In an enormous, exciting, and marvelous milestone for our collaboration, the final two master plan drafts have been completed and approved for your review: the Village of Bear Lake and Bear Lake Township. Congratulations to the hardworking planning commissions!

Under Michigan’s planning enabling act, a draft master plan must be made available to the public, neighboring jurisdictions, county and regional planning agencies, select state departments, and transportation and utility providers for a period of 63 days before it can be adopted. Electronic copies of the plan have been sent off to the required agencies and communities, and hard copies will be mailed to area library branches and the communities’ own administrative offices. You may, of course, access the full plans here – just click the links to the right or hover over the community’s name in the menu and select “Master Plan” from the drop-down menu.

Comments are warmly welcomed from now until May 27. You can comment directly on the master plan page (all are moderated, so there may be a delay before it appears), send comments via the “Contact Us” page (please specify your community!), or use your community’s regular venues for public participation. We’d love to hear from you!

Speaking of hearing from you, a quick update on the other seven plans: The review period for Arcadia Township, Blaine Township, Crystal Lake Township, Gilmore Township, the Village of Honor, Joyfield Township, and Pleasanton Township concluded in late February, and the comments have been compiled and sent to the Planning Commissions. Commissioners are now reviewing the comments and considering suggested changes. We anticipate the revision process to continue through the spring. When each community is satisfied with the revised document, the final public hearings will be scheduled, so keep an eye on the calendar!