use these documents? How?

Scenes from the Blue Angel event

A Patriot: How to effectively command a crosswalk. (photo: Gary L Howe)

Stuck on the island: not quite enough for critical mass. (photo: Gary L Howe)

Biking to watch war planes...not sure if that equals out. (photo: Gary L Howe)

All getting along. Is it only war planes that can bring us together? (photo: Gary L Howe)

EXTRA: A short video of the Oak St. crosswalk at Grandview. I watched it for about 30 minutes and I was impressed with the courtesy of most drivers and pedestrians. There were exceptions, but overall, not bad. (b+ for everyone).

As the first image (above) shows, a lot of social negotiation was occurring and it didn’t hurt to have thousands of pedestrians crossing the entire length of the parkway. Safety and convenience in numbers.

(Adjust your volume down, as it was windy)