City to update master plan, develop public participation initiative
GAYLORD — If you have ideas on how Gaylord should grow and manage its land and resources, the city will want to hear from you in the near future.
The time has come to update Gaylord's master and recreation plans and zoning ordinances, according to city manager Kim Awrey.
"We are working through the redevelopment ready process with the MEDC (Michigan Economic Development Corp.)," Awrey said. "It updates everything — master plan, zoning and also how we will involve the public in this process."
The MEDC believes that to stay vibrant and competitive, Michigan communities must be ready for development by writing plans for new investment and reinvestment. One way to accomplish that involves updating a municipality's master plan.
A master plan provides guidance for the growth, development, and physical improvements within a municipality. The MEDC said master plans establish a community vision through public engagement and identify how to implement that vision. The plan serves as a guide for future development in the community, adding predictability and community buy-in to the development process.
Gaylord's master plan was last updated in 1996. While developing an updated plan, Awrey said it is also a good idea to take a look at zoning ordinances and the recreation plan.
One of the requirements to receive MEDC funding involves developing a public participation plan.
It will show how the city is going to involve all the key stakeholders in the process, including the city planning commission, city council, downtown development authority, schools, the hospital, business community, social and fraternal organizations, Otsego County and others.
The master plan can also serve as the basis for zoning and land-use regulations.
Awrey said redevelopment ready community status must also be achieved to become eligible for MEDC funding in the future.
"Gaylord received $1.4 million nearly three years ago from the MEDC to redo the southeast quadrant in the city," she said.
That project involved about 14 blocks near 2nd and Third streets from Maple Avenue back to Center Avenue.
The master plan should be updated every five years, said Awrey.
"This will determine how neighborhoods are formed and how growth will be managed," she added.
Changes to the master plan will start with the planning commission and then move on to the council.
"During that process is when we will seek public input at meetings and hearings," Awrey said.
Gaylord's recreation plan is relatively new and just reached the five year mark since it was approved. A recreation plan is needed for the city to obtain grants from the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Awrey said it could cost about $60,000 to update the master and recreation plans and zoning ordinances.
"MEDC funding may provide about half of that amount," she said.
Awrey intends to begin the process in January and have it completed about six months later.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: City to update master plan, develop public participation initiative
