Map of Natural Resources in Manchester Township by Washtenaw County GIS. From draft of Manchester Township Master Plan.

by Colleen Schoenfeld

On June 24, the Manchester Township Planning Commission met to discuss their draft master plan for the township. Legal requirements are that every township approve a master plan to guide in development and zoning every five years. The meeting was well attended with many community members present, requiring additional seating to be added to the room.

The Township Planner, Alissa Starling, provided a briefing on the draft and what changes were included within the draft master plan. She also explained that in addition to being required by law for the township to approve a master plan, it was important to have a framework in place to guide the township as the City of Manchester and Township joint master plan was no longer reflective of the township needs, and the City would now be responsible for approving their own master plan. She also indicated it was important to have the Master Plan not only to meet the legal requirements but also to serve as a guide as zoning changes and ordinance requests are submitted to guide the Township Planning Commission as well as the full board on future decisions. The general comments from the Planning Commissioners seemed to convey that there was anticipation of Manchester Township possible expansion, a strong desire to conserve the rural and agricultural identity of Manchester Township, and protection of our natural resources.

During the public comment period many of the audience members stood to voice questions and concerns as part of the requested public feedback. Concerns ranged from the draft plan maps changing zoning designations of current agricultural and residential areas to concerns about protecting the environment. The commissioners and the Planner answered many of the questions asked and requested contact information for questions that they wanted to take some time to answer in follow-up after the meeting.

Concluding the meeting, the commissioners indicated that the plan is a guide and is not set in stone. They also thanked the community members present for reading the draft thoroughly and providing excellent feedback and questions. They asked that the community continue to engage in the process of developing the master plan and attend future planning commission meetings. The next meeting is on July 10 at 7:30pm.

The planning commission indicated that they would be making changes based on the feedback they received. After they have finalized and approved the plan, it will move to the Township board for approval.

You can read the draft here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tKKYaJBB2hCFWW9SwRDugtCaRTF5Zm90/view